Fantasy Map!

This is a fantasy map! You can make this look however you want, and it is super fun and easy to do.

Supplies:

1. Paper (any kind works, I used normal printer paper)
2. Coffee (Try to avoid coffee with sugar, it can mold)
3. Black pen
4. Tray large enough to fit your paper
5. Rice or beans or beads
6. Tea light, candle, or lighter
7. Paper towels or towel of some sort

For this step, you will need the tray, coffee, paper, and paper towels. We will be turning the paper into a light brown, old looking color.

Pour the coffee into the tray.

Put your paper into the coffee. GENTLY! You want the coffee to cover the paper.

Then, very, very carefully (it rips really easily) take it out of the tray and set it on the paper towel.

You are going to want to let the dry for a day or two before moving on to the next steps. I covered both sides with paper towel

For this step, you are going to take your rice and sprinkle it on your paper. You can do this however you want!

Next, take your black pen, and outline the rice. Be as specific or unspecific as you want! When you are done, brush the rice off.

This is the most fun (and longest) step! For this one, you are going to want to look online for some symbols. I find that Pintrest is especially helpful for this! Look for things like "Fantasy map symbols" "Compass Rose" "Fantasy map banners" or just "Fantasy map". These will have little symbols that you can draw on your map to mean different things. I added a few of my favorites here, a long with my map with all the symbols drawn.

This step is completely optional, but makes it look really cool! I forgot to take a picture of the actual burning process but this is what it looked like! Here's how to do it:

Light your tea light or candle. You can technically do this with a lighter, but it is harder precision wise.

Fill a cup with water.

Take a bit of water, and in small sections, rub it on the place you want to burn. This will prevent it from burning your whole map.

GENTLY run the paper along the flame. I prefer to avoid actually setting it on fire, but it just depends on the look you want. Keep doing this around the edges of the paper.

If you want spots in the middle of your paper, put water on that spot, then hold the paper over it. Once it starts getting dark, quickly lift the paper up, or it will make a hole. I made that mistake!

Also be careful, because some inks disappear with heat!

This craft is extremely versatile! you can hang it on a wall as is, or frame it. You can cut it into strips and laminate it to make bookmarks. You could make origami, or any craft that requires paper. I am just going to keep mine as is, but these are all great options!