Hello Friends! It’s time for Ten on the Tenth again! Katie at Let’s Add Sprinkles is our hostess with the mostess this month so thank you Katie for getting this together. 😉 And if you’ve arrived here from Chasing Quaintness, welcome to my blog! If you’d like to get to know me better, click on the About Me page and read some fun facts.
Stamped Spoon Wind Chime
Since it’s almost Mother’s Day, I thought I’d show y’all what I made my mom. She has a small balcony right outside her living room that I thought needed a burst of charm. She has a chair and a few plants out there but why not a personalized stamped spoon wind chime from her favorite oldest daughter to go along with it?
I know stamped spoons are so 2012 but I’ve never stamped anything or ever made a wind chime before. Can you believe it? So, here’s how I made mom’s Mother’s Day gift.
Supplies:
Silver or silver plated spoons (not stainless steel) and a butter knife – $6.00
Nylon string or fishing line – $1.00
Acrylic beads – $3.00 (sorry I couldn’t find them. Hobby Lobby has the worst website)
Letter Stamp Kit – gift from one of my daughters
Scissors
Hammer, a towel and the concrete ground
Electric drill and small drill bit
You’ll want to find spoons that are not stainless steel because they don’t bend/smoosh/flatten easily. I have a collection of spoons found at garage sales, thrift or antique stores. None of them have ever cost more than a dollar. That’s my rule.
To flatten the spoons, take them outside to the concrete. Place them curved side down and cover it with a towel. I tried it on a piece of wood first and quickly got rid of it. It’s easier to pound away on the flat concrete. Use the heaviest hammer you have and one with the largest face. It took me several bangs to get it flat. It’ll have ridges and curves but don’t let that bother you. I think it looks more authentic that way.
It took a while to get the hang of using the stamp kit. Seriously, you need the strength of Hercules to work the stamps or have a Mister like mine that isn’t afraid of hitting his fingers with a hammer. If you look closely, you can see the first “M” has been struck 3 or 4 times. It moves slightly each time you whack it so hit once and hit the stamp hard!
Something else you’ll want to do is make sure your letters are facing the right direction. IF mother has her glasses on and notices, I’ll tell her I meant to do that because we all think she’s a little sideways in her thinking anyway. No joke there. We tell her that often.
We finally got the hang of it though and cranked out five stamped spoons in about 10 minutes. Finally, I used a fine tip Sharpie to color in the letters so they’d show up better. It’s not necessary but looks nicer. Since this is for my mom, we put the grandkids names on a couple of them and other words like Nana, Mom, love, etc.
Next step is to drill small holes at the ends of the spoon handles. This is so you can string the beads. Measure out about a 24″ piece of fishing line and cut. Tie knots at the end of the fishing line once it’s around the spoon (I tied 4 knots each time). Then start adding your beads. The beads came in a box with different sizes and colors. I used about half of the box.
When you’ve added as many beads as you want (I have 13 on each strand), simply tie the ends across the length of the knife. I used more fishing line to make a loop handle so it can hang on a hook. (Forgot that picture, so sorry!)
At first I thought the sound was going to be clanky and unpleasant but it’s actually delightful.
Hope she likes it. Ha! Who am I kidding? She’ll love it because I made it. I’ve given her several handmade gifts only a mother could love but at least I haven’t seen her throw them away right in front of me. She may wait until I’m not looking but like people say, it’s the thought that counts.
Now it’s time to head on over to French Ethereal. She’s such a sweetie and I’m sure she has something super cute today. Just click on the names below!
Happy Crafting Friends!
Bluesky at Home
Patina And Paint
The Apple Street Cottage
Chasing Quaintness
County Road 407 – You Are Here
French Ethereal
This is just gorgeous! I want to make one for my yard!
Author
So glad you like it Susan! Show us a picture if you make one.
That is adorable. I’ve never stamped but it looks fun. Your mom will love this. The knife at the top matches my silver plate. I see that pattern everywhere!
Author
I think that pattern was very popular. I see it everywhere too! I like it though. It’s dainty. 😉 Thanks for hosting Katie!
Cindy I have ALL of the items, except for the beads, to make this project. Even a big old bag full of vintage silverware. HOW FUN! I can’t wait to try this project.
Author
Yay Tammy! I do hope you try it. I liked how it turned out.
Cindy this is such a cute and neat idea. My mother-in-law would so love this. Thanks for sharing. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Author
Well then Terrie, you should make her one! Glad you liked it.
I love this and I love how you hung them all from the knife!
Tania
Author
Thanks Tania. I wasn’t going to use a knife but at the last minute decided it would work better than my original plan. Glad you could visit today.
Cindy, this wind chime is ADORABLE!!! I love this 10 on the 10th because there are always so many good ideas to recreate. I do have a bunch of damaged spoons which would make a lovely wind chime. The mind is turning… 😉 Love the “Nana” with the sideways A ~ very cute! Happy to be with you on this 10th tour yet again; I know you’re Mom will love her gift! My mom always said, “You’re my favorite daughter… and my only daughter!” I get to pass that on to my daughter now. 😉
Happy Mother’s Day to you,
Barb 🙂
Author
Awe Barbara, that means you were her favorite too! And I think a vintage spoon wind chime would fit perfectly in your back yard. Make sure and show us whatever you make!
Oh this brings back memories. I created a similar chime for my mother back in the ’70s. Love the splash of color!
Author
Wow Laura, you are so ahead of your time! And here I thought spoons were so last decade. Mom loves bright colors so I think she’ll like it.
So pretty, your mom will love it, and we mom’s keep everything ugly or not. Have a great time with your mom and Happy Mother’s Day.
Author
LOL Marlene! Mom’s are good about that. I have things my kids made and they still ask why I keep it. 😉
Cindy I have never stamped anything either and I think looks fun. I may try it for herb markers.
Who cares if it’s a 2012 thing. Follow your imagination and crafty feel. Your mom will love it and you rocked it with the beads.
Glad to hear I’m not the only one who thinks HL’s website needs work.
Happy Mother’s day.
Cindy
Author
Thank you Cindy. I often feel as if my skills are decades behind. But like you said, all I can do is follow my crafty feels!
Forgot to mention I pinned this.
Cindy
Author
Awe, thanks again Cindy! Pins are the best! Hope you make the herb markers. I’m doing some of those soon as well for my daughter. She has the green thumb.
That’s completely adorable, I love it!! What a great gift, and such a cute addition to any garden!!
Author
Yay Debbie, thank you. I am usually not a fan of overly colorful things but I almost kept it and went out to buy her something else!
Cindy, I love this idea! I’ve seen the stamped spoons online but thought they were a bit pricey! Thanks so much for showing me how to make my own! The wind chime is perfect! Happy Mother’s Day! Hugs!
Author
I loved the stamped spoons for years but was never going to pay the asking price either. My middle child gave me the stamping kit for Christmas last year and I love it. Totally worth making your own. We are tackling herb spoons next! Thanks for stopping by Benita. Happy Mother’s day!
This is such a thoughtful gift, Cindy. I’ve always wanted to try this, but I wondered how hard it is to drill the silverware. You certainly make it look easy!
Author
Thank you Ann. Drilling the silverware is super easy and you don’t even need a special drill bit. The teeny tiny ones break easily so use one a little bigger and you’ll be fine. And it was super easy once you get the hang of it and aren’t afraid to whack your hand with the hammer! 😉
So cute! I want one. Your mom is going to love it!
Author
Thank you Melinda. Come on over and we can make a couple of them together!
Well guess what? I’m Mom and I DO love it! I can’t wait to get my hands on it and hear it chiming on my porch. Cindy, you are so clever. You make your mom proud every day! Happy Mother’s Day to you and all the moms. 🥄💚🥄❤️🥄🚴🏾♀️🔭💛
Author
Glad you like it and hope every time it clanks outside your door, you think of me. 😂. Happy Mom’s Day.
Cindy, great idea. I see old silverware at estate sales all the time and occasionally pick up a piece, but I’ve never made a wind chime. I love the idea. I’ve never had a metal stamp, so I think I would just stencil on the silver spoons. Hope that would work. Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day. Hugs.
Author
Thanks Carol. Mom said she loved the wind chime. 🙂. I bet stenciling would be cute! You always do such a great job at that.
I have flattened many spoons and stamped on them. What a chore!! I have used mine for herb and plant markers!! Love your idea, too!!
Author
Thanks Patti! At first I thought I’d never do it again. Glad the Mister did the hammering!