Subj : A dough pentacle for alta


        This is a Christmas Ornament recipe I have converted to use as a way to 
hand-make a pentacle, thurible, etc for a personal altar. I just gave the recipe 
to Arwen in BOS, but I thought you might appreciate it here as well. Forgive me 
for a double posting?

4 cups regular all-purpose flour
2 cups salt
1 teaspoon powdered alum
1-1/2 cups water

        Mix all ingredients well with hands. If dough is too dry, work in 1 
tablespoon of water with hands. Divide into separate bowls if you need different 
colors. Knead in a drop or two of food coloring at a time until the correct 
color is achieved. Yes, your hands will be dyed as well! Roll out 1/8" thick on 
a flour-covered board, or use your hands to mold it into desired shapes. If 
making wall hangings, use a plastic straw to make wire holes. Make sure no piece 
of dough is thicker than 1/2". Use aluminum foil to help dough hold its shape if 
necessary.
        Heat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. (Sorry, I don't have a Centigrade 
conversion, Marmy.) Place your creations on a baking sheet. bake about 30 
minutes. If possible, turn them over, or at least rotate the baking sheet. Bake 
1-1/2 hours more or until the creations are hard and dry. Remove from baking 
sheet and cool completely.
        When cool, sand lightly with fine sand paper until smooth. Paint with 
plastic-based poster paints or acrylic paints. Do not forget to paint the sides 
and backs. Allow paint to dry thoroughly. Brush your creations with clear 
shellac, or spray with clear acrylic.

WARNING!! This recipe makes a lot of dough! Invite the whole coven or let your 
kids create something. But do not let anyone eat the dough! The alum makes it 
harmful to swallow. Alum can be picked up right in the grocery store, or barring 
that, at a drug store.

Variation: If you are talented with herbs and essential oils, you may add them 
in very small amounts to the dough. Knead well to break up the oil and spread 
the herbs throughout.