Menorah is a term for a candlestick with arms. Most people think of the menorah when they actually refer to the Hannukah, which has eight arms and an extra arm positioned at a different level. Hannukah is used to celebrate the festival of the same name. Making a menorah is quick and easy. A menorah can be created with any material that can hold a candle. One of the simplest methods is to use thermosetting plasticine, such as FIMO, which can be baked in the oven.
Steps
Step 1. Buy thermosetting clay, such as FIMO, at any paint shop
Use wax paper to cover the worktop to prevent the clay from soiling the kitchen table.
Wear gloves. Some types of clay can stain your hands. Alternatively, use some hand cream so you can easily wash them off after work
Step 2. Cut the plasticine block into 8 cubes of the same size with a knife
(Use a craftsman's knife to make straight, even cuts.) Make sure all cubes have a flat, stable base.
Step 3. Stretch a rectangle-shaped piece of plasticine and shape it a little longer and higher than the 8 cubes
Step 4. Take a birthday or Hannukah candle and wrap the base with aluminum foil
By covering the base of the candle you will ensure that the candle, once inserted into a hole made in the cube, does not stick to the plasticine.
- Push the tinfoil-lined candle into the center of the cube to make the hole. The hole will support the candle and must be made on all 8 cubes. Make sure the hole is large and deep enough to hold the candle.
- Remove the candle but do not remove the foil as you will need it later.
Step 5. Line up 4 plasticine cubes in a row
Make sure they are flat on the work surface.
- Press them together firmly one by one so that you get a single solid piece. This way you will get a single row of 4 cubes of equal height, with 4 holes of the same size.
- Smooth the edges making sure the structure is secure.
- Make sure the base is flat and stable.
Step 6. Repeat the same action with the other 4 cubes
This way you will have 2 plasticine units, each with 4 holes.
Step 7. Make a candle hole on the remaining plasticine rectangle using the candle wrapped in foil
Make sure the base of the rectangle is flat and stable.
Step 8. Create the Hanukkah structure
- Take a unit with 4 holes and place it on one side of the rectangle.
- Place the other unit on the other side of the rectangle.
- Press both sides of the rectangle to firmly join them to the two units. Press firmly to make sure both units fit snugly and attach them to the rectangle by joining the play dough together.
- At this point you should have a long and solid plasticine unit with 9 holes in total: 4 holes of equal height located on both sides and a central one placed slightly higher.
Step 9. To make the structure even more stable, add a base and support beams
Step 10. Make sure again that the frame is stable and that all bases are flat
If necessary, flatten each cube and rectangle to make it even more stable, but be careful not to plug the candle holes. Make sure the whole structure fits together in one long piece.
Step 11. Place the plasticine frame in a baking tray
Cook the candlestick following the instructions for the clay you have chosen and don't forget to consider the thickness of the cubes to determine the cooking time. Let everything cool down, always following the directions. Note: If you want to decorate the menorah read the instructions below before cooking the candlestick.
Step 12. Optional:
Decorations. If you want to decorate the candlestick read the instructions for your modeling clay on how to insert small objects or what type of paint to use. This way you can tell if you need to paint the clay before or after cooking. There are many decorative techniques to use before cooking, such as using simple tools like toothpicks and toothbrushes to create decorative patterns. The six-pointed star created with two overlapping triangles is a traditional symbol used in menorahs.
Step 13. Use
See How to Light a Menorah for Hannukah for instructions.
Before lighting the candles, wrap the base of each candle with aluminum foil creating a concave shape so that the wax drips onto the paper and not onto the candlestick
Step 14. Finished
Advice
- Find more information on Hannukah and its meaning on the internet so that you know better how to use the menorah.
- Traditionally in a menorah one of the candle bases is slightly higher than the others. This candle is called Shamash and is usually the middle one.
- Place a tray under the candles to catch any dripping wax.
- Use a baking tray designed specifically for crafts and do not use kitchen tools to work with clay.
Warnings
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Be careful with fire:
- Children should light candles with adult supervision and not leave them alone in a room with lighted candles.
- Do not let children play near a lit menorah.
- Do not place the candlestick on a flammable surface, or near curtains, paper, or anything that can catch fire.
- Do not work clay on a cooking surface or with kitchen items.
- Do not use the microwave to cook clay.
- Children should only use the oven with adult supervision.
