When my swap partner for the All Hallow’s Eve swap mentioned wanting a mini-shrine that could stand freely, I kept coming back to it even though it’s not my typical craft.
While scrolling eBay for something I no longer remember, I came across a vintage doll wardrobe, and it immediately made me think of her request. I don’t usually work on projects like this, but I couldn’t stop imagining the doll’s wardrobe would be a perfect base for a shrine.
When it arrived, I started sanding it by hand and quickly realized I’d be there forever, so I treated myself to a little electric sander. Before stripping the paint, I took off the tiny feet and knobs; later, I decided to leave the feet off and replace the knobs with crystal beads. Once it was smooth and ready, I wood-burned designs into the surface and added a fresh stain.
There’s enough bad in the world right now that I wanted to focus on creating something that embraced good things. While I’m not even remotely spiritual, the idea of pouring my creative energy into something dark felt draining.
So instead, I leaned into symbols of protection and hope. The evil eye wards off negativity and skulls and wings remind us that life is fleeting so live a life worth living.
Snakes stand for transformation, wisdom, and healing.
And finally bind runes that represent creation, protection, and hope.
Elliott (my thought partner in crime) and I began crafting a backstory for the piece during our walks. This was a witch’s wardrobe filled with memories, love, and a little bit of magic.
Inside, the skeleton belongs to her beloved mentor, Agnes, whose portrait hangs nearby. Agnes’s crystal ball sits on a small table beside a bird’s nest holding bird skulls. Three witchy watercolors adorn the walls. A large glass container holds quills from a giant porcupine. A tiny raven statute rests beneath the table; her broom hangs on the wall; and the drawers hold oversized feathers, bones, a book, and a geode. Agnes is a time traveling witch and some of her treasures come from her travels to lands where the animals are much larger. The large crystal hanging inside is her time-traveling device. We did not name the witch who owns the wardrobe but we think it’s because she wanted the focus on Agnes.
Many of the materials came from our home, our land, and local thrift shop.
Materials & Sources
- eBay: vintage doll wardrobe (sanded, stripped, re-stained; feet removed and knobs replaced with crystal beads from my stash)
- Thrift shop: small skeleton, portrait frame, table (legs shortened to fit), bird’s nest, glass vial, tiny bird hook
- Repurposed materials: stylus nib lid (used as the frame for the skeleton), halved pendants (used as frames for miniature watercolor paintings)
- Home/land: feathers from our Bantam chickens, stick and pine needles for the witches broom, acorn cap, porcupine quills from a rescued visitor who got caught up in our poultry net
- Handmade elements: polymer clay bird skulls, polymer clay raven, polymer clay crystal ball base, three miniature watercolor paintings painted by me, Portrait of Agnes by Elliott
- Oddities and stash: crystal ball bead from mixed bead collection, geode from Elliott’s rock and crystal collection, crystal I’ve had for over 18 years (origin unknown, but perfect for this piece), small book received as in a swap and perfect for the witch’s wardrobe
