Tuesday 12 April 2016

A Silverware Tutorial - Simply Neutrals #21

Hello friends, and welcome new visitors. Today I'm going to show you what I've been doing with my silverware collection. For years I've eyed off pieces of out-of-fshion silverware in op shops and garage sales, and collected a few at the right price. I had an idea in mind to find some that would go together in tiers, with the right shape or patterns that would harmonise, even though they are odd pieces.

I thought I'd have a go at a tutorial, even though the photos I took using my tablet were not the best quality. I had to rush before the 'goop' went off.

Tutorial on tiered silverware on http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/simply-neutrals-21.html
You'll need:
Plastibond, about a 1.7kg tin
Old plastic container to mix it in - take-away food containers are great.
1-2 Paddlepop sticks to mix with
An old spoon to spoon the 'goop'
Newspaper to cover your work area
An assortment of metal candle sticks, goblets, and trays , plates and bowls of various shapes and sizes.

Tutorial on tiered silverware on http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/simply-neutrals-21.html

Step 1

Assemble your collection of silverware and work out which ones might go together. I found tiers of two or three work best, getting smaller as you go upwards. Audition various combinations until you are happy.

Tutorial on tiered silverware on http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/simply-neutrals-21.html

Step 2

Lay out newspaper to protect your workspace. 

Mix up some plastibond ( the goop) using a paddlepop stick or old spoon in a plastic container to be thrown out at the end. Follow the directions for proportions. Work quickly once it is mixed as it goes off and hardens after some minutes. Mix up small batches rather than one huge batch.

Tutorial on tiered silverware on http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/simply-neutrals-21.html

Fill any hollow goblets or candlestick bases to give a greater glue surface to stick to the next item. Once full of goop, make it as flat as possible using the paddlepop stick.

For large flat trays it is easier to work with them face down while you use the goop to glue the next tier in place. Clean up carefully while it's still wet or you will have a difficult sanding job ahead of you! Check that it's centred and flat before leaving it to harden while you work on another layer.

Once hardened, test for adhesion. Add another layer of goop if it comes apart, cleaning any spilt goop carefully before it hardens.


Tutorial on tiered silverware on http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/simply-neutrals-21.html


Step 3

Use the goop to glue the layers together, checking positioning until you are happy, then leave it to harden. I left the filled goblets overnight to harden. 


Tutorial on tiered silverware on http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/simply-neutrals-21.html

Tutorial on tiered silverware on http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/simply-neutrals-21.html

 Step 4

Find special things to display in your new tiers. Have fun! Treat them gently, nothing too heavy, and carry them at the bottom, supporting layers if you can. Here's one with doilies, just a single square tray on a candlestick:


Tutorial on tiered silverware on http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/simply-neutrals-21.html

Here's a three-tiered tray,plate and bowl set I filled with buttons, ornaments, old jewellery and sewing notions:


Tutorial on tiered silverware on http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/simply-neutrals-21.html


This one is just a goblet in a bowl:

Tutorial on tiered silverware on http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/simply-neutrals-21.html

If you have any questions, leave a comment and I'll do my best to help you. Have fun creating :)


Life has been spinning for me, and the weeks are flying by.
Our folk band, Ballyhooley, has been away performing in Australia's National Folk Festival in Canberra. We did three completely different 40 minute concerts over Easter:


Ballyhooley at NFF 2016 on http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/simply-neutrals-21.html


I designed this banner for each side of the stage. It's my favourite local beach (McKenzies Beach). I rose early one morning to take photos before anyone else came to swim.

Ballyhooley banner by http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/simply-neutrals-21.html



I'm linking up to Wen's Simply Neutrals Party #21. You can go to AppleApricot to see all the gorgeous neutral beauty on display through her linky party. 















27 comments:

  1. Jesse, I LOVE this idea with the silverware. Making tiers to display things is brilliant.I'll look at silverware with new eyes now!
    Nice post.
    Thanks
    Judy

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Judy, How kind of you to visit again. Have a great creative week.

      Jesse

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  2. Hi Jesse..
    What wonderful creations that you've made here and I love all of the doilies and special little things that you've put in them. They are so charming..and some of details on those pieces are absolutely beautiful! And you sing? Is that your family? Our family sings and plays also. Mandolin.. guitar..violin. Love the photo. Have a good week.

    Tamara <3

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    Replies
    1. Hi Tamara, Thanks for visiting. Yes, I sing and play hammered dulcimer. My partner is at the right -he plays guitar and Irish flute. I am next to him. The other band members are friends. We do a mix of Irish, Scottish, english and American trad songs and tunes - guitar, bouzouli, fiddle, mandolin, flute, banjo, hammered dulcimer and terry is learning the concertina, which is sounding good already. I love harmony singing :)
      Cheers,
      Jesse

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  3. Such a brilliant idea, dear Jesse.Thanks for the tutorial. Love, love how your tiers came out. Simply gorgeous.
    Have a wonderful week.
    Hugs and love,
    Marie

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    1. Thanks, Marie. I do appreciate your visit. Have a lovely week.
      Hugs,
      Jesse

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  4. Goodness this is amazing Jesse!! I love the idea of taking mixes & mis-matched; and creating such beauty! Thanks so much for this creative idea~ Your pieces are truly gorgeous~ Hurray for your band as well! Glad to hear you are keeping busy - singing as you go : )
    Blessings, Karen O

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    1. Hello Karen, Thanks for stopping by to look and comment. Yes, I like mismatched things sometimes. It's more interesting. It's a good excuse for collecting, too:)
      Hugs to you,
      Jesse

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  5. Hello, dear Jesse,
    wow, your silverware put together into gorgeous pieces- looking so amazing. What wonderful idea. I just love them all, and all you filled into them !
    Jesse I am not sure if I can identify you on the photo ? Did you make a youtube ? I would love to hear. Your banner is so beautiful- what a fantastic place !!!Thank you for the great how to, I don`t think I can get the Plastibond here, but something else maybe .
    Wishes from Dorthe, and hugs !

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    1. Hello Dorthe, Here is a link to plastibond so you can see what it is:
      http://www.selleys.com.au/trade/building-products/fillers-and-gap-fillers/plasti-bond-heavy-duty/

      I am second from right. We don't have many recordings yet. I have one song here:
      https://soundcloud.com/ballyhooley/laddie-lie-near-me
      and a rough busking video here (some footage shot by a young child!):
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUpo9ZXVn6c
      I hope you enjoy them, but we will have better quality soon, I hope.

      We want to start recording some music and songs soon. It's hard to fit it all in! It means no other crafting for a time -ouch!

      Have a lovely creative week.
      Hugs,
      Jesse

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  6. I've been wanting to make a 3 tiered silver piece....this may get me moving in the right direction! Yours are beautiful! New follower....
    LInda
    mysewwhatblog

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    1. Welcome, Linda. I've been away for a few days. Your blog is full of pretty projects. I love your teacup collection. Have a lovely week.
      Jesse

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  7. Hi Jesse. What a great tutorial you have prepared to share with us. This is a great way to use old silverware that might otherwise go forgotten in our cabinets. I have seen this done before with old glass pieces (garden totems), but the idea of using silver is great. Hope you're having a great week!! Hugs, Sue

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    1. Hi Sue, lovely to see you here again :) I've collected some old plates to try this too, but the silver seemed less breakable to try first:)
      Have a lovely week.
      Hugs, Jesse

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  8. Ohhh such wonderful, beautiful, and handy pieces you have made with the beautiful silverware! Thank you Jesse for sharing with us your tutorial. So generous and sweet of you. Now I will have to find me some silverware :) Sending you hugs and happy weekend wishes, xx

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    1. Thank you, Wen. I hope you find some interesting pieces to rescue and revamp. It's fun and quite quick to do. Hugs to you and a lovely week, too.
      Jesse XX

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  9. Wonderful works, thanks for the tutorial. Never heard about plastibond before, have googled, but it seems in Germany not at the official market.
    Have a nice new week

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    1. Thanks, Mascha. You can also use 'Builder's Bog' or other equivalent.
      cheers,
      Jesse

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    2. Thank you, I've seen now a video at youtube and I think, I know, what it is here with us in Germany.

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  10. That was great to look through Jesse and you've made them all look so lovely! I have a heap of silver and vintage kitchenalia that I've been "going to do something with" for a looong time! :) ♥

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    1. Hi Pam,
      It doesn't take long once you have everything assembled ready. Go for it!
      Jesse

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  11. Hi Jesse, you might have inspired me to actually do something with the stacks of silver-plate pieces I have. hugs and JOY!

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    1. Kimberly, that's great, I'm glad! Go for it. I had such fun, and it's a quick project once you assemble what you need. Good luck :)
      Jesse

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  12. Love this idea! I have never used Plasti-Bond. Does it hold the metals well and where do you find the stuff? How exciting to be performing in a folk band! Thanks for the great tutorial! I am pinning to a couple of my Pinterest boards. Silver and Crafts and Craft Techniques! Will also share on G+.

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    1. Hello Lynn, Plastibond is easy to find in hardware stores in Australia. You can also use 'Builder's Bog' or other two-part heavy duty glues that fill gaps. I did have one goblet that didn't stick well - the whole lump of plastibond came out - but then I used Araldite to stick it back in, and it seems fine. I'm careful to support the finished pieces well as I carry them, and I'm not putting heavy things in them except on the bottom tray, just in case, but my tiered creations have all held well. Thanks for sharing :)
      Jesse

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Thank you so much for your friendly comments. It makes my day to hear from you about my artworks and topics.