It has been a long time since I posted anything, mainly because I took a break from my jewelry making for a while when other things in my life took more of my time.  It is time to get back at what I love doing....making something new out of something old (silverware).  I have over a thousand pieces of silverware just waiting to be made into something fun and beautiful.  I have had some requests to have a jewelry-making class, and that will be publicized beforehand.  I am also excited to do some shows if I get enough items ready!

A New Life to an Old Wine Bottle!

 Purple glass grapes and hand-painted leaves and vines make this a lamp that can be used as an accent piece or used as a night light. The first photo is with the 35-string white lights inside unplugged and a ceiling light on. The second photo is with the mini-lights plugged in.  The wire-wrapped neck of the bottle holds a cork and a metal tag (an old spoon, of course) that says "VINTAGE."

Grape bottle lamp   -  $21.95

"Little Bit Western" Pendants, Owl Nest Spoon, and large Bird Nest Spoon

Those gals who are a "Little Bit Country" should really like these pendants I made this weekend. They feature metal charms of boots, saddles, hats, horseshoes, and even a horse. They are embedded in a layer of resin that makes them really stand out! It is hard to get a good detailed photo because the camera flash really brings out the shiny surface.

I also finished an owl in a nest, featuring a hand carved owl and a wire sculpture tree with one lone glass leaf still clinging to the branch, along with the nest and egg. 

 The large bird on a nest spoon is easily 9" tall and is very striking. Remember, a bird's nest in your Christmas tree will bring you luck all the next year! 

Team and Sports Stuff--Bison Bling!

An old spoon was painted white and antiqued, then the handle was wrapped with green and white beads, and the word BISON was painted in the bowl of the spoon.  This would look pretty sporty on a Christmas tree.  The center item is a BISON keychain or could be a pendant.  It has a metal bison chaarm and green beads.  The bookmark on the right is stamped with the word BISON.  I am working on some Nebraska Christian and Big Red items also.

White Bison beaded spoon - $7.50
Bison keychain/pendant - $9.95
Bison bookmark  - $5.75

More Spoons

            

Hang these on your Christmas tree or your wall all year round.  They are silver plate teaspoons embellished with bits and pieces of beads and other fineries.  The one on the left is stamped with the word LOVE;  the one on the right says LONE TREE, has a metal tree charm dangling from the bottom of the handle and a green glass leaf attached to the bottom.

Spoons - $18.50

Book Marks From Old Spoons Make Quite a Hit!

                 

These bookmarks really work great.  The handles are bent back and pounded flat against the flattened spoon bowl.  They slip right down over the top of the pages in your book to mark your place. Many of them have been burnished to give a shinier texture.  Most of these are made of stainless steel.  The burnishing really makes them brilliant and textured.  There are ones for sports and sports teams like the BISON, as well as ones that say DREAM or READ or other inspirational words.  Some have "dangles" of beads, or leather ties.  Cats found their way onto several of the spoons, just the thing for the cat lovers out there.

Spoon bookmarks - $ 5.75
Special orders for special words, names, etc., add $2.00 more.

Wild ways to repurpose old silver forks! Octopus and Elephant!

             
Okay, these pendants are not everybody's cup of tea, but they seem to be very popular on the coasts--we just don't have the same marine life around Nebraska!  The octopus figures are formed from old silver plate forks which have been cut off at the handle and bent back into a loop at the top of the fork shape for a chain to go through.  The tines are bent and pounded flat, then burnished with my Dremel tool to give them a really great texture that doesn't show up on this photo.  A finish of spray laquer helps keep the silver from tarnishing, although some people like the tarnished look.  

Necklace with blue beads and metal necklace - $18.50
Octopus pendant with no chain - $15.00

                 
 If you are not ready to wear an octopus necklace, how about an elephant?  These silver plated forks were changed into GOP elephants.  Three of the tines were cut off and the fourth was bent into a trunk.  The GOP letters have been metal stamped into the forms, and they are on a split ring which could be used as a key chain, or removed and a chain threaded through the top loop to wear as a necklace.

GOP Elephant pendant/key chains - $7.95