“I knew I was saving those spoons for a reason.” ~Linda-G
The Dogwood Flower Pendant in today’s photo was created using a variety of several different polymer clay techniques, including: sculpting, molding, painting and mounting on a hammered silver spoon bail.
That silver spoon link above will take you to a gallery of photos showing 11 projects I’ve made which incorporate silverware into pendant designs.
There are many things I love about using vintage cutlery to make jewelry. For one, the pieces end up looking super unique with a one-of-kind artisan flair that is unmistakable. Another is the warm rich patina of the silver which gives the piece an instant feeling of being valuable.
I love this idea!!! It looks good, and sure puts old silverware to good use. It gives those of us who do not want to make our own bezels a new and unique already formed bezel to use. Thanks Cindy. ~Adrienne-L
I think this is great I’ve been making silverware jewelry for a while now and didn’t know what to do with the spoons. And I started with polymer clay a year or two ago and really like it. Thank you for sharing your ideas. ~June-F
I also love the substantial weight of re-purposed silverware. To me, it has a feeling of quality. Nothing cheap and flimsy here.
Absolutely, genius. I too have made wind chimes with beads, old silverware, etc. Now of course I have a whole drawer full of old silverware, this is great idea. ~Debi-V
Hi Cindy, I’m laid up with shoulder surgery and got interested in silverware art etc. You got my attention about polymer clay can you give me some tips on where to buy and how to use this stuff? ~Dave-D
And… silverware jewelry can hold a deep sentimental value to the person who wears it. Imagine wearing your baby spoon as part of a necklace. Or perhaps you could make a pendant that actually originated from your grandmother’s cutlery drawer?
I absolutely love your spoon pendant. People that have not touched polymer clay have noooo idea about the versatility this medium provides. I have taken things I have made and shown people and have gotten great feedback. Do you have to use silver spoons? I have bought a lot of baby spoons, do you think they would work? Wow I am having a brainstorm. See ya Cindy. ~Lynn-W
Another great idea you came up with there, Cindy! Gave me some ideas, for sure….have quite a bit of “inherited” silverware that just sits in its chest tarnishing. What a good way for it to see daylight again! Wondering about the handle… some of mine have beautiful patterns… hmmm, could I possible bend that forward and incorporate it as part of the bail?? (I have used them for texturing clay with wonderful results!).. Just sitting here pondering… Thanks for the inspiration! ~Garnie-S
Plus.. single pieces of mis-matched silverware can usually be sourced inexpensively at second hand outlets, superfluity shops, thrift stores and flea markets.
I think this is an ingenious idea! Pretty spoons can be found at just about any thrift store, too. The possibilities are endless. Your brain never shuts off, does it? :) ~Bonnie-B
What a great idea, Cindy! I am sure I still have some – horribly tarnished! – silver spoons somewhere… but we’re going to a huge flea market tomorrow and I am sure to find some there. I can’t wait to try it :-)) ~Caroline-H
As you can see from all the quotes that I’ve added into this article, there seems to be quite a bit of interest from you guys in using silver spoons to make jewelry. So my plan is to add a video tutorial on the topic in the Vol-022 series during the month of March. This video would focus on the metal work aspects you need to learn about working with vintage silverware. Please cast your “vote” in the comments section below to let me know that everyone is still OK with this idea.
I have a lot of old cutlery that I want to turn into jewelry. This would definitely help me put away the spoons! Please teach! Thanks sweetie! ~Suzanna-M
And if there is anything specific you would like me to address about re-using silverware as jewelry, please be sure to tell me what’s on your mind, so I can address all of your questions.
LOVE THE SPOON IDEA!! But what are the spoons used for after they’re decorated? I have lots of spoons but no idea on how to use them. I love my Friday mornings with you. THANKS. ~Sandara-G
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| ** Win Some Polymer Clay Beads: Handmade by Cindy Lietz. Time to send in your photo entires: Polymer Clay Giveaway Contest For anyone who wants to follow along from beginning, the following link will take you to a summary of all the articles in this fun and educational Polymer Clay Bead Giveaway series. |
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You have a lot of good ideas for future videos and the silverware with polymer clay is interesting, but I’m still waiting for the faux opal using the Buffalo snow or iridescent flakes that you promised us before Christmas.
Interesting! That’s a yes from me – it isn’t really my style but I’d still like to see how it’s done.
Definitely a YES, Cindy. I would love to learn how to do this. I have been admiring your spoon bails for awhile now. I love vintage anything and I would like incorporate that somehow into my polymer clay pieces. Your dogwood clay flower is just beautiful!
Ooh yes. I sense a Goodwill visit coming. I need some pretty plates (to break up for pendants… it started as an accident… and I’ll raid for spoons too.
Like everyone else, I would love to see a video on using silver spoons for jewelry. it is a great idea!!
hugs,
Adrienne
Thanks guys! I’m glad to hear there is still interest.
@Freda: Don’t worry, I’ve got the faux opal tutorial planned for the 3rd week in March, so it’s coming.
yes please the spoon idea sounds grate
Yes from me too. I have a little box of spoons waiting for something. I’ve wondered what it takes to cut them.
Love to see how to use silver spoons video. I used to hate rainy days but now i don’t mind at all I can spend many happy hours on your site. I don’t seem to have any trouble finding my way around and enjoy going back to the beginning and I learn something new every day.
Josie
It’s a yes from me- thanks Cindy
Oh, Cindy, this would be GREAT! I have a lot of old silverware that has been passed down through the generations. Will silver plate or the old triple plate work, or do they need to be sterling? I am not sure I’d want to ‘convert’ the sterling. I have a number of mis-matched pieces of sterling that hang on my hutch. Polishing is a pain, but, oh how I love looking at them and remembering back to when Gramma used them. I noticed just this morning that they need polishing again. Since I don’t use them for eating, maybe I’ll polish them and then spray with PYM II!
A lot of the silver plate pieces have worn spots on the back sides, will this ruin the effect?
Are heavy tools required for cutting and smoothing?
A yes from me — I think these are beautiful! It’s a versatile & useful technique, but I’m gonna have to visit some thrift stores to be able to try it. (My sister snagged the family silver for herself!) I especially love one of your pieces I found in an older post. It’s a birdie pendant with a spoon-handle bail.
I still want lots of your great polymer videos. So, I’m hoping this metal-working technique will take the place of a wire video for the month. I feel pretty comfortable with my wire-wrap & findings techniques. Learning how to do manipulate silver spoons into bails is definitely something I’ve never done!
Whoa! I just checked out the link at the top — I didn’t realize you had done so many different spoon pendants. They’re amazing! I see my favorite little birdie is there among them. Really great stuff — you’ve created something for everyone! This is going to be a really cool one. I hope you can quickly go over how to make the small bail (like with the birdie) in the video, as well~
Count me in Please. Lynn
Yes, Cindy, I’d like to learn about the spoon pendants. And I have the same questions as Carolyn about using spoons that are not sterling.
I love the idea of working with reclaimed materials, so I vote “yes” for sure. The pictures show such a wide range of project ideas which makes this really appealing as well.
Thanks for your feedback guys! You can use whatever kind of cutlery you like. My favorite is sterling and silver plate but you can use other less precious materials if you like. Some silverware has a strange pot metal inside and won’t bend or cut very well. Some of the thicker stainless steel won’t bend at all. Some others even break, but you won’t know until you try it. That’s part of the fun! If you got them for 25 cents at a garage sale then it doesn’t matter. Most will work though so start keeping an eye out for those spoons.
@carolyn: A cool trick for removing tarnish from silver is to put a piece of tinfoil in the bottom of a bowl, sprinkle baking soda on it and add boiling water. Put your silver in this water and the tarnish disappears like magic. Much easier than polishing and then you won’t have to spray your silver.
Hi Cindy, I’ve made a few silverware items and would like more ideas for sure!! Also, how do you protect the silver portions of the jewelry from tarnishing after PC is applied? Looking forward to your tutorial, Lynn
@Lynn: Lynn, I have been testing PYM II on my sterling wire art and it seems to be working just great. A light ‘misting’ from about 8″ above the project is all that is needed to cover and protect the silver. Since I only started this a few weeks ago, I’m not sure about the anti-tarnish over the long haul, but I’m pretty confident that this is going to solve my tarnish problem on my sterling wire art jewelry.
Thanks for the tip on cleaning tarnished silver. I made a ring and two pendants with Art clay silver and it is eventually going to tarnish. My friend saw it and wants me to make one for her in pure gold! I don’t have any silverware but will look out at flea markets and thrift stores. how would I know if it is real silver (tarnish?) or silver plate?
Yes from me Cindy. This really looks like an interesting technique that has a cool recycle thing going.
These spoon bails are gorgeous. Cindy has created a Polymer Clay Tutorial for them — Silver Spoon Bails for Jewelry [VIDEO].
The link will take you to a video preview of the tutorial, as well as comments and feedback on it from members. There are discussions about where to find spoons, how to bend them, and some beautiful examples, as well. Check it out, if you haven’t already. Have fun!