I like to cruise through the local antique stores just to see if there is anything there that I "need". I have a fairly large collection of old silver plate--it's perfect when you have a party as extras and I love that it doesn't match, I hate using paper and plastic. When I found the bin of $1 forks I was thrilled! In this area that's a steal. I quickly snapped them all up and this is what I made with one of them today.
This ring is very cool on--that photo didn't turn out of course. I like it on the middle finger splayed out over the ring finger.
I was inspired to make this ring when I saw a cheap ring someone was wearing. It was ugly but I liked that it went over two fingers. I also loved that the fork had a spot for a monogram on the end. I stamped it in with two sizes of alpha punches after I softened the metal.
I started by sawing the handle off the fork with my jeweler's saw. I used a Size 2 blade as it was the heaviest size on my work bench. It was very easy to do. I filed the raw edges to make them rounded and smooth.
Carefully heat the handle to avoid bubbling the silver plate. This will soften it so you can forge it.
I bent the small end of the handle of the fork with the heaviest pliers on my bench. It's hard work but can be done if you move the metal slowly.
You can probably make this ring without the ring mandrel though I used it to help me get the size correct.
I still had the fork end, so I just started playing with it. It has such a sweet pattern on it I had to finish it into something.
Start by heating the fork and then drilling a hole in the stem. Always make a mark with a Center Punch so the drill bit doesn't skitter.
Take a pair of round nose pliers and start randomly curling the tines of the fork
This fork is great for a diet...
Use a scrap of sterling wire and make a loosely wrapped loop then tie on a ribbon or add to a chain and go. Two pieces of jewelry for $1!
If you leave a comment I will do a random drawing and send some of you a lovely fork to work with!
