Collage Jewelry: Altered Spoon Tutorial by Lynn Stevens

My name is Lynn Stevens. I reside in Idaho with my DH and two fur babies. Art has always been a part of my life. My favorite being Mixed Media, Altered Art and Stamping. I love to try new things and hope to share what I learn with all of you. I am a Guest Designer for Gingersnap Creations, Artistic Outpost and I Brake for Stamps.

A few safety tips before we start. Work in an area that's safe. This is not for children. We are working with flame and heat up to 1000%, so keep fingers and hands away from heat. Wear safety glasses when using a cutting wheel. So, let's get started!

Items you will need - Small spoon; burnsamatic hand held tourch or propane torch or jewelers torch; a tourch tip for the heat source; two long handled needle nose pliers; container of cool water; dremmel tool with cutting wheel or jewelers saw or small saw for cutting off end; misc jewelry findings: pearls, charms, glass pebbles, collage images,etc.; Diamond glaze or resin; and steel wool. Begin by holding spoon with pliers over blue flame of heat source, depending on what your spoon is made of silver, gold plate, stainless steel will vary the heating time. I usually start with 20 to 30 seconds. Remove from heat and with both pliers begin to bend spoon approxmitely 1/2" from spoon area. If it does not bend easily, place back in flame.

Continue to heat and bend until spoon almost touches along back.


When the spoon is bent all the way, place in container of water. This is called "quenching" and will cool it instantly for handling.

The next step requires a cut off wheel on a dremmel or a jewelers saw or any small hand held saw. Cut off excess end of spoon. Be sure to wear eye protection if your using a cut off wheel!

Now place back in flame, holding with pliers.

Remove from heat and continue to bend all the way over.

Quench again before handeling. You can clean any discoloration with steel wool, just gently buff area clean.

Now the FUN begins, decide what you want to place in your spoon!

Add a small amount of Diamond glaze or resin,set your embellishments in the area and add more diamond glaze. Do not over fill,you dont want to cover your items,just hold them in place.

Now set aside to dry. This could take several hours, You may need to prop up the end so glaze won't spill.

Some finished pieces. Wouldn't these make great Christmas gifts? So start creating and share with us what you make!

Here's the finished piece. I attached a bird charm to the bottom to finish it off and added a leather choker. If you like it, leave a comment at the end of this post. I will be giving away the necklace as Blog Candy. I will use the number generator on Sep. 10th to draw the winner. Be sure we have a way to contact you. Good Luck!!!

Created by Lynn Stevens
http://www.trashtotreasureart.blogspot.com/