Antique Silverware Crafts

Antique silverware can be turned into jewelry.

Antique silverware consists of sterling silver; a pliable metal that can bent by hand into different shapes. Antique silverware, such as forks, spoons and knives, often have ornate designs on the handles. These designs can range from flowers to reliefs of statues. Take old, mismatched silverware and breathe new life into it by turning it into unique works of wall art and jewelry.

Rings

Spoon rings are made by sawing the end of the spoon handle off with a jeweler's saw. Jeweler saws have fine teeth that make smooth cuts through soft metal, such as sterling silver. The spoon handle is pounded flat with a rubber mallet and then bent around a ring mandrel. Once the ring is in the proper shape, the two ends are soldered together to create the final piece. The embellished end of the spoon is used as the focal point of the ring and is located on the top of the ring.

Bracelets

Antique silverware can be made into a simple bracelet or jewelry cuff. A bracelet consists of two spoon ends that have been bent into arches and attached with jump rings and a clasp. This type of craft can also be used to create striking metal watch bands as well. Alternately, a single, antique spoon can be used to make a bracelet, with the top of the spoon pounded into an artisan's metal texturing sheet to give it dimples or other designs before the top and bottom ends are bent into a circular shape.

Necklace Pendants

The ornately decorated handles of antique silver spoons and forks make beautiful necklace pendants. The handles are pounded flat with a hammer prior to being cut off with a jeweler's saw. A hole is drilled into the top of the handle and a jump ring is added to it to make it a pendant that is placed on a necklace chain. Another way to create a necklace pendant with a silver spoon or fork end is to bend the end back to create a loop for the necklace chain to go through. The end is soldered to the back of the pendant to make a solid loop that securely holds the pendant onto the necklace.

Wall Hooks

Pound the top of your antique spoons, knives and forks flat and bend the handle into an upward-facing U-shape to create a wall hook. Drill two holes into the tops of the silverware and then screw them into your wall to make whimsical dishtowel hooks for your kitchen. The hooks can also be attached to a painted wooden base, which is then attached to the wall to make a coat hook. Smaller, silverware pieces, such as butter knives and pickle forks, can be bent in the same manner and used as key hooks. A variation on the key hook is to bend the silverware at the center of the handle and then attach it to a small silver plate to make an ornate shelf for your keys. Family member names can be embossed into the top of the hook with metal stamps and a hammer.