Oct
04
Beaded Silverware
By
This project was inspired by two little pieces of silverware in my mom’s utensil drawer. Two simple cheese knives had been wrapped with thin wire, the artist adding small pony beads along the neck of the knife. After looking at them from all angles I thought, “I could do better.” And so can you, here’s how:
What you’ll need:
-your utensils of choice (I like using large serving pieces
and small pieces such as cheese serving sets)
-heavy gauge wire (I use 12 gauge aluminum floral wire)
-beads: make sure the wire fits through the hole in the
bead.
-needle nosed wire cutters/pliers
Let’s get started.
First off, we’re going to make the swirl at the base of the spoon (or fork, etc) Grip the very end of your aluminum wire with the tip of the pliers; turn into the length of wire until a very tight loop is formed. Now adjust the pliers so they close around the flat surface you have just created. Keeping the pliers still, wrap the length of wire around your initial loop until you have created a spiral slightly larger than the neck of the utensil (see step by step instructions).
Next, hold the spiral against the neck of the spoon with your thumb and use your other hand to wrap the length of wire around the neck directly above the spiral (see photo). Wrap one more time to secure the spiral, then thread a bead onto the wire. Now, hold the bead against the neck with your thumb and wrap the wire around again to secure the bead. Repeat this step until you have just enough space at the end of the utensil for another spiral.
Before creating your spiral, wrap the wire around the neck twice to secure row of beads. Now repeat the spiral from the first step, making this one slightly larger than the base spiral.
And you’re done! Repeat these steps on your chosen utensils and the resulting set will be fit for the chicest dinner party. Have fun creating…send me a picture of your beautiful results, I’d love to see them.
This project was inspired by two little pieces of silverware in my mom’s utensil drawer. Two simple cheese knives had been wrapped with thin wire, the artist adding small pony beads along the neck of the knife. After looking at them from all angles I thought, “I could do better.” And so can you, here’s how:
What you’ll need:
-your utensils of choice (I like using large serving pieces
and small pieces such as cheese serving sets)
-heavy gauge wire (I use 12 gauge aluminum floral wire)
-beads: make sure the wire fits through the hole in the
bead.
-needle nosed wire cutters/pliers
Let’s get started.
First off, we’re going to make the swirl at the base of the spoon (or fork, etc) Grip the very end of your aluminum wire with the tip of the pliers; turn into the length of wire until a very tight loop is formed. 
Now adjust the pliers so they close around the flat surface you have just created. Keeping the pliers still, wrap the length of wire around your initial loop until you have created a spiral slightly larger than the neck of the utensil. 
Next, hold the spiral against the neck of the spoon with your thumb and use your other hand to wrap the length of wire around the neck directly above the spiral. 
Wrap one more time to secure the spiral, then thread a bead onto the wire. Now, hold the bead against the neck with your thumb and wrap the wire around again to secure the bead. 
Repeat this step until you have just enough space at the end of the utensil for another spiral.
Repeat this step until you have just enough space at the end of the utensil for another spiral. Before creating your spiral, wrap the wire around the neck twice to secure row of beads. Now repeat the spiral from the first step, making this one slightly larger than the base spiral. 
And you’re done! Repeat these steps on your chosen utensils and the resulting set will be fit for the chicest dinner party. Have fun creating…send me a picture of your beautiful results, I’d love to see them.
Full Set of Beaded Silverware
I am new to beading silverware & have been working on a few pieces. I am using 18 & 20 gauge wire. Curious…do you glue done the spirels at the ends? It is hard to get a glue to work with stainless steel silverware.
Love the pieces that you have done!!!
Chris, I have found that the pieces do not need glue for the spirals to stay in place. I tried to secure them with adhesive on the first piece I made but nothing seemed to work. But fear not! I have made numerous sets and the spirals are always secure on their own. So glad that you are making your own…send in pics of your results and I’ll post them if you’d like!
i am also new at beading silverwear. i worked on two serving spoons for a secret santa gift at my work. they worked out perfectly, thank you so much for posting this article!
The silverwear above are amazing!
Melonie, what a great message! Thank you for letting me know about your results, nothing makes me happier than to know that people are doing these projects! Keep it up, I have been experimenting with different colors of wire. I just made a beautiful set with gold wire and large, square, silver engraved beads (enough description, jeez!)
Thanks again for letting me know!
I just made a set similar to this last night. A large salad spoon and fork and then cocktail forks. THey turned out awesome. If I knew how to post pics I would. I made sure to keep the spiral down the handle a bit to allow for gripping and up from the bottom so it wouldn’t get to much gross food stuck.
Amanda, if you’d like to have the pics up on the site just send them to me in an email with the information you’d like posted with them and I’ll put them up for you! Good for you for doing so many pieces!
Hi,,, I am new to beaded silverware making,,and have been having a blast making some sets. I am struggling to find a food safe wire. What do you recommend??? I am hoping to sell this somewhere down the road and want to know the wire I’m using is not going to poison someone!! Currently I’m using a lead free solder wire,,,but have been reading that its not good.
I appreciate any help or guidance.
Hey Shosh, that is a great question. I have been doing some research to make sure my answer is accurate, and what I have come up with is that there is NO wire that is considered “food safe” by the FDA. I have found that silver solder wire is acceptable (lead free is the key, so you’re on the right track) and if you can find stainless steel, that is also considered as close to food safe as you can get. I use aluminum floral wire because it is malleable and has great staying power. When I give my sets as gifts I make sure to tell the recipient that the wire is aluminum because some people can have allergies to the metal. So, just be forthcoming with your friends/customers and make sure they know what materials are being used. Thanks for bringing it up!
Hi Katie,
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond about the wire. Just a side note for your readers,,,I have found a good silicone glue that is food safe and dishwasher safe at Home Depot. I forgot the name but its in a blue and white tube in their glue section.
Do you have a reliable source for buying your wire wholesale?
Thanks,
Shosh
Katie, where do you buy your silverware?
Lisa, I like to keep it affordable…I LOVE buying my serving pieces at Ikea. Great quality, better price. But if you don’t have an Ikea near you, I also love Target or Homegoods for the large pieces and I always get the small pieces (cheese servers etc) at Target. People often overlook the “bargain” priced items at these stores but I have embellished expensive pieces for people and I actually prefer the $10 pieces from Ikea!
Very interesting, thanks for the information. I need to just keep building.
Thanks so much for the online instruction. I quilted a picnic blanket and have been putting together a picnic basket with dishes, etc. I found non-descript silverware at Bed, Bath, and Beyond at $1.99 per piece. I beaded the pieces and they look wonderful!
I’m so glad to hear that you made you own set! I love it when people let me know that they are completing the projects…I knew I wasn’t the only one out there redesigning
Keep it up, let me know if you try anything else. And great job finding such a bargain!
My biggest problem is deciding how much wire to cut for the serving pieces. Any short cuts so I don’t fall short or end up with wasted wire!!
I usually end up with at least 6 inches of extra wire; each bead is different and you never know how many wraps you need!
Hi Katie! I am not able to print out the instructions for beaded silverware and found your website via google. I am not sure if I am not going to the right place? I also wanted to know where you can buy the alumininum floral wire and if it will rust? Thank you!
Hey brandi, go to katiochicago.com and find the beaded silverware post again. Try clicking on the name so it’s not in blog format, just the project page (it should say katieochicago.com/beadedsilverware in your web address box) try printing from there. If that doesn’t work i can email the directions to you. You can get the wire anywhere that sells floral supplies, or if you want a thinner, or more fine, wire you can try a bead store. Craft stores like michaels or Joann fabrics are my go to stores because they tend to have everything. In all my experience with the silverware so far it has YET to rust, so far so good. Thanks for your question!
What are your recommendations for washing?
Hi Katie Your instruetions and picyures were Great, best on the webb. I bought a set at a church fair, for $25.00 they had large stones, which were flat on one side the wire went around the stone. But the lady would not tell me what she used to glue in stones down with. Hopely you will know and can tell me. Thank you
I only hand wash my handmade pieces. Across the board, whether its silverware, clothing or linens – if its handmade I hand wash.
I’m not sure what kind of glue someone would use on these pieces. I fashioned mine in a way that would not require glue, but I assume someone could use a silicone adhesive. I’m so glad you found the instructions helpful!
Thanks Katie… I have looked at this art project for some time. I finally tried it with the use of your instructions. So much fun! I am making a set for my friends wedding. Cake knife, server, and many spoons for salads,nuts …. All in her colors. She has seen some and is so happy. Thank you!
What an awesome note! I’m so glad you’ve found success with the project. Thank you SO much for writing, you made my day.
Hi Katie,
I am hosting a girl’s night and we like to do crafts. This is going to be perfect! Thanks for your site.
What a sweet note, thank you so much for taking the time to leave something so positive! Shoot me a message if you have a project that you and your girls would like to try but don’t really know how to go about it; I’ll do my best to whip something up for you.
Where do you find the 12 gauge floral wire? Also, where do you find beads that have the correct size holes? I am excited to try this.