The other day we had a yard sale.
We sold a claw foot bathtub and an old trunk and a Ho Ho Ho pillow and two chairs missing spindles and a bunch of old trophies and a yellow train track set and box full of cassette tapes.
High dollar stuff.
Aren’t you sad you missed it?
And during the frenzy of shopping activity…..
……my mother told everyone about my blog.
*sigh*
The lady buying the chairs with the missing spindles looked remotely interested.
And then we had a run on the Christmas mugs and the moment was gone.
That’s my mother.
Cheerleader. Coach. Teacher. Nana.
Fan of Emily Post.
Expert granola baker.
Prom dress-maker.
And full to the brim of unsolicited opinions.
And I adore her….opinions and all.
Here’s the perfect gift to make for the granola-baking cheerleader in your life.
How to Make a Spoon Necklace
Supplies:
spoon (at the risk of stating the obvious)
steel stamping block
hammer
silver stamps
jump ring
chain
Step 1: Remove the handle of the spoon
Put the handle of the spoon in a vice grip and use a hack saw to saw off the handle.
Use a metal file to file down any rough edges.
Step 2: Flatten the spoon with a rubber mallet
Hammer the spoon until flat.
You will still have some bumps when you finish.
It’s okay.
They’re called character.
Step 3: Drill hole for necklace
Clamp flattened spoon down and drill a hole through the silver.
Use a small drill bit.
Don’t drill to close to the edge.
File any sharp edges with a metal file.
Step 4: Choose the size of stamps you want to use
Here are the three sizes of stamps I have.
1/4 (largest)…..all caps.
5/64 (2mm) (medium)…..all caps.
3/32 (smallest) …..lower case.
I used the 1/4 for the NANA necklace and the 5/64 for the name necklace.
Step 5: Stamp spoon
Place spoon on the stamping block.
Hold the silver stamp where you want the letter to go and hit hard with a hammer several times.
Sometimes you have to flip the spoon over and flatten it again when the edges curl up slightly.
Step 6: Fill in letters with a fine tipped sharpie
After you finish stamping….the letters will be a little hard to see.
Just trace each letter with a fine-tip sharpie.
Step 7: Add the jump ring and chain
I really like the jump rings that resemble key chains.
They are so much easier to use.
I buy the chain in extra long strands from Hobby Lobby and use needle nose pliers to adjust it to fit.
I love you mother.
I love that you have shown such strength and courage to make it through the last few weeks.
I love that you have pushed me and cheered me and lifted me up and kept me humble.
I love that the claw foot bathtub and the trunk and the trophies and the yellow train track all went to good homes.
And I love…..
…..that you believe in me enough to tell a yard full of cassette tape buyers about Thistlewood.
You are a rock star.
Happy Mother’s Day.
PS I get asked all the time about silver stamping supplies! Here’s what I used to get started:
ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!
Hey...that garage sale sounds just my speed! I love these...Thanks for sharing! ~Tammy
Thank goodness for mums! Mine is funny, clever, loving, willing to help me lift heavy stuff, listen to my rambles...and let me talk about her in my blog. Love you mum xx {I know you love this blog as much as I do}
It's beautiful, friend... but the words are even better. I love how you honored your mom here....and I know she is blessed by your love.
Great tutorial! I am going to give this a try. Lucky girl to have your Mama close by. Have a super day!
I understand exactly what you mean about Moms; I am one of those. I love to tell anyone who will listen to me about my interior designer daughter, and my grandaughter who's going to be a dentist. and....................you know what I mean. You my dear, in addition to your mother, are the "rock star". Happy Mother's Day to both of you.
Nothing like a mothers love! Funny how you teamed up for mother's day with two of my favorite bloggers (besides you, of course). I think it would be hard for me to be friends with them because they are just too gorgeous! And talented! :)
OK, this is seriously cool! I really need to make one of these for my Momma. Love it!
OH, garage sales, my favorite thing ever and I JUST love when I run into women like your mom. You meet lots of those sweet folks out yard saleing. :) Isn't it our prayer that sometimes our girls will grow up and write sweet words of blessing about us like you just did for your mom? You're modeling it well. :)
Sweet, sweet post. My mom passed away 18 years ago. Tragic. In many ways. I miss her. A lot. Every day. To my wife (and mother to my boys) and all the wonderful moms out there -- I applaud you. For all you do. For all you are. Hand-holder. Cheek-kisser. Tear-wiper. Butt-smacker. Food-maker. House-cleaner. Picture-taker. Peace-keeper. And a million other titles. Happy Mother's Day!
I love that you acknowledge all these titles. Thank you!
Pinky - Thanks for the reply.
Love this! What lovely words for your mom! You're both rock stars!! Have a wonderful Mother's Day and enjoy having her so close.~~Angela
Have you thought of selling your stamped items when you offer the "Shops at Thistlewood"? I scanned a few sites and think it would take me about $100 to just try this project which I would love to do. But if I only want a few maybe its cheaper to buy your creation?
What a beautiful gift for your Mom! Sounds like the yard sale was a rocking success...especially with your number 1 cheerleader there! ;)
You lost me at vice grip and hack saw ... but love the beautiful necklace that you made for your mom! And for the reminder that I need to get my very own garage sale organized ... :) Linda
Drat! I would have been fighting someone over the claw foot tub! Seriously. 3 houses ago {we move a lot}, my dad dragged out an old claw foot tub he found out in the woods, so that we could refinish it and put it in our bathroom. I loved it and miss it still. I love all your spoon projects, so fun. I want to give it a try, but I'm too cheap to buy new spoons, and apparently all the other thrift store shoppers read your blog, too, because all I can find is knives. Just doesn't quite give the same message, does it? :P
Thank you for sharing your blessings. I know your mother adores you.
I know you didn't intend it but this post made me cry. My own dear rockstar momma died over 20 years ago but oh my heart I miss her, she was the dearest friend I ever had. I love your project, and love your blog and even love your rockstar Mom. Give her an extra hug from me. And give one to yourself, because your own children will (or secretly say now) the same about you. Apples don't fall far from the trees.
I love these! but I have a quick question......what kind of spoon? does it need to be a true silver spoon? or will a regular household spoon work? thanks!
I just got some silver stamps and haven't even opened them yet! Thanks for the tutorial :)
Oh my goodness...that sounds like my Mother! I thought it would end when I quit my radio job a few months ago but nope! ;p Love, love, love the spoon necklace Karianne! I need to get a stamp set now! ;p Thanks so much!
Love it!!...can't imagine what fun it is when you two get together!...
...never pass up a chance to use a "hack saw"! Is that your mom's name? Love it!! Can't wait to check out the other projects... Kelly
Your Mom will love it, almost as much as she will love reading today's post. I hope you both have a memorable day and get to spend it together. ~Diane
LOVE this....have agreat day! Cynthia
This is really cute! When I saw the subject line of spoon necklace on the email I was thinking, huh, what is she doing now? She is so stylish and have so many great qualities, why on earth is she making a necklace with spoons? In my mind you had made a necklace with several plastic spoons dangling from a string, or my co-horst that is sitting right next to me at work her vision was several nicer spoons, like the serving spoon and gradually they would be smaller all the way up to a baby spoon! When we opened up your post and noticed that this was indeed not what we had pictured and that the spoon necklace was something that both of us would love to make we started laughing at how silly we were, for heaven sake you are Karianne from Thistlewood Farms why would we think you would come up with something ugly?! O ye, of little faith!
Very fun project, Karianne...and your mother sounds like a sweetheart...
Another winner..
Love this post, and your loving words about your mother even more! As with others who responded, I lost my mother 18 years ago; her birthday is in 4 days, and often falls on Mother's day, which I consider to be her day. While I no longer have her here to say kind words about me, I have twin daughters who I cherish, and hopefully make them feel as you do about your mother. I seldom read all the replies on a post, but took the time to do so on this one, and I am so glad I did. Happy Mother's day to all of you, and to your mothers!
i am in love. so, now i must add some stamps to my already bursting craft closet that has overtaken jack's bedroom closet --- i love it! :) and he doesn't care! :)
You and your Mom are SUCH rock stars. Of COURSE she sings your praies, you do for your girls too. I love this tribute to her too. Wish I had been at the garage sale. XO, Pinky
I love these! So fun. ~FringeGirl
I LOVE this necklace, Karianne! And as always I so enjoy reading your posts! You are the BEST writer. Thank you so much for letting me do this with you today!
Love the necklace! I can see the light at the end of a very long and winding tunnel of graduation exercises, Mother's Day, etc. when it gets really bright, I'm gonna get my craft on. Just sayin' ;)
Thank you for the sweet testimony and love. It has been a very challenging year and love it what helps me keep on going. This cheerleader says - you go girl and knock 'em dead like only you know how! You are amazing and so talented and that is only the beginning of what I could say - love you.
Very cool spoon necklace. I like it a lot and may have to try making one! Jennifer @ Decorated Chaos
Hi, Karianne! I've been an admirer of your stamped projects for a while now and love the idea of trying this myself! I've researched the various stamping kits, tools, etc and I'm a bit confused about what to purchase. Would you mind sharing your sources with us? Did you purchase online, locally, etc. Thanks so much!!!
Lord girl! You could have made a water garden out of that claw foot tub, Or a flower garden. Maybe that's not your style though. You know, when I say I write a blog to anyone, usually they say: "A what?" Then: "What's that?" Brenda
Wow! They are nice and precious. So is your mother and you for appreciating her.. Mother's day is everyday in our family. I'd have to say what you do is great, some have been done before. My question is .. Where do you find the time? DIY'ers are endless and amazing but reallyyyy? All that time spent on those spoons , materials etc..etc.. It'll be cheaper to buy them. IMO. That's what I'd do. For you....it's personalized because you make them and you enjoy doing so but all that time doing it or finding the time..almost unbelievable. Time is money, it can't be chased nor can it be stopped. Just really wondering since whilst running into your blog.. made me think what do others do with precious time. I have to go yoga, pilates, swimming and finding the time to find places to be able to buy the kinds of things you have here. Thanks for the links you have and to all the DIY'ers out there.
OK...that's it... Now I HAVE to HAVE the letter stampers. What can I say? Brilliant - truly brilliant! Thanks for the tutorial - this is getting tagged as Best of the Best for my upcoming projects (as soon as my shoulders are healed)! Signed, Your faithful blog follower, Patty O ps...Tell your Mom - Great Job! And thanks for raising such an entertaining and genius of a daughter!
I just might have to make one of these for my applesauce-making, cheerleader in my life! Can you use any kind of spoon? Or, do you have to search for the real-deal silver?
Gorgeous! What a great mother's day gift idea. I shared it in my round up: https://www.vixenmade.com/2013/05/last-minute-mothers-day-gifts.html
This may be a dumb question, but can this be done on stainless steel spoons? I had a project using the decorative handles so I have a lot of spoon parts. My husband flattened them out for me, but we were unable to get the stamps to stamp properly-you could barely see the indention of the letters. Thanks.