Made in New England: The Menorasaurus Rex
Photo provided by The Vanilla Studio
Lisa Pierce of Portland, Maine, has been selling whimsical candelabras from her Etsy shop, the Vanilla Studio, since July 2014. Since then, her made-to-order menorahs, which are crafted from repurposed plastic toys and metal objects, have been in high demand.
After creating art with kids in her synagogue for years, she made her first Menorasaurus for a dinosaur-loving friend in celebration of her conversion to Judaism.
“The oversized dino in the dollar bin was just begging for a new life,” Lisa says.
The menorahs begin as plastic toys, and Lisa adds metal candle cups with a combination of screws, clay, and glue. Then the whole piece gets a coat of something shiny. The entire process takes a few days from start to finish.
While the Menorasaurus Rex is a bestseller, a new favorite is a hippo called the Menoppopotamus. Lisa will also happily make custom pieces, especially if you ask her in the spring or summer. Recently, a custom cow, the Mooonorah, became a big hit.
Put in your order for next year to replace your traditional menorah with…
The Menobster
Photo provided by the Vanilla Studio
The Menelephant
Photo provided by the Vanilla Studio
The Menorasaur
Photo provided by the Vanilla Studio
The Menurtle
Photo provided by the Vanilla Studio
