For those who worry about collecting too many sweets on Halloween, Wincy Helm creates wearable treats that won’t beat up on your teeth or waistline. Her FingerFoodDelights include miniature food rings, pendants and earrings based on favorite desserts and comfort foods ranging from spaghetti and meat sauce to chawanmushi.
The hotel worker started making Scrabble alphabet pendants two years ago, but it wasn’t until she vacationed in Japan earlier this year that she became inspired by the array of miniature food collectibles available.
"I eat doughnuts and coffee every day, so I thought, why can’t we have our favorite foods at our fingertips for those times we’re craving something and can’t get it immediately?"
She started with smaller pieces, such as sushi, which also happens to be her favorite food. But now, using dollhouse miniatures that she glues onto wood bases and metal, she has ornamental rings that stand up to 21⁄2 inches tall, with floating sauce boats or creamers that pour curry onto plates, cream into coffee or syrup over pancakes.
The jewelry is available online at www.fingerfooddelight.com for $10 to $12, and Helm said the largest pieces tend to sell well in Europe and Australia, where a majority of buyers seem to crave desserts, while shoppers in Italy, true to their heritage, prefer the pizza and pasta styles.
Because many of the pieces are held together by glue in mealtime combinations Helm finds most tempting, wearers need to keep them out of the kitchen and away from water.
FingerFoodDelights will also be available at a series of holiday gift and craft shows.
» Saturday: Celebrate Kaimuki Kanikapila, Booth 45, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kaimuki Community Park, between Koko Head and 11th Avenue
» Nov. 12: Noelani Elementary School Craft and Children’s Fair, Booth 53, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2655 Woodlawn Drive
» Nov. 13: Diamond Head Arts and Craft Fair, Booth 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kapiolani Community College campus, 4303 Diamond Head Road
» Dec. 10: Moanalua High School Winter Craft Fair, Booth V-18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2825 Ala Ilima St.
