Beaded stick pins can be a fun and fashionable way to make a statement in your wardrobe. Used for decorating hats, scarves or jackets, these pins are easy to make in any number of ways. A simple beaded stick pin is a colorful project to work on at any time. more »

The history of the practice of sticking pins in voodoo dolls is unclear. It became known as a method of cursing a person and has been called New Orleans Voodoo, or Hoodoo (folk magic). It may have been used as a means to frighten superstitious enemies. Whatever the origin, making a Voodoo Doll is easy and hip. And it won't really hurt anyone. more »

Whether you believe in voodoo or not, making a voodoo doll of someone who has caused you pain can be therapeutic. You can make your doll look more like your enemy by using a small photograph of him. The doll will also be more authentic if you include real hair, clothing or personal possessions from the subject. When your doll is complete, you can torture your victim in effigy by sticking pins in the voodoo doll. more »

If you've ever tried to carve a pumpkin you know how frustrating it can be when your carving doesn't look as precise as you would like. There are several different techniques for carving that can assist you in achieving the perfect look for your pumpkin. These techniques include stencils, drawings, markings, and even stick pin mapping. more »

"They hate me. They really hate me." After pouring a substantial amount of blood, sweat and tears into a manuscript you were certain would be gobbled up in a heartbeat by an agent or a prestigious publishing house, the last thing you want to read in a letter is the phrase "not suitable for us at this time". Before you resort to angry tirades, sticking pins in voodoo dolls, or swearing that you'll never, ever write again, consider this: maybe those seemingly heartless rejections can actually teach you something. more »

Copper enameling is the process of fusing powdered glass to a piece of copper using high heat. The copper pieces may be in the form of a finger ring, or disks or other shapes that can be hung as earrings or linked together with copper jump rings to form bracelets or necklaces. Sometimes pins are attached to the backs of these enameled copper pieces to make pins or broaches. They may also be attached to long pins to form hat pins or stick pins. With practice, enameled pieces can be quite detailed and colorful. more »

Few pieces of religious iconography are as badly misunderstood as voodoo dolls. The popular cliche posits them as a form of black magic, allowing you to curse your enemies or stick pins in the doll to cause them pain. Nothing could be further from the truth. Voodoo itself is an animistic religion, not a form of witchcraft. Within that tradition, voodoo dolls serve as a charm of sorts: not dissimilar to a crucifix or a Star of David worn around the neck. Making voodoo dolls work is thus a question of religious piety. more »