Designist Dream

I interrupt my regular posts about other people’s stuff to share with you one of my own! And Im really excited about it. You see, I read a ton of blogs each day – from home to design to craft and everything in between (fashion and art included). I have a growing mound of files, and now pins too, of things that I believe I can make one day.

Come holiday season, shit gets a little out of control round the blogosphere with everyone the world over making holiday decorations for their homes or for gifts. Although crafts for Chanukah seem to be improving every year, I find many of them dated in style, too blue or Magen David/ star-heavy. That’s why I was psyched to find this project from Creative Jewish Mom. Not only does Sara have some great, modern crafts for Chanukah, she also has a great deal of kid-friendly projects. So I set up the toilet paper rolls on our table, along with the tissue paper and some metallic paint thrown in for good measure, and somehow things started to take a decidedly, creatively different turn…

Introducing: The Chanukah Candle Mobile! (Yay!)

These eight ‘candles’ or painted toilet paper rolls are hanging in my stairwell (from the stair rail you can see in the photo at the bottom). Since the stairs get the most light and are breezy-central with everyone walking through them, the candles sparkle as they float around. Plus, they bring surprise holiday cheer as you walk down to the living room/ kitchen where all the Chanukah and family celebrations take place.

It was easy and fun, for kids of all ages, and to prove it, here’s how we did it.

You will need:
8 toilet paper rolls
1 paper towel roll (for the taller Shamash or lead candle – we didn’t do this part)
Metallic paints (gold, silver, bronze, copper… you get the picture) glitter paints in colors would work just as well
Tissue papers in flame colors (red, orange, yellow)
Metallic pipe cleaners
Fishing wire
Glue
Scissor

Step 1:

Paint your toilet paper rolls with the metallic (or glitter) paints. Feel free to be creative here, amping up the sparkle effect with glue and glitter, stickers (neon or shiny), sequins, fabrics…

Step 2:

Cut out flame shapes from your tissue paper. Vary the size per color for added flame likeness.
Glue tissue papers onto the inside of the toilet paper roll for fire effect. Let dry.

Step 3:

Using the edge of your scissor (this part’s for adults), poke two holes through the toilet paper roll, mindful of the tissue paper.
Insert the metallic pipe cleaners through the two holes, meet them together on top, forming a flame-top shape, and twist together to close. (The pipe cleaners give you something stable and central to tie the fishing wire onto and hang the candle from.)

Step 4:
Repeat above steps to create 8 candles, one for each night of Chanukah.
To create a taller shamash, or lead candle, repeat the above steps with a longer paper towel roll.

Step 5:

Tie fishing wire to the top of pipe cleaner flames and hang from your desired place (ceiling, window pane, chandelier, hooks…) I used the stair rail which you can see at the top of the photo.

With 6 more nights left to celebrate Chanukah – and holiday vacation with the kids ahead – it’s not too late to decorate your house with this easy and fun Chanukah mobile. Happy crafting! Happy holidays! and Happy Chanukah to all!