Valentine's Day and Love Spoons

Yes, it's that time of year again when people start preparing for Valentine's Day. I'm sure you've already noticed the shift in the shops from Christmas cards and gifts to Valentine's Day cards and gifts being on sale. Do you like Valentine's Day or do you find it irritating? Are you planning on doing anything for it? Well to get you in the mood (and hopefully not annoy you if you don't like it) I thought I'd share my Reloved Spoon Collection.

 

 

 

My Reloved Spoon Collection is a collection of pendants inspired by Welsh love spoons. Welsh love spoons are a symbol of love, traditionally carved from wood. "The lovespoon was given to a young woman by her suitor. It was important for the girl's father to see that the young man was capable of providing for the family and woodworking."* There are a variety of things that were carved into the spoon, which symbolised specific meanings. Here are a few examples:




Bell - Weddings, anniversary or together in harmony
Chain - A wish to be together forever or a number of children
Heart - Love
Horseshoe - Good Luck
Lock - Security
Twisted Stem - Two lives become one, or togetherness

 

I wanted to take to make my love spoons designs a bit different, so I decided to incorporate the idea of recycling and upcycling. All of my love spoons are made from unwanted spoons, most of which I have bought from charity shop. As well as combining the design ideas, I decided to combine them for the name too, hence the name of the collection; Reloved Spoon Collection. I thought the name fitted quite well because they are spoons that are now wanted instead of unwanted, recycled and reused for something new. They are re-loved.

For those of you who already know about my collection you will see there is a new addition (the second picture in the blog). I'm hoping to get another new one out before Valentines Day, so keep your eye out.

Why not visit the Reloved section in my shop for more details of those on sale:
http://folksy.com/shops/SilverChestnut?shop_section=reloved_spoons

Research Links:
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovespoon
http://www.welsh-lovespoons.co.uk/meanings.html

How to put on a three band ring

I have previously written about the russian inspired rings that I have been making (http://silverchestnut.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/russian-inspired-rings.html). It is not obvious as to the best way to put the rings on. When I made one for myself, sometimes the ring would go on smoothly, whereas other times it was tight and a bit uncomfortable. At first I couldn't understand why, but I have since worked out what I was doing wrong, so I decided to share this with you for all those you own or want to buy a 3 band ring.

Russian Inspired Ring

It's a lot simpler than it might appear. The main thing is to make sure that all three bands are aligned in the right direction. If you look at the photo below, you will see how all the bands go over and under each other in the same way. When this is done, push the three bands together. (It should look like the top photo.) The bands should then roll over each other as the ring is put onto the finger, making it easy to put on and and more comfortable.

All 3 bands aligned

If the bands are not in aligned, the bands will not roll over each other and therefore restrict movement of the bands. If you look at the photo below you will see how the far right band goes over and under in the opposite way to the others. This tends to make the ring feel a bit tighter when you are putting it on and it will not be quite as comfortable.

Bands not aligned

I hope that helps any of you who have been struggling with your three band rings and those of you who are thinking of buying one. I currently have some on sale in my Folksy shop if you fancy a look:
http://folksy.com/shops/SilverChestnut?shop_section=rings