A Little Forked Up is truly an art born of love, change, creativity and beauty. In the spring of 2013 when flood waters ravaged Southern Alberta, the path of the Elbow River swept right through my restaurant and lounge in the tiny Hamlet of Bragg Creek, totally destroying everything in it's path. After losing everything, I knew the Universe was guiding me to a new, more creative path. One day, I happened to see a bracelet made from an antique fork. I was immediately drawn to it and knew I was going to start creating wonderful silverware creations and jewelry. I quickly bought as much silver cutlery I could find at a reasonable price and set about twisting, bending, reshaping and mangling it into something that looked like it was rescued (too late) from the garburator. Tines snapped off, handles twisted the wrong way, jagged edges of decimated silver slashed through flesh and there was absolutely nothing salvageable in the wreckage, let alone anything that could be considered jewelry! Where there is a will, there is a way!! Persisting with donkey like stubbornness, finally a piece emerged that could be called a necklace and A LITTLE FORKED UP was born.
Since then, I have worked to perfect my art (insert laughter here) as you are never guaranteed exactly how the metal is going to bend, shift, twist and form. It's become a dance. Where I nudge and suggest perhaps it would like to bend the way I would like. Sometimes it does, and other times it shows me something new.
Each piece made in the studio is handcrafted, unique and has a personality and story of it's own. Who's silver was it? Wedding gift? Family Heirloom? Was it used regularly? Or just on special occasions? The silver comes with history before it is re created into its new future. New from the studio is my Broken China collection and solar lamps made from antique crystal. The fine silver, china and crystal were always pulled out together on the table so I decided they should be together in jewelry. The beautiful floral designs that is common on most china patterns again naturally lends itself to stunning jewelry pieces. I enjoy making these up from your china or mine. These are not only beautiful for everyday wear but a fantastic idea for brides, bridesmaids, grandmas, mother of the bride and even mother of the groom.
Antique silver & custom orders
Making jewelry out of silverware is not a new art form. In fact, it dates back to the 1600's when perhaps a servant would pocket one of M'Lord & M'Lady's forks to melt down and turn into a wedding ring or a gift for his hearts true desire. The 60's saw a resurgence when the Hippies and Flower Children started making spoon rings, perhaps as their expression of "bucking the system". Today, it is quickly becoming a popular art form and A Little Forked Up is proud to be one of Canada's premier benders helping to lead the way. I am most happy when in the studio and love taking on custom orders using either your silverware or mine. If you've dropped one of Grandma's fine china plates (or even if she's given one to you) I can also turn those into customer jewelry pieces. All my custom work is priced the same as the pieces I have listed on my website. Contact me at alittleforkedup@gmail.com if you'd like a something special created just for you.