[Jewelry making - Article 00439] - Re: [Orchid] Born with a silver spoon

[Marilyn Smith]

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    Are you going to use a ring blank or a bar? I have made a number of
    baby spoons for family members but I'm not sure how functional they
    have been. The mommies all seem to use the spoons from the
    supermarket that have the plastic lining the tips. I think that they
    feel less likely to damage tiny lips and mouths. I have never
    succeeded at using a bar. I think that I did not start with a heavy
    enough one. The last one that I  made for the youngest grandson is
    my favorite. I forged the bowl and used the heaviest wire I had for
    the handle, maybe 10 gage. Attaching the two parts is very
    important. I made a split in the handle and pushed the bowl up into
    that. Make sure that the narrow part next to the bowl is thick
    enough that it does not bend in use. If I use the blank system, I
    start with at least 14 gage if I have a choice. For various reasons,
    I have used thinner but then the spoon is more of a token. Again,
    it's important that the narrow part next to the bowl be work
    hardened and thick enough that it will not flex. Be sure to look at
    the side view of a commercial spoon to see how the bowl angles and
    check yours. There's no reason to reinvent the wheel. 

Marilyn

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