Artisans Boutique

n the tradition of the early German and Dutch wooden cookie molds, our wood molds are carved with intricate designs and patterns that reflect a bygone era. Artisans Boutique cookie molds will allow you to bake cookies that are reminiscent of history, traditions, culture and family. Many of the original cookie boards are in museums and private collections, and are as old as 500 years. The "picture" cookies cast from these molds were used to tell stories visually when most people were unable to read or write. They celebrate holidays, weddings, victories , and births. Today, contemporary methods have enabled us to replicate the historic molds. Artisans Boutique cookie molds are made of machine carved solid Cherry wood in the tradition of antique carvings, some dating back as far as the 1600’s. Included with each mold are recipes for German Springerle and Spekulatius cookies. “Springerle” is said by some to be derived from a German dialect meaning “small jumping horse.” More likely the word simply refers to the cake (cookie) rising when baked - as from the German verb spring. “Speculaas" (Dutch) and “Spekulatius” (German) are a type of spiced shortbread cookies , traditionally baked for eating on or just before St. Nicholas’ Day in the Netherlands (5 Dec) and (6 Dec) in Germany. Speculaas are thin, very crunchy, caramelized, slightly browned, and most significantly, have some figure (often from some traditional stories about St. Nicholas) stamped on the front side before baking. There are many recipes for these cookies. Our recipes work very well and are included with each cookie board purchase. Adjust the spices to your own taste. 
Lee's original German style designs are created, transformed into beautiful wood pieces, then fitted with mini lights. The classic art pieces are packaged in sturdy storage boxes with a gift card included.. Made in the U S A. No voltage converter required. Those who drive through a village or city in the German Ore Mountains during wintertime will see numerous ornamental candle holders equipped with electric lights. The town of Seiffen is particularly noted for its production of candle arches in its craft shops. For more than 250 years these candle holders, called Candle-Archs (Schwibbogen, Fensterlicht, Fensterbogen,or Lichterbogen), (German) have been part of the Christmas tradition in the Ore Mountains. The first Candle-arch was made around 1726 out of forged black sheet metal and it was lit by wax candles. If one believes the traditional tales, the shape of the Candle arch symbolizes the glowing miners lamps hung in a semi-circle at the entrance of their ore mines on Christmas Eve. The Traditional Candle-arch has always been designed in pleasing designs displaying a great number of subjects which are stylized and cut in genuine natural wood using a fretsaw. The number of candles varies with the size of the arch. The original one featured 11. The most famous design was created by Paula Jordan in 1937 for a show in Schwarzenberg. It depicted the 3 main sources of income of the people in the region in the 18th and 19th century. Thus the Schwibbogen showed apart from some traditional symbols: 2 miners, 1 wood carver, a bobbin lace maker, a Christmas tree, 2 miners hammers, 2 crossed swords, and an angel. The candle holder was always associated with Christmas. The light symbolizes the longing of the miners who didn't see the daylight in winter for weeks sometimes due to their long working hours below the surface. ARTISANS BOUTIQUE presents to you as novelties, double sided Candle Arches with internal lights as well as Christmas ornaments.