Some people like to set a table with their fine china, gleaming silver and delicate crystal.
And some of us are clumsy. (Or have young kids.)
But just because my great-grandmother’s china is seldom used at my house these days, doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy bringing out special pieces to our Shabbat table.
I just want those pieces to lean more toward the harder-to-destroy-in-one-fell-swoop side.
If you, too, are looking for pretty, special and durable tableware and serving pieces, let me introduce you to SWIRL.
Linda, the owner and craftswoman behind Swirlgifts, recently contacted me about hosting a giveaway for KOAB readers. I took one look at her website and jumped at the opportunity.
I love her funky style — multi-colored stones or beads, wrapped in a swirled pattern — and her reasonable prices (comprable items on Etsy sell for twice as much).
As if I wasn’t already in love, Linda offered to send me the giveaway prize that she would be sharing with my readers – in order to get my personal review on the pieces.
The package arrive quickly and was wrapped up in a pretty gold bow.
Inside was a gorgeous large basket, an amazing (seriously – amazing!) stainless steel bread knife, and a sweet little set of glass salt and pepper shakers.
The 15-inch basket immediately became our table’s breadbasket on Shabbat, lined with a simple white napkin.
But Linda also suggested a plethora of other uses for the basket, priced at $46:
- contain mail
- hold hand towels by the sink for netilat yedaim
- display utensils for a buffet dinner
- bring a 9×13 pyrex to the table – it fits snugly inside
- makes a great hostess or engagement gift
As for the little salt and pepper shakers ($18), this gift couldn’t have been better timed. We recently broke my favorite set of salt & pepper shakers (from a pottery collective in Jerusalem *see above about “durability”) and I was really missing them.
Which of course made SWIRL’s sweet little set all the more perfect. While these are just the right size for our minimal use of salt and pepper at the table, I’ve also had friends purchase several sets, so that every person – or couple – can have their own set. Lovely!
And finally the knife: I called it amazing, remember? Let me tell you why — by way of comparison.
I’ve given up on finding the perfect bread knife to use for Shabbat. Our challah knife, which we got as wedding gift, is pretty, but it’s a horrible knife. And our good bread knife works like a charm — but it’s far from delicate-looking.
The Swirl challah knife ($36), however, is both pretty and functional, for the win!
The 15-inch stainless steel knife is sturdy, cuts smoothly and feels solid in my hand. And the embellished stones are so sparkly!
I truly love all of the Swirl items I received – and am definitely happy to recommend her store to all of my readers.
Even more so because Linda has offered a to give KOAB readers FREE shipping and 20% off your Swirlgifts order when you use the coupon code KOAB20 at checkout. Place your orders for Passover early – before she starts to sell out!
I’m also beyond thrilled that Linda has offered to give away a $100 Swirl prize package to one lucky Kosher on a Budget reader.
The winner will receive:
- large embellished bread basket
- 15-inch embellished bread knife
- small embellished salt & pepper shakers
Here’s how to enter this giveaway:
#1. Leave a comment on this post telling me about your favorite tableware or serving piece – for example, my etched glass salad bowl.
#2. For an additional entry, “like” Swirl’s Facebook page – then come back and leave a separate comment that you have done so.
#3. For another additional entry, subscribe to Kosher on a Budget’s new Passover Newsletter – then come back and leave a separate comment that you have done so.
Good Luck!
All entry forms will be verified. Duplicate entries will be deleted.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents over the age of 18 only (sorry to all my Canadian and Israeli readers!). The giveaway will be open until 11:59 p.m. CST, Monday, March 4th, 2013.
The winner will be selected and notified on March 5th and will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen. Please add kosheronabudget@gmail.com to your approved email address list – so your winner’s notification doesn’t get sent to spam.
SWIRL provided me with one prize package, and will also provide the winner with his or her prize. For more information, see my disclosure policy.
signed up for the passover newsletter
Signed up for the Passover newsletter!
I love the challah knife! So different from the regular wood handled ones!
I subscribed to the Kosher on a Budget Passover Newsletter!
I subscribed to pesach newsletter
My favorite serving piece is a challay tray that I made from clay. Not professional, but nicer than the kids clay projects. It was fun to make!
My favorite serving piece is one I don’t get to use very often – it’s a cool round metal tray, decoratively bent at one edge. Problem is that it gets really hot, so it can only be used for cold things. Plus it’s a plate, not a bowl, so that limits how I can use it.
I love my trifle bowl! I also use it for layered salads.
I signed up for the pesach newsletter. sounds great! thanks!
I have these cute little spoons that also have that swirl design. I love to use is for dips or horseradish
A friend got us a challah board made out of jerusalem stone that I absolutely love! It has this amazing notch carved out to set the knife in. Just gorgeous!!
SWIRL fan on FB
Subscribed to your pesach newsletter!
Favorite serving dish? A hand painted bowl, perfect for mashed potatos
subscribed to the Passover newsletter too 🙂
I ‘liked’ the swirl fb page
My favorite serving piece is my salad bowl with matching servers.
I subscriped to the passover newsletter. Thank you!
I like oven to tableware and nice salad spoons
Please sign up for your newsletter. Thanks
Signed up for the Passover eNewsletter- Thanks!
I love the cake dome and the beaded candlesticks……oooooooh– too many gorgeous things to choose from!
Thanks for the chance to enter to win such a nice gift cert!
Shalom
Lisa
My favorite tableware piece is the trivit that I made for my husband with our wedding monogram. I gave it to him in the Yichod Room.
Liked Swirl on FB
I love the 9×13 Pyrex holder
I “liked” swirl on facebook
Signed up for newsletter
I have a square shaped salad bowl that I love!
Liked Swirl on fb!
Love everything. I enjoy using decorative pieces when having company over for a meal. I have serving pieces that were given to me that would match these items perfectly. Would love to win!!!
Subscribed to Pesach newsletter!
My favorite serving piece is actually a set of 5 glass nesting bowls. There is always the right size available for condiments, salads, sides, fruit etc. and I like that they match at the table.
I subscribe to the newsletter and now the pesach newsletter also. Thanks!
I like Swirl on Fb
My favorite serving pieces are from my Mom. They are her Hammered Aluminum trays!
the best serving pieces are Wilton Armatele, they look nice and keep food warm, would go perfectly with swirl
Those are my 2nd favorite!
Love to give Wilton Armatele for wedding presents!
I liked Swirl on Facebook.
I subscribed to your Passover Newsletter. Thank you for creating it!
I love my 3 square glass dip dishes on serving tray. So useful and pretty!
Liked Swirl on Facebook
Signed up for Passover newsletter
I have a salad bowl my mother in law bought for me in Ikea. I also have some serving forks with swirls and stones I got as a hostess gift.
signed up for passover newsletter!
I just signed up for KOAB passover newsletter!
my favorite thing is my grandmother’s silver which we use every shabbos.
I joined the pesach newsletter – it took too tries to go thru, I’m excited to get tips and make pesach more affordable!
I signed up for the KFP newsletter. Thanks!
I love using ramekins! They turn simple desserts into way more elegant looking ones….
I subscribed to your newsletter
My favorite piece is a salad bowl that I inherited from my great-great aunt. It’s not worth much, but has a lot of sentimental value.