Sparkling DIY Rhinestone Menorah for Hanukkah
Sparkling DIY Rhinestone Menorah for Hanukkah
I've been making Bedazzled everything for a little over three years now and they've been a HUGE hit! This year I decided to add a little extra sparkle to the festival of lights with a DIY rhinestone crystal menorah for Hanukkah.
This year more than ever, we really need some light with all of this darkness. Use them as gifts, home decor or display them proudly in your window.
Either way, you are sure to wow everyone!
If you are planning on making these as part of your handmade Jewish gifts, be sure to get started on these in a timely manner because you'll need a variety of materials (you never know about shipping options when ordering supplies) and these take a lot of time to make.
Trust me...this is not typically finished in one afternoon. Think of it more like a weekend project. It took me three days working for about an hour or so.
I do not make these to give as gifts, though. My bedazzled Menorah is definitely getting used this year. My kids have retired from the rhinestone rhinoceros menorah photo that you've seen all over Pinterest - we have graduated to a more sophisticated look.
I looked into purchasing an Olivia Riegel menorah but then I decided it would be much more fun to make my own. Look for the best deals on menorahs and feel free to use a bigger size. Just know that the larger size menorahs require a lot more labor and rhinestones.
Are you ready to bling it on?
Bring your designs to life and let your creativity truly sparkle with our comprehensive rhinestone course.
What is a Menorah and How is it Used?
The menorah is the shining star (well, kind of, more like a candelabra) of the Jewish religion and typically has 7 lights to represent the 7 days of creation.
On Hanukkah, however, we use a special menorah called a hanukkiah. This one is different because it has 9 branches of candle holders and is used during the Festival of Lights.
Eight of those branches hold the Hanukkah candles, which are lit one by one starting the first night of Hanukkah.
The traditional menorah symbolizes the miracle of the temple oil that lasted for eight days when there was only enough oil to last for one. The ninth branch, often taller or set apart, is called the 'shamash candle holder' which is used to light the others.
Lighting the menorah is one of the holiday traditions that reminds us about spreading light and joy, especially for Jewish kids who eagerly anticipate lighting a new candle each night.
Hanukkah is also known as the time of year where children have the opportunity to repair the world by participating in acts of charity.
Supplies to Bedazzle a DIY Menorah
Affiliate disclaimer: Although I stand by all of the products I use, I can receive a small commission from any products purchased via my affiliate links.
The right supplies are key to successful rhinestone projects. Here's exactly what you'll need to bedazzle your own Hanukkah menorah with rhinestones.*
Mini menorah
Glass Flatback Rhinestones or Clear European crystals
Table Covering
Alcohol Prep Pad or Rubbing Alcohol (I like to purchase a box of the single use packets in their own individual, original packaging).
Sandpaper
*I love ordering supplies on Amazon because there are tons of selection results, free shipping (typically ships within a few business days) and it’s never final sale so if you change your mind, you can send the supplies back.
Check out my favorite items on my Amazon storefront. You’ll find a full page of all of my favorite things!
How to Make a Bedazzled Rhinestone Menorah
Bedazzling a DIY menorah with rhinestones is an exciting new way to celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah. If this is your first time using rhinestones, check out this post to get my beginner's guide to rhinestone projects.
Gently wipe down the menorah. You will want to make sure the menorah is clean and dust free. Some menorahs are made with soft metallics so just be gentle!
Do not wipe too hard, just enough to remove the factory finish. If this is your first time bedazzling, do not use a family heirloom with sentimental value. Obviously!
Add your rhinestones onto a tray. Personally, I prefer to only work with one color at a time. I do, however, love using different sizes. I think this adds more interest and sparkle. This is called the scatter method.
Give the tray a slight shake to flip all of the rhinestones so that they are laying flat and ready to be picked up. You have complete creative freedom when it comes to the size and color of rhinestones you use.
Using your toothpick, add a small amount of glue to the menorah base and spread it very thin. If your glue is too thick, your rhinestone will get covered in glue and will have a cloudy appearance.
To learn about the best glue options see this post.
Add a thin layer of glue with a toothpick
4. Using your wax pen, add a rhinestone to the glue. You have about 5 minutes to move your rhinestone around if you want to put it into another spot or move it towards a border. After that, you will need pliers or a dental tool to remove the crystals and this might rip the box (trust me, I learned this the hard way)!
Use a wax pencil to press rhinestones onto the glue
5. You can apply rhinestones in a pattern, change the design's customization or just do a free for all design. Some people like to add a star of David to their menorah - the world is your oyster!
Apply rhinestones in the pattern you prefer
6. Complete an entire section before moving to another color. For best results, I highly recommend starting your menorah from top to bottom or vice versa.
This takes a lot of time and patience but is a much easier strategy than jumping around and then having to add glue and tiny rhinestones to tight spaces.
Keep going until the entire menorah is covered with rhinestones. Your kosher menorah will not look great until the glue has dried completely.
Once the glue is dry, take a closer look and see if you've covered all of your bases. If not, add more rhinestones.
Wait until the glue is dry to decide if you need to add more rhinestones
*I used a silver menorah. If you want the color of your menorah to match your rhinestones, you may need to spray paint it first.
How to Use Your DIY Menorah
Beautiful bedazzled menorah!
Now that you have your beautifully bedazzled menorah, what do you do with it? Let the whole family enjoy the sparkle by lighting a candle during each night of Hanukkah. Be careful not to let any candle wax drip on your rhinestones from the helper candle - it will dull their sparkle.
These bedazzled menorahs also make a great gift for a family member or loved one that celebrate Chanukah. They are definitely a labor of love!
Other Fun Ideas for DIY Menorahs
While I absolutely love my rhinestone menorah, this is definitely not a project for small children or probably even teens. If you're looking to make a DIY menorah with kids or teens, here are some good options:
DIY Glass Marble Menorah
You can make a DIY menorah using dollar store gemstones, hex nuts, and a foam block. It's a good idea to spray the foam block with fire-retardant spray before lighting the menorah. Check out this post for a full tutorial!
DIY Felt Menorah
Making your own play menorah is a good option for young kids that want to learn about Jewish traditions. Instead of real candles, felt flames are added each day of Hanukkah. Check out this tutorial from One Happy Tribe.
DIY Doughnut Menorah
A while ago I wrote a post on making DIY Realistic Fake Doughnuts using air-dry clay and I thought it would be fun to turn them into this doughnut menorah. This is a fan favorite DIY menorah for teens!
FAQs About Using Rhinestones to Bedazzle Menorahs
Can you use school glue to glue down rhinestones?
The short answer is yes. However, do not use school glue if you want this to last forever. School glue is best used on craft projects for kids using a lower quality rhinestone. If you spend a lot of money on rhinestones, you want them to stand the test of time. If you absolutely have to use craft glue, I recommend Aileen's. Otherwise E6000 is the way to go!
Can you use hot glue to glue down rhinestones?
For the same reasons as above, I don't recommend using a hot glue gun if you want your rhinestones to last. You need a strong glue like E6000 to make sure your rhinestones withstand everyday life. Hot glue can also damage the stones, so I recommend a rhinestone adhesive.
What happens if you get glue on a rhinestone?
If the glue is still wet, carefully remove it either using pliers or with your hands. Throw out the rhinestone unless you can get it clean. Personally, I do not think it is worth it to try to salvage a single rhinestone.
How long does the rhinestone glue take to dry?
Most adhesives will adhere in 24-36 hours. But the glue continues to cure over time and harden a little more each day!
What other projects can be made using rhinestones?
You can literally bling out anything! Check out this tutorial on how to bling crocs.
Now that you've mastered your bedazzling crafting skills...go ahead and make more fun rhinestone projects for the holidays. Hey, maybe you even want to make a rhinestone dreidel or tzedakah box?! The world is your oyster!
Get out there and add a little sparkle to the holiday season! Forget gift cards, handmade gifts are the best!
Looking for more rhinestone craft ideas that make great gifts for the holidays? Check out how to make a rhinestone stocking or rhinestone ornament!
Happy Hanukkah!
