Stick a fork in it!

Today I'm going to peruse my vast array of flatware I have accumulated over the years.  I used to pick up mismatched pieces at thrift stores, anticipating ways to turn them into assemblage art.  I never paid more than five cents for individual pieces, but once the thrift stores raised the prices to ridiculous, I stopped getting them.  After all, how many unmatched spoons, forks, and knives does one person need?

I also have a vast array of laminate chips that are commonly used in counter top home improvement projects.  There are several brands, but the most famous are Formica, Pionite, and WilsonArt.  You used to be able to get them at big box home improvement stores in the US, or order a few online.

Here are a few I turned into magnets for Christmas one year

and a few more I made in September, 2008.  I'd say I've learned a lot about composition since then. 

Aren't we all glad I got rid of this horrible camera?  I displayed these on my refrigerator.

But now it's time to get down to business.  I began by raiding my boxes of knives and forks for suitable pieces.  I also show laminate chips and E-6000.

I picked a few chips I thought would go well in the garden.


I glued a laminate chip to the knife using the E-6000.

Then I turned the knife over and glued the envelope that originally contained coriander I planted earlier in the month.

I placed a note inside stating when I planted the seeds and how long before they would/should sprout.

Then I stuck the knife in the soil I had planted the coriander/cilantro in. 

Once in the garden, it will be easy to see this from both sides, but with it sitting on my front porch until all fear of frost is gone, I had to physically turn the knife around to photograph it.

Next it was time to deal with the forks.  Placing the laminate chips in the forks was easier than I anticipated.

I first considered gluing these to the chips,

then decided to go a different route.  For these, I chose to write the name of the plant/herb on the back of the chip using a Crayola marker.  Their new motto is "Black is the new green," because the plastic surrounding the ink is made from recycled pieces of plastic.

OK, I agree it's hard to see, but this is the Dill fork in action on my front porch.

Thanks for visiting today.  I know this isn't for everyone, but most of the recycled products I create won't be useful to some, while others will find them inspiring.  I hope this was informative to those of you who might like a way to mark your plants or herbs.  If you have a row of newly planted seeds, it might be hard to know where they are, or what you planted,  The pots are much easier, but once I get a bunch of pots planted, I am sure I will appreciate this technique.

This is Day 10 and I recycled a knife, several forks, and laminate chips.  Total cost was TEN CENTS for what you see here, not including the cost of the glue and ink.

As always I am grateful for your visit and comments.  They mean the world to me.