creative jewish mom

Upcycled Calender Starburst Wall Decor, For the Succah?

I just fingered last year's calender and thought I'd save it as scrap paper. What is happening to me? Scrap paper, no, craft paper! Hmmm, I guess that is what happens when you start to focus on art rather than craft, but not to worry, I've straightened myself out and am now thinking origami with the old calender, phew. So, I am reposting this because it is a goodie!

I'll be the first to admit, crafts for Yom Kippur are rarely something I've had time for, as the holiday occurs just four days before Succot, for which I am crafting up a storm. That said, this year I am mending my ways and trying to post at least a few simple ideas for the holiday, as after all, every holiday deserves crafts right? This year I decided to try out some simple recycling craft techniques by creating a few things for Yom Kippur, and I'll be using those same techniques for Succah decorations as well. That is the plan anyway, but I just never know how things will go, as you know once the creative gears get turning, well there is no stopping them!

We are now at the beginning of the new Jewish year, so that means that recycling last year's calendar is not only perfect because well, obviously that calendar is no longer of use, but also because we are now in the period in which we making amends for all the things that didn't go so well last year, as well as giving thanks for all the things that did go well. The completion of a year, and the beginning of new one certainly means that using that old calendar for any recycling craft is meaninful and practical!

Ready to get started? Here we go:

Make A Recycled Book Page Sunburst Mirror!

Now I can finally cross recycled book page projects off my to-do list! There's just one problem this project was so quick and fun, I think I may just have to make some more! It took me a total of two hours, including taking photos for the tutorial and a few other distractions, so all things considered, I think that's pretty good for a masterpiece like this!

As you may or may not know, book page projects (mostly wreaths) have been all the rage amongst a certain crafty blogging circle, and my main problem was finding a book, if you can believe that! I finally found this old hebrew grammer book that someone was throwing away, and even as I tore it apart I was thinking, "hey I could have used this" Oh well, I'm really glad I made the mirror instead!

You'll Need:

• An old book you don't mind tearing up
• A base of some kind, and a small round mirror
• Glass pebbles and mosaic pieces (mine are from the local dollar store)
• A hot glue gun

How To:

Step 1: Attach your mirror to the base. Mine was ready-made, as you see it, a crafting discard from a friend. Can't wait to show her what I did with it! This is a piece of mdf, but you could certainly use a heavy piece of cardboard.

Step 2: Roll pages into cones. Figure out a method that works for you and try to make the cones as similar as possible. I made mine by place each page in front of me horizontally, folding up the bottom portion to form an icecream cone shape, and creasing to help form the beginning of the cone. I then pulled this piece up into a cone shape and started rolling. Secure at the end with hot glue.

Step 3: Secure your cones to the base, placing pieces at corners and mid-points of circle, and then start filling in the empty spaces around the mirror.

 

Step 4: Keep gluing until you've filled the entire diameter of the circle. Here's what mine looked like from the front and from the back. (Those colored patches are from my friend's art project that never made it into the world.) Check to make sure that all your cones are the same length, and replace those that are either too short (in my case) or too long.

Step 5: Place glass mosaic pieces on top of your work, and move them around until you arrive at a design that  pleases you. I must say those elliptical pieces really made me happy! Secure glass pieces with hot glue.

Step 6: I made a hanger by gluing a piece string to the base and securing with lots of hot glue and circles cut from cereal boxes.

That's it. Really so simple! I could definitely see an entire wall filled with theses in all sizes! Great for decorating a plain event space for a special occasion, or adding a crafty touch to just about anywhere! Or you can even sandwich two together back to back, for a gorgeous hanging decoration in a stair well or corner of any room. Have some other book page projects you'd like to share, send me photos! All the best, and happy crafting. And by the way, the etherial quality of this project seems just right for Shavous!