Silver Ware By William E Clopein

In Baltimore Maryland, 1977, needing holiday gifts for family and friends, I taught myself to bend forks. Thus was born my unique patterns and hinge system. Using only a pair of goose - nose pliers I push each tine of a fork into a free flowing shape. Then with jewelers’ files and sandpaper, I painstakingly resurface the metal, removing all scratches, dents, and grooves left by my tools. Once a smooth surface is achieved, I sign, date and copy write each piece. After bending round, each piece of Silver Ware is buffed to a high luster. My wearable art is made exclusively of silver ware I’ve found at antiques stores. I also enjoy creating unique heirloom pieces from family silver sets or odds and ends. Some pieces date back to the 1800’s, most are from the 1900’s. Silver services at that time had unique patterns and extravagantly numerous pieces. During the Victorian Era a place setting could consist of up to 52 pieces per person! Many of the pieces I use to create my art have no collectable value and would otherwise be melted down for their silver content. In using these pieces as my only raw material I have found a way to save this fine American craft and recycle materials as well. Many different metals are used to make silver ware including sterling silver (.925%), coin silver (.800%), and nickel silver that varies in composition from 50% nickel/ 50% silver, all the way down to 100% nickel. Some pieces I’ve found are made of brass, nickel, or copper that has been silver plated. I do not use any stainless steel or tin in the crafting of my art. If it can be used to eat or serve food, I can make jewelry out of it. I do not plan the patterns before starting a new fork, but let each piece take its shape while I’m bending. I am able to repeat some patterns by following the original or by using the tracing I make and keep of each original pattern. Most pieces are adjustable up or down one size to enable custom fitting of my bracelets. I gladly shape and size the bracelet to the wearer at the time of purchase. Sold at Blues Festivals to help support the Blues, Nation Wide, Year Round