The Velvet Alchemist

My bread and butter. My main seller. The item I’m known for. The handmade goodie that makes people remember my booth every year…

~*~drumroll~*~

The PORTABLE ALTAR BAG!

~*~air horns~*~

One of the first things we do as witchlets and baby Pagans is start collecting tools. A chalice. Candles. Incense holders. Tarot decks. A dagger or three. Allllll the crystals. Jars and bottles full of herbs and oils and salts, oh my! We make beautiful altars and shrines in our homes (or sometimes literally IN our closets or under our beds, should we live with not-so-chill family…), but what about when we travel?

Some go the Altoid Tin route, and make the cutest, teensy setups that fit in their pockets. Some go super basic and pack a crystal or two along with an anointing oil in their purse or backpack. Some forego all the trappings altogether and carry their altar inside their minds. Then there are those of us who want something a little… more. We enjoy the feel of the tools in our hands, the warmth of the candle, the grains of salt… but how to transport them safely and securely while remaining convenient?

One version of a travel altar (or mini altar) is of the jewelrybox variety. Something that wouldn’t look out of place atop a dresser or a shelf. Usually wooden, with a pretty design etched on the top. Lined in felt or velvet on the inside, perhaps with little dividers, and a drawer on the bottom.

Another version looks like a tiny curio cabinet, with adorable little glass-front doors and drawer pulls. A third, like an apothecary chest.

The only downside to these versions is… they’re not very forgiving. They’re sturdy little buggers but they can be awkward to pack, and unless everything is snugged inside they’re going to roll around and possibly break mid-transit. Can you imagine trying to clean out the inside of your velvet-lined jewelry box after a patchouli oil explosion?

Thus, the fabric altar bag. When tied up, it looks like a bindle bag. You know, the tied-up handkerchief swaying at the end of a stick? It’s called a bindle; did you know? Anyway, it looks like a pouch with a bow on top. However, when in its open and relaxed state, it becomes an altar cloth with 6 pockets. Pockets just large enough to tote small items for one’s practice.

Mine contains:
-A tiny brass cauldron (thrifted)
-A miniature Hanson Roberts tarot deck
-A small metal chalice (thrifted)
-2 tealights
-3 packs of incense matches
-1 vial of oil
-1 small bottle of salt
-2 blue ceramic offering bowls (K-zoo Pagan Pride Day)
-1 small leather pouch with quartz crystal points
-1 small satin bag of assorted crystals
-a miniature athame in a leather sheath (K-zoo Pagan Pride Day)

I use all these items when I take photos of the altars for my Etsy shop to give an idea of its use, and when I attend IRL shows. To be honest, it is kind of fun when I forget to set up my “sample altar” and people try to guess what they’re for.

-A medieval cap
-A casserole cover
-A bonnet
-A cover for golf clubs (?!)

I’ve had a few people buy them for their MtG, D&D, and other assorted TTRPGs for their cards, dice, markers, and other accoutrements. I hope to someday make some more fandom themed ones to market to the gamers come Spring 2026. I’ve been trying to get into Lake Michigan College’s Fandom Fest but it always ends up clashing with other things I have going on. Rude. XD

This bag was inspired by a member of an e-list group I was in waaaaay back in… 2000? 2001? Remember e-lists? The original idea was smaller and the pockets weren’t as roomy. Also, the way the drawstring was sewn in made it difficult to make the bag lay nicely flat when in use. I played around with the design, enlarging it, going down to 6 pockets, and instead of sewing a ring in which to put the drawstring I went to grommets around the perimeter of the bag. I think they add a nice touch.

One huge bonus to the manufacture of these bags was that I worked at JoAnn, may she rest in peace. From June 2nd, 2000 to May 25th, 2025 I had access to a wide, wonderful world of assorted cotton prints. The calico wall full of pretty blenders, the novelty aisle with the nature prints and the PhotoReal designs, and the holiday aisle where every Halloween I’d spend an entire paycheck stocking up on witchy patterns. I worked on unloading the truck, so I’d have first pick of any bolts that came in. Every day I could pick up ribbon and thread and all the goodies I needed.

Alas… No worries, not yet. 25 years of fabric hoarding have me well-stocked for quite a while! I managed to bring a ton of new prints and designs to the live shows I did for 2025, and I still have plenty to go for 2026; also, I live pretty close to quite a few quilt shops!

Gonna miss that employee discount, though.

But I digress.

My bags hold a surprising amount of stuff, and the “squishability” of them over the wooden cases means they pack well. The drawstrings can be bowed up, or can be used like cross-body straps for ease of carry. Did I mention they’re 100% cotton? You can wash that spilled patchouli oil right out!

My altars are available at my Etsy Shop and always at my live events. I don’t have anything lined up through the end of this year, but I’ll be sure to post on my socials where I’ll be popping my tent!