The Maker's Tarot - classic tarot translated into craft
Not every deck gives symbols a profession. This one does. The Maker's Tarot by Kaitlyn Taylor takes the familiar structure of the Rider-Waite system and translates each card into an art form or craft technique.
The Magician holds tools the way a painter or sculptor does. The Seven of Wands shows a weaver at her loom. The Pentacles refer to metalwork, the Wands to woodcarving. The result is a deck that feels like it was made by someone who makes.
What you see on the cards
Taylor works with clear line drawings in dark ink, combined with blocks of colour that often refer back to material: the warmth of gold in stained glass, the white of paper, the texture of textile. Every element serves the symbolism, not decoration.
The Major Arcana follow the RWS composition, but each card is adapted to show the process of making. The High Priestess sits before a bookbinder's press, Death carries engraving tools. These translations never feel forced. They fit.
The Minor Arcana hold the same clarity. The court cards are people who work with their hands. The numbered cards show tools, materials and actions that are recognisable to anyone who has ever made something.
How this deck works in practice
This is an RWS deck, so the structure and meanings are directly accessible. The cards are printed on 350 gsm art paper, which is thicker and sturdier than standard tarot cardstock. They have a matte finish and feel solid when shuffling.
The format is 70 x 120 mm, a standard size for tarot. The cards fit most spreads without taking up much space. The downloadable guidebook provides basic information about the cards and their meanings within the maker theme.
Pull a card during a creative project and look at which art form or technique appears on it. Sometimes it helps to approach your question from a different discipline.
Who this deck is made for
This deck addresses people who recognise creativity as a process, not just as a talent. Artists, makers, designers, craftspeople: anyone who knows what it feels like to give shape to something with your hands. But also tarot readers who need images that go beyond abstract symbolism.
Because the deck follows the RWS structure, it is accessible to beginners who already have some knowledge of tarot. The translations into craft make the cards more concrete, which helps with remembering meanings.
About Kaitlyn Taylor
Kaitlyn Taylor is a designer and artist. Her work revolves around the question of how visual language can make symbols accessible. With The Maker's Tarot she has created a project that reflects her own practice: combining tradition with a contemporary visual language.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78 (22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana)
- Format: 70 x 120 mm
- Paper quality: 350 gsm art paper, matte
- System: Rider-Waite-Smith
- Language: English
- Packaging: Custom-made storage box
- Guidebook: Downloadable PDF
- Weight: approximately 350 g
Questions we often get
Which art forms appear in the deck?
The deck contains references to classical arts such as painting, drawing and sculpture, but also to crafts such as weaving, stained glass, woodcarving, bookbinding and metalwork. Each card shows a specific technique or discipline.
How sturdy are the cards with regular use?
Due to the heavy paper (350 gsm), the cards are thicker and sturdier than most tarot cards. They hold up well to frequent shuffling and laying out.
