Be careful when storing tarot cards in wood boxes from India

catlin

Hi guys,
I have stored my tarot of the cat ppl in a carved wooden box from India.

Several months later I took out the deck again and what did I see?? The wood had rubbed off on the cards and now some of the cards have very funny looking yellow streaks on the white borders (looks like coffee or tea spills but it must be some colour of the wood. :( :(

I don't know what kind of wood the box was made of, I am not sure if it would be real Santal wood, it does not smell like that).

In case you get boxes from India, make sure to use either a baggy to keep your deck in or line the box with some fabric before putting your cards in.
 

Alissa

Uh oh... I could see the stains in my head just reading this thread's title. (((catlin)))

Perhaps this is where the old "you must store your deck in a silk cloth" myth comes from... too many overly-oily wood stains seeping out of Tarot boxes and into our precious cards?
 

catlin

Now I have an indeed well worn looking Tarot of the cat ppl *sigh*
 

Fulgour

I have quite a few of these, bought both new and used,
and I always take them apart and clean them completely.

I think they use brown shoe polish to finish them
and the putty is often layed on very thick too...
also the felt is not the best, so mine are re-done.

Custom cut and fitted Basswood liner pieces makes
for a comfortable inner space along with new felt. :)
 

catlin

Fulgour said:
I think they use brown shoe polish to finish them
and the putty is often layed on very thick too...

Eeecks, shoe polish???? Now I don't wonder what got on my poor deck :( :(
 

Fulgour

The wood is called "Shesham" and it is a kind of Teak~
it's very durable and and can be cleaned and restored
with good results. Some I've left with a raw finish look.

The hinges can be replaced with nice new little brass
fittings available at a good hardware store for cheap.

The main thing is to give them a 'brush and clean' with
whatever you choose. Soapy water removes the shine
so I'd say go easy there. Experience has made me bold
when it comes to fixing these up ~ and they look good.

Basswood (1/8 inch thick) is available at hobby shops,
and with a coping saw and sandpaper can be fitted to
exactly the right snug size ~ it's easy and it's fun too.

Felt is the most fun :) all the colours to choose from!
And as a final touch, I like to add something special to
the outside of the box, a decorative Emblem or Charm.
 

catlin

My box has a brass sun and some brass bars as decoration, so I think I cannot go with some water or other stuff to remove the polish. I think a felt lining has to do. Maybe a nice green or red one.
 

Elven

I do adore the Wooden boxes from India - so many beautiful designs shapes and colours - but sorry to hear about your deck mishap catlin - if i needd to age a deck - this looks like the way to go.

You could always give the inside of the box a few layers of waterbased sealer - one that doesnt smell - and then paste your felt liner onto the inside. I like to use a bag as well as a box, so I haven't had any problems. If the sealer or the glue has a smell, you can mix some essential oil into it - it really does make the glue smell nice - no glue sniffing though - god knows how your readings will turn out! LOL!! :p

Blessings
Elven x
 

catlin

Elven said:
no glue sniffing though - god knows how your readings will turn out! LOL!! :p

Don't worry, I won't sniff on that. Can't get worse than when I have to smell a chewed through catnip or Valerian stuffed cat toy.
 

Fulgour

The Living Wood

I know some of my ideas for "restoring" these Shesham boxes
may sound a little like obsessive-compulsive tool time activity
but I've had these come to me in the most horrible condition~
dirty, broken, raggedy, even mis-shapen where they don't fit.

One of my favorites almost ended up permanently shelved but
the challenge nagged me~ and it now shines like Baltic Amber!

I may take some pictures and post them here, but the fact is,
these boxes have personalities and a little TLC pays dividends.