Today we’d like to introduce you to Randee Kushner.
Hi Randee, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started Love and Latkes in 2019, originally creating Hanukkah-themed chocolate treats and holiday décor. It was fun and creative, but like most small businesses, it took time (and a lot of trial and error) to figure out where my true passion intersected with what my community was looking for.
The turning point came in 2021 during a totally unglamorous closet clean-out in my studio. I found the smashed glass from my own wedding — something I’d kept for years because it felt too meaningful (and honestly, too superstitious) to throw away. That moment sparked a deep dive into glass preservation, and before I knew it, I was experimenting with transforming wedding glass into art. And yes, I actually used my wedding glass for those first test pieces… something I wouldn’t necessarily recommend, but it shows how fully I trusted the process. Those original creations still live in my home today and remind me where this journey started.
From there, everything clicked. Today, Love and Latkes is an artifact-preserving art studio where I transform the smashed glass from a couple’s chuppah into modern Judaica and meaningful keepsakes. I also design handmade pieces for Jewish holidays — think matzah covers, mezuzahs, dreidels, and more. My mission is to blend tradition with contemporary design while honoring the sentimental moments people want to hold onto forever.
Creating is my happy place, and I feel so grateful that I get to spend my time making pieces that bring people joy and connection.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’m entirely self-taught, which means there were many late nights spent perfecting how to safely and beautifully encapsulate wedding glass. There was no instruction manual, no formal training — just a lot of experimenting, problem-solving, and being stubborn enough to keep going until I got it right. Every piece I make today is built on years of trial, error, and growth.
And while the creative side has been incredibly fulfilling, running the business side is its own challenge. Keeping up with constantly shifting social media algorithms feels like trying to hit a moving target, and building my own website from scratch stretched me in ways I never expected. There’s always something new to learn, whether it’s design techniques, marketing trends, or tech troubleshooting.
But even with the bumps and learning curves, I wouldn’t trade it. Every struggle has pushed me to level up — as an artist, a business owner, and a human who truly loves what she creates.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
You (or someone you know) stomped on a glass at a Jewish wedding. But what happens to the glass shards afterward? While there’s no traditional expectation, many couples choose to repurpose the shards into meaningful artwork—such as mezuzahs, home decor, or functional items—as a way to preserve their special moment in a timeless heirloom.
At Love and Latkes, I transform chuppah-smashed glass—whether it’s freshly broken or saved from years ago—into lasting pieces that celebrate your love and memories.
What sets Love and Latkes apart is the combination of meaning, modern design, and a deeply personal approach. I’m not just preserving an object — I’m preserving a moment in someone’s life. Every piece begins with an artifact that already holds emotional weight, and my job is to transform it into something beautiful, contemporary, and display-worthy.
I also think people feel my personality in my work. I connect with clients, I care deeply about their stories, and I understand the weight of Jewish tradition while still designing pieces that feel fresh and modern. It’s that mix of sentiment, craftsmanship, and humor (with a little chutzpah) that makes Love and Latkes uniquely mine.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is creating connection — between people, between generations, and between tradition and modern life. When someone sends me their smashed wedding glass, they’re trusting me with a piece of their story. Turning that into something beautiful and meaningful is an honor I never take lightly. I want every piece I create to carry emotion, memory, and joy.
On a personal level, what matters most is living a life that feels authentic. Creating art, writing, reading, and even playing pickleball — these are the things that ground me, inspire me, and remind me to find joy in the everyday. If my work can bring that same feeling of joy or connection to someone else, then I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Pricing:
- 50 Chuppah Smash Glass
- 118 Mezuzah made with Smashed Chuppah Glass
- 225 Artwork made with Smashed Chuppah Glass
- 75 Modern Mezuzahs
Contact Info:
- Website: www.loveandlatkes.com
- Instagram: loveandlatkes
