Creatively inspired by Ben Franklin Crafts
in New Albany
By JD Dotson
LIGHT THE
HOLIDAYS
he holidays are fast
approaching and seem
to sneak up on me every
year. ’Tis the season we
typically pull out all of
the holiday decorations,
lights, garlands and trees and cover every inch
of our house in festive decor. Glitter seems
to cover most surfaces, too, by the end of it
despite my banning of the substance.
Intent on finding new ways to spruce things up,
I took a trip to Ben Franklin Crafts in New Albany,
which had my head spinning with thoughts of
updating my festive decor, but I was on a mission.
I had a conversation with a friend who wasn’t
going to decorate this year citing a super-busy
schedule leading up to a holiday vacation, so he
wouldn’t be home enough to enjoy it. There have
been years when my decorating was minimal and
years when the sparkle was over the top, but I had
a hard time imagining nothing. This issue’s craft
project stemmed out of that conversation.
The craft could definitely serve as a centerpiece or
a mantle, but I also wanted it to suffice as a holiday
scene for someone in a small apartment, dorm
room or beautiful gift that’s sure to spread some
Christmas cheer.
The beauty of this project is that it can be
customized to your own unique slice of life. Switch
the bunny out for a deer, or the lovebirds for cardinals.
Add a couple of tall skinny trees and a less rustic
fence. There is no shortage of options roaming the
aisles of Ben Franklin and plenty of room to create
your own personal scene.
T
EXTOL : DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020
43