Thursday, October 16, 2008

Busy bee...

Okay. My mom has been here for the past 6 days (more on that in my next post), and now I'm swamped with parent/teacher conferences! No offense, parents, but we HATE conferences! They are extremely long days, we have to wear high heels for 13 hours, AND they really interfere with our blogging! So....sorry I haven't been blogging as much.

I, do however, have a major request. I have been wanting to do this beading thing for months, but it is near impossible to find instructions on how to do it. Looking at it, it seems like a no-brainer: you take the wire, wrap it around the spoon, voila!

(Photos: Etsy)
But what guage wire do you use?
How do you get the wire to be all spiral-y?
How do you adhere it to the spoon/glass???
Can anyone help me? I have Christmas presents on the brain, so I'd like to get started. Do you know how? Do you know a website that will tell me how? Thanks!

42 comments:

Jennifer said...

No offense. We HATE them too.

Rachel Berry said...

Yes I dis-like them as well. But when you have 3 to attend to........ As per wire stuff. I know my friend has a wire kit they got from a craft warehouse and it makes those spiral-y thingys and a whole lot more. She has made me a few they are pretty cool! Good luck

Lindsay said...

I make those spoons as well, I just do mine a little different, I only do them on silverware, not glass. I use spoons that have a small hole in the handle so I have something to attack the wire to, that way it doesn't slide. When I am finished with the wire and beads I wrap sauder on top of that, that is another way to help hold it down. It's soft enough to bend but holds it's shape.
These make great gifts for weddings as well, match them to their dishware.
Good luck.

the undomesticated wife said...

I have a tool that you wrap the wire around to make the spiral. But I prefer using round nose pliers instead. They are smaller, so you can make a tighter spiral.

As for gauge, I'd just pick one up that feels right to you. You don't want it too flimsy, but you don't want it too strong that you can't wrap it or too heavy for the fork/spoon.

I did something similar a few years ago, only made them into wine glass charms. I didn't use the wire, I used soldering wire! ha! It's VERY easy to bend, but it would be too thick/bulky for your project.

You can try E6000 for gluing them onto the glass. It comes in a tube and is very stinky, but it's an industrial adhesive and will glue ANYTHING. It's about $5 at the hardware store.

Mrs B said...

If you find the website, please post to your account. I have tried my hand at this, but the glue I tried to use didn't last long on the glass. I saw these at a craft fair last year and really liked them. Thanks

Katie said...

I bought a set of serving spoons like that at a craft fair this summer. There is a tiny notch cut out to hold the wire at each end. There is also a teeny drop of solder over the notch. I use them ALL the time and nothing has moved at all.

Meredith said...

I have made the silverware and the glasses. I can't remember the guage of wire that i used I just remember getting one that was a little thicker (that my beads would still fit on) and that would bend - so that I could throw them in the diswasher.

I used E6000 in the past to get stones to affix to the glass. I didn't wrap the wire around the stones like in the glasses in the last picture. I just glued stones around the bottom of the glass that matched the ones I had "beaded" on the stem.

Inspired Kara said...

Those are AWESOME, I wish I had any advice. Let us know when you figure it out! I'd love to do the wine glasses!

AngiDe said...

Those are awesome! I'd like to know how to make them too!

Angie
www.nanasboxnonprofit.blogspot.com

Hey come check out my new giveaway, it's a goodie!

The Style Sisters said...

I really like the silverware...I am going to take the advice on here from the others about the E6000 glue. Fun ideas!

Shell in your Pocket said...

I just had parent teacher conferences..It is so ODD being on the other side of the table!

Never done the wire thing...I am no help!!
-Sandy Toes

Suzann said...

And just HOW do they hold up in the dishwasher.

And, for the record, we parents HATE the dog and pony show called conferences too.

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

We sell those at the decor firm I work for. They are made by 12 and 13-year-olds (YES!) and they do beautiful work. I guess they use really teeny pliers to get the swirls just right, and fairly thin (gauge) wire. They do serving spoons/forks as well, and they are gorgeous. Not sure what glue they use.

Mindy said...

Looky Looky what I found
http://www.artbeads.com/christmas-serving-utensils-decor.html

Mindy said...

Looky Looky what I found
http://www.artbeads.com/christmas-serving-utensils-decor.html

Betsy said...

I have wanted a salad serving set like that for awhile. No clue on how to do them though.

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

Totally loved your '13 years ago post'. Beautiful photos and hilarious dialog to go with. : )

Sorry...no help on the wire thingies. Please find out...do... conquer... and post a tutorial.
Hee-hee, I'm always thinking!
MaryLou

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

I think needle nose pliers are in order to make some swirlies. Rockin' silverware by the way! Who thinks of things like that?? Such creativity some people have.

Michele said...

That is a cool idea to do with silverware!

I don't like conferences either..our high school has them in the gym and you have to walk around and find all the teachers, then wait in line to talk to them. Kinda stupid...cuz it's always really crowded!

Hugz,
Michele

Unknown said...

I love those spoons! I would love to learn how to make them too. I am going to have to read your comments to learn how!

Lynette said...

Thanks for visiting me today, this morning, whenever it was. Drop by anytime. Cool idea with the utensils and thanks to "t m j r" for finding the link on how to do it. I just may have to try that one out!!
Have a good weekend everyone.
Lynette

Marie said...

LOL As a parent...I hate them too. :o)

CUTE spoons. No clue how to make them. Do you actually use them to eat with though? Seems kind of clunky! I think if I had a set I'd just look at them! Never to be used! Too pretty!

Tausha said...

I have no idea how to do this. But I am curious-so what would you do for gifts? A silverware set-or glasees/salt and pepper shakers, a plate? What are you thinking? I am thinking of christmas as well, I am definately going to go the homemade route. I have a couple of ideas brewin.
Have you ever seen a paper tree? Where they pin the looped paper to the cone? I happened upon some the other night and thought that they were darling and a great gift! You should check it out. You would make them superbly! I am also wanting to go and play on wordle. Have you tried that yet? I thought that would be a fun gift as well. Keep sharing your ideas for gifts-hopefully between all of us, we can all come up with the perfect homemade gifts for everyone on our lists!

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

I love those spoons! Unfortunately I have no idea how to make them! I am sorry! I hated parent-teacher conferences too..I was 22 when I first started teaching and I had one of the kid's dads hit on me. Yuck!
Carrie

Anonymous said...

Amen about the parent/teacher conferences! I was just complaining about them briefly on my blog...Mine are next week and I am totally unprepared!

cherry said...

Looks like you got some great advice..so not much to add...other than when i was playing with wire on my pumpkin men..I wrapped my wire around a pencil and pulled the pencil through and it was a nice spiral...good luck on the conferences..you high heel thing you. cherry

sweet momma luv u said...

What a fun project to do. I can think of people that might like these too!

Jody

Heather said...

I'm teaching at 2 different schools this year so I get to do double-duty at conferences :(
I've done beaded/wired wine glasses before and I'd recommend just playing around with it a little. I wrapped one end of the wire around the bottom of the stem, added a few beads and wrapped around the stem (spacing the beads as I went), add more beads occasionally and wrap your way down to the bottom. I used really small beads and fine wire for a different look. I think this is something you can really get creative with.

Jennie said...

Have no idea on how to help you with that particular craft, but I hate when things get in the way of blogging, like laundry, crying baboes, dinner.... was I supposed to be doing something ?

sandra/tx said...

I love those wire-wrapped and beaded utensils but have never made them. I can't wait to see what you end up making.

"B" said...

Ooh I love that cutlery its so pretty I want to do it.
I think to adhere to the glass you would use a strong glass glue or maybe a crystal glue..not too sure. For the spirally things I have a tutorial on my blog http://tomandjasmine.wordpress.com/2008/06/20/how-to-twisted-wire-spirals-in-jewellery/
Good luck!

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Well, Girl, you are nothin' if not honest! Hee.

Great Christmas gift ideas! Hey...give us some ideas that teachers like to get. K?

John Deere Mom said...

Ugh. Conferences are the worst. We had ours the first Thursday and Friday of October. SO glad they are over until February!
Oh, and I can't help you with the wirey things...no clue!

just a girl... said...

lol, love your blog.

Robin @ The Rendered Nest said...

Chris, unfortunately I can't help with instructions for the cute beaded cutlery. I am posting to thank you for visiting my nest a couple of weeks ago...I'm still learning how to check comments, etc. on my blog! I didn't mean to be rude. Please forgive me! I look forward to seeing your creations whenever you learn how to make them!

Kaitlyn said...

Sadly enough I can't offer any more tips on the wire cutlery. However, please do share your homemade Christmas gifts-- a broke college student like me can use all the tips available! Those really are lovely as well.

Kaitlyn said...

Sadly enough I can't offer any more tips on the wire cutlery. However, please do share your homemade Christmas gifts-- a broke college student like me can use all the tips available! Those really are lovely as well.

~Mommy+Me~ said...

I just found a really cool bead store by my house, and the owner is getting ready to put kits together for Christmas gifts. She was planning to do the spoons, wine toppers, and also ceiling fan pulls. I can check with her on tips for the silverware and get back to you. She just taught me how to put toggles on bracelets. So easy, I wish I knew sooner.

As for conferences, last year was my first year with my own classroom, and I'm with you, it is dreadful! Plus the school I was at had MANY no shows. It's a long, tiring process. I don't really enjoy going to my daughter's conferences either, but this years was pretty good.

Kristen said...

Hope you found your answer! I was given a set and they look easy enough to make!

Eve said...

Those are really pretty! It looks like 12 gauge wire (or bigger). But they look like a pain to hold onto to and an even bigger pain to wash. You can use a dremmel to dril tiny holes into the silverware - or just wrap tightly using jewelry pliers. Hammer the wire once it's in place (with a tiny hammer) to give it extra strength and holding power (and to keep food and such from getting in the spirals).

House Queen said...

Just made me laugh about the conferences! We have one next week and now they have scheduled a fall harvest day trip for same day so we will not be able to wear those CRAZY HEELS and fancy outfits because we will be riding in wagons for two hours during the day among other various activities involving animals! We were all joking about how great we would look with jeans and hay in our hair! They are bad!!! Love your blog!!!

Magnolia Memories08 said...

Oh I love the silverware, I have a
glass picture like that, my daughter-in-law gave me. But I have
never seen the silverware. I love it. It just adds that special look
to the pieces. I am going to try my luck. Looks great!!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...