When we’re feeling crafty, we want to make something special for our guests. If you’re like us, you probably have fond memories of paper marbling as a child (we have to admit that we spent many summers at camp perfecting the craft). For those unfamiliar, marbling is the process of putting paint colors in water to create a marble pattern that can be transferred to a surface. Each design turns out a little different, so have fun with the colors and patterns and be sure to embrace any mistakes. Those are often the best ones! Read below to learn how you can make your own Shabbat place cards.
What you’ll need:
- Newspaper
- Water
- Marbling paint (food dye or nail polish also work)
- Toothpick
- Heavy cardstock
- A small tin (we recommend choosing something inexpensive or that can be dedicated to art projects as you’re unlikely to want to use a tin for food storage that has had paint sitting in it)
- Scissors
- A pen
- Optional: Plastic gloves (to keep your hands clean)
From start to finish:
- Gather your materials and select your paint. We recommend beginning with 2-3 colors and like to choose colors that will enhance the tablescape we’re making. Be sure to consider your flowers, dishes and tablecloth.
- Lay out newspaper to work on and put on plastic gloves if you have them (trust us, this process has the potential to be messy).
- Fill your tin halfway with lukewarm water.
- Put 3-4 drops of marbling paint into the tin, depending on your tin size.
- Use your toothpick to swirl the drops until they make a pattern you’re happy with.
- Carefully lower the surface of your paper, letting it rest on the pattern for about a minute.
- Gently lift the paper and lay flat, letting it dry.
- Continue until you’ve completed your desired number of place cards.
- Once dry, use your scissors to cut to desired size/shape.
- Write your guests’ names on the place cards.
- Set your table and get ready for the compliments to roll in!
Visit Rebecca and Rose for more information on beautiful Jewish living
