Glitter Tarot Deck Craft Project

Ever since I trimmed my Radiant Rider Waite deck, it hasn’t been entirely happy with me.

Yes, I anthropomorphize my decks. Deal with it.

Not because I think it’s blasphemy. I think it’s just because I was so…haphazard in my technique. I lopped off the borders with wild abandon. I have a streak of perfectionism a mile wide (Hello, Virgo!) and sometimes to compensate, I push myself to jump in with both feet instead. Chopping up a Tarot deck is kind of scary, so I went with the “both feet” method.

It wasn’t done with proper care and respect, this is what I decided. I apologized to the deck a number of times and promised my continuing love and respect, but I still got a slightly cold shoulder. So I decided to make it up to my friend by showering this deck with some love. I opted for glitter. I have a Lenormand deck I’ve glittered up with highlights and we get on fabulously.

I’ll admit, I did spend some time lusting after artist Carol Herzer’s Illuminated Tarot. While it’s certainly a reasonable price for meticulously hand-painted cards, it’s beyond what I wanted to invest in a Tarot deck. I’ve also seen Donnaleigh do it and thought it was a fabulous idea.

At any rate, this is my cut-rate, glittered up version of wonderful and I cannot wait to start working with it again…I love it, flaws and all.

What I’d do differently next time:

• More carefully plan my inventory of glitter polish. I had to get more mid-project. Two or three bottles of each main color should do it, at least one bottle of the lesser used colors, and four or five of the irresdecent glitter I slathered over each card should do it.
• Do one color at a time on cards and let it dry before adding new colors. Or maybe not; I’m impatient. But it would have fewer color smears.
• Allow all the colors to dry before vamping it up with the iridescent glitter. Again, my impatience got in the way.
• Keep a tissue handy while painting, for wiping off mistakes in the glitter painting. My fingers are far too pudgy to be fully effective.
• Keep a pair of reading glasses next to the project at all times. Because sometimes, I’m just lazy.
• Buy cheapo, fine-tip brushes and use with a paper plate as a palate. But that would be going all artsy-fartsy.
• Use a screwdriver instead of scissors to pry the lid off the sealer. (Shhh! Don’t tell Captain Virgo!)
• Use two trash bags to spread out cards when coating with sealer. Reusing the same bag was sticky. Also, do this on a warmer day.

What I would not change:

• Use this activity as a way to wind down and relax. It was great, very soothing!
• Pulled the cards to paint from a shuffled deck, asking questions along the way. It was both informative as a mini-reading and also made a nice connection with each card as I was working on it.
• Glittered up ALL the cards, even the “bad” ones. Because the Three of Swords needs love, too.
• Not taking myself or the project too seriously. I wanted to infuse some fun and love into this deck again to make it a strong working deck, and I believe I succeeded. It may not be perfect, but as long as I’m happy with it, it works.

Be aware if you give this a try, it makes your deck a lot thicker. I am not concerned about shuffling off the glitter because I used the sealer and since I didn’t spend a fortune, it won’t be a tragedy when the deck is worn out. I’ll just give it a respectful goodbye and make another if I’m so moved.

Would you every glitter up a Tarot deck, or does the thought make you shudder?