I loved the art/photography in this book and how easy and approachable the author makes the process of creating magical tools for practice. We need more books like this one, which brings witch-crafting to a very base level and makes it easy to understand while inspiring at the same time.

The witches Workshop is a lovely book it is beautifully photographed and put together and I'm sure if you had a witchy background this will be a must have edition to your library, but as a layman the list of ingredients was mind boggling and I really wouldn't know where to start. But thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a chance to read through it.

This guide provides a captivating journey into the realm of magical crafting. As someone drawn to both the mystical and the creative, I was immediately captivated by this book.

What sets this book apart is its thorough exploration of magical crafting. Covering everything from natural dyes and inks to oils and incense, the author encourages readers to delve into their creativity and forge a deeper connection with nature.

The book's layout is both visually appealing and well-organized, catering to beginners and seasoned practitioners alike. Clear, step-by-step instructions are accompanied by stunning imagery, igniting inspiration with each turn of the page.

I particularly appreciated the emphasis on natural ingredients and sustainable practices. Each project, whether it's homemade inks or handcrafted candles, reflects a profound respect for the earth and its resources. It's more than just crafting tools; it's about fostering a profound bond with nature and the energies that envelop us.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I haven’t been able to test the recipes, but from the looks of things, it’s a handy resource for the crafty witch.

The witch’s workshop by Melissa Madara

💫 Thank you for the opportunity to read this book, it’s informative as very detailed. I have taken some notes for things I would be interested in making. Great read! 💫

Honestly, this has got to be one of the most incredible witchcraft resources I've come across. And that's saying something, considering I'm staring at a shelf with over 30 witchcraft books I haven't cracked open yet. But none of them hit the mark quite like this one. It's laden with information and insights that genuinely light up a witch's path. I've noticed a lot of witchcraft books can be pretty daunting—so dense that a newbie or a 'baby witch' might struggle to really get into it and learn. And sometimes, they just don't cut it. But "The Witch's Workshop" is different. It's a treasure trove of history, research, practical tips, and recipes that any witch, whether you're just starting out or you've been at it for years, can fold into their practice. It's got something for everyone, with levels of craftwork that cater to the whole spectrum of witches, and it's peppered with fascinating tidbits that'll satisfy even the most curious minds. I'm soooo grateful I got the chance to dive into this book and give it a review. I'll be grabbing a physical copy as soon as I can.

A beautiful manual for all the Witch tools you will need. The illustrations and photos through out are stunning and add a beautiful touch to what is a wonderful collection.

I'm going to use the word Witch for this review, in particular Green Witches, as this book mainly focuses on the use of herbs and other natural ingredients to create.

Or for someone interested in the use of botanicals and nature's wonder to create.

Perfect for both the new Witch starting her journey, and more seasoned Witches looking for a collection of recipes and how to craft spells for everything from candles , powders and incense to paper and inks.

Not just generally, each section is broken down into a collection of 'recipes' using different ingredients.

I adored the introduction to this book. It was an insightful look at what is Witchcraft, its mentions in history and a look at memorable figures.

It outlines the knowledge of authenticity and purity of the ingredients youcare using when intention setting. And what better way to know than to create your own.

Overall a beautiful, useful book for creating a variety of natural tools for everyday Witch craft and intention setting.

Putting the ‘craft’ in witchcraft! This was a lovely book filled with magical crafts for your self and home. I will definitely be incorporating a lot of these crafts into my practice.

#NetGalley #TheWitchsWorkshop

In exchange for reading this book early, I was asked for my honest review. I love the resources of how to make your own inks and other witchy items. It's a highly resourceful book for anyone who's interested in making your own alter items.

This was incredibly well researched and I absolutely LOVED the wealth of knowledge that was presented in this book. I definitely wish that I had an actual version of this for my collection so I will be purchasing one. I also loved all of the history that was put into this book along with everything that was needed. It was well put together and laid out everything perfectly for witches of all levels. It is definitely a good one for beginners as well since it is well explained. I really enjoyed it and am glad to have found this.

Such a beautiful book. The cover is gorgeous and would make a lovely set with the author's previous book.
This would also be a great gift for any crafty witch.

The crafts in the book were much more in depth than I'm used to seeing in a witchy crafting book. The crafts take time to go through the processes and I feel that would really add to the value of the items.

Recipes and instructions for inks, candles, handmade paper, natural fabric dying, incense, and powders. I really enjoyed the incense section information because it references historically used incense.

If you are the type of person who would love to write in your hand crafted grimoire with ink you made from plants you foraged. You're going to treasure this book.

The photos were stunning. I love the advice on how to harvest ethically. Recipes are included and organized well. It seems easy to follow and find the information you are going to want to use. I wasn't sure what to expect, but this would be an extremely helpful book for both beginners and those practicing for a long time.

4 stars

First, I would like to note that I reviewed the eBook edition. I wanted to mention this since I have already said that I focus on audiobooks. However, with a book of crafts or recipes, I feel that it is necessary to be able to see the process instead of listening and trying to figure it out in my head. It is less noisy this way.

Now on to the book itself. This book is a witch's guide to creating your own tools. The first thing that came to mind when I saw this title was that by crafting your own incense, dyes, or oils you can already start to put your intentions into them while crafting. This way you will have the added benefit during your spell or ritual work. Whereas, if you are buying mass produced items, you don't have the energy already starting.

I know that many people skip introductions in this type of book. There is a lot of great information in this section. The author attempts to show how the very definition of a witch has not only changed over time, but from person to person. She also shows have far back in time people have been harvesting plants for more than food. She then goes on to teach us how to safely forage for plants if you are in an area where you can do so.

In the meat and bones of the book, we start to learn about the various things that you can make and how to make them. You will of course need certain tools in order to do so, but don't worry she lists everything you will need as well as providing alternatives. For instance, not everyone owns a mortar and pestle. She says you can use a food processor or spice grinder instead for the process of making incense.

There are chapters on how to make incense (stick, loose, cones and pearls), natural dyes, inks, paper, candles, powders and oils. She also includes in the back of the book a chart of which plants and herbs create which colors. There is another chart that suggests the best time to create each recipe. One of the things that I really loved is that she gives the measurements in both metric and imperial. Before each recipe, she provides background information of both historical and religious significance. These recipes are just a jumping off point, you can then go on to create your own depending on what you need them for.

For the incense, you learn how to make not only loose incense (powdered), but also cones, sticks and pearls. I hadn't actually heard of pearl incense before. She does provide a picture of it on the page for the Full Moon Pearl Incense recipe.

She makes sure to point out that the mordant stage in creating natural dyes is extremely important since it will help lock in the colors. I love the little tips that she gives on what to add during the mordant stage that will adjust the colors to make them brighter or darker. This can add depth to your projects.

Say you are getting ready for Samhain and are wanting to do a release ritual with fire. Well, you can actually do so with ink and paper that you made yourself by following the instructions in this book. She teaches how to make inks from all different types of herbs, flowers, bark, plants, etc. She even teaches how to make India Ink, Dragon's Blood Ink and Invisible Ink, as well as drawing charcoal.

In the papermaking section, there is one recipe for wildflower seed paper. I was thinking that this would be great to write intentions on and bury. Then have it grow into a plant that can flourish. She does mention being able to plant the paper, but she doesn't put any type of connotation on to why you would bury it other than recycling. There are other paper types that use flowers such as dandelion and rose. These might be interesting for rituals using fire. It might create a nice perfume to the air.

Pair this book with a great book on herbs and plants and the only limits to what you can create with her guidance are only ones of your imagination.

Thank you NetGalley and Watkins Publishing with providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an open and honest opinion.

This book is not only educational in a practical green witch belief but also in a live off the land and survive on your own way! It shows tons of ways how people use to make the most out of their surroundings and I absolutely love it! It’s so informative and shows there’s a purpose to everything around you. Check this out if you’re also looking to discover quick beginner friendly ideas!

The Witches Workshop by Melissa Madara
A beautiful book!
Easy to follow recipes for the green witch, mostly easily found in the existing pagan supplies and locally sourced botanicals. There are chapters on natural dyeing techniques, candle makings, herbal inks, assorted botanical paper making and a very nice reference list to name just a few. A comprehensive index makes for easy use.
And the gorgeous photos just beg me to run to my kitchen.
Highly recommended for the serious practitioners and newcomers to witchcraft.
Thank you NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

"The Witch's Workshop: A Guide to Crafting Your Own Magical Tools" by Melissa Madara is a captivating exploration into the realm of magical crafting, offering a wealth of creative projects for enthusiasts of all levels. From natural dyes and inks to oils and incense, the book presents a cornucopia of crafts, inviting readers to embark on a magical journey.

The layout of the book is not only visually appealing but also thoughtfully organized. The introduction provides a comprehensive guide, from navigating the book to preparing your altar, making it an indispensable resource for those new to magical crafting and seasoned practitioners alike.

The instructions within the book are clear and considerate, accompanied by beautiful images that add an extra layer of inspiration. Each page beckons with the promise of artistic exploration and magical creation.
Choosing a favourite section from the book proves to be a delightful challenge, as the author skillfully introduces a diverse array of crafts.

The natural dyeing process particularly caught my interest, and I appreciate how Madara goes beyond instruction to include projects that utilize the dyed fabrics. The prospect of creating a personalized Tarot Card pouch and protection scarf adds an exciting dimension to the crafting experience.

A special note goes to the power section, where the clarity of instructions enhances the appeal of crafting one's magical tools. The anticipation to create these tools for personal use adds an element of empowerment to the overall crafting experience.

In summary, "The Witch's Workshop" offers not just a book of crafts but an enchanting guide to a more natural and magical way of crafting. The pleasing layout, clear instructions, and a diverse range of projects make it an ideal resource for anyone seeking to infuse their craft with a touch of magic.

I sincerely thank NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for providing me with the e-book in exchange for an honest review.

The Witch's Workshop by Melissa Madera teaches us how to make, incense, natural dyes, inks, paper, candles, oils, and powders. This lovely book has beautiful full color photographs of each item with an easy to follow recipe. I really enjoyed this book, and I am looking forward to making many beautiful crafts.

This was a very fun book! Lots of excellent recipes/instructions for making candles, inks, etc out of natural materials. Definitely made me want to grow more flowers and plants in my garden that I can make dyes out of. Even if you’re not a witch or interested in the subject, it’s a fun resource!

Easy to follow recipes with well written descriptions. Whether you are a person part of the Wicca faith or an independent person curious about plants and what you can do with them in a more natural manner -- this book might just be a book for you. I was pleasantly surprised and found several recipes I would like to try!

This is a step-by-step guide that is well written and easy to follow. It includes guides for insense, natural dyes and inks, papers, candles, oils, and powders. I really enjoyed do it yourself books that are easy to follow, and this one was perfect for that. You can tell the research has been done.