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.
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!
