Wooden Spool Menorah

SPECIAL OFFER: - Limited Time Only!
(The ad below will not display on your printed page)

SAVE EVEN MORE! Say “Yes” to Ladies' Home Journal® Magazine today and get a second year for HALF PRICE - 2 full years (22 issues) for just $15. You also get our new Ladies' Home Journal® Family Favorites Cookbook ABSOLUTELY FREE!

Email:

First Name:

Last Name:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

< Back

Wooden Spool Menorah

You and your children can make this small menorah from inexpensive components found at crafts and hardware stores. Instead of going for an antiqued look, you can brighten yours by using different colors of embossing powder.

What You Need:

This menorah will fit anywhere.

9 wooden spools, 5/8-inch x 3/4-inch
1 round wooden bead, 1-inch diameter
5-3/8 x 3-inch wooden plaque
Acrylic paint in black and metallic gold
Gold and verdigris embossing powders
Gold pigment ink pad
Cosmetic sponge wedges
Latex gloves
Embossing heat tool
Glue suitable for metal and wood
9 brass flat-bottom screw caps in the size to fit your candles
Black-and-gold metallic braid to fit around the wooden plaque
3 gold 6-point star buttons, 5/8-inch diameter
Wire cutters
9 white birthday candles

Instructions:

1. Paint the plaque, spools, and bead. Add water to black paint until it reaches the consistency of ink or watercolor paint. Using a cosmetic sponge as a brush, paint the plaque, spools, and bead black. Apply a second coat if desired. Let dry.

2. Add gold. Using a second sponge, lightly dry-brush gold paint over the surfaces, letting some of the black show through. Let dry.

3. Assemble. Referring to the photo, glue the bead to the top center of the plaque. Glue four spools on each side in a curve. Glue one spool on top of the bead for the shamas (the raised candle). Glue a flat-bottom screw cap on top of each spool. Let the glue dry.

4. Add gold ink. Tear a piece of cosmetic sponge small enough to fit between the spools, and use it to dab gold pigment ink around the plaque and onto the sides of the spools.

5. Emboss. Sprinkle gold embossing powder over the wet ink. Heat the powder with the embossing heat tool to emboss a raised surface. Repeat, using verdigris embossing powder.

6. Add black highlights. With an almost-dry sponge, lightly brush black paint on the plaque and spools to tone down the embossing and give the piece an antiqued look. Let the menorah dry thoroughly.

7. Add braid and buttons. Glue the black-and-gold metallic braid around the grooved edges of the plaque. Using wire cutters, remove the shanks from the star buttons, and glue them in front of the spools. Let glue dry.

8. Add candles. Never leave burning candles unattended.