Fancy Forks. . .

Thought I'd share a project with you that I made recently. . .

Antique fancy, silver shiny things have a way of getting my attention, and I’m especially drawn to old silverware, particularly the frilly ornate engraved forks: the ones where the silver is worn off much of the utensil and the tines are sharp as prongs. They’re so worn one would be risking their life if they dared use it for its intended purpose!  Of course, that has never stopped me from bringing the little treasures home!

So what to do with these silver beauties?  Why not convert them into a card stand, or place card holder or something else that showcases a paper crafting project or gift? With a couple of tools, it’s not at all difficult.

You will need:

·        Square nose pliers

·        Needle Nose pliers

·        Mat for desk surface

·        Vintage forks (or newer one that is expendable)

Optional:

·        Spray paint

 

Step one is to flatten the utensil. I used the heavy pliers and pressed until the fork was mostly flat. Sometimes you have to turn the fork and work on both sides. I prefer the vintage worn out forks, because they are more malleable.

Next take the square nose pliers and bend back the outer tines, placing your pliers about 3/8 inch from the base of the tine and bending back to about 85 degrees (almost 90 degrees).  Be sure the outer left and outer right tines are lined up with each other. This ensures stability.

Then, take your square nose pliers, place them about an inch from the base of the center two tines and bend the tines forward to the top and front of the fork to form a 90 degree angle.

Move the pliers to the end of the tines and bend upward again so that you have a flat base of about ¾ to 1 inch upon which to rest your card/placecard along with the tips of the tines pointing upward and providing a front resting edge.  Using the needle nose pliers carefully spread the two tines apart into a “V” shape.

 

Next go back and slightly bend up the outer backward facing tines so they are somewhat ramped to help balance the fork. You may have to make a few adjustments so that the fork will stand correctly.

If you’re using a fancy old fork with great patina, you’re done. It’s time to move on to the paper crafting, but if you’re using a newer utensil,  or if your project needs a different look, then pull out the spray paint. . . and paint away.

 Wait patiently for the paint to dry.  (I didn’t and had to touch up!) The roses were lightly colored with a swab using Ranger Distress Ink in Spun Sugar and a few pearls were added to fancy it up.  

Now put down the fork, because it’s time to pull out your designer papers, your ODBD stamps, ink and Spellbinders dies and start crafting.

Card Instructions

 Main Image Panel

 I used Bo Bunny Gabrielle Collection designer paper, overstamped with the second image from the ODBD two-step butterfly stamp set using a coordinating blue ink. The panel was then stamped in dark brown with the scripture stamp from ODBD’s God’s Love set and die cut using a die from the Spellbinders Lattice Rectangles collection and sponged lightly with the blue ink.

Butterflies

The butterflies were stamped on the backside of the same designer paper as the back panel with ODBD’s 2 Step Butterflies. The base stamp was inked in blue, followed by the overlay in dark brown. They were then cut using the custom die, the edges sponged with brown and sprayed with shimmer mist. The pearls were added last. 

Back Panel

The back panel designer paper is from the same Bo Bunny collection. The corners were trimmed with a Zutter corner rounder, and the edges shaded with blue ink and a touch of brown.  It was then adhered to a dark brown piece of card stock, embossed, pierced and sprayed with shimmer mist. 

The panel is bordered with Simplicity crochet lace trim, which was cut in half and mounted to the backside of the panel.  Pearls were added in each corner and then the main image panel was mounted using foam dots.

For a bit more color, a polka dot ribbon bow, topped  with  repurposed  sheet music flower was nestled in the corner under the butterfly.

 

Finally, place your card atop your newly crafted stand made from the re-purposed fork,  and the project is complete

And if you’re wondering what happened to the old fork with great patina.  . here's what: Fancy Fork: Part Two

Blessings!

Blessings! jme ~ SDG