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Channukah

Chocolate Coin Garland

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I have a weird relationship with chocolate coins.

They are the only kind of chocolate I do not eat. I mean, I’ll eat them if I have to. Don’t get me wrong –I would eat tire tread if it came drizzled in Hersey’s syrup – but chocolate coins, no thank you. Money is not for eating. And not because the chocolate is not good, but because I like the look of them better than I like the taste. I just like to know that I have them. I can run my fingers through them and waller in the knowledge that they are mine.  

MINE.

Okay. This probably means I have Scrooge McDuck issues, and maybe I do, but it also means that I always have chocolate on hand at all times, which is more than I can say for most people. Ahem. And then, even on the rare occasions I allow myself to eat some, the coin wrappers must be saved. They must.

That’s not weird at all.


It took me years to figure out what to do with the wrappers, and then it hit me like Hanukkah turkey –garland. Let’s string the coins into garland. Except the garland won’t be very long and will actually just look like big Cher earrings, but whatever. It’s festive!

Three reasons why this craft is rad.

  1. It’s an excuse to eat chocolate. Like you needed one.
  2. It’s cheap-to-free. You are using candy wrappers, staples, and some wire hooks. You may need to buy some chocolate coins (fyi, imo, Trader Joe’s carries better quality at the best price), but the rest is already in your junk drawer.
  3. This works for either Hanukah and Christmas without mixing the two (ie. distasteful blue and silver Santa suits, etc.). Everybody loves chocolate coins. We can all agree on this one. How/where you want to use these puppies is up to you.     

Gelt is the Yiddish word for money, and is what most people around here call chocolate coins (read more here). It comes in little baggies next to the cash register at the drug store, and some people keep it for years and years, never eating it, only bringing it out for Hannuah and poker night. Mine stay on the coffee table in a little bowl above the coaster napkins. It looks nice and people think I am being polite and offering them some candy to eat. Little do they know how irrationally angry it makes me when people take my coins. Again, yes, I have issues.

Okay, where were we? Ah yes. How to make these little dangler dos. Let’s get going…


Directions

  1. You are going to need to eat some chocolate. You could sit down to do this in one sitting, but perhaps it would be wiser to collect over the season (save for next year). Or invite a bunch of kids over to play poker. Your call.
  2. Use the side of a pencil to flatten the edges of the wrapper, forming a small lip around the edges. 
  3. Lay two coin wrappers across the bed of a stapler and press down. Attched!
  4. Repeat. I like rows of four or five, but you could do one long string, too.  Add a wire hook to the end and that’s it.
  5. Repeat as necessary (or as chocolate allows).


Oh, look. They work on Christmas trees. The also look nice hanging plant, not coincidentally called, a Wandering Jew.

 Nothing says Happy Hanukkah like a spangled houseplant.

Happy Hanukkah Y’all

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Happy Channukah! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Hanukah!

Or as my old boss used to say, Happy Jelly Doughnut Week.

He was the epitome of cultural sensitivity, that one.


I’m still unpacking my menorahs (Yes menorahs, I have several. And yes, I am still not done unpacking)…but I caught a glimpse of Lola peeping up in the window. She was looking for a dreidel, no doubt. Cat’s love playing dreidel you know…

Good Old Fashioned Salt Dough

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 I feel like a cheater for posting a project like this.

It’s not like I invented salt dough or anything special. I’m not even making anything that hasn’t been done a hundred times over, either. I’d feel more entitled to write a post on how to make a decent peanut butter sandwich.

However, even though salt dough has been popular since the dawn of time, it sure seems like every year I find someone who has never made it. Not when they were a kid, not with their own kids. They are living salt dough free. Let us show them the light!

Salt dough is oodles of fun for munchkins and adults alike. It’s cheap, easy, fun, and with the addition of water-proof varnish, it can last for years. Los of people I know (myself included) have salt dough ornaments and hand prints and figurines from when they were knee-high to a grasshopper.


You can do your research to find variations on the recipe, I will take mine directly from my Grandmother Pumpkin recipe.

Ingredients:

  • One part Morton’s salt
  • One part warm water
  • Two parts white flour

Optional:

  • Add one spoon full of oil to make it flexible and slow drying [like playdough]
  • Add one spoonful of lemon juice to make it durable and hard [like Xmas ornaments]

Directions

  • Mix together to form a ball.
  • Roll to .5” thickness and biscuit cut.*
  • Bake 250 for one hour or until hardened, or air dry 48 hours.

* Translation for Non-Southerners or Irish-People-Who-Bake-Too-Much: “biscuit cut” means use a jar or a glass or a empty tin can, or cookie cutter to cut the dough in circles. You can also use a simple butter knife and get creative.

salt dough + plastic knives = munchkin menorah

For colored dough, add food coloring, Kool-Aid, or paint into the water before adding it to the dry ingredients. Or you can paint your creations after they dry. If you want your ornaments to last, spray them with varnish, or, if you REALLY want to be sure they last, you can do like my third grade teacher and dip them in a quart of outdoor strength polyurethane. Those suckers will stand the test of time!

Get Your Dreidel On

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Lola wanted to wish y’all a Happy Chanukah.
Then she realized she spelled it wrong….

Ever the perfectionist, she attempted to rearrange the blocks.

Look, she came up with a whole new way to spell Cukb (aka: Hannuakah).

Happy Days Ya’ll!

PS: If your cat child is not a genius like mine, you can use your alphabet blocks to make a super nifty menorah, courtesy of Creative Jewish Mom.

Rhinestone Rhinoceros Menorah

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I never claimed to have good taste.
Extensive glitter collection, yes.
Good taste, no.
But listen y’all, it’s Chanukah, and if I want to remember the miracle of the Maccabees through a something four-legged, spangled and fabulous, well, I’m dang-well going to do it!
The pink elephant came about a few years ago following a long night of Disney’s Dumbo, good gin and too many Velvet Underground albums. It’s not unusual for me to messing around with terra cotta clay late at night, and that particular night, when inspiration struck, I saw the elephant on my kitchen counter…and boom! A menorah was born. 
They are easy to make. It’s just a toy + clay + paint/glitter/fancy-top-coat-of-your-choice. Honest. That’s it. If you are thinking hey, maybe I could make that then that’s a good sign you should have made one already. 
So let’s get started, shall we?
The base toy can be any plastic animal laying around the toy chest or your local dollar store (I happen to have an affinity for dinosaurs and rhinoceroses, but y’all decide for yourself!) For those who don’t keep terra cotta clay on hand at all times, get yourself some play clay or make some salt dough. Doesn’t really matter what sort of clay you use, just make sure it’s something that will air dry (FYI: the stuff pictured is from Crayola and is called “Model Magic” and cost $3 for enough clay to make three menorahs using this method –my first time using it and I was impressed.) I could write a step-by-step tutorial on this, but I think you can get the gist of it by looking at the pictures. To summarize:
  • Lay some clay on the animal’s back.
  • Stick some candles in the clay.
  • Let the candles dry.
  • Paint it up.
  • Snazz it up.
  • Light it up.
Dry time will vary depending on density and humidity levels, but I would allow a good 24 hours at least.
Tip: All clay will expand and contract as it dries, so leave the candles in the clay so you can be sure they will fit later.
Tip: If you find your clay/dough is too elastic to support the candle upright, wrap a small amount of the clay around the base of the candle before inserting into the base clay
Tip: If you have a hard time blending the spots where the clay ends and toy body starts, dribble on some white glue. That’ll patch it up.
Tip: Glitter in two coats with two shades of the same color glitter –it will look sparkly and decadant, as well as eliminate any annoying glitter shedding.

Coat 1: Slather your creature with glue and liberally apply glitter. Dry.

Coat 2: Mix together equal parts glue, water, glitter in a shade slightly different than the first coat, and paint the mixture all over. Dry 24 hours.

Tip: Don’t leave candles burning unattended. Do really need me to tell you this? If you are reading this, you should know this already. If you don’t know this, then skip this project. You should be spending more time on fire safety than craft time.
Tip: Don’t freak out about wax drippings. You spent $2 on making this. It’s not your grandmother’s menorah; it’s a glittered circus animal.  If you really want to remove any potential drippings, you can dip the hole thing in hot water for 5 seconds and it will release in a jiffy. Relax, Max.
Tip: Display your finished menorah in front of a mirror. Reflected candlelight is ridonkulously beautiful.
Tip: You still here? What are you waiting for? Get started!

My Favorite Menorah

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Wine bottle + paper towel tube + plastic forks + rag scraps + glue + glitter = Happy Chanuakkah Y’all!

For an old wine bottle and paper towel tube, this menorah is pretty darn snazzy, not to mention ancient.

Out of my many menorahs, this one is by far my favorite. It’s an arts and crafts project from Ms. Finson’s 4th grade classroom. Yes, a classroom. Yes, a menorah in a public school classroom.*

* If that statement is controversial enough to get your girdle in a bunch, you should probably stop reading this before I get to the corn husk angels and Baby Jesus in a walnut shell. GASP!

Even back then it was unusual for a public school teacher to encourage kids to make religious objects, but Ms. Finson wouldn’t hear of it. She was 24, fresh out of the peace corps and didn’t take crap from anyone. She was a devout Christian, raised by Baptist missionaries in Equador and could quote the bible like it was a party game. She wore embroidered vests and let us listen to Marvin Gaye music at lunch time. She was cool.

Regardless of her own faith, she recognized there were a couple Jewish kids in the class who felt a little neglected around the holidays. It’s not like anyone complained, but after all the years of making mangers and angel ornaments, Ms. Finson recognized the need for change. Diversity is a good thing.

Lo, the wine bottle menorah was born!

Parents gave her flack. They didn’t like their kids making other people’s religious symbols or taking empty booze bottles on the school bus. Good arguments, to be sure, but Ms. Finson shut them up right quick by quoting some bible passage about Jesus celebrating Chanuakkah with a menorah and wine and spicy velveta dip or some business like that. I don’t really remember. All I know is that I made two mental notes; 1. Jesus was Jewish, and 2. Adults are far too easily impressed by people who can directly quote fancy words from fancy books. Guess that’s why attorneys get paid so much.

I could make a lawyer joke right now, but in the spirit if the season, I’ll pass.

If you want to make a wine bottle menorah of your own, just make some holes and slits in a paper towel tube and insert it over the neck of a wine bottle. As I recall, we covered the hole thing with scraps from a rag bag dipped in starch (I think this lovely striped piece was a man’s shirt at one point). The forks were originally cafeteria sporks with red tissue paper, but they got lost years ago and are now been replaced with glittered orange forks. The forks can be inserted and removed same as real candles. The shamash in the middle is inserted in a cork. Easy peazy and it stores nicely.

School crafts usually fall apart or get thrown out with January garbage, but this one is a keeper. Its been on display right next to an expensive store-bought menorah that no one ever notices…everyone asks about this menorah. Where did it come from? How did you make it? Can I play with the forks?

Kids and adults enjoy it equally. I enjoy it too. I love it. It’s my favorite.

Fancy Schmancy Gilded Jam Jars

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Aren’t these pretty? Cheap and easy too. There is something truly magical about candlelight reflecting off real gold. It illuminates with a different, special sort of radiant warmth. Magic like. If you have ever attended a candlelight mass at an old Gothic cathedral, you have seen the magic in action, all shimmery and golden. It’s stunning.

Switching gears from mass to menorahs….Years ago, I fell in love with a DIY menorah I saw in a magazine,  assembled from candles in mercury glass votives. I rushed out to the store to pick up the votives, but then saw the price tag….

Seriously, who pays $24 for four sparkly shot glasses? 

The overpriced store in question (I won’t be rude and tell you the full name, but it started with Pottery and ended with Barn) also had some lovely golden votives and vases scattered around a harvest table. They interspersed berries and bark and earthenware style ceramics…a really lovely spread, I must say. Decided I liked the gold votives more than the mercury glass and set on home to make them myself.

Two hours later, my golden modern day menorah was born.

You like my pink elephant menorah? More on her next week. I have lots of menorahs to share. Told you I like candlelight 🙂

People can be very intimidated by working with real gold leaf (that’s’ right, it’s REAL GOLD)…but once you realize how friendly and inexpensive it can be, you might just get addicted. You can use this same technique to gild frames, vases, sculptures, doorknobs, garden gnomes, cat beds…

This is a great first-time project for those who have never tried it before. Messy bits and imperfections only add to the charm.

Materials

  • 3 glass mason jars (drinking glasses or a vase would also work just fine)
  • 6 sheets of gold leaf (quality and cost varies…I can pick up a packet of 25 sheets at the art store for $6)
  • Gold leaf adhesive
  • Small paint brush
  • Votive candles

Tip: If this is your first time and you will use it more than once, buy a kit that includes gold leaf, adhesive and varnish. They usually run around $10, depending on leaf quality.
Tip: Gold leaf is very delicate. You will need to do this is a room without any wind/air flow. I would avoid working around small kids, at least the first time you try it. 
Tip: If you find that the gold leaf shreds when you touch it, that’s a sign your hands are too moist. Try picking it up with a paint brush, or put on cotton gloves.
Tip: You still a scaridy cat? See this video for a quick and easy demonstration. Don’t be intimidated!

1. Line up your jars or glasses. Make sure they are absolutly clean.
2. Apply gold leaf adhesive to the inside of the jar.
3. Directions vary for every brand, but I like to do a very thin layer of glue all over, then go back to add more, letting it drip and dribble in places. This will help create a scattered/uneven coat. That’s right, messiness counts 🙂

4. Follow adhesive directions, most will require the glue to dry for a while before proceeding further.
5.Tear 6 sheets of gold leaf AND the tissue paper away from the larger packet.
6. Smaller sheets are easier to work with, so I cut my sheets into quarters. You do what works for you.


7. Delicatly lift up one piece of gold leaf and tissue. Chances are it will still to the tissue and you won’t have to touch the gold much at all. If your hands are sweaty or there is a lot of moisture in teh air, wear cotton gloves or clap your hands with baby powder.
8.Insert the piece inside the jar, using the tissue to press the gold to the glass. move it around for a minute to make sure the gold sticks.
9. Remove tissue.


10. Repeat the process until you have covered the jar. Or not. You could just do one patch and that would be neato. You could just do the brim of the glass. Or not. Y’all decide.
11. Remove all the scraggler bits by inserting a rag or washcloth inside teh jar and swirling it around. This should wipe away most of the excess gold crumbs. If you decide there is too much gold, you can go in and scratch it away.
12. Gold crumbs can get kinda messy, so you may want to do step 11 outside, but don’t sweat it too much. Genuine gold crumbs are as dangerous as cracker crumbs. Except, somehow gold crumbs are a lot more fun to talk about.
13. Ta Da! You is a done one. Feel free to varnish the inside, just make sure, if you are making votives, that the varnish is non flammable. A little diluted Mod Podge would do the trick. You could even tint the Mod Podge a color and make it look like colored glass.

Folks, the fun never ends.

Now let’s gild the lily! Tie a piece of simple jute twine around the rim of the jar, and tuck in some garden clippings. Did Y’all see this post of dusty miller on Design*Sponge…wow. I also love using rosemary around votives because the candle warm up the leaves slightly, filling the whole house with the most wonderful fragrance.Lavender is nice too. Just about any sturdy stemmed garden clipping will look good. I love mixing textures like this…the warm metallic gold against the cool velvety leaves…oooooo I could just swoon!
Wouldn’t these make great gifts? 
You could gild baby food jars and pair with a few scented candles….or grab some garden trimmings (including these crazy turquoise berries) and a few cream colored roses and you have one stylish little nosegay to sit on top of someone special’s desk.
Golden Happiness, one and all!