Judaic Symbols:  I am getting as excited about the Chanukah version in its own right as I am about the Christmas version.   I have a dreidle that my daughter had been given at a children's' Hanukah party many years ago and can copy the Hebrew letters from it. The project designs will develop a bit more before I actually start cutting, carving and gluing but here is where I am so far - - - May I bounce it off of you for added garnishment, criticisms, and/or corrections? Since the Christmas version is six sided with six candles, I am thinking to make the base in the shape of a Star of David with candle cups at each point. The outsides of the first two levels will also be six sided. Inside the bottom level, wood soldier figures with spears and shields (Star of David on shields if I can fit) will look outward from a revolving platform. Behind them, stationary, will be a Menorah as ornate as I can carve  out of wood in such tiny size. (This whole pyramid will only be about 1 3/4 inches tall) The second level presently has me still looking for ideas for the revolving outer platform and fixed center. The Third level I have decided should be square rather than six sided and be a large (by mini standards) fixed dreidle with open sides. and carved Hebrew letters revolving within. The "stem" of the dreidle will be the shaft of the pyramid topped by a Star of David laid flat and have twelve "fan" blades extending from its points and notches.

Only so much detail can be achieved and recognizable in wood and such tiny size (the 1/144th bunch should have fun). That is why I put the menorah on the lowest (largest) level. Your comments about and suggestions for (especially that empty mid level) will be sooooo appreciated as are your suggestions and encouragement so far. I will probably make an article about the two versions to submit to one of the mini magazines after all is said and done.  Sooooo   - - -  Please give your "real" names with ideas so I can pass along individual credit within credits to our Small Stuff web as the essential miniaturing tool it has become.

Mel K.

Judaic Symbols:  The persons building the miniature Christmas Pyramids asked what kinds of characters they might use for a Pyramid for their Jewish friends. Purim isn't too far around the corner, and it has quite a few characters to work with: it's the story of Esther, so you could have a beautiful young queen, and King Ahasuerus, good guy Mordecai (he was Esther's older cousin who raised her)and wicked Haman.

The Noah's ark Pyramid would be completely acceptable too, that story also having come from the Old Testament. It would have Noah and his wife plus three sons and their wives, and all the animals in pairs.

I reread your questions and you seem to be wanting to do something connected with Hannukah since you asked about the lamp. There are miniature Mennorahs (I'm probably not spelling it right) candlesticks. But I don't think you should limit yourself to one theme that's around the same time as Christmas - do something that will be fun and easy to do with lots of possible figures and animals. Also, I'm not Jewish, but I have  studied the Old Testament, and I do know they respect the candlestick and the star of David, and might not like to see them displayed as part of a frivolous decoration. But they would enjoy seeing Bible stories come to life - I'm thinking of Samson and Delilah, David and the Giant Goliath, etc. - you could have quite a combination of characters.

Judaic Symbols:  A dreidle is a perfect ornament to use in the Jewish version. You can fashion a basic four-sided top, and if you want to add a special detail, you can add the Hebrew letters on each side of the dreidle.   Another common Hanukkah symbol is an oil pitcher, which looks much like a ewer.  I believe that the "lamp that the story revolves around" is the candelabra, or menorah.   It has eight branches of the same height, with a central candleholder slightly higher.

Robed figures holding the Torah wouldn’t be appropriate for this type of scene, as the Torah doesn’t mention this story.

I found some sites on the Net for clipart, and these should help you:
http://www.cstone.net/~bry- back/holidayfun/hanukahclips.html
http://www.graphics-by- celeste.com/holiday_graphics/chanukah.html
http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/chanukah/clip.html

These should get you going...   If you are looking for a mini menorah, dreidle or other mini Hanukah or Judaic supplies, you can go to http://www.fay-vourite.com    On page two of the site, there are two Hanukkah sets.  Clicking on each picture shows individual prices for items, so thatif you just want one or two things, you don’t have to buy the whole set. There are really no protocols for using the menorah or Star of David.  Since the Hanukah story includes a victorious battle, incorporating a shield with a Star of David in the center would be very appropriate, but not necessary.

Jonathan from Israel

Wooden hairbrush turned bristles: Some wooden hairbrushes have lovely wooden turnings for bristles. I found one hair brush and removed the wooden bristles from the rubber base and they have knobs on either end. They removed from the base so easily. They remind me of small wooden nativity figures. With the round knob on the end they would make terrific mini angels, dolls, and Santa figures. The knob at the other end would be good for clothes hooks and mug hooks or even drawer pulls or tiny little chairs. Another wooden hair brush that I found the other day is less tapered and has different sized turnings. I can just see it now. I will have to buy every wooden bristle brush out there just for a collection of different turnings. I did the same with coloured light brite pegs that I enjoy turning on the lathe. I think I must have every shape, size and colour they ever made. The older ones are longer and come in colours that are great for wine bottles. Sometimes I think I like sorting and collecting as much as miniatures,

Jean Day

Pasta Machine: I must tell you about some ideas I've got from my son about the Pasta Machine. You can make quilling paper on it, just take some colored paper and run it through the Pasta Machine. You get two sizes on it.  And you can also use it as a shredding paper machine.

Linda from Norway

Regarding the smell of smoke in miniatures...place stinky object in a plastic bag with a small cup of white vinegar and leave sit for a few hours.  The vinegar should remove the odor and the vinegar smell will dissipate.

Tasha in MN

Miniature balloons:  Last year at around Easter time Michael's craft store sold floral picks that were supposed to be eggs. They were pastel colours with a slightly pearlized look to them. Each pick had five or six eggs (which became balloons!)I trimmed the cloth covered wire to the appropriate length of a 1/12" string and stuck a couple in a wicker  basket with some mini plants to be a gift basket. They looked good in the florist   shop I made for my daughter. Because the wire was rigid, the balloons stand straight up and resemble helium balloons.

Cheryl L.

Sounds for Minis:: Try http://www.teepeecrafts.co.uk   they have small push button sound boxes, motion sensitive ones (I drove everyone mad with my croaking frog in my "garden box" until the battery ran out!!), medley of Christmas music with flashing Christmas lights etc. & all loads cheaper than you would imagine. They are UK based but used to shipping abroad.

Sue C.

Smells in miniatures: As a general rule I wouldn't advocate authentic smells for miniatures and her comments were right on! but in specialized situations they could add just the right touch. I mentioned a large wall hung miniature I plan on doing in the next year or so using sound and smell, the following description should explain my thoughts.

Picture the interior of a miniature Gothic Cathedral  about 5 feet high and 3 feet wide and 16 inches deep. It is wall hung with the floor level about eve level. the doors are open and 5 monks and 2 alter boys are entering the nave for evening vespers the alter boys are carrying the cross and the sensor and the monks are all carrying candles. Through the doors you can see the city spread out below and the setting sun is shining through the large rose window in the wall over the doors. in the back ground over the subdued sound of the city Gregorian  chants are heard and from the sensor the smell of incense wafts. Standing up close one should get an almost virtual sense of being there.

I think you get my drift in the use of smell in  this specific situation.

Rik Pierce

Rik's Scented Cathedral: I think if you got some essential oils in myrrh, frankincense, sandalwood, etc. - I'm not sure what would be needed, and soaked cotton balls in said oils, they could be hidden behind (or rubbed into) furniture or near lights (make scented light bulb rings!).  If there are cushions on the pews, priests chairs (throne-like) or 'kneeling rails', as they often were in Anglican churches - again - forgive me if I don't have the correct terminology - I believe my grandmother's church had worn maroon velvet - perhaps you can create a potpourri from the oils, and stuff your upholstery with it carefully.  You can take it a step further - make an ornate hanging vessel, and actually use real cone incense - if you're careful.  Now, I have a strong imagination, and may have stepped beyond all practicality here, but I think it's workable; depending on your scale, and how you're creating this project - making sure, of course, your ventilation is adequate.  

Stacey