creative jewish mom

How To Sprout Mung Beans And Use Them In A Colorful Salad!

We are all relieved to say goodbye to 2020, though the silver lining is that is gave many of us the chance to try some new things, and for me one of those things is sprouting! Now that I've got a bit of experience under my belt, I just had to share with you our new family favorite, sprouted mung beans! They are packed with nutrients, truly delicious, and so simple to sprout that they've become a weekly staple in our home. They can be eaten raw, or cooked, though we enjoy them the most in a colorful mixed vegetable salad, perhaps with a bit of quinoa added! And to my great surprise, when I shared this salad with a few neighbors they (and their kids, gasp!) loved it so much they have jumped on the sprouting wagon as well! So get some mung beans and lets get started. One important note: sprouting in general can lead to growth of non-desirable bacteria, so if you are pregnant, or have health issues do cook the sprouts and/or sprout mostly in the fridge, which I'll mention below. Okay, ready?

Starting a Profitable Candle Making Business From Home - 8 Essential Steps

Ever made DIY candles with such great results that you had the little thought that maybe just maybe you ought to consider doing it as a small business? When we made the candles I've shared here, my husband immediately said "let's go into business!" I'll admit I have way too many projects happening to consider a candle making business right now, but that doesn't mean I'm not interested in learning how I could make it work. So I've gathered some tips that might be helpful, not just when considering starting a candle making business, but any creative side gig that done right may just become a full time endeavor!

If you are looking for ways to make your candle making business profitable, take a look at these eight essential steps I have for you, and take it from there! Start with a good marketing strategy to insure that your candle making can be successful money wise, as a part-time income source, or even something more. And the good news is that it doesn’t cost much to make candles, and it’s widely known that the profit margin is also considered to be better than many other consumer products. A smart and small budget is all you need to initiate your candle-making business for starters. Candles, while a mainstay in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, have become popular worldwide, as decorative accents, and as a simple way to add scent to any room. 

Ready to learn the essential tips to help you kick start your super successful candle making business? Let’s get started, shall we.........?

A Peek In My Sketchbook: Mini Hearts Galore

It is true the mini painted hearts are taking over and who can complain? While working on my mini painted hearts painting, I also started experimenting in my sketchbook as well, as while it may seem that just painting hearts has its limitations, there are in fact so many ways to go! While I did labor for hours to get the mini hearts painting just so, when things started to look not so great in my sketchbook I opted to use the hearts pattern as a background, and thus the pear of hearts was born! I have now filled an additional four pages with all kinds of hearts, so let me tell you, it is addictive, but certainly not harmful unless it takes you into the wee hours on the morning, who me? Okay, keep on reading to see a bit more.....

Mini Graffiti Hearts Painting To Spread The Love

Now is a great time to spread the love by painting tiny hearts galore! And while it is true that folks are thinking about hearts as February approaches, hearts are great anytime, and who couldn't use a little extra love right about now?  A mini hearts painting that could also become a mix of hearts to look more like a graffiti hearts painting is a great project to do over the course of a few days, and perfect for beginners. And, if you feel like painting something to give as a gift, this idea done on small canvases would also look great. I'll admit, it is more difficult that it looks, but the great thing about acrylic paint is that if you're not happy with the outcome, use that as the under layer for another painting! Start your painting by writing your heart's desire on the first layer, or fill it with wishes or prayers for a loved one, and paint away. With each heart send some love to the person for whom you are painting this, and your painting will truly be more than just a pattern, it will be a work of art literally filled with love! Okay, you will need to practive painting little hearts, but once the muscle memory in your hand kicks in, it is just a matter of diligence! Let's get started!

Tiny Painted Hearts Recycled Gift Box!

My love for recycling crafts has now officially married my newish love for painting, and this tiny painted hearts gift box is the proof!  It is true, I have been painting recycled gift boxes for a good few months now, you can see the abstract vases box here, and loose abstract flowers here, a large floral painting on a box here, and winter mittens here, and the fun painted apples here. Honestly I have been using them as holiday and kitchen art gallery decor rather than actual gift giving, as there is just something so lovely about stacked boxes adorned with artful paintings and patterns! Plus they fit nicely on my picture ledge art gallery of sorts, and provide a creative outlet that could be used, though I'd have to make multiples in order to part with them at this point. So what can I tell you, painting on boxes is just oh so satisfying! A box painted with layers of hearts like this one is so cheerful and looks great as part of a vignette, or placed just about anywhere. If your box is strong enough you can place a rectangular piece of glass on top and use it as a dessert platter on a dessert bar, or how about putting a vase in the box and using the box as a vase, now that just might work! Okay, convinced? Lets make a tiny hearts painted gift box!

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday, thanks so much for joining me here! Great to reconnect with all of my regulars and meeting a few newcomers as well! What can I say, these are tough times and what better time than to spread joy through creativity? I spent this past week crocheting clothes and accessories for a 17" doll that I'm gifting to a little loved one for her birthday, and while it did mean that there was no time for painting, I did enjoy the crocheting and can see lots of crocheted doll clothes in my future. I will be sharing the results soon, so stay tuned for that, as well as fruit and blossoming tree crafts, which are on the horizon as the Jewish holiday of Tu B'Shevat, the new year for fruit bearing trees, approaches! Wishing everyone good health and patience to weather the storm, sigh. And now, for the features from last week's party, lots of wonderful inspiration, especially for the crocheters out there!

Stand-Up Cardboard Cake For Every Occasion

Need a fun birthday or special occasion decoration that is artful and a pleasure to make? How about a cardboard stand up birthday cake that will put a smile one everyone's face? We've been enjoying this cereal box birthday cake that I made for some family birthdays in December for quite a few weeks now, and I still enjoy looking at it, as there is just something about layered cakes that is so carefree and sort of storybook sweet! This cake is on a wall mounted Ikea sideboard in our dining room, as part of a larger whimsical display, but if would look great on a shelf, or surprise someone by putting it somewhere fun on the morning of their birthday! Okay, lets make a great looking recycled cardboard cake to add some joy to 2021! Shall we?

Special Occasion DIY Star Cake, For Birthdays, Anniverseries, Or Just Because!

Need a relatively simple cake decor idea that will wow the crowd, look great from both sides and won't take hours to make? This special occasion 3D star topped cake is really something to try, and once you have made the stars it can literally be assembled in minutes! I made a bunch of 3D paper stars for Chanukah, and then when I realized I could use them to make this cake, I really couldn't believe how it all came together so quickly, and looked amazing, especially since it matched the decorations in the room! Of course these 3D stars can be made ahead and then used for a variety of decorations, and if you need something elegant, go with metallic gold or silver, or mix in the metallics, and if you need something for a baby shower, so go with pastels, and if it is for kids, so maybe get some tiny figures to put on the cake or make a scene of somekind beneath the stars! Or opt to do as I did and add a few origami doves, especially great for a wedding anniverysary! Okay, lets learn a few important tips for assembling this super simple yet stunning cake!

3D Paper Star Cake Toppers

I have always opted to make simple paper cake toppers for the birthday cakes and special occasion cakes that we've enjoyed over the years. Lately I've love making simple cake flags that look great, possibly together with a number or letter, but this past Chanukah I came up with yet another show stopper that is oh so simple, 3D paper star cake toppers! It is true, you'll need to figure out how to make the paper stars, but once you've conquered that (and truly it is much simpler than it looks) you can whip up star cake toppers in just a few minutes, and they are truly wonderful. In fact these 3D paper star cake toppers could be used for just about any occassion, just change up the color, or use patterened paper, and sky is the limit! If you like, add some numbers or letters or a few tiny figures, and you've got yourself a winning cake, without the hours of negotiating with icing! Okay, lets make some star cake toppers that will surely be the life of the party, and with supplies you likely have on hand!

Welcome Back To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Welcome back to craft schooling Sunday, so happy to reconnect in 2021. Wishing everyone a healthy, creative year! There are no features from the last party as I mistakenly closed the party after only a few hours, so please share your latest crafts and the party will resume with features next week.