I have made a set from deer antlers and based o native american symbols.

I have been using and making runes for many years and I have found no difference between homemade and store-bought as long as the purchased runes are purified and consecrated prior to use. They must also be attuned to your specific energies before using them for magickal or divination purposes. Probably everyone has their own way of doing this, but I find it sufficient just to keep them near you at all times for a few days to a week.
When I make my own runes, they do not require purification because the only energies that they are exposed to are my own but they still require consecration. I prefer cherry wood but I have also used oak (hard to work) and birch (not as pretty). I sometimes use stone runes when I am using them as part of an amulet and I want the energy of the specific type of stone but this is rare.

They are wonderful.  I used them for the first time today (long story, I won't bore) and found them so alive.  Best recommendation I can make, they just had a sort of energy to them.

I'll be the first to admit that I have not performed any consecration or purification rites prior to use.  It kinda freaked me out, some references to blood, etc. in some sources.  Guess I'm squeamish.  B-U-T I did keep them near me prior to use.  In the case of Misty-Midnight's wooden ones, I had them under my futon (which is very close to the top of the futon, it's a thin futon) for a month, so there was plenty of energy attunement (I hope).

For me, the key component has been belief and desire.  A means of communicating with some supernatural force, with my ancestors and the goddess Freya a conduit.  Ahhh... I am explaining this all wrong, I suppose, but it is a hunger, a need for more than what is visible and a trust and faith in those that came before me, and to tap their wisdom.  Sigh.  A wisdom clearly lacking in this post I am trying to make...

Some sources do call for blood rituals, but in my experience, any type of cleansing that removes any negative energy will work. I use a purification ritual using the elements for anything I buy for magickal use.  After that, a smudging once a month or so seems to work well unless there has been some really heavy negative energy present. I consecrate mine to Odin and the Norns but you can use whatever deity or deities that you are comfortable with.