Shana Tova!

Rosh Hashanah in the jewish tradition is the "head of the year, or the "start" of a new year, one of the foods that is most commonly eaten on Rosh Hashanah are apples dipped in honey, for this reason people like the holiday symbols and this is a good opportunity to create something nice with apples, honey, bees or similar related themes.

In these 2 videos i want to show you how to make a nice apple magnet using an apple shaped cookie cutter and a rubber stamp decorated with a smiley bee. This magnet will look nice on your fridge, dish washer and even on your car door! let's wish every one happy holidays! - Hag Sameach (in hebrew)!

Shana Tova to all my friends and a great year to come!

have a great 2009-2010 year - shana tova

Polymer Clay Beer Bottle Openers
Originally uploaded by Iris Mishly - איריס משלי.

1st holiday is over, Rosh Hashana is behind us and so does all the craft fairs, they were all wonderful yet difficult, i am not used to standing 12 hours in one place, that can be tough, but don't get me wrong, i am not complaining!

Here is something i made for my holidays sales, some funny & colorful beer bottle openers, they are all look suprized and their eyes rounded, maybe they partied too much! :) Don't take it as if we need to drink all year! LOL

I wish all my friends to have a great 2009-2010 year, a peaceful & enjoyable year, lot's of artistic advetures and creations.

L'shanah tovah!

( The traditional Rosh Hashanah greeting is: "L'shanah tovah" in Hebrew. it means "for a good year".)

Happy New Year & "Shana Tova"

On the Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah, after the holiday prayer service, we say kiddush over wine and eat a festive meal. Special Rosh Hashanah food customs have developed over the centuries. We dip a round challah into honey, and say the blessing over the bread. Next we dip a piece of apple into honey and ask for a good and sweet year.

Here are some of the sweet polymer clay creations by some of my friends clayers -

Shana Tova Magnet by Michal Gubi
http://www.flickr.com/photos/michal_gubi/265098697/

Shay Aaron Apple magnets -
We eat sweet foods on Rosh Hashanah as a symbol of our wish for a sweet year. In biblical times, honey was the sweetener. Honey also represented good living and wealth. The Land of Israel is often called the land of milk and honey in the Bible.Apple and honey are symbols
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shay-aaron/1149058031/

Sharon Amir Apple Mobile for "Rosh Hashana" -http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharon_amir/245712617/

How to sculpt bear with honey? here is Nir Shani instructions -http://www.tapuz.co.il/blog/userBlog.asp?FolderName=nirsh

Rosh v literally means "head of the year." Just as our head (brain) directs us, Rosh HaShana directs the ensuing year. On this day, we stock up on sustenance for the year to come. In addition, it is our hope to be the head (leader) of other nations through our righteous acts. For these reasons, it has become a tradition to eat the head of a fish during the holiday meal. Fish is also eaten on this holiday because it is symbolic of fertility and abundance. http://www.flickr.com/photos/irismishly/1170699900/

Symbolic Meaning of Traditional Rosh Hashanah Food like Round Challah Bread - The round shape symbolizes a perfect year to come. Sometimes raisins or honey are added to make it extra sweet. Here is Anat Shmueli's baguette (close to a Challah ;)http://www.flickr.com/photos/anat_shmueli/414719808/

On the second night of Rosh Hashanah, we eat a new fruit which we have not yet eaten this season. When we eat this new fruit, we say the shehechiyanu blessing which thanks God for keeping us alive and bringing us to this season. This ritual reminds us to appreciate the fruits of the earth and being alive to enjoy them. A pomegranate is often used as this new fruit. In the Bible, the Land of Israel is praised for its pomegranates. It is also said that this fruit contains 613 seeds just as there are 613 mitzvot. Another reason given for blessing and eating this fruit on Rosh HaShana is that we wish that our good deeds in the ensuing year will be as plentiful as the seeds of the pomegranate.
Sigal Ben Haim pomegranates -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sigal_ben-haim/1241546452/

and Sitar's pomegranate magnets -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sitar2007/1350996826/

and last - nice looking napkin rings for the rosh hashana dinner by Naama Zamir
http://www.flickr.com/photos/naamaza/1294821113/

So i wish you all a Happy New Year from us in Israel - "Shana Tova"!