Simple clay menorah with a modern twist

Hands-on time: Less than two hours.
Total time: Plus drying time of a few days, acrylics dry in 30 minutes.
Skill: Easy.
Cost estimate: Less than $20.

Materials & Tools

• Self-hardening clay, which can be painted once dried (natural terracotta or other colours are available, see more information on clay brands below)
• Nine tapered candles (I used 8 light blue candles, and one silver one for the shamas candle)
• Paper towels and a container of water
• A plastic liner to use as your work surface such as a placemat like the ones children use or a sheet of parchment paper
• A long kitchen knife
• Ceramcoat Acrylic paint, from silver to assorted shades of blue
• A soft fibre paintbrush, 2 cm
• Triple-thick clear glaze varnish by Krylon
• Putty to hold the candles securely into place
• Clear shrink film by Grafix to make decorative ornaments to adorn place cards, greeting cards, gift tags or assorted designs like a Star of David (optional)

A minimalist cubist style of menorah is simply illuminating for a modern Hanukkah celebration. This streamlined menorah is made with self-hardening clay, painted in a traditional holiday blue with acrylic paints and topped with a high-gloss finish for a very sleek look. This project can easily be accomplished in time for the festival of lights.

Clay is a very old and basic art medium that has been used for centuries, and it's effortless and fun to work with. Most self-hardening clays come packaged in rectangular shapes or slabs. There is no need to knead the clay unless you want to.

First, make the bases for the menorah. On a clean surface, cut the clay slabs with a knife to make two rectangular candleholder bases measuring 11 centimetres wide, 8 centimetres high and 4 centimetres wide. Mold and fashion these two shapes to be similar in size and shape. Make a taller candle holder for the centre candle, called the shamas, measuring 12 centimetres high and 4 centimetres thick all around.

Use your hands to shape all the sides to achieve a smooth and flat finish. Apply a dab of water if needed to keep the clay moist. Use a ruler to measure the bases (height and width) and keep adjusting until they are the same size. You can lightly pat the sides of the bases onto the plastic surface one at a time to achieve straight smooth sides.

Once the three candle holder shapes are completed, you need to make openings to insert the candles. Measure the distance between each candle, mark with a pencil, then insert the candle end on top of the rectangle base to form cup-holder shapes for the candles, about 2 cm deep. Repeat this step to create the remaining eight candle-holder openings.

When all three of the candleholder bases are completed let them air dry for 24 to 48 hours. Once dry, apply two coats of acrylic paint to the candleholders, letting them dry in between each coat.

For a sleek polished finish this menorah was varnished with a high-gloss finish. To achieve this lustrous, modern finish, apply two coats of Triple-thick clear glaze varnish by Krylon, again letting it dry in between each application. One coat of Triple-thick clear glaze is like applying five coats of regular varnish.

Insert candles into each opening, anchoring them tightly into place. Use putty if needed to help steady and secure the candles into the openings.

The front of each candle holder can be embellished with beaded or clay accents, wire stars or silver foil cutouts of dreidels or the star of David designs. For candlelight elegance, display your menorah on a silver platter, a mirror with a beautiful frame or on a picture frame embellished with silver leafing with Hanukkah symbols and pretty silver and blue papers. For a stylish presentation, surround your menorah with decorative accents such as coins, dreidels and stars to create a radiant display on a mantel, table or in a window and enjoy the festival of lights.

Variations

• To add extra sparkle to the festival of lights, the menorah can be embellished with designs made with shrink film, micro beads, sequins or silver leafing.
• Silver leafing can also be added to the make stripes on the candles, or to cover a plain frame to display the menorah.
• These modern-style candleholders can also be utilized as decorative accents throughout the year, together or separately.