A Smidgeon, Pinch or Dash

Many European Christmas traditions feature heart shapes in baked goods, ornaments, baskets or other handmade wares. At Beehive Handmade, artists Sandra Bonazoli and Jim Dowd have made it possible for home bakers to measure out spices, herbs or flour in heart-shaped amounts and to serve up the results with heart-shaped spatulas. These two designers teamed up 16 years ago to put their MFAs in jewelry and metal to eye-catching and practical effect in kitchenware. Measuring spoons in zinc or lead-free pewter use folk art motifs in their arrow-shaped handles as well as their heart-shaped bowls. A set of four has the expected measurements of tablespoon, teaspoon, half teaspoon and quarter teaspoon; a set of three with smaller bowls measures smidgens, pinches and dashes. A heart-shaped flour scoop and two variations on heart-shaped spatulas (stainless steel) are also in their product line, along with a heart-shaped tea strainer for the exhausted baker. Other motifs on spoons, scoops and spreaders are flowers and birds. The beehive theme shows up as a raised bee design in a white matte glaze on a ceramic honey pot (with a built-in wooden honey dipper) and a ceramic serving plate—it’s a busy honeybee in full flight.

Found in specialty shops across the country. In Rhode Island: Craftland and Stock Culinary Goods, Providence; Mod Mama, Cranston; and MUSE, Warren.

508.678.4335; BeehiveHandmade.com