If you want to try a pendulum board DIY, look no further! Here’s a list of 8 ways you could make a pendulum board of your very own!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a small commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
Depending on where you live, accessing sustainable, unique, and aesthetically pleasing witchcraft/divination supplies can be difficult. In some parts of the world, it’s almost impossible to find locally.
But hey, you’re a crafter! A serial creative! Which means you aren’t limited to what you can find locally.
If you need/want something, odds are good that you can find a way to make it.
I’ve seen a lot of DIY pendulums (and maybe I’ll add to it by making a post on that at some point in the future!) but fewer pendulum boards/mats. Not sure why that is—maybe it seems a little more daunting?
But making your own pendulum board/mat doesn’t have to be daunting.
There are so many different ways that you can make your own pendulum board or mat. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with buying one, I think that creating the things you use in your own practice can be really beneficial. It allows you to imbue your tools with your intentions and helps you connect with those tools in a way you might not if they were mass-produced—or even handmade by someone else.
Let’s take a look at some pendulum boards and mats that you can make!
01. Wood Burned Pendulum Board
Wood-burning kits are relatively inexpensive (you can get the same one I have on Amazon for under $25!) and user-friendly. Just make sure that you’re following all recommended safety precautions! I’d also recommend you draw out your pattern on the wood before you burn it. You can sketch something out, or print a design and transfer it to the wood.
There are tons of options when it comes to wood circles. You don’t even have to cut them out yourself! You can get something like this at Dollar Tree (check it out) and cut off the string. Or something like this at Michaels (check it out) and it’s ready to go. For something a little more “natural” looking, particularly if you utilize a lot of nature in your practice, why not a rougher piece of wood with some bark like this (check it out). And of course, there’s always Amazon, like this one here (check it out).
After you’ve burned the design into the wood, leave it as is, stain it, or seal it. (Don’t do it before!)
If you’ve never done wood burning before, here’s a great blog post with some things to consider and how to go about it.
02. Air Dry Clay Pendulum Board
I’ve developed quite a love for clay. While I’m partial to polymer clay, I’ve found that air dry clay is oddly satisfying too. It’s easier to blend and it gets my hands dirty in a way that polymer clay doesn’t. Plus, it requires patience. I can’t just pop it in the oven and 30 minutes later have a finished piece. It requires a day, if not multiple days, to dry.
I think that’s fitting for a project like this.
If you wanted to add some herbs to your clay—herbs for divination, insight, or protection would all be good here—mix them in while you’re conditioning your clay. You can also work crystals into your design, or other things that resonate with your intentions.
To get your letters and words on the board, carve them out while the clay is wet or use letter stamps to make impressions. (You could also paint them on later when the clay is dry.) I have a few sets of letter stamps—some that are meant for ink, some that are meant for cookies, and some that are meant for polymer clay. Any would work for this kind of project.
After you’ve shaped the clay and let it dry, you can paint it, write on it, or decorate it in whatever other ways you might want.
Note: The image above is for a pendulum board made with polymer clay, not air dry. You can get the same finished product with air dry, but for some reason, I couldn’t find any good photos of air dry clay pendulum boards. Maybe that’s a sign—I’ll have to make one and share pictures! What do you think?
03. Fabric and Vinyl Pendulum Board
If you’re a Cricut/Silhouette/other cutting machine crafter, this might be just the project for you. You can get a pendulum board svg file (like this one, from Etsy!), cut it, and attach it to the fabric of your choosing. If you want to get fancy, why not make my tarot spread cloth/wrap (free tutorial!) and have one side be for tarot readings and the other side a pendulum mat? Divination on the go!
This option is great for people who either already have a stash of fabric or are particular about the fabric they use. You can spend a lot of time finding the perfect cut—whether you’re waiting for a sale on silk, or want to ensure that what you’re using is 100% natural.
I don’t have a Cricut (yet!) but this is definitely a project I’m going to tackle when I have one. (Speaking of, let me know in the comments some of your favorite Cricut projects because I hope to get one this year and will need a list of things to try!)
04. Laser Printed Pendulum Board
Similar to making a pendulum board diy with your Cricut, if you have a GlowForge or a similar type of device (or access to one), why not make yourself a pendulum board with it?
This one is less accessible, as most of us don’t have access to a GlowForge. (I assume, anyway. I certainly don’t.) But if it’s a device you already have, why not use it to make some beautiful metaphysical products?
This would also be a fun project to sell, if you’re looking for something to add to your Etsy shop or considering starting a new business.
05. Resin Pendulum Board
If you love working with resin, why not make a resin pendulum board? You can order molds on Etsy (like this one here) or Amazon. Making your board with resin allows you to control the colors, the inclusions, and the general feel of your board. Want to add glitter? Get some sparkly mica powder! Are you frustrated because you can’t find a neon pink pendulum board anywhere? Go for it—make the pinkest board ever to exist. (By the way, why are so many “witchy” products and tools dark colors? Let’s add a little brightness, shall we? Some witches like pink, purple, yellow, and baby blue, you know.)
I don’t work with resin a lot, but I know it’s a popular medium for a reason. Give it a try!
06. Printed Fabric Pendulum Board
Did you know that you can order custom-printed fabric through websites like Spoonflower?
Why not design a pendulum board pattern and have it printed on the fabric of your choice? I’d recommend that you design it so it fits nicely on a fat quarter of fabric. It’s a great size, and then you can just order a fat quarter and not have to worry about doing much cutting of the fabric itself. Plus, you can make your design available for public purchase—maybe others will also want to order your pendulum board fabric! One design could turn into a nice little side hustle.
07. Printed on Paper Pendulum Board
There’s nothing wrong with a paper pendulum board diy. You can design something in Canva or any other graphics software (Illustrator, Gimp, Photoshop, etc.) and then print it out on a piece of paper. You can use plain printer paper, colored cardstock, and glossy paper… the sky is the limit! Plus you can laminate it if you want it to be more durable. Or print out a bunch and keep each one as a record of your pendulum readings.
I sell printable pendulum boards on one of my Etsy shops. Check it out if you need a little inspiration. (Or order it to save time and skip the design process!)
08. Hand Drawn Pendulum Board
If you need to make a pendulum board diy in a pinch, why not pull out a pen and paper? It’s all too common to think we need our tools to be fancy—and there’s nothing wrong with wanting fancy tools!—but the intention is what matters. A hand-drawn pendulum board will work just as well as something you sculpted meticulously out of clay. I promise.
Will you make a DIY pendulum board?
I tend to look at things and think, “I could make that!” (If you’re the same, you may want to check out this MoodMill pin here.)
A lot of the things I use in my practice are things that I’ve DIY’d. Not because I haven’t wanted to buy them, but because I’ve wanted to create something tailored to me, my intentions, and my energy.
Again, I’m not against buying things. I buy a lot of things. If you don’t feel like making a pendulum board for yourself is something that you’re into, go shopping! Have fun!
But if you’re going to buy a pendulum board (or any witchy tools!) I’d recommend shopping from a local maker or small shop. Someone who takes pride in their art, or their business, and ensures that what they’re selling is high quality and well made. While there’s a time and place for mass-produced products, I don’t think this is one of those times or places. But that’s just me! Do as your heart desires!
If you have made a pendulum board diy for yourself, or if you make pendulum boards for sale, I’d love to see them! On Instagram, use the hashtags #theserialcreative and #pendulumboarddiy so I can see your lovely creations!
Also, you’re welcome to link to your Etsy shop below if handmade pendulum boards are something you sell.
I’m looking forward to seeing your art!
