My new blog

This is my old blog - please check out my new updated blog at http://blog.lauracowan.com/

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See you there!

Laura

Less is more

I do feel proud of myself that I achieved one of my goals and I have created a collection of (almost) all the Judaica essentials. For Shabbat I already have made a Kiddush Cup and several types of candlesticks..

Shamayim Varetz Kiddush Cup

This year I decided to design a Matza plate to match the Dune Seder plate collection.

Dune Shiny Steel Seder Plate

I had several design ideas for the matza plate with square curved steel like the Dune Seder plate. But my instinct was to pare the design down, and use just my essential design elements – a combination of matt and polished metal and a laser cut word. Something about the design just worked better like this, I think because after a lot of trial and error I got the proportions exactly right. The more simple the design – the more “correct” the proportions need to be. And judging by the reaction (my most popular item this season) I think I got the aesthetics right

Steel Matza Plate

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At the request of one of my Charoset loving collectors I also designed a Charoset plate, a simple square of highly polished steel, curved and engraved with the Hebrew word חרוסת and raised on protective silicon feet.

Haroset Plate

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy and Kosher Pesach. I will be celebrating here in Tel Aviv with my family. If you are in Israel please contact me if you'd like to pop in and say hello at my workshop in Neve Tsedek.

Not long till Hannukah - it's early this year - starts on the evening of Wednesday November 27th.

Buy any 2 Hannukah menorahs and get a FREE menorah of your choice! 
(Menorah must be of equal or lesser value to the least expensive menorah)

Offer good until December 16, 2013 while stocks last!

Simply order your two menorahs on my website www.lauracowan.com and write in the comments box which free menorah you would like.

See thumbnails of all the menorahs together here http://www.lauracowan.com/jewish-gifts/all-jewish-gifts.html

   

Shipping is by registered mail from Israel (1- 3 weeks depending on destination) is included in the prices displayed on my website. For faster shipping tick the Express Mail Box ($25)

Warm wishes,

Laura

Synagogues and My Mezuzahs

Several synagogues have been ordering my designs lately - one in San Francisco and one in Melbourne. I recently asked on Facebook if anyone had seen my mezuzahs at the Bowdon Synagogue in South Manchester, England. This is the delightful answer I received from one of my customers. 

Of course I have!  They are beautiful.  The shul is very contemporary, and there is a lot of light oak, on the doors and walls and door posts, where your mezuzahs sit.  There are large glass windows, with very good light. They fit in beautifully and are quite striking - architectural - which I guess is the aim.

From time to time we show groups of schoolchildren round the shul and always point them out, explaining what they are, and telling them that they're made by someone from South Manchester!  The teachers love them and the kids comment that they look like spaceships!  Job done!

We also love the ones we have in our small apartment in Tel Aviv.  We chose a variety of colours and finishes, and as we don't have a lot of artwork in there, they are really striking - as we intended.

It seems to me that you are going through a creative time at the moment - love the earrings, but I'm hoping you'll move on to bracelets and necklaces soon!

Hope you and your family are well. 

Warm wishes 

Diana Finn

New Saturn menorah and Dreidel Set

To quote an architect’s reaction about my new design; 
“Dreidels and Menorahs, they go together like bagel and lox.”

I used my signature theme of Saturn’s ring and created a Saturn menorah that you can use by itself or combine it with any of my four dreidel designs. I designed a transparent base to showcase the pieces together so that the dreidel magically looks like it is floating inside the menorah. I think it gives a fresh new look to my dreidels, which are one of my favorite designs. 

The magnetic candle holders can be moved so the menorah has a different look every night. 

See the design on my website http://www.lauracowan.com/jewish-gifts/menorah-dreidel-set.html

Best wishes for a bright and light Hannukah,

Laura

P.S. Want to hang out with me on Facebook? Like my page www.facebook.com/ModernJewishGifts

Saturn Menorah with Turquiose Dreidel

Saturn Menorah with Smart Dreidel

Steel Dreidel

Smart Dreidel

Lazy salad

Now you've got your pomegranate seeds, make my favorite lazy salad, that has very short prep time. 
Just throw in bowl;
1. Bought ready washed lettuce leaves. 
2. Bought ready grated carrot. 
3. Chopped avocado. 
4. Pomegranate seeds. 
5. Pine nuts ( lightly toast them in a dry saucepan first) 
6. Any slightly sweet dressing, I like balsamic vinegar and honey.

How to remove the seeds from a pomegranate

How to get the seeds out of a pomegranate without staining your hands, clothes and  the whole kitchen?


First cut a very thin slice off the top of the pomegranate, thin enough that you do not cut the seeds. Using a spoon, remove a little of the center core.  Score 4 thin vertical lines around the pomegranate with a knife. 

Place the whole fruit in a large bowl of cold water. Put your thumbs in the center and gently pull apart the sections. Peel away some of the white skin. Now continue removing the white skin and pulling part small sections until all the seeds are free. The seeds will sink to the bottom of the bowl and any white skin will float to the to of the bowl. With the sieve, remove the skin floating on top. Then pour the water and the seeds through the sieve, and there you have it.