Splash Dreidels - a Hanukkah craft project for kids.
Not messy, just looks it, appeals to toddlers.
(Also called Jackson Pollack drip technique dreidels for the more sophisticated budding artist)
You’ll need;
A shoe box
Scotch tape
A dreidel (the flat type that looks like a disc with a handle)
Paint – any type as long as it’s runny. The best is gouache or poster paint in a squeezy tube.
Plain Paper
A compass
Small blob of modeling clay (plasticine)
Sharp pencil
Scissors
Glitter (optional)
Lots of newspaper
Sense of humor in case it goes wrong and does get messy (don’t blame me!)
Method
1. Cut a large window in the top of the shoe box lid (about 6 inch by 6 inch - big enough to get a dreidel in and out)
2. Tape the lid on to the bottom part of the box
3. Using a compass, mark out about 10 discs the same size as the dreidel‘s diameter on some plain paper. Mark the centre point too.
4. Cut out the discs.
5. Make a central hole. The best way to do this is to place the hanukkah dreidel on a piece of modeling clay and poke a sharp pencil through it.
6. Place the paper disc over the handle of the dreidel.
7. Put the dreidel in the shoe box.
8. Spin it.
9. Dribble paint onto the hanukkah dreidel while its spinning
10. Experiment with different speeds, colors and paints.
11. If you are using glitter, sprinkle it on while the paint is still wet.
12. Remove the disc and place it (out of the way of little hands) to dry, preferably over night.
13. What to do with the discs – We used them to make a centipede collage. If you are crafty, you can use thicker card and small pencils to make new dreidels. Try using a small marker pen as a handle with the tip pointing down and spin it with the lid off – it make s a lovely pattern on the paper.
Happy Crafty Hanukkah!
Dec 1, 2009
How I made my Modern Magnetic Hanukkah Menorahs
I’m proud and relieved that I finally got my new Magnetic Menorahs out before Hanukkah. I started designing them way back in January, but there were many stumbling blocks along the way.
Instead of my usual way of working - coming up with a visual concept and translating it into 3D materials that express a Jewish ritual function, my brief was “Design an affordable Judaica product that would succeed in this recession driven economy.”
I wanted to combine simple materials – tubes, steel and magnets.
It was one of those projects that was supposed to be really easy, or so I thought…
The first menorah I designed was a large wave of steel, with candleholders magnetized to the sides. But on testing it got boiling hot, the magnets kept jumping together and the wax melted into a big gloopy mass.
I was using super strong neodymium diametrically magnetized (side attraction) magnets which kept jumping together. So I adapted the menorah design, made two tracks of steel (also attached with magnets) with the candleholders on top, changed the magnets to axially magnetized (vertical attraction) and created the Modern Slide Menorah. The advantage it has over my original hanukkah menorah design, apart from all the practical concerns, is that the magnets glide really beautifully along the tracks.
The next channukah menorah design in the range was to be simple and compact, perfect for travelling. For the Modern Travel Menorah I wanted a steel base with magnetic candleholders. But the supposedly pre-polished bases had to be professionally polished to prevent sharp edges, and then at the request of several of the Judaica gift stores that I work with, I had to source protective stickers to put on the bases to prevent the bases from getting scratched. It should have also been easy, but when test driven, the first 5 samples didn’t stick, they slid around or left sticky snail trails on the menorah base. Roni (my silversmith and production assistant) and I took it in turns to rip out our hair.
Eventually I had a consultation with 2 manufacturing experts and one business advisor (as well as my other trusty advisers – husband and brother), found 3 specialist sticker manufacturers, tested 7 different types of stickers and finally found the right ones for my new menorahs.
I was almost ready to release the two new modern menorah designs, when I looked at my desk and realized that my sample pieces were holding my Post-its, paper clips, pens, stamps and business cards - in fact anything and everything that was on my desk. I thought it would be a perfect gift idea for a Chanukiah that could be in use all year round and so the Modern Transformer Menorah was created.
The whole process (which I had to fit in with running the rest of my Jewish gifts business as usual) took almost a year, and I was worried I wouldn’t get the pieces out in time for Hannukah 2009. But by what must have been my own personal miracle of Hannukah, all the technical problems were resolved 2 weeks ago, and I’ve been blessed with a great response, even selling out and having to quickly restock after the first week. Happy Chanukah!
P.S. I’ve made commenting on this page easier and there’s no need to give your email address, so I’d love to hear from you! Click here to see the new Chanukah menorah designs!
Instead of my usual way of working - coming up with a visual concept and translating it into 3D materials that express a Jewish ritual function, my brief was “Design an affordable Judaica product that would succeed in this recession driven economy.”
I wanted to combine simple materials – tubes, steel and magnets.
It was one of those projects that was supposed to be really easy, or so I thought…
The first menorah I designed was a large wave of steel, with candleholders magnetized to the sides. But on testing it got boiling hot, the magnets kept jumping together and the wax melted into a big gloopy mass.
I was using super strong neodymium diametrically magnetized (side attraction) magnets which kept jumping together. So I adapted the menorah design, made two tracks of steel (also attached with magnets) with the candleholders on top, changed the magnets to axially magnetized (vertical attraction) and created the Modern Slide Menorah. The advantage it has over my original hanukkah menorah design, apart from all the practical concerns, is that the magnets glide really beautifully along the tracks.
The next channukah menorah design in the range was to be simple and compact, perfect for travelling. For the Modern Travel Menorah I wanted a steel base with magnetic candleholders. But the supposedly pre-polished bases had to be professionally polished to prevent sharp edges, and then at the request of several of the Judaica gift stores that I work with, I had to source protective stickers to put on the bases to prevent the bases from getting scratched. It should have also been easy, but when test driven, the first 5 samples didn’t stick, they slid around or left sticky snail trails on the menorah base. Roni (my silversmith and production assistant) and I took it in turns to rip out our hair.
Eventually I had a consultation with 2 manufacturing experts and one business advisor (as well as my other trusty advisers – husband and brother), found 3 specialist sticker manufacturers, tested 7 different types of stickers and finally found the right ones for my new menorahs.
I was almost ready to release the two new modern menorah designs, when I looked at my desk and realized that my sample pieces were holding my Post-its, paper clips, pens, stamps and business cards - in fact anything and everything that was on my desk. I thought it would be a perfect gift idea for a Chanukiah that could be in use all year round and so the Modern Transformer Menorah was created.
The whole process (which I had to fit in with running the rest of my Jewish gifts business as usual) took almost a year, and I was worried I wouldn’t get the pieces out in time for Hannukah 2009. But by what must have been my own personal miracle of Hannukah, all the technical problems were resolved 2 weeks ago, and I’ve been blessed with a great response, even selling out and having to quickly restock after the first week. Happy Chanukah!
P.S. I’ve made commenting on this page easier and there’s no need to give your email address, so I’d love to hear from you! Click here to see the new Chanukah menorah designs!
Sep 16, 2009
Looking back at the year - תשס"ט
Things I am grateful for ;
Knowing what I want
I feel blessed that I know what I want and that I love to create, so much that it can make me laugh out loud, dance for joy or hug my staff.
My kids
Fortunate to have two funny, smart, silly, driving me crazy half the time, loving, healthy children (that now let me sleep at night, hurrah!)
My new staff
Kandi, my office manager and Roni, my silversmith have taken all the pressure off my work, so I am able to dedicate my time to my favourite parts - design, creation and contact with clients. So if you are in the Neve Tsedek neighbourhood come in and say hello!
My iphone
If you have one then I don’t need to describe the joy. If you don’t, go and get one!
My business advisor - Haim
Haim has the answer to every question I ask. Sometimes a direct answer, sometimes spiritual and sometimes he makes me find the answer, but there is always an answer. It’s like therapy.
My family
I am lucky to have a close and supportive family –husband, brothers, mum as well as great in laws, whom always have my back.
Things I wish I could have changed
Mobile phone bill
In the thousands, after foolishly surfing the internet abroad on my iphone
Waiting at home…
…. for my husband Mickey to return from the war in Gaza
Recession
Like the whole business world, the Judaica field has slowed down this year, so I have been forced to change my design strategies to create less expensive products (Hannukah Menorahs and Mezuzot that should be ready in a couple of weeks)
Wish
Gilad Shalit could be at home with his family for Rosh Hashanah
Here’s to a happy, healthy, creative and inspiring תש"ע
Jul 6, 2009
Something I didn't know about mezuzah scrolls
I am currently researching a new design for a mezuzah, where I will put an image of the scroll on the outside of the mezuzah.
As usual, I surf the Chabad, Aish and “Ask the Rabbi” websites looking for information to make sure that all my designs follow halachic rules and respect unwritten traditions. I'm sure they're all experts in their knowledge of mezuzah scrolls.
It always amuses me when I click the "Ask the Rabbi" button. I envision a crack team of top Rabbi’s twirling their payot, waiting for a message to ping up on the computer.
This reminds me of the haredi men on bicycles (this seems to be a popular occurrence in the Sheinkin area of Tel Aviv, one of the few areas where ultra religious and ultra secular Jews seem to happily coexist.
This time I am asking if there are any restrictions on displaying an image of a mezuzah scroll on the outside of the case, and I am waiting to hear back.
I always have a quick look to see what other people are asking –
Q. Is it ok for a Rabbi to buy a German car when many of his congregation are shoah survivors?
A. Best not
Q. Do I need a mezuzah on a nanny’s room?
A. Yes and No (classic Jewish answer)
Q. Is one permitted to study a Hebrew textbook that does not contain Torah in the bathroom if ones primary intention in for the sake of learning Torah?
A. As long as it is not Torah you can learn it in the Bathroom.
And something that in my line of work I really should have known…
Q. What is the meaning of the words on back of Mezuzah scrolls?
A. The three words at the bottom of the Mezuzah on the outer side of the parchment are "Cuzu B'mucsz Cuzu" -- an altered form of the phrase "Hashem Elokeinu Hashem." It is actually a form of Gematria (Numerology) where each letter is "raised" to its next letter. Thus, an Alef becomes a Bet, and a Bet becomes Gimel, etc. Rav Moshe Isserlis quotes the Hagahot Maimoni as the source for this custom. It is "only" a custom -- a Mezuzah without these words is still considered valid.
As usual, I surf the Chabad, Aish and “Ask the Rabbi” websites looking for information to make sure that all my designs follow halachic rules and respect unwritten traditions. I'm sure they're all experts in their knowledge of mezuzah scrolls.
It always amuses me when I click the "Ask the Rabbi" button. I envision a crack team of top Rabbi’s twirling their payot, waiting for a message to ping up on the computer.
This reminds me of the haredi men on bicycles (this seems to be a popular occurrence in the Sheinkin area of Tel Aviv, one of the few areas where ultra religious and ultra secular Jews seem to happily coexist.
This time I am asking if there are any restrictions on displaying an image of a mezuzah scroll on the outside of the case, and I am waiting to hear back.
I always have a quick look to see what other people are asking –
Q. Is it ok for a Rabbi to buy a German car when many of his congregation are shoah survivors?
A. Best not
Q. Do I need a mezuzah on a nanny’s room?
A. Yes and No (classic Jewish answer)
Q. Is one permitted to study a Hebrew textbook that does not contain Torah in the bathroom if ones primary intention in for the sake of learning Torah?
A. As long as it is not Torah you can learn it in the Bathroom.
And something that in my line of work I really should have known…
Q. What is the meaning of the words on back of Mezuzah scrolls?
A. The three words at the bottom of the Mezuzah on the outer side of the parchment are "Cuzu B'mucsz Cuzu" -- an altered form of the phrase "Hashem Elokeinu Hashem." It is actually a form of Gematria (Numerology) where each letter is "raised" to its next letter. Thus, an Alef becomes a Bet, and a Bet becomes Gimel, etc. Rav Moshe Isserlis quotes the Hagahot Maimoni as the source for this custom. It is "only" a custom -- a Mezuzah without these words is still considered valid.
May 11, 2009
Why I am loving the recession
1. It has forced me to stop and think! In the last few years my business has gained a momentum of its own, with a flow of orders coming in without too much effort. Now, with this new quiet period, I have time to decide what direction I want my business to go in right now.
2. I’ve had time to have one on one sessions with a business consultant, (which has been like therapy for the business part of my brain.) I live in my work, and through my work, so having someone help me untangle my thoughts has been very calming and even enlightening.
3. The recession made me rethink my online presence, and I spent the good part of my studio time remaking my website, and setting up social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.
4. I have started designing in a more practical fashion. Instead of coming up with an image or a concept and then finding the methods or technology to translate it into a piece of contemporary designer Judaica, I am starting from the materials up. My research has lead me to glass tubes, magnets, pre-polished stainless steel and photographs from my travel abroad.
5. I’ve conquered my fear of designing on the computer by taking lessons in design programs Photoshop and Indesign, and I love it so much sometimes actually laugh out loud in the lessons. Not very cool, but fantastic to get such pleasure from my work.
6. I am getting close to the final stage of 2 collections – a range of colourful mezuzahs using photography and graphic design elements and a set of modern Hanukkah menorahs that you can pull apart and put together in various different ways – something for the kid in you.
2. I’ve had time to have one on one sessions with a business consultant, (which has been like therapy for the business part of my brain.) I live in my work, and through my work, so having someone help me untangle my thoughts has been very calming and even enlightening.
3. The recession made me rethink my online presence, and I spent the good part of my studio time remaking my website, and setting up social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.
4. I have started designing in a more practical fashion. Instead of coming up with an image or a concept and then finding the methods or technology to translate it into a piece of contemporary designer Judaica, I am starting from the materials up. My research has lead me to glass tubes, magnets, pre-polished stainless steel and photographs from my travel abroad.
5. I’ve conquered my fear of designing on the computer by taking lessons in design programs Photoshop and Indesign, and I love it so much sometimes actually laugh out loud in the lessons. Not very cool, but fantastic to get such pleasure from my work.
6. I am getting close to the final stage of 2 collections – a range of colourful mezuzahs using photography and graphic design elements and a set of modern Hanukkah menorahs that you can pull apart and put together in various different ways – something for the kid in you.
Apr 28, 2009
Mezuzah Love
I am designing a mezuzah (based on the above image) that has LOVE on it in many languages
I need to check that I have the right words (must be the noun)
So far I have got
French - Amour
German - Liebe
Italian - Amore
Spanish - Amor
Hebrew - Ahava אהבה
Swedish - KÄRLEK
Danish - Kærlighed
Dutch - liefhebben
Polish - miłość
Japanese - 愛???
Chinese traditional ??? - 愛???
Chinese simplified - 恋
Russian - Купидон
Yiddish - Libn
If one of these is your native language can you confirm that I have got the correct word?
Google linguistics is giving me the same word/symbol for Japanese and Chinese...
And if you have anymore to add please contact me info@lauracowan.com
Thanks!
Laura
Apr 1, 2009
Twitter, Facebook and the Exodus
Is it me or is Twitter a load of old rubbish?
I’ve tried, but I really don’t get it.
I’ve followed Madonna, Barak Obama, Britney Spears (embarrassing, I know, I deleted her quickly), Martha Stewart, Stephen Fry (British comedian) and several friends.
Whenever I tell my friends that I can’t see the point they say, oooh, you must follow so and so, then you will see why it’s so good. But I still haven’t found anyone worth following.
Twitters don’t seem to filter their thoughts, so you just hear the ongoing babble in their head, which makes me realize that it’s a very good thing that we can’t read people’s minds.
That’s not to say I don’t love social networking on the internet. I am big fan of Facebook. Since I moved to Israel 13 years ago, I have missed that day to day contact with my friends from home, and now I can see what’s going on in their status updates and pics.
If you like Facebook too you will want to see this funny link. I came across is when I was googling Pesach and Passover for research for new Judaica designs.
The story of the Exodus as told on Facebook, check it out;
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=65010297492&h=7eML9&u=lgrV4&ref=nf
I’ve tried, but I really don’t get it.
I’ve followed Madonna, Barak Obama, Britney Spears (embarrassing, I know, I deleted her quickly), Martha Stewart, Stephen Fry (British comedian) and several friends.
Whenever I tell my friends that I can’t see the point they say, oooh, you must follow so and so, then you will see why it’s so good. But I still haven’t found anyone worth following.
Twitters don’t seem to filter their thoughts, so you just hear the ongoing babble in their head, which makes me realize that it’s a very good thing that we can’t read people’s minds.
That’s not to say I don’t love social networking on the internet. I am big fan of Facebook. Since I moved to Israel 13 years ago, I have missed that day to day contact with my friends from home, and now I can see what’s going on in their status updates and pics.
If you like Facebook too you will want to see this funny link. I came across is when I was googling Pesach and Passover for research for new Judaica designs.
The story of the Exodus as told on Facebook, check it out;
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=65010297492&h=7eML9&u=lgrV4&ref=nf
Mar 27, 2009
Really Good Carrot Cake
This cake is my new best friend.
It brought me my 15 minutes of fame at my son Max’s kindergarden bring and buy sale.
People actually said “Ooooh” and “Wooooow” when I walked in with it and I was elevated to celebrity status!
I’ve never been so popular and even strangers were asking me for the recipe.
Now I just have to work out how to keep it up the façade of master baker. (Michal, send me more recipes ASAP)
Here’s the recipe - let me know how it works out for you….
Really Good Carrot Cake (that’s a bit orangey)
Ingredients
Cake
1 cup vegetable oil
½ cup unsweetened apple sauce (you can use more oil if you can’t get this)
2/3 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
2/3 cup sugar
4 large eggs
1/3 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 cup plain flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups finely grated peeled carrots
Frosting
100g/4 oz unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 package cream cheese (220 g/ 8 ounce) Philadelphia is good. Best if room temperature otherwise it doesn’t blend well
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon orange zest
Preparation
For cake: Preheat oven to 160°c / 325°F. Lightly butter a large cake tin. Line bottom with baking paper; butter paper. Mix oil, apple sauce and both sugars in blender. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in orange juice and zest. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt - beat to blend. Stir in carrots.
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until knife inserted into center of cake comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Transfer tin to rack. Cool cake 15 minutes. Turn cake out onto rack. Remove waxed paper and cool.
For Frosting: Blend cream cheese and butter until light. Beat in orange juice and orange peel. Add sugar; beat until smooth. Spread frosting using spatula in thick decorative swirls over top and side of cake.
Cake can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
Enjoy!
Laura
Mar 24, 2009
You know you have become an Israeli when
You know you have become an Israeli when
1. You can say כפרה עליך (capara alecha) and not sound ridiculous
2. Taxi drivers stop charging you double tourist rates
3. Your kids eat olives for breakfast
4. You can sms in Hebrew
5. You know the right way to ask for directions is not to say, “Excuse me, please can you tell the best way to get to the Ayalon” but to wind your window down and shout “Ayalon???”
6. You can say לך לקיבינימט (lech lkebinimat) and get away with it
7. Your old friends from home think you are the rudest person they have ever met
8. You turn up for wedding just as the bride is walking down the aisle. Then proceed to smoke, drink and make phone calls while they get married.
9. You live in the artist quarter of Neve Tzedek
1. You can say כפרה עליך (capara alecha) and not sound ridiculous
2. Taxi drivers stop charging you double tourist rates
3. Your kids eat olives for breakfast
4. You can sms in Hebrew
5. You know the right way to ask for directions is not to say, “Excuse me, please can you tell the best way to get to the Ayalon” but to wind your window down and shout “Ayalon???”
6. You can say לך לקיבינימט (lech lkebinimat) and get away with it
7. Your old friends from home think you are the rudest person they have ever met
8. You turn up for wedding just as the bride is walking down the aisle. Then proceed to smoke, drink and make phone calls while they get married.
9. You live in the artist quarter of Neve Tzedek
Mar 22, 2009
Tel Aviv - Insider Tips
Take a look at some of my favourite corners of Tel Aviv. Real life at its best.
Best Humous
Abu Hassan in the Old City of Jaffa – get there early, they close when the big bowl of humous is finished (usually early afternoon) All the staff from Galai Tsahal (Army Radio) eat there because there studio is just round the corner. Also try the masabacha – a kind of hot spicy humous which you eat with chunks of onion. The masabacha is so strongly flavored that the onion tastes like a sweet apple in comparison. Just don’t go on a date that evening. Address: 1 Dolphin St. (on the hill)
Real Life
My favorite corner is Levinsky and Nahalat Binyamin (further south than the well known Nahalat Binyamin Craft Market) Take a step back in time and see all the spices and nuts in big sacks. Stock up on saffron, cinnamon sticks, rose tea and vanilla pods.
Modern Judaica
Me! Art studio for Judaica in the Neve Tsedek quarter. I design and create contemporary Mezuzahs, Hanukkah Menorahs, Shabbat Candlesticks, Kiddush Cups and Seder Plates in stainless steel, pewter and anodized aluminum. Visitors welcome by appointment, email me at info@lauracowan.com
Restaurant (celebration)
Herbert Samuel. Fantastic food. Called tapas, but that’s because the style is small portions to share – the type of food is eclectic. The olive oil that comes with the bread is so delicious you could drink it. Cool décor but unpretentious. Excellent service. Expensive, but not prohibitively so. Herbert Samuel Street (close to Dan Panorama Hotel)
Restaurant (budget)
24 Rupee. Satisfyingly hard to find. Sit on the floor on cushions, and feel like you are backpacking. Great for small kids that can’t sit still (like mine). They only serve one main dish – tali” – which is an Indian platter – theirs includes rice, chapatti, 3 types of curry and raita. Tastes just like the real thing. Veggie. Try the chai too. 14-16 Shoken Street (Industrial part of south central Tel Aviv)
Yogurt
The new craze to hit Tel Aviv. Whipped yogurt with a wide variety of fresh fruit, nut and chocolately toppings. Try Yogo on the corner of Ahad Haam and Nahalat Binyamin. Mad queues at the weekend. Or try the newly opened Yogurt Anita on 23 Shabazi Street in Neve Tsedek. They are the sister shop to the best ice cream in town (or anywhere in fact) Anita Cafe on Shabazi 42 (corner of Pines). Home-made Italian style ice cream, all real ingredients.
Clothes
Visit the up and coming Gan Hahashmal area for young designers – very contemporary (read crumpled, unusual cuts, vintage style etc)
Airport Taxi
Another local secret - Hadar Airport Taxi 03-971-1103. These are the cheapest taxis to the airport, they are the ones that have taken fares from the airport, and rather driving back empty they pick up fares for about 20-30% cheaper than other taxis. I know they service Tel Aviv, Raanana, Herzaliya and Jerusalem, you would need to check for other towns.
Best Humous
Abu Hassan in the Old City of Jaffa – get there early, they close when the big bowl of humous is finished (usually early afternoon) All the staff from Galai Tsahal (Army Radio) eat there because there studio is just round the corner. Also try the masabacha – a kind of hot spicy humous which you eat with chunks of onion. The masabacha is so strongly flavored that the onion tastes like a sweet apple in comparison. Just don’t go on a date that evening. Address: 1 Dolphin St. (on the hill)
Real Life
My favorite corner is Levinsky and Nahalat Binyamin (further south than the well known Nahalat Binyamin Craft Market) Take a step back in time and see all the spices and nuts in big sacks. Stock up on saffron, cinnamon sticks, rose tea and vanilla pods.
Modern Judaica
Me! Art studio for Judaica in the Neve Tsedek quarter. I design and create contemporary Mezuzahs, Hanukkah Menorahs, Shabbat Candlesticks, Kiddush Cups and Seder Plates in stainless steel, pewter and anodized aluminum. Visitors welcome by appointment, email me at info@lauracowan.com
 |
| Modern Kiddush Cups |
Restaurant (celebration)
Herbert Samuel. Fantastic food. Called tapas, but that’s because the style is small portions to share – the type of food is eclectic. The olive oil that comes with the bread is so delicious you could drink it. Cool décor but unpretentious. Excellent service. Expensive, but not prohibitively so. Herbert Samuel Street (close to Dan Panorama Hotel)
Restaurant (budget)
24 Rupee. Satisfyingly hard to find. Sit on the floor on cushions, and feel like you are backpacking. Great for small kids that can’t sit still (like mine). They only serve one main dish – tali” – which is an Indian platter – theirs includes rice, chapatti, 3 types of curry and raita. Tastes just like the real thing. Veggie. Try the chai too. 14-16 Shoken Street (Industrial part of south central Tel Aviv)
Yogurt
The new craze to hit Tel Aviv. Whipped yogurt with a wide variety of fresh fruit, nut and chocolately toppings. Try Yogo on the corner of Ahad Haam and Nahalat Binyamin. Mad queues at the weekend. Or try the newly opened Yogurt Anita on 23 Shabazi Street in Neve Tsedek. They are the sister shop to the best ice cream in town (or anywhere in fact) Anita Cafe on Shabazi 42 (corner of Pines). Home-made Italian style ice cream, all real ingredients.
Clothes
Visit the up and coming Gan Hahashmal area for young designers – very contemporary (read crumpled, unusual cuts, vintage style etc)
Airport Taxi
Another local secret - Hadar Airport Taxi 03-971-1103. These are the cheapest taxis to the airport, they are the ones that have taken fares from the airport, and rather driving back empty they pick up fares for about 20-30% cheaper than other taxis. I know they service Tel Aviv, Raanana, Herzaliya and Jerusalem, you would need to check for other towns.
Mar 19, 2009
New modern mezuzahs
I am creating new line of new modern mezuzahs with photographic images. Do you have a snap that you are particularly proud of?
Send it to me, and if your picture is used you will win a prize.
The part of the picture that will be used is a thin strip, either 8 cm x 2 cm for the small mezuzah or 13 cm x 2 cm for the large size, so it is best if it has extremes of colour and tone – it has to make an impact in a small space.
Some good ideas would be; Israel themes - The flag, stones of the Western Wall, pomegranates in the shuk.
Nature - flowers – bold close ups, dramatic sunsets. Kids - your child’s drawing – must be colorful!
I don’t mind if your picture is highlighted, cropped or photoshopped to within an inch of its life, but I can’t use faces or people – it mustn’t look like we are praying to idols - it is a mezuzah after all!
In anticipation…
Laura
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| Rainbow Saturn Rings Handcrafted Mezuzah |
Modern Jewish Gifts facebook page!
I have set up a Facebook page for my modern Jewish gifts. You don't have to be a rock star to have one and it's a great way to keep in touch.
If you would like to become a fan please sign up at http://www.facebook.com/ModernJewishGifts and feel free to forward it to friends you think would like it!
Please also feel free to leave some feedback and let me know what you think about my unique handcrafted modern Jewish gifts!
If you would like to become a fan please sign up at http://www.facebook.com/ModernJewishGifts and feel free to forward it to friends you think would like it!
Please also feel free to leave some feedback and let me know what you think about my unique handcrafted modern Jewish gifts!
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| Rainbow Rocket Modern Hanukkah Menorah |
Pesach Seder Plates
My Mum, Aunt and brother-in-law are all coming to stay for Pesach so I have to hide all the mess. We have a huge bed that lifts up with a compartment underneath. I am hoping to find all the guest linen in there, and in one fell swoop, ditch all the mess and rubbish that we have accumulated since last Pesach underneath it. But bed has mind of its own, and tries to close on my head with my legs sticking out. Have to use superwoman strength to lift it up...and then use conventional methods of tidying up.Luckily the studio doesn't need a massive clear out, I am pretty good at keeping things organized at work. At the moment we are preparing Pesach Seder Plates since the festival of Passover is just around the corner.
Since it was in Bon Appétit Magazine a couple of years ago the demand for them has been amazing and it has become my best selling item. They are made from a sheet of heavy gauge aluminum. I polish it to a fine mirror finish, engrave the Seder words and then stamp the depressions with a ten ton press. Each one turns out slightly different. Then the Seder plate is repolished and signed and ready for shipping for Passover directly to my customers or to the Judaica galleries that I work with.
Mar 17, 2009
My new Judaica website in HTML
So I am remaking my Judaica website. I've been told that while Flash is lovely for all your arty bit and bobs, it doesn't cut it with the search engines, so I have to go the HTML way. It's hard to go commercial, but this is 2009 credit crunch world recession era, so it's not the time to be fussy.
My webmaster, who is a Flash girl at heart, has been living and breathing SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for the last month, so much that she doesn't talk in sentences anymore, only keywords. webmaster edit: She said that if I want my Judaica website to be found in search I need to blog about my handcrafted Jewish wedding gifts and link to some of the pages from here.
The site has been checked over by a top SEO specialist and he gave it the thumbs up. So I am hoping to get worldwide exposure, without even having to step out of my studio.
Here's a link to the site http://www.lauracowan.com/
My webmaster, who is a Flash girl at heart, has been living and breathing SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for the last month, so much that she doesn't talk in sentences anymore, only keywords. webmaster edit: She said that if I want my Judaica website to be found in search I need to blog about my handcrafted Jewish wedding gifts and link to some of the pages from here.
The site has been checked over by a top SEO specialist and he gave it the thumbs up. So I am hoping to get worldwide exposure, without even having to step out of my studio.
Here's a link to the site http://www.lauracowan.com/
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