The Wicked Witch of the West is a popular character from the famous children's novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" written by L. Frank Baum. This novel was first published in 1900 and has since then captivated the hearts of children and adults alike with its magical and fantastical world. The Wicked Witch of the West, often referred to simply as the Wicked Witch, is the main antagonist of the story. She is described as a tall and fearsome figure, with green skin, a hooked nose, and wild black hair. She wears a long black cloak and a pointed hat, typical of the traditional depiction of witches.
She wears a long black cloak and a pointed hat, typical of the traditional depiction of witches. The Wicked Witch of the West is known for her evil and malicious nature. She is determined to obtain the magical silver shoes, which were worn by Dorothy, the protagonist of the novel.
DIY Sanderson Sisters-Inspired Witch’s Broom
Hocus Pocus is my all-time favorite seasonal movie! Once I came to this realization, I was desperate to craft something witchy for my Halloween costume this year. Since anyone who has seen the magical movie knows it’s easy to lose track of a broomstick, I figured I’d do a little DIY breakdown of how the Sanderson sisters could have whipped up a few replacement brooms with the help of their local Goodwill. I mean, since they could conjure a potion of eternal youth and lure in all the children of Salem with just a song, I’m pretty sure they could tackle a simple craft project like this! Here’s how…
– Thrifted broom (any size, shape, and style should do!)
– Foraged twigs, grass, etc.
– Feathers
– Burlap
– Stem wire
– Twine
– Hot glue and glue gun
– Scissors
As I browsed through Goodwill’s aisles, I actually found a few different harvest-style decorative pieces that would have worked as the bristles of my witch’s broom, but I decided to choose the one that looked the most dated. This little witch was probably super cute when it was first made, but man oh man did it need some love by the time I stumbled upon it. Once I had that for the foundation piece, I hit the hills for some twigs and Earthy remnants to make it look authentically historical.
Step 1: Remove any non-magical bits on your thrifted broom base. An elimination spell should work here, but so would some good old fashioned scissors. I had to remove all of the tissue paper and ribbon which came off fairly easily. There were a few little pieces of the Styrofoam head and the tissue around it that I couldn’t get off, but the burlap binding I added later covered it right up.
Step 2: Get the right broom handle. If your broom already has a long handle, you could certainly leave it as is. I liked that the broom I decided on was short enough for me to add my own handle. I knew I wanted a truly rustic look and out near my shed I spotted a walking stick that my husband had peeled the bark off of to use on a hike. It was perfect! Any old stick would work, though. Look for something gnarled or knobby for a wicked witchy feel. To attach it, carefully nestle it down inside the bristles of the broom (if that’s possible to do without damaging the straw) then wrap it several times with stem wire. My bristles were brittle and probably wouldn’t have handled that well, so I just set the broom head on top of the stick then wrapped it tightly. Step four will further secure the two pieces.
If you are using a regular broom and want to add a little extra personality to the handle, you could try sanding off any finish or adding big globs of hot glue to look like knots in the wood then spray painting the whole handle so it looks uniform.
Step 3: Add a little whimsy! Carefully tuck foraged twigs, hay, and feathers into the broom head and dab on a little hot glue in a well-hidden place to help them stay. For the longer pieces, you can tuck them up under the first stem wire that attaches the broom stick. You could even add a little glitter here, too, if that’s your style!
Step 4: Cover up the seams. I wrapped all of the ugly parts (the leftover Styrofoam, the stem wire, and the ends of the twigs) tightly with a piece of burlap hot gluing it all the way up its seam. Once that was in place, I added twine. This was partially done as an extra way to hold everything together, but it’s also visually breaks up the look of the burlap. A satin or velvet ribbon would look lovely, too, if “classy witch” is more what you’re going for.
Step 5: Give it a little wear and tear. I felt like the straight edge at the top of my bristles was a little too tidy for my witch’s broom, so I went to work trimming and bending the straw randomly to show some use.
And there you have it! Bring that baby outside and give it a test drive around the neighborhood to get yourself ready for Halloween. With my broomstick finished, now I’ll be tracking down a cape and corset to round out the rest of my costume.
By the way, I’m still looking for a couple of volunteers to the be Winifred and Sarah to my Mary Sanderson. If that sounds like you, head to Goodwill for costume supplies where your purchase allows Goodwill organizations to help people who are facing challenges to finding employment overcome their hardships and achieve independence through the power of work. Supporting that cause is a great way to balance out your karma since, in a costume like this, you’ll likely spend Halloween running amok!
These shoes have the power to transport the wearer to any location they desire. The Wicked Witch is willing to do anything to get her hands on these shoes, even if it means harming or deceiving others. Throughout the novel, the Wicked Witch continuously tries to hinder Dorothy and her friends' journey to the Emerald City, where they seek the help of the Wizard of Oz. She sends her minions, such as the winged monkeys, to capture Dorothy and steal the shoes. However, despite her best efforts, the Wicked Witch is ultimately defeated when Dorothy accidentally throws a bucket of water on her. Water, as it turns out, is the Witch's weakness, and it causes her to melt away completely. The character of the Wicked Witch of the West has become an iconic figure in popular culture. She has been portrayed in various adaptations of "The Wizard of Oz," including the famous 1939 film adaptation starring Judy Garland. Additionally, the character has inspired spin-off books, musicals, and even a critically acclaimed Broadway show called "Wicked," which explores the backstory of the Witch and presents her as a sympathetic and misunderstood character. In conclusion, the Wicked Witch of the West is a memorable and fascinating character from "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Her evil and cunning nature, as well as her eventual demise, have captured the imaginations of readers for over a century. Although she may be wicked, the Witch undoubtedly adds depth and excitement to the story, making her an integral part of the classic novel..
Reviews for "The Wicked Witch's Flying Monkeys: Investigating their Loyalty and Origin"
1. John - 1/5 stars
I was really disappointed with "Wicked Witch Oz". The storyline was confusing and the characters lacked depth. I didn't feel invested in any of the characters and found myself not caring about what happened to them. The special effects were also subpar and didn't add anything to the overall viewing experience. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone looking for a quality fantasy film.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars
"Wicked Witch Oz" had so much potential but failed to deliver. The acting was mediocre and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The plot was convoluted and difficult to follow. I found myself bored and uninterested throughout most of the movie. The visuals were a saving grace, but unfortunately, they were not enough to salvage the overall disappointment of this film. I would advise passing on this one and finding another fantasy movie to watch.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars
I had high hopes for "Wicked Witch Oz" as a fan of the original "Wizard of Oz", but I was left unimpressed. The movie was slow-paced and lacked excitement. The characters felt one-dimensional and the storyline was predictable. The attempts at humor fell flat and the plot twists were poorly executed. It's a shame because the visuals were stunning, but that alone couldn't make up for the lackluster storytelling. I would recommend watching the original "Wizard of Oz" instead for a more enjoyable and memorable experience.
4. Michael - 1/5 stars
I couldn't wait for "Wicked Witch Oz" to be over. The acting was wooden and the dialogue was cringe-worthy. The plot was nonsensical and felt like a cheap cash-grab trying to capitalize on the success of the original "Wizard of Oz". The movie lacked any real substance and failed to capture the magic of the original. I found myself checking my watch throughout the film, hoping it would end soon. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.