Ásatrú Utah

How to make an ancestral shrine

Materials you will need:

cutting mat

http://www.amazon.com/Elmers-Products-X-2dActo-Self-2dHealing-Cutting/dp/B000S16KWS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1255105578&sr=1-6

foam core board-

http://www.amazon.com/Foam-Board-White-PAC5557-Category/dp/B000TCXUWY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1255104365&sr=1-2

12" ruler-

http://www.amazon.com/United-Westcott-12-Inch-Shatterproof-14381/dp/B002B561J6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1255104469&sr=1-1

snap off cutter-

http://www.amazon.com/8-pc-Snap-Off-Cutter-Set/dp/B000NPR4II/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1255104609&sr=1-18

all purpose glue-

http://www.amazon.com/Elmers-Multipurpose-White-Glue-E372/dp/B00004YTP3/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1255104813&sr=1-5

scissors-

http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-94517797-Stainless-scissors-handles/dp/B00006IFN9/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1255105665&sr=1-1

paint brushes-

http://www.amazon.com/Winsor-Newton-University-Brush-Handle/dp/B000GJ58D4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1255105729&sr=1-5

scrapbook papers-

http://www.amazon.com/180-2dpc-2e-Yearbook-Paper-Pad-12x12/dp/B000REOVXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1255106172&sr=1-1

pencils, tooth picks, straight pins, beads, coins, other items to decorate your shrine.

1. The back wall and roof:

To make the back wall measure 5" x 9" rectangle, with a pencil on the foam core board. Use your cutting mat or other cutting board to protect your area, cut out your back wall with your cutting tool. (note: if you use your ruler while cutting you will have a much straighter line, cut along the ruler's edge which is laid on the line you have drawn with your pencil, hold the ruler tightly, be watchfulu of your fingers so you don't cut them.) Mark the center point along the top 5" of your rectangle, measure 2" down from the top of the rectangle and mark the 2" on the side of the 9" of the rectangle, use a ruler to mark from the 2" mark on the side of the rectangle to the center mark at the top of the rectangle. You now have a peak point which will be your roof, cut out the triangles on each side of the rectangle. Laying your core board on your paper, trace around the paper, leaving a 1/4" around all sides, flip over your foam core cut out and trace out the other side, again with a 1/4" excess around all sides, cut out the pieces. Brush glue on one side of your core board cut out, use your paint brush to spread it evenly, lay your cut out, glue side down, on one of your paper cut outs, Using your rulers edge smooth the paper, pressing out any air bubbles or wrinkles. Put a small amount of glue along the edges folding the paper up and around the edges, using more glue as needed. Put glue on the other side of the foam board, using your paint brush to spread it evenly. Using your rulers edge smooth the paper, pressing out any air bubbles or wrinkles. Put a small amount of glue along the edges folding the paper up and around the edges, using more glue as needed. Set this piece aside.

2. The ceiling:

Cut a piece of foam core board 5" x 1 1/2", make sure that your back wall, you just finished, is still 5" across, if not use the same measurement of the back wall for the ceiling. Cover the ceiling piece just as you did with the back wall, being sure to smooth out any bubbles. After you have applied the paper, put a line of glue along the 5" edge and glue it to the ceiling piece, glue it exactually where the attic triangle begins. (note: the 1 1/2" determines the depth of your shrine, if you want it deeper, use a wider measure.)

3.The Side Walls:

Cut two pieces of foam core board 6 3/4" x 1 1/2", again measure from the underside of the ceiling to the bottom of the shire and adjust measure to fit your shrine. Cover these two pieces with glue and paper as before. Glue each side wall with a line of glue on one edge, under the ceiling to the bottom of the shrine, make sure the side walls do not hang over the back wall. (Note: make sure these sides are even, because this will make your shrine stand up straight or fall over.)

4.The Floor:

Cut a piece of foam core 4 1/2" x 1 1/2", it is very important to measure the space between both walls carefully and cut to fit the floor. Cover the floor with paper as before. Place glue on three of the edges of the floor and place the floor into place.

5.The Frame:

Cut a rectangle 5" x 7", again check the measurements of your shrine so this frame fits correctly. The frame will sit on top of the ceiling, both side walls and the floor, creating a shadow box effect. To make the opening of the frame, measure 3/4" all around the edge, mark this measurement and you now have a rectangle inside a rectangle, cut out the inner rectangle. Before you cover this frame with paper you will want to cover the inner corners of the window you just created. To do this , make tabs from four small pieces of paper that match the paper you are using for your shrine. Cut out the papers 1 ¼ “ x 1”. Make two slits on either side of the paper, across the width, leaving 1/4” uncut. Glue the uncut 1/4” into the corner of the inside window, the rest of the small pieces of paper to be glued and wrapped around the edges. Lay the frame on a piece of paper and measure all around the frame on the outside, leaving 1” extra on all sides, then do the same with the inside of the frame, again leaving 1” extra around all the sides. Place glue on one side of the frame, lay this on your cut out, carefully smoothing out all the air bubbles. Turn over and glue the edges of the paper onto the frame. Since only one side is going to show on this frame the backside does not have to be completely covered. The frame will be glued on after you have decorated the inside of your shrine.

6.The Decorations:

Now comes the fun, using your imagination, decorate the inside of your shrine the way you want it. You can use pictures, buttons, pins, paint, markers, etc... Glue the frame on after decorating the inside of the shrine, do not let the frame hang over the walls or ceiling.

7.The Roof:

Cut a piece of foam core 2 1/4” x 7”, measure the middle of the roof and lightly score a line across the middle, being careful not to cut all the way through. I use a pencil to do this, it works well. Cover the roof with paper and glue as before. I like using a contrasting color or design to make the roof stand out from the shrine. After the piece is dried, gently bend the roof where you scored it earlier, it won't break. Glue the roof onto the shrine, the roof edges will extend beyond the side walls, with a small amount overhanging on the back of the shrine.

8.The Base:

Cut a piece of foam core 2 1/4” x 5”, cover with paper as before. Glue the shrine to the base. (Note: The base of your shrine can be larger if you like. It will most likely extend at least 1/4” on all sides of the shrine but you can make this wider if you wish.)

Pictures of shrines:

Some examples.

First shrine: