When I make one of the wands I sell it's a long process that takes at least 2 weeks from start to finish. There is choosing the wood, cutting, sanding, then choosing the stones, molding clay, gluing and drying time then more molding clay and more drying time and then painting.

Now if you want to make your own wand all that may be more complicated and time consuming than you want to get involved with. However, making a usable wand doesn't have to be that complicated. There are some simpler and quicker methods for wand making.

Start by finding a sturdy (not brittle or rotten) stick of wood that is at least as thick as your thumb and around the same length as the distance between the tip of the third finger and the end of the elbow. Measure from the inside of the arm rather than the outside. This measurement is a traditional guideline but if it's a little bit shorter or longer then that's ok. A wand can be of almost any wood as long as it is "compatible" with the user of the wand. All that is really means is do you like the shape and color of the stick and how does the wood make you feel when you hold it. Does it bring a sense of comfort, power, stability, positive energy etc. The wood can be finished sanded and flat cut on both ends or it can be natural with the bark still on it.

If you decide to cut a branch from a living tree than first ask the tree permission and be sure you cut the branch at magically beneficial time such as waxing or waning moon, planetary alignment, season of the year and so forth. If you want to strip the bark off do it right after you cut the branch and then make sure you let the wood dry thoroughly before you sand it.

The wand is an extension of yourself and the conduit through which your power is focused. Keeping that in mind when making your wand be sure one end of your wand is designated as the "receptive" end and the other as the "projective" end. The receptive end general should have a rounded stone or the wood should be rounded. The projective end should be somewhat pointed but not really sharp of course. A crystal point is good to use or just make sure end is narrower then the receptive end.

Now attaching things to a wand might be difficult but there are some quick and easy solutions. Gather stuff like metal, wooden, glass and shell beads or charms, silver or gold "colored" wire, copper wire is really good, it conducts the flow of energy really well, thin colored ribbons, leather lacing or string like they use for macramé, feathers (natural color is best), glue and acrylic paints if you want to paint symbols on your wand.

Beads are easy to attach all you need to do is thread wire, string, leather lacing, etc. through the holes and wrap that around the wand and tie it where you need to. Make sure your beads have holes that are big enough to allow your stringing materials through.

Gluing things on to the wood is another option but it may take a while to dry. Things glued on also may not stay very well depending on what you are gluing to where. Flat surface to flat surface is best. If you are gluing stones on the ends make sure you use something like paper clay or leather to cover the seam where the stone is glued to the end of the stick. If you use clay you could have molding shapes with it.

Paints are nice to put magical symbols on the wands. Metallic or shimmery colors have a magical quality to them. Red paint is also good as it can symbolize blood. If you want to paint magical symbols be sure you know and understand the nature and meaning of the symbols you want to use. In studying runes I've learned that combining certain runes can have either truly beneficial or very detrimental energy. What's worse, energies that have affects that you didn't expect. Do not write "magical phrases" from another language that you do not understand. It may look or sound cool but unless you know the full meaning of something don't use it. Who knows what you may be conjuring???? Stick to symbols that are familiar like, elemental symbols, heart shapes for love, dollar signs for prosperity etc. Or make up your own symbols too. If you make something up on your own that has personal meaning to you it will have that much more power.

Feel free to create the wand you want, you may want to put a bunch of things on it or very little. Ultimately, you may decide to add or even take things off of it later and that's ok. After the wand is made then of course you will have to consecrate it. If you do make changes to the wand later I advise that after the new changes are made you should then re-consecrate it.

Making a wand that will be part of your personal magical tools is generally a project and process that takes a long time. It serves as a meditation for the maker as it also serves in the creation of an object. The important thing is what you learn while making and using it.