FLATWARE JEWELRY

Stainless steel flatware can be bought by the piece in thrift shops. It never tarnishes and can be polished to a bright finish. It is also malleable enough to be made into jewelry pieces. These are a couple of fish- themed pendants made from forks.

TOOLS/ MATERIALS

Stainless forks

Jewelry cord or chain

Metalworking vise

Hacksaw

Ball pien hammer

1/8” drill bit, countersink bit, drill

centre punch

Fine tooth files

wire wheel buffer

Needle nose pliers

Safety Glasses- Wear them!

Use the vise to totally flatten the fork.

Holding the fork in the vise, use the needle nose pliers to bend the tines of the fork into desired shapes.

Bend in small increments to avoid breaking the tines.

Bend a loop in the top tine to accept the cord or chain.

With the fork handle in the vise, use the hack saw to cut out the mouth. Cut a 45 degree angle from one side then flip it over and complete the cut.

With the piece on a hard metal surface use the hammer and punch to locate the eye. Clamp the piece in the vise and drill the eye. Use the countersink bit to remove the burr on each side of the hole.

File away any sharp edges and nicks or tool marks made from the pliers. Clamp the piece in the vise and use the drill and metal buffer wheel to polish the piece and give it a brushed finish. Install the cord or chain.

Don’t throw away the handles. Cut them to a length you desire. Punch, drill and file to get a smooth finish. Install a key ring and you’ll have a nice key fob!