Crafting: Homemade Handmade Repurposed: Upcycle Repurpose Vintage Silver Plated Flatware Forks

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Upcycle Repurpose Vintage Silver Plated Flatware Forks

I found a set of five or six flatware pieces - mostly forks - for $1 at a local antique store, and just in time because I had run out of forks to use as towel or coat hooks.

The hearts cutout plank was free so for well under $1 I made this hanging coat or towel rack.

Paint: The wood was base-coated with antique white then alternately layered with nutmeg, goose feather and burnt umber running the brush across the board to create a worn appearance.

After it dried, I sanded here and there to create a more shabby look then finished off with a coat of antiquing.

Forks: The fork tines were bent using vise grips and needle nose pliers. Fold a paper towel in half and place over the tines leaving about half of the tine exposed. Using the tightest setting you can, grip the tines with the vise grips and begin bending the fork tines with the needle nose.

It takes quite a bit of strength but if you keep working at it, they'll bend to your will.

Next, bend the fork handle at the narrowest part so that the design is on the outside (as shown).

Attaching forks: Find wood screws with heads large enough to catch the edges of the tines, and not so long they go through to the backside of the wood.

Drill pilot holes a little smaller than the screw then partially screw in the screw.

Slide the fork onto the screw and hold with one hand while tightening the screw with the other.

I find a power drill useful during this process since I don't have enough strength to tighten the screws by hand.

Add two saw tooth hangers making sure you measure so they are even across the back of the board otherwise, the board will hang at an angle.

You can find this item for sale at Gramma Sophie's in Boonville, MO.

Vintage art and pictures on magnets, T shirts, greeting cards, mugs and other gifts at Visages.

Vintage picture of bride and groom for cake pick topper