How to Make a Menorah

A menorah is a term for a branched candelabra. Most people think of a menorah when they really mean a chanukiah, which has eight branches and one additional branch at a different level. The Chanukiah is used for celebrating the holiday of Chanukah. Making a menorah is simple and easy. A menorah can be made of any material that can safely hold a candle. One of the simplest ways to make a menorah is by using polymer clay (like Fimo) that is baked in your home oven.

[edit] Steps

  1. Buy polymer clay such as Fimo or Premo at any craft store. Cut a block of the clay into nine cubes using a craft knife. Elongate one cube into a rectangle slightly thinner and taller than the remaining 8 cubes.Make sure that all nine structures should have a flat, stable bottom.
  2. Wrap a small amount of aluminum foil around a small thin Chanukah or birthday candle and around the base. Push it into the top center of each of the eight clay cubes to create the hole for the candles of equal depth and deep enough to securely hold the candle. Remove the candle and foil.
  3. Take the eight equal cubes and line 4 of them in a row keeping them flat on your worksurface. Firmly press 4 of them together one by one to create a solid unit. You should now have one straight row of cubes of equal height with 4 equally-spaced holes on top. Smooth the edges making sure it is well-adhered. Verify that the bottom of the 4-holed structure is still flat and stable Repeat with the other 4 cubes. You will now have 2 units of clay, each with 4 holes.
  4. Create a candle-sized hole in the top with an aluminum-foil wrapped candle with the remaining rectangle of clay and verify the bottom of the rectangle is still flat and stable. Take one unit of 4 holes and the other unit of 4 holes and place on either side of the rectangle. Firmly press the rectangle from both sides and join it to the 4-holed units making smooth seams. You should now have one long, solid unit of clay with nine holes total: 4 holes of equal height from your work surface on either side of a middle hole that is slightly higher.
  5. Verify that the unit is stable and all bottoms are flat. If needed, flatten each cube and rectangle slightly to make it stable being careful not to close the candle holes. Make sure that the unit holds together as one long piece.
  6. Transfer the unit to a flat baking tray. Bake according to manufacturer's instructions being careful to judge baking time by the thickness of the cubes. Cool according to manufacturer's instructions.


[edit] Tips

  • Use a piece of wax paper on your work surface. You do not want the raw clay to touch surfaces you may later use for food.
  • Some clay colors can slightly stain your hands so use gloves, or coat your hands lightly with handcream to make clean-up easier prior to working with the clay.
  • Use a baking tray reserved for crafts; do not use food implements for working the clay.
  • A craft knife will make good straight thin cuts for your cubes and is recommended over a regular knife.
  • There is a lot of info about using polymer clay on the Web and lots of techniques for decorating clay prior to baking with common tools such as toothpicks and toothbrushes to create textures. A six-pointed star made of overlapping triangles is a traditional symbol used on menorahs.
  • Prior to lighting the candles place a small amount of aluminum foil around the bottom of each candle, shaping it into a small cup so that drips from the candle will catch in the foil and not drip onto your creation.
  • Several sites on the Web can instruct you about the holiday of Chanukah and the significance and use of the Chanukiah menorah.


[edit] Warnings

  • Do not use clay on surfaces or objects used for food.
  • Children should use the oven for baking clay under adult supervision only.
  • Never use a microwave to bake clay!
  • Never let children light candles without adult supervision and do not leave children alone in a room with lit candles.
  • Never let children play (including dreidel) near a lit menorah.
  • Never place the Chanukiah on a flamable surface or near curtains, paper or anything that might ignite.
  • Place a large plate under the lit candles, to catch the drippings.


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Categories:Hanukkah Chanukah

Authors

Shari Lieber Silverman, KnowItSome, Ben Rubenstein, Sondra C, Becca141, Anonymous, Maniac, Cipher_nemo
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