DIY Spoon Pendant

As promised...my first Dremel DIY project.  I'll show you how I made these spoon pendants and link nearly every step to a YouTube video if you need to see it done:

I <3 RUST

Junkr at <3

I<3 TRASH

First a disclaimer:  I am not an expert just an avid DIYer and upcycler.  Please do your research before attempting this project on your own.  And be safe!

So, here's what you'll need (and if you're a little lost in the tool isle, check out the "I Recommend" widget at the bottom of this post for up close pictures and product descriptions):

1.  Dremel 200-1/21 Two-Speed Rotary Tool Kit  or other Dremel model
2.  Cutting Wheel for hardened metals
3.  2 Tungsten Carbide Cutters - One with a pointed tip (I'm using part #9910) and one larger round bit  (I'm using part #9901).  These range from $8-$9 a piece so if you'd like to save a bit of cash you can substitute the pointed tip cutter for a drill if you have a bit made for cutting metal.
4.  Silicone Carbide Grinding Stone made for metal (I'm using part #84922).  If you do not wish to add texture to your final piece and have a metal file on hand, you can forgo this part.
5.  Sharpie
6.  Old spoon
7.  Clamp
8.  Needle-Nose Pliers (I'll be using two pairs to make the bale)
9.  Hammer
10. Anvil
11. Letter Stamping Kit
12. SAFETY GLASSES. No questions asked.
13. Highly recommended: work gloves, long sleeves, closed-toe shoes, apron.  WHY?  There will be itsy bitsy pieces of metal everywhere and they will inject themselves into your skin like slivers...only worse.

I like to start by flattening and hand stamping any lettering into my spoon.  I find that the place I'm most likely to screw up is the hand stamping step, so I'd rather know that before I do all of the other work.

Place the bowl of the spoon upside down on your anvil and hammer the heck out of it.  You might have to flip it over and hammer the front side a bit more (especially near the handle) to flatten it.

With your Sharpie, mark out the design on your spoon and drawn a couple of guide lines for your letters.  I like to mark the center and start stamping from the center out, otherwise I can't get a little off track. 

Then start stamping your letters into place.  Since we'll be adding a texture, essentially grinding away layers of metal, I try to give it at least 10 good wacks of the hammer - PLEASE BE MINDFUL of your fingers.  You can see this demonstrated in this video.

Now you can cut the handle from your spoon using a cutting wheel, be sure to leave a few inches for the bale. I highly recommend clamping the spoon to a workbench so that you can use two hands to steady your Dremel.  Don't be scared:  sparks will fly during this step, they are supposed to.  But if too many are flying, checking your applied pressure.  The tool should be doing the work, not you.  *NOTE:  in all of the steps that require the use of the Dremel I am using the speed setting "High".  Please consult your owner's manual to see what the proper setting is for your model.  Here's the video demo. 

Time to start carving.  If you have drill bits meant for metal, I do suggest creating your "pilot" hole with your drill.  You'll have more control as you drill and it won't jump off course so much. So, pick a spot and drill.  Or grab your pointed tungsten carbide cutter and start grinding the metal away with your Dremel until you have a hole big enough to fit the diameter of your round cutter.  Using the side of your cutter, slowly eat away at the design that you drew in.  It's important to remember not to apply to much pressure as you're shaving the metal or you could snap the cutter.  You can see me do both of these steps here.

Almost there!  Before you move onto the grinding step, fill in all of your hand stamped letters with a Sharpie.  Your letters should NOT be silver as in the picture above.  Okay, grab your grinding stone and slide it back and forth across all of the cuts of your design and the rough edge that remains from where you removed the handle.  Do so until all of the edges are smooth.  Then lay the stone flat on the surface of your piece and completely cover the surface, front and back, with texture.  This will also remove the unwanted Sharpie markings on the spoon. Wanna see me demonstrate?

NOTE:  I usually perform both of these tasks while holding the spoon in my hands, but a Dremel, a spoon and a camera all needing to be held at the same time doesn't work with only two hands.  So, hold it if you choose, but be cautious not to grind your finger.  I can't imagine that it feels good.

And finally, you'll need a bale to hang your pendant.  This step only requires two needle nose pliers and is better left to video.

Yep, I think that does it....my longest post EVER.  I think so anyways.  I'm exhausted how about you?  One last look:

Got questions? Suggestions?  Post 'em below.