MAKING YOUR OWN RUNES
The runes you make yourself are always going to be more powerful and more attuned to you than the runes that you buy at a store. But there is nothing wrong with store-bought runes.
We went over making your rune set out of paper and that works well, but here are other ways:
Wood is the best material to make runes from because it grows from the earth. Ideally you would go for a walk in the woods, find a fruit bearing tree with which you have a connection, and
ask it for a branch about 1 to 1½ inches in diameter. ALWAYS Ask and say thank you, leaving an offering of some sort.
When you go home you saw 25 (or 24 if you're not using a Blank Rune) about ½ to ¾ of an inch thick pieces off the branch. You can also cut squares from a board, sanding the edges.
Most arts and crafts stores have precut wood in various sizes and shapes.
Then, use something to carve the wood (a knife, X-acto Blade, a burin, an ice pick, sharpened screwdriver, a 1/8" wood carving chisel, veiner, or a consecrated Dremmel tool fitted with a narrow bit.) DO NOT USE ANYTHING TO BURN INTO THE WOOD... the wood will die and lose it's power.
If you don't have something to carve the wood, paint it. Use a color you like, then paint over it with a clear coat as to protect it (like clear nailpolish.)
Stone runes are also good. With stone, you can use your favorite gemstone, or something pretty and decorative. Again, best way is to ASK nature. Take a walk find 25 or 24 stones about the same size and ask nature if you can take them... leave an offering if you can or thank mother nature.
Try to find stones that are flat or smooth on one side. Once you have all your stones, paint on them. Be sure to clear-coat each rune to preserve the paint.
Clay runes are useful as well, and easy to make. You can use a self hardening clay or something like Fimo or Sculpy clay which can be dried in the oven quicker. You will also need something you can inscribe the clay with, there are instruments that you can buy with the clay, but an old pen, a flathead screwdriver or, depending on the clay, even a toothpick can also do the trick.
You form a small amount of the clay into a ball, and then flatten it with your thumb into a thin disk about 1/8 inch in thickness. It doesn't need to be a disk, any shape will do, square, diamond... etc... just be sure they are all about the same size. Quickly inscribe the runes into each clay piece and allow to air dry, or bake and cool according to the instructions that come with the clay.
Once the runes are dry, you are ready to cleanse and consecrate them.