Jewish Crafts

After all that cleaning and cooking, why leave your seder table looking  drab? Easy-to-make fresh fruit topiaries are perfect centerpieces.

Topiaries are multi-dimensional “mini trees” fashioned from flowers, fruits and greenery. These gorgeous centerpieces herald spring in all its beauty while adding a unique touch of elegance to the Passover seder.

Topiary, the art of ornamental gardening, dates back to the 18th century. Often found in colonial and Victorian decor, it is easy to re-create with Styrofoam, real or dried greenery, fruit and flowers. Lemons, limes, oranges, apples and pomegranates work especially well, although use whatever you feel will look best on your table.

As the holiday progresses, keep your topiary alive by exchanging the fruit for flowers and other decorative touches.

Materials:

A large decorative vase with a round opening
2 floral moss blocks or Styrofoam balls, spray painted green
1 2-foot thin round wooden pole, spray painted green
Willow vine sprays
Spanish moss in the color of your choice
Box of U-pins
10-20 green hydrangeas, depending on the topiary’s size
Green floral wire
Green floral tape
Various pieces of fruit, such as 20 lemons or limes, 10 oranges or apples, and smaller accenting fruit and nuts such as purple grapes, cranberries, strawberries, chestnuts;
12 inch wooded sticks, such as shish kabob skewers
Box of toothpicks

How To:

1. Choose your decorative vase in proportion to the size of the floral moss blocks or Styrofoam balls. Cut the moss block or Styrofoam to fit the inside of the pot. If needed, tape it in.
2. Choose your wooden pole so that the height of the “tree” will be 2-1/2 times the height of the pot. Insert the stick into the foam in the pot to make a hole for the “trunk,” and remove the stick.
3. Tuck Spanish moss into the pot to cover the moss block or Styrofoam, and fasten it down with U-pins. Stick some of the hydrangea on the moss to add color and texture to the base of the “tree.”
4. Insert the stick in the original hole in the now-covered moss block or Styrofoam. Glue, if necessary. Place the second moss block or Styrofoam on top of the stick to make a hole and then remove.
5. Working in concentric circles from the top of the moss block or Styrofoam, attach pieces of willow vine sprays, using floral wire to secure the vine sprays in place.
6. After half the foam is covered with greenery, attach the foam on top of the stick and completely cover the rest of the ball. Stick in hydrangeas to enhance the topiary ball shape. Embellish the stick with vine sprays, moss, and using floral wire, secure the remaining hydrangea, if desired
7. Bring the topiary comes to life by adding the fruit. Cut all but four or five of the fruits in half and attach the whole and uncut fruit to wooden skewers. Arrange the cut fruits, cut side down, around the upper portion of the topiary by carefully pushing each stick into the moss. Place the uncut fruit around the perimeter of the base of the topiary by carefully pushing the sticks into the moss.
8. Attach the accenting fruit to toothpicks (strawberries work well with lemons, purple grapes with green apples, blue berries with limes) and arrange them all over the topiary by carefully pushing the toothpicks into the moss.

Note:

To increase the life of the fruit, choose slightly under ripe pieces and store the topiary in a dry place, as moisture will cause the fruit to decay faster. The fruit should stay fresh for 4-5 days, depending on the type (oranges will last longer than berries) and the quality at the time of purchase. When the fruit needs to be changed, gently twist the U-pins free and pull out the fruit. Replace with new fruit or change the look by adding flowers. The willow vine sprays do not need to be changed, as they will dry in place.

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Purim is Rivky Koenig’s favorite time of year. When this scrapbooking specialist, who recently launched a new line of Jewish-inspired scrapbooking supplies, wrote her first book, Crafting Jewish, Purim was the hardest chapter to write.

“We came up with so many crafts for Purim that it was difficult to pick and choose which crafts to include,” says Koenig, of her book. “Purim gives people a wonderful opportunity to express their creativity. Every year I get inspired by seeing what my friends and neighbors do.”

From costumes to mishloach manot to the grand Purim feast, every aspect of this holiday is fun, spirited and child-centered. Koenig likes to get her kids involved as much as possible.

The Costumes and Mishloach Manot

“For costumes, use things you have around the house,” she says. “This year my kids want to be cowboys so we are going to take plaid shirts and khaki pants or jeans. They’ll wear bandanas and I’ll get them some ropes to use as mini lassos.”

For mishloach manot, Koenig also suggests reusing item from around the house. Why buy something new when you can use stuff you don’t need anymore?” Koenig asks. She recommends saving containers or jars from bread crumbs, baby formula, oatmeal, or nuts, and then covering them with scrapbooking paper. “For a lid, you can decorate the plastic cover with coordinating paper,” says Koenig. “Or, poke holes on two opposite sides of the container and weave a ribbon through it to create a handle.” Koenig also likes to wrap the container in tissue paper or cellophane and cinch it at the top with a rubber band and tie it with a bow.

To show off homemade condiments, Koenig packages them in reusable glass jars she saves from pasta sauce. She spray paints the lids to create an original look.

“If you aren’t so creative, don’t worry about having to choose a theme,” says Koenig. “You can tie everything together by picking a color or a flavor, and use that to bring together your shalach manos.”

Here are some projects to get you started.

For Mishloach Manot

Mishloach Manot in Hamantashen Containers

Materials:

• Dinner plate
• 1 large sheet of brown craft foam
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Purple tissue paper or cellophane paper

1. Place the plate on the craft foam. Trace a circle around the plate.
2. Cut out the circle of craft foam.
3. To make the hamantashen’s triangular shape, lift up two sides of the circle and staple together on top, where the two sides meet. Life up the remaining side and staple to each of the other sides. Fill with Purim goodies.
4. Cut out a square of tissue paper or cellophane slightly larger than the hamantashen’s opening. Stuff the paper into the opening to cover the food.

Cute Mishloach Manot Caddy

Materials:

• Clean round container (such as from breadcrumbs, nuts, or baby formula)
• Craft glue
• Colored jumbo or regular craft sticks
• Ribbon
• Decorative edge scissors or regular scissors

1. Spread glue around the top and bottom outer edge of the container.
2. Glue the craft sticks around the entire container. Let dry.
3. Tie a ribbon around the center of the container and trim the ends with decorative edge scissors.

For Costumes

Cool Cape

“I love this project because it’s so simple.  You can literally make this cape in ten minutes and it looks gorgeous,” says Koenig. “Take a large square of fabric, cut slits in it, and thread ribbon through it. Then, have the kids decorate it with rickrack, ribbon, glitter.”

Materials:

• 36×36-inch piece of felt (sold in packages at most craft stores)
• Tape measure
• Straight pins
• Sharp scissors
• 48-inch length of 1-2-inch-wide ribbon
• 4 yards 1-inch-wide rickrack or 2-4 yards marabou or fake fur trim
• Fabric glue, or glue gun and glue sticks

1. Place the felt onto a flat surface. On one side of the felt square, measure and fold over a 5x 36-inch section. Pin the folded section to the remaining felt with straight pins, to hold in place.
2. Use the sharp scissors to cut 1-inch slits into the folded felt: cut 20 slits spaced approximately 2 inches apart.
3. Remove the pins and unfold the felt. There will be 2-inch slits. Weave the ribbon through the slits. The part that folds over will form the collar of the cape.
4. Cut a length of approximately 50-52 inches of rickrack or marabou to fit around the outer edge of the collar of the cape. Use fabric glue or glue gun and glue sticks to attach the rickrack to the edge of the collar. Fold the rickrack at a 45 degree angle when you reach a corner and continue gluing.
5. Turn the cape over and hot glue the rest of the rickrack around the edge of the cape, not including the collar area (When the cape is worn the collar will be facing down).

Note: To make the cape longer or shorter using the same size of felt, increase or decrease the length of the collar.

Shtreimel

“Why spend $25 on costume shtriemels (usually sold in a Judaica store) when it’s so easy to make one at home?” says Koenig. “This is such a simple costume. It’s very reasonable and original.”

Materials:

• 2 (12×15-inch) pieces brown fake fur
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Scissors
• 1 large black velvet kippah

1. Lay one piece of fake fur, fur side down, on a table. Fold one-third (4 inches) of the fur up toward the middle.
2. Apply hot glue to the unfolded section. Fold the unglued section onto the glued area. Press to form a flat tube shape.
3. Repeat with the second piece of fur. Glue the tubes together at one end. Measure the fur tube around the head and trim off extra fabric.
4. Glue the two ends together to form a circle. Place the kippa into the fur circle. Hot glue the edges of the kippa to the fur inside the circle.

Laurie Bellet, an art specialist at Oakland Hebrew Day School, loves when Tu Bishvat rolls around. Besides the dried fruits and nuts, she uses this opportunity to fuse crafting and nature.

“Tu Bishvat crafts are a wonderful ways to help kids to get in tune to God and the natural world,” says Bellet. “When you look at a tree, it’s so easy to form a simplistic mental image of it. But really, there are many individual elements to a tree, leaf or flower. It takes real focus to understand the different components.”

Through these Tu Bishvat-inspired crafts, which are suitable for all ages, Bellet expresses to the kids “the exquisite thought” that a leaf isn’t just, well, a leaf. Instead, it’s a complex design with a sacredness granted from something greater than “ourselves.”

In the spirit of the Yiddish phrase, “Every blade of grass has its own angel that whispers, ‘Grow,’” take out your crafting supplies as you celebrate the New Year of the Trees.

Tu Bishvat Floragraphs

“While you take a nature walk to collect items for the collage, appreciate the variety and intricacy of things that grow,” says Bellet, who has done this project with kids as young as 18 months.

Materials:

• Items from nature like leaves, flower petals, seeds, pieces of grass and twigs
• Contact paper
• Fine glitter powder
• Modge Podge, optional

Directions:

1. Place a piece of contact paper in front of you. Peel off the back of the contact paper so the sticky side faces upwards.
2. Place the nature items on the sticky side of the contact paper. Older children can create a picture or pattern with the items.
3. Sprinkle fine glitter powder to fill in the spaces in between the items.
4. Seal the picture by brushing a layer of modge podge on top of the collage.
5. When dry, turn the collage over, place in a picture frame or hang on a wall.

Potpourri Tree

“This project helps kids learn the structure of a tree,” says Bellet. “A tree’s form is made up of a series of ‘Y’ letters. Start with the big trunk and work your way outwards as the branches turn into blossoms.”

Materials:

• Construction or craft paper
• Markers, crayons or paints
• Glue
• Assorted pieces of broken twigs, cinnamon sticks and cloves
• Potpourri

Directions:

1. Paint or draw a nature scene. Using markers, crayons or paints, draw the outline of a tree.
2. Glue the twig pieces, cinnamon sticks and cloves to fill in the trunk and branches.
3. Glue the potpourri to create the leaves and blossoms.
4. On top of the picture, write a Jewish saying, like the phrase from Pirkei Avot (Ethics of our Fathers), “My fathers planted for me and I will plant for my children.”

Nut and Seed Bird Feeders

“One of the wonderful things about this project is the simplicity,” says Bellet. “It’s easier than turning a milk carton into a bird feeder and it’s a lot more fun.” You can even freeze the bird feeders and take them out as needed.

Materials:

• Pine cone
• Plastic spoon
• Peanut butter
• Bird seed
• Hanging wire or dental floss

Directions:

1. Use a plastic spoon to help you cover the pine cone with peanut butter.
2. Place the bird seeds into a bowl. Roll the pine cone into the bird seeds.
3. Affix the hanging wire or the dental floss to the top of the pine cone and hand from a tree.

Leaf-Print Paper

“This is a great way to give kids the opportunity to study the intricacies of leaves.” says Bellet. “Besides the esthetic, which is lovely, students finish this project with an appreciation for the beauty of leaves.”

Materials:

• Leaves
• White construction paper
• Water colors and brushes
• Acrylic paint

Directions:

1. Place a leaf on a piece of white construction paper. Using water colors, brush around the edges of the leaf, to create an outline of it. Repeat all over the paper.
2. Paint the rib-side of the leaf with acrylic paint. In the same way you would use a stamp, press the leaf onto the water colored leaf outlines.
3. Once the picture is dry, embellish it by drawing or painting blessings or Jewish sayings.
4. There are many uses for the leaf print paper. Some ideas include: frame and hang, cut the paper into greeting cards, or laminate and use as placemats.

Chanukah is a perfect time of year for the family to bring out dreidels, gelt, and craft supplies.

“While everyday day is a great time for crafting, it’s extra-fun to get the family involved in arts and crafts around the holidays,” says Rivky Koenig, author of Crafting Jewish (Artscroll 2008).

In her book, Koenig features various projects that revolve around the Jewish calendar. While all holidays beget crafts, Koenig loves Chanukah projects because they can double as lovely homemade gifts.

“I like making fun, decorative crafts that have practical uses,” says Koenig. “Chanukah projects present a wonderful opportunity for kids to show off their creativity when family comes to visit.”

As long as you have basic art supplies and a lot of imagination, the sky’s the limit in terms of creative Chanukah projects the whole family can enjoy.

With everyone off from school and the holiday spirit in the air—not to mention the plummeting temperature—Chanukah is a great excuse to get cozy and get crafting.

Chanukah Crafts For Toddlers: Pasta Menorah

This easy craft utilizes materials normally found around the house. Spend time with your toddler making this pasta menorah, then enjoy a pasta dinner to round out the activity.

Materials:

• 10 rigatoni pasta tubes with openings large enough to fit a candle
• 1 lasagna noodle
• Paint
• Glitter
• Glue
• Aluminum foil
• Chanukah candles

1. Decorate the pasta with paint or glitter. Handle with care so they don’t break!
2. Place the lasagna noodle on your work surface. In a row, glue nine rigatoni noodles, pointing up, on the lasagna noodle. In order for the shamash to be taller than the rest, make it a double-decker by gluing a second rigatoni on top of the bottom one.
3. Use paint and glitter to decorate the menorah.
4. Wrap the bottom of each candle in a thin layer of foil so that a sliver of foil shows when inserted into the rigatoni. This way the pasta won’t burn and you can easily pull out a melted candle.

Chanukah Crafts For Grade Schoolers: Chanukah Tray

This craft, created by Koenig, will be treasured for many Chanukahs to come as it becomes a family heirloom. The tray is perfect to display holiday essentials like menorahs, candles, wicks and olive oil. It can also be used to serve latkes or doughnuts.

Materials:

• Large picture frame, with glass, 11 X 13 inches or larger
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scrapbook paper or wrapping paper
• Scissors
• Glue Stick
• Cut letters, stickers or other embellishments
• Glue
• 12 X 18 (or larger) piece of self-adhesive felt OR regular felt

1. Take apart the picture frame and separate the backing, glass and frame. Put the glass and frame aside in a safe place for later. (If the backing of the frame has an easel back, remove the easel leg.)
2. Measure a piece of scrapbook paper or wrapping paper to fit the backing of the frame. Trace the frame back onto the reverse side of the paper. Cut to fit (if you are using scrapbook paper, you may need more than one sheet to fit the back of the frame).
3. Use a glue stick to glue the paper onto the front of the backing (the side that will show through the glass).
4. Decorate the paper by gluing on lettering, pictures, stickers or other decorative embellishments of your choice.
5. Put the picture frame back together.
6. To ensure that the frame doesn’t scratch the furniture, cut a piece of felt to fit the back of the frame. Turn the frame over and glue the felt to the back of the frame. If you are using self-adhesive felt, peel the paper from the felt and stick felt to the back of the frame.

Chanukah Crafts For Tweens: Latke Servers

Serve your latkes with style with this gorgeous project, one of the most popular crafts from Rivky Koneig’s Crafting Jewish. This craft calls for E6000, which is a very strong glue used to adhere glass to glass, as well as to metals and other strong materials. It emits an odor, so make sure to use it in a well-ventilated area. Crafters Pick “The Ultimate Glue,” which has less of an odor, can also be used.

Materials:

• E6000 Adhesive* or Crafters Pick “The Ultimate Glue”
• Flat, colored glass marbles
• Inexpensive all-metal serving pieces, such as a slotted spoon, pancake server, or a large serving spoon
• Metal wire, 22-gauge
• Wire cutters or strong scissors

1. UE6000 or Crafters Pick “The Ultimate Glue” to glue 4-5 marbles to the handle of each serving piece, leaving a narrow space between each stone. Let dry.
2. Wrap the wire tightly approximately 6 times around the base of the handle, below the stone. Continue wrapping the wire in a pretty design around each stone, tightly looping the wire between them. Tightly loop the wire around the top stone. Use the write cutter to cut the wire. Tuck the cut end in under the wire loops.
3. Let glue set for 24 hours before using utensils.

Chanukah Crafts For All Ages: Homemade Gift Wrap

Wrap your Chanukah presents in custom-made gift wrap and attach a matching card. Devised by Koenig, this is a great group activity because everyone can do the project on his or her level while spending time together.

Dreidel-Stamped Gift Wrap and Card

Materials:

• Permanent marker
• 3 flat expandable sponges
• Dreidel-shaped cookie cutters, optional
• Scissors
• Bowl of water
• 1 roll of craft paper
• Acrylic or tempera paint
• Disposable plastic plates
• Blank cards and envelopes

1. Use the permanent marker to draw dreidel shapes on the sponges. Or, trace a dreidel shape from a cookie cutter onto the sponges. Use scissors to cut out the sponge shapes.
2. Roll out the amount of paper that you would like to stamp and cut to size.
3. Squeeze or pour paint onto the plastic plates—one color per plate.
4. Soak the sponges in water so that they expand. Then, wring out the sponges. Dip one flat side of a sponge into the paint, making sure to cover the entire surface with the paint.
5. Place the sponge, paint side down, on the paper. Apply pressure to the sponge but don’t rock it, then lift the sponge up gently.
6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 with all the colors you are using, randomly stamping the surface of the paper. Allow the paper to dry.
7. Stamp dreidels on the front of the cards the same way you did on the wrapping paper. You can stamp the envelopes as well. Allow to dry.