Incredible things made from ordinary horseshoes. Ideas for inspiration

The history of most folk talismans and amulets goes back to ancient times. However, one of the most popular amulets in the world became widespread not so long ago. The tradition of hanging a talisman such as a horse's shoe over the front door goes back several hundred years, and you can make a talisman with your own hands. Moreover, it is not at all necessary to be a blacksmith for this.

Why is the devil afraid of the blacksmith?

In the folklore of many countries there are tales about the confrontation between the blacksmith and the devil. When Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol wrote about the adventures of the blacksmith Vakula, he drew inspiration from folk tales. But where did these stories come from? Having found the answer to this question, you can also find out why people decorate their houses with a horseshoe. Moreover, this tradition exists not only in Slavic lands.

The history of the symbol began in the tenth century. One day the Devil himself appeared to the blacksmith Dunstan. Having heard about Dunstan's skill, the horned client ordered the blacksmith to shoe him.

The cunning blacksmith pretended to be scared and willingly agreed. However, he told the devil that he needed to be chained to the wall so that he would not twitch due to tickling, otherwise his new “shoes” would sit crookedly. The stupid horned one agreed and obediently allowed himself to be chained by the blacksmith. Then the blacksmith heated a horseshoe and applied it to his paw. The devil howled in pain, but could not escape - the blacksmith chained him to his conscience.

Neither the threats nor the entreaties of the evil one had any result. Until, finally, he gave the blacksmith his word that from now on, no hoof or paw of any of the hellish creatures would cross the threshold of the dwelling, over the entrance to which a horseshoe amulet would hang.

The unclean one kept his word. The cunning blacksmith also benefited from the deal. It is not known for certain whether he gave the amulets to neighbors as gifts or perhaps sold them. However, very soon he somehow, from a simple blacksmith, became the Archbishop of Canterbury, and after his death he was even canonized. And this is no longer a legend, but a historical fact.

Spread of tradition and amulet

Because of this legend, it is believed that the tradition of protecting a home with a horse talisman originated in England. Horseshoes themselves were invented by Celtic or, according to another version, Gallic masters, around the fifth century AD. And only during the reign of Peter the Great the tradition spread in Russian lands. The first European horse riding school was founded in 1732 in the village of Khoroshevo near Moscow. So the horse talisman over the doors of the Slavs first appeared only a little over three hundred years ago.

Traditions of making a talisman and its features

A horse amulet accidentally found on the road is considered a particularly auspicious symbol. Apparently the reason is its rarity. Today it is easier to find a wallet or mobile phone dropped by someone than a real horse's shoe.

However, buying horse talismans is not difficult. They are readily sold by blacksmiths who forge amulets directly for sale, following tradition. There are many souvenir shops and amulets stamped on assembly lines by Chinese craftsmen - the symbol is also popular in the East. However, the most practical needlewomen can make a horseshoe amulet at home, from materials at hand.

There are no special requirements for the materials or the size of the amulet. All souvenirs are considered equally effective. However, real craftswomen, experts in folk crafts, recommend following tradition when making your own talisman.

Symbolism is of considerable importance in the Slavic tradition. Therefore, craftswomen decorate home talismans with special details and materials.

The red pepper pods on the product are a symbol of hot passion. They are appropriate for a talisman that is presented as a gift to newlyweds or a spouse.
Wheat or rye ears, corn kernels and cobs, pumpkin seeds on the amulet are symbols of fertility. An amulet decorated with these symbols can be given as a wedding gift or hung in your own home.
Chamomile on a souvenir is traditionally considered a symbol of marital fidelity.
In order for the talisman to bring prosperity, it is decorated with beans, bags of grain, and coins. This is a wonderful gift for new residents.
A small broom on the talisman will bring money if it is attached upside down. And if the broom is attached with the handle up, the gift will protect the family from quarrels.
Souvenir decorations such as a sunflower and bread, as well as a pair of miniature bast shoes made of any material, also contribute to peace in the family.
Bay leaves traditionally promise glory. Garlic and onions also contribute to it.
Rose hips and rowan tassels are symbols of unfading beauty.
Fir and pine cones are a symbol of longevity or, according to another version, a symbol of hard work.
If you decorate a horseshoe with a poppy box, it will help your cherished dream come true.
A red ribbon on a souvenir brings good luck.
Field herbs on the product are a symbol of health.
Half a walnut is a symbol of the intelligence of the owner of the talisman. A horseshoe amulet with such decoration will be a good gift for a student or for children attending school.

However, it should be noted that a do-it-yourself horseshoe amulet is effective if the souvenir is made as a gift and not for yourself. Some sources even claim that a hand-made product is unsuitable for use. If the craftswoman wants to make a souvenir that is ideally suited to the needs of her family, she can give the product to her husband, children, or parents. Thus, the man-made symbol of happiness will remain in the house.

From decorative thread

Let's start making a souvenir.

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The base can be made of thick cardboard or plywood. We form a template and cut out a horseshoe. We cover the base with any material; burlap looks very good on such work. Linen twine will only complement this composition. In the upper part we immediately add a rope for fastening.

And we add various grains, from the grain you can form flowers. Only your imagination and the availability of components. Some details can be made from salt dough and painted in the desired colors, this will only give the amulet new colors.

To prepare it, just mix regular flour, Extra salt and water. The consistency should be like dumplings. And we simply sculpt parts from pieces of dough.

Choosing material for a souvenir

As already mentioned, there are no special requirements for the material from which the souvenir will be made. The craftswoman does not have to use exclusively natural materials for the product - it is quite acceptable to make jewelry from plastic or polymer clay. The base of the product can be made of plywood, but cardboard will also work. The crafter can use materials she already has at home, or buy everything she might need in advance from a craft store.

However, according to tradition, souvenirs have the greatest power; the craftswoman approaches the selection of materials for them not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also from an energetic one. To do this, you need to apply a simple ritual.

Before making a horseshoe with her own hands, the craftswoman needs to take a round mirror and light a candle. While it is burning, you need to circle it clockwise around the edge of the mirror several times. At this time, the craftswoman should think about the person to whom the future product is intended as a gift. Then the mirror is placed with the reflective surface up, and on top of it, in turn, is each of the materials with which the craftswoman wants to decorate the gift.

Closing her eyes, the craftswoman needs to put her hand on the symbol and listen to her own feelings. A feeling of warmth will tell the craftswoman that the choice of material has been made correctly. Cold fingers are a sign that the material for the souvenir is not suitable.

Materials you can use

Today, it is possible to make horseshoes from a variety of materials. Everything is limited by imagination, experience and finances. Modern needlewomen make crafts from threads, salt dough, coffee beans, sweets, wood, clay, metal, and glass.

It is customary to supplement the amulet with semantic symbols:

A small bag of cereal - welfare
Hot pepper - love.
Pumpkin seeds – fertility.
Bread – comfort and home warmth.
Coins mean good luck in business.
Medicinal herbs – health.
Garlic cloves – against evil spirits.

There are others too. There are many symbols, and which one to choose depends on what you want to have as a final result. But try not to overdo it. The abundance of symbolism does not look aesthetically pleasing.

The finished horseshoe can be placed in a beautiful gift box. This will make it more pleasant for the recipient to receive it.

A horseshoe for luck is not a superstition. It really brings it, especially if it is done by hand. How could it be otherwise, because a thing made with one’s own hands carries within it a special energy and a piece of the soul of its creator. Therefore, if you want to bring positivity into your life, then ask your loved ones to make this amulet for you.

A simple home amulet - horseshoe

Here is the simplest and most universal master class on making a horseshoe amulet.

To begin with, the needlewoman needs to make the base of the horseshoe. The template below should be printed at the desired size. You need to outline it and cut out a frame from a sheet of cardboard. If the material is thin or soft, you should make several cardboard horseshoes and glue them together.
The finished horseshoe base is covered with fabric. You can use burlap, linen and even bright synthetics. A base wrapped with ribbon or twine also looks good. A great option is to crochet the frame of the souvenir.
The selected decorations should be attached to the prepared base. They need to be sewn or glued with a glue gun.
If you plan to hang the souvenir on the wall, you need to attach a loop to the back of the amulet.

DIY horseshoe with poppies. Master class with step-by-step photos

Master class “Horseshoe with poppies”. Step-by-step instructions with photos

Author: Natalya Anatolyevna Brekhova, additional education teacher, head of the “Floral Design” club.
For Mother’s Day, the club members and I made souvenirs in the form of a horseshoe decorated with flowers.
This is a bright and self-sufficient gift, because in Rus' a horseshoe was considered a symbol of happiness. For a horseshoe, flowers can be made using any technique (depending on the age and abilities of the child). I would like to present one of the available options in my master class: “Horseshoe with poppies.” The master class is intended for educators, teachers, parents and children aged 6 years and older. Purpose: gift for mother. Production time : 1-2 hours. Goal: developing the creative activity of students when making a gift for Mother's Day. Objectives: - master making poppies from paper; — will teach you how to cut out flower details without a pattern; - develop visual perception, eye, fine motor skills; — promote the development of children’s creative abilities and the formation of aesthetic taste; — cultivate interest in creativity, hard work and self-realization. To make a souvenir you will need : cardboard, a piece of burlap, green and orange crepe paper, black threads, beading wire, poppy seed or semolina, ears of wheat and oats, PVA glue or hot melt glue. 1st step. Cut 20 rectangles of 4 by 5 cm from orange crepe paper. Fold the rectangles in half and shape them into poppy petals. 2nd step. Stretch the petals slightly in the middle and twist at the base.

3rd step. Wind the threads onto a small cardboard strip, 10 cm wide. The thickness of the wound bundle of threads is 0.5-0.7 cm.

4th step. Cut the bundle of threads into five parts, and twist each piece in the middle with wire 10-12 cm long.

5th step. Trim the finished tassels, dip the ends in glue and poppy seeds.

6th step. Attach 2 petals to the finished cores from below, and then 2 more.

7th step. Wrap the wire under the flowers with a strip of crepe paper.

8th step. Cut green crepe paper into 2 x 6cm rectangles. Give them the shape of leaves, stretch them a little across and twist them at the base.

9th step. Cut out a horseshoe from A4 size cardboard, apply glue on one side and glue it to the burlap.

10th step. Trim the excess burlap, leaving allowances along the contour, cut and fold to the wrong side.

11th step. Glue a lace to the ends of the horseshoe from the wrong side and disguise it with a horseshoe made of plain paper. 12th step. Glue ready-made poppy flowers onto the finished horseshoe on the front side.

13th step. Then arrange and glue the leaves. 14th step. Supplement the work with spikelets of wheat and oats.

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Fragrant talismans

To not only decorate the interior, but also fill the room with a pleasant aroma, you can decorate the base of the amulet with coffee beans. The craftswoman should take roasted and green grains for horseshoeing. They are attached to the fabric base of the product using glue. You need to start with the outline of the horseshoe.

You can also use fragrant herbs: mint, lemon balm. A small amount should be placed in a bag, which must be attached to the base of the horseshoe. As the smell fades, it is renewed with a drop of aroma oil, which is applied to the bag. Such a fragrant horseshoe can be hung not only in the apartment, but also in the car - a homemade elegant fragrance for the interior will be an excellent gift.

Magnetic horseshoes

Another good option would be to make a horseshoe souvenir for the refrigerator.

Various materials can also be used for manufacturing. It is only desirable that the product is not very heavy. Coffee beans are a good option. It looks very nice.

Take a cardboard blank in the shape of a horseshoe.

Apply glue in several places and wrap the entire surface with twine.

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And glue the grains onto the front surface.

Try to choose grains of the same size and color.

Cover the top thoroughly with acrylic varnish.

After complete drying, add various decorative elements.

We glue 2 magnets to the back, and the horseshoe is ready.

Edible souvenir as a gift for children

It will take no more than a quarter of an hour to make the product, provided that you managed to buy chocolate medals and a sheet of foil in advance. Therefore, a souvenir is a real find for those who urgently need to make an original, inexpensive gift for children.

The cardboard base is wrapped in foil. Use double-sided tape or a glue gun to attach chocolate medals or any other candies to the gift. The finished product looks expensive and elegant, but such a gift costs a penny.

Salt dough amulet

Horseshoes made from hard salted dough are very popular today. Making such a talisman is very simple.

The dough must be kneaded from flour, water and salt, and the salt should be strong - a tablespoon of salt per cup of flour.
The dough is rolled out into a sheet about a centimeter thick, a horseshoe is cut out according to the template - this is the basis of the product.
The base should be dried in the oven at moderate temperature.
Using an awl, holes should be made in the dried base for fastening.
Decorate the horseshoe with decor from the leftover dough.
The product is baked until golden brown and the horseshoe is allowed to cool.
The horseshoe is first coated with two layers of primer, then varnish, and allowed to dry.
Acrylic should be used to paint the amulet.

Decorative horseshoe made of threads for interior decoration

Plywood or corrugated cardboard is suitable for the base. Cut out the horseshoe according to the template. The base can be covered with burlap; linen twine also gives a beautiful color and texture. You can paste a braid of rope along the contour.
At the top of the horseshoe, a chamomile - a symbol of fidelity - masks a driven bunch. In the hanging bast shoes there is a coin (luck in business) and a laying hen with an egg (fertility). Birds of paradise can be placed.
Make three bags of arbitrary sizes, preferably “live” ones, with eyes. We fill the bags with beans, grains, nuts, and seeds.
The sides of the horseshoe: it is convenient to secure the parts with a heat gun. Use more greenery (leaves, blades of grass), berries and fruits in the decoration.
Detailed description of the bags: the nose is made from beans, the eyes can be bought ready-made or you can use buttons, the mustache (beard) is made from thread or tow. We cover everything with colorless varnish – both beauty and protection from insects. The mouse is a special symbol. Will make the owners thrifty and thrifty. We fill all the voids with greenery and flowers.
The amulet is a gift, an interior decoration (depending on what meaning you put into it) is ready.

Berries and fruits for decorating the amulet can be made from salt dough. There are many recipes on the Internet, here is the simplest: “Extra” salt and flour (in equal parts) with the addition of water. Knead like dumplings and sculpt decorative elements. You can dry it in air or in an open oven (secure it with a wire). Paint with gouache, watercolor or acrylic paints, and cover with clear varnish.

Professionals work with cold porcelain or plastic, but the dough also looks very nice. The main thing is to keep the amulet away from places of high humidity (the dough may crack).

What to do if you are lucky enough to find a horseshoe talisman

The lucky ones who managed to take possession of a used horse shoe can improve its appearance before decorating the house with a talisman.

Using a rust converter, traces of corrosion are removed from the product.
The surface of a horse's shoe is sanded with a file and sandpaper.
You can order amalgam coating from a jewelry workshop, but this is an expensive service.
The amulet is opened with varnish in two or three layers and allowed to dry.
Decor can be added as desired. Usually, according to tradition, a horse amulet is decorated with a bell.

A find processed in this way can be kept for yourself or given to a loved one. Such a gift given for housewarming is especially appreciated.