In March 2022, I received an email asking if I would consider making a set of Elder Futhark runes for a person who is fully blind. They explained that the problem with using standard runes is they had to run their nail through each to interpret which one it was.
Working closely with my customer, we determined that the best option would be a relief carved rune on each of the 24 stones with a contrasting textured background.
I made this set using stones found at the confluence of two rivers in the Scottish Borders (the Leithen Water and River Tweed) that were collected in the liminal days between Yule and Hogmanay 2021. Each stone is around 4 to 5 cm and the surface of each rune was made smooth using wet and dry paper to provide a greater contrast in tactility against the ‘textured’ area. The feedback I received was wonderful and humbling “I don’t know how I can express my gratitude for these beautiful stones. I am blown away with the quality and the workmanship- I can feel every rune, every line and every swirl. Thank you again and again” It was an absolute pleasure working with this customer and being given the opportunity to create something enabling in this ableist society we live in.
I’ve been commissioned to make another set of these enabling runes and if you have difficulty using or reading standard sets, please email me (hatchburncarve@yahoo.co.uk) or use the contact form in the ‘About Me/Ordering Items’ section on this website.
HATCH BURN CARVE 