Sunday 10 February 2013

"Measure for Measure"

Hello everyone!  Yes it is once again a tutorial, on something from nothing!  A short while back I made some measuring spoons from some crimp pearls that are used on necklaces to hold the knotted end of the string.  I am always reluctant to throw anything out until I have explored some additional usages for it.  This is what I did with these.

This package came from Michael's craft supply store but I am positive they are available at the dollar stores if you checked around.  These cost about $5 per pack.
 
This is them out of the package, they are squiggly-looking 

I used at least 5; one to ruin, one to loose and 3 to make it to the 3rd round!

You need to open up the cup end of the pearl 

Then you are going to remove the end cup by clipping it off with snips or scissors

Here are the 2 pieces and the piece you removed you can discard unless you want to save it for something else....you just NEVER know?  

The piece of pearl with the handle attached is what you will need  to smooth out with a metal file.  File the bowl smooth and try to keep it rounded.

This is a jump ring that I removed from another necklace.  Use a ring that is not too big in diameter.  It has to be big enough to hold 3 spoons but not too big so that the spoons look out of scale to the ring.

The spoon is hooked onto the ring with the hook allowing for the spoon to slide around the ring.  In other words don't mash the hook down onto the ring.

Here are the 3 spoons on the ring ready for your mini kitchen.  Aren't they adorable!??

These are the 2 sets that I've made so far and I plan on making some more for the West Coast Miniature Show and Sale in June.  The gold tone ones are the 1st ones that I made using vintage necklace pearls; the silver "stainless steel" set are the ones I made for this tutorial.  

I probably purchased this vintage flour sifter in the States at the Seattle Show.  It is sooo cool!
I just noticed that the gold spoons have the hook under and the silver have the hook over. I think I like the "under"style better and so the next sets will be like the gold ones.

And so dear readers, we come to the end of this tutorial with a look of the spoons amid the flour and baking powder.  Pretty cute, I think.  I hope that this has "measured up" to your expectations! hee hee

 elizabeth














37 comments:

  1. Oh, they're neat!! Just what I need for a grandsons kitchen project.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Susan! Thank you for your comment and tell me, are these measuring spoons going to be in the same kitchen scene as the WONDERFUL electric tea kettle, ( fromYOUR excellent tutorial!)? I'm flattered!
      elizabeth

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    2. Yes they will be!....in the kitchen with the stainless steel coloured kettle :) I wish I'd had the information from your blog re using nail varnish for various things long ago. That kettle would have been so much easier to paint with nail varnish than the metallic paint I used which tended to be streaky and patchy and thick. Thanks so much for this little tutorial, the lad will be stoked!

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    3. It makes me feel very proud to have the little spoons along side of a great tutorial project of yours and to know that it will be part of a larger whole destined for someone special! Thank you! You know nail varnish is very easy to work with but you have to work FAST! Everything has a plus and a minus to it, regardless. One of the plusses is that there are vast selections in color choices and they can range from mat or shiny, loud or pastel, solid or metallic. There are more choices every day! Buy as much as you can at the dollar store. They are less expensive and provide a decent base coat for most things you want to enamel; save the pricey stuff for the final finish!
      elizabeth

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  2. that's great!!!!i will try it!!!thanks for sharing!!!!kisses

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    Replies
    1. Hello Filitsa! Thank you so much for the enthusiastic response! Warning, These are addictive!!
      ONce you make one set, you will want to make more, and more and..............!!!!!! Happy Crafting!
      elizabeth

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  3. A fine and good idea. Thanks for showing it.

    Hugs
    Wyrna

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  4. Hello Wyrna! Thank you and I hope and encourage you to give it a try. They are cheap and easy and Fun!
    elizabeth

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  5. Good Morning, These are truly mini. I have a set that you made and they are perfect! Mst away to the kitchen to bake.
    Janine

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    Replies
    1. Good Morning to you, Janine! They are INDEED mini! I don't know how folks in the smaller scales maneuver and navigate around the clumsiness of their own fingers! That would be so challenging I think,. These are small enough for me. Hey, since you are baking...... I like cake!

      elzabeth

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  6. Thanks for this fantastic and simple idea!
    Bye Faby

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    Replies
    1. You are so Welcome, Fabiola! Enjoy!
      elizabeth

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  7. how smart! Thank you so much for sharing this- I think my house needs a set now:)

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  8. Hahah, Yes Kim, I just know that it does! But don't just stop at one set, make several! I ended up making 20 sets and I have scads more crimp pearls still in waiting! They are addictive! Have fun!
    elizabeth

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  9. Wonderful mini eye on those ;)

    I find myself stopping by the bead section for longer and longer its almost like looking for shapes in clouds isn't it? You start to see all the possibilities in random dodads. My new search is plastic caps, domes and pieces to simulate glass..ohh the hoarding begins ;P

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    Replies
    1. Doesn't though, Jane and when and how can you turn off the hoarding tap when there are so many new and wonderful things in the craft sections that are intriguing and have such interesting shapes and textures? Good luck trying to find self-control, Jane; I've sent out a search party and I still haven't found mine!

      elizabeth

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  10. Hi Elizabeth.
    How am I supposed to work on my Website and the Garfield when you keep tempting me with cool items to try? I have the same search party looking out for my self-control and resistance to temptation.....
    Another wonderful tutorial Elizabeth.
    fats

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Fatima! What Can I say but that this is a bit of a stall tactic as it keeps me doing little things instead of working on MY doll's house, same as you! So we are in the same canoe, you and I, paddling in circles! I love to make things more than I love to build structures! I am doomed!!! I am destined to remain house poor! Meanwhile stay tuned for the next tutorial just around the corner. The Big MAC Attack!

      elizabeth

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  11. Oh amazing! As always! =) I love that you take the time to do tutorials for us =)
    Hugs!
    Anna- annasminiatures.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Hello Anna, my friend! I love doing tutorials but I am not the best at taking consistently clear photos. ( I shall be struggling with the camera longer than I had hoped I would be, it seems.) Nevertheless, I shall try my best to get better at it so that no one has to squint and guess at what I have tried to convey on screen!
      elizabeth

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  12. Genial, que idea tan estupenda, gracias por compartirlo:)

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  13. Hola Rosa Maria! Thank you for your comment! I am so glad that you have enjoyed this tutorial and the idea behind the crimp pearls! Sometimes ideas just jump out at you and it was as I was taking apart a necklace that I picked up at the thrift store,( to use the beads), that I saw these crimp beads as possible spoons! I wasn't sure how to use them but I did glue one onto the side of a jam jar, after I made some from the Pony Beads and it looked really cute. That was what sparked the measuring spoons on the jump ring. As usual, one thing generally leads to another in this hobby. Another idea just occurred to me now; they could work well as baby spoons for a nursery scene. Perhaps that will be a project for someone to try?
    elizabeth

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  14. You seem to have a wonderful imagination...I so love your little spoons! Thank you for making contact with me.
    Linda

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  15. Another winner, Elizabeth! Thank you so much! You are so special!

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  16. To Linda, Lucille, and Sans! Thank you all very much for your comments. I am delighted that not only was the tutorial successful, but that the photos were ALL clear ( for a change) Hooray!

    elizabeth

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  17. Great tutorial, I have some of these findings in different sizes. I will be adding a link to my tutorials list at
    http://mslists.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. Sorry Mary for not responding sooner! I think that there are sooo many things that we have on hand that we forget about, such as jewelry findings that are just waiting to be rediscovered once an idea is triggered! I hope that you can find your 'findings' and when you do let me know how the project turned out. I'm always curious!

      elizabeth

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    2. I recently received an inquiry regarding sharing more miniature information about making miniatures and discussing them with other like-minded people. Did I know of such a venue? Other than the Greenleaf Dollhouse Forum and the Dollshouses Past and Present.com, I do not. I am sorry to be sooo far behind with replying to the inquiry, but these are 2 terrific ways to share and collect experiences and know-how. Oh yes, you can also join a circle and dialogue with others as well.
      Hope that helps!

      elizabeth

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  18. You are AMAZING Elizabeth!!! The things you come up with.
    Love, love, love your blog. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank YOu Very Much for your Enthusiastic comment; it is Greatyl Appreciated! :D

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  19. Hi Elizabeth! I followed your tutorial, and made 3(three) sets of measuring spoons. I showed them to my sister and she was amazed! They all turned out so adorable! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
    ~Janet in Canada

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    Replies
    1. Hello Janet (in Canada!) ;D
      It gives me Enormous Pleasure to know that you've tried the measuring spoon tutorial and that it worked for you just as outlined. and
      Thank YOu for letting me know! :D
      I still enjoy making them too and so I'm glad to hear that your sister was Impressed with your efforts. :D
      FYI: also try using the individual spoons attached to tiny jars of fruit preserves as seen in gift baskets in gourmet grocery stores :))

      elizabeth (in Canada)
      p.s. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  20. Hello Elizabeth,
    Love this - hope to try it as soon as I can.
    Thank you.
    Mini huggs,
    Conny

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    1. Your Welcome Conny!
      They're super easy to make and add so much to a baking scene in our mini kitchens- ENJOY! :D

      elizabeth

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  21. Hello Elizabeth!
    I loved this tutorial very much, and have made two sets of tiny measuring spoons! My Gnome lady has one set in her kitchen! Thank you for the tutorial! Take care, and stay safe!
    best wishes,
    Janet

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  22. Thank you for your lovely comment Janet and I'm so glad that you have enjoyed and MADE two sets of measuring spoons for your miniature projects! I think that they add that a tiny little detail which makes every miniature kitchen look extra special! :)

    elizabeth

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