Using sterling silver from vintage forks combined with natural stones, pearls and cubic zirconia, artist Don Kelley creates simple, stunning jewelry designs. Visit his website for more.
![“Celestial Pink” Ring, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, Natural Pearl, Cubic Zirconia, 1” x 1” x 1” by artist Don Kelley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Celestial-Pink-2.jpg)
“Celestial Pink” Ring, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, Natural Pearl, Cubic Zirconia, 1” x 1” x 1”
While at a dinner party, my mind started drifting, eventually landing on a fork. A strange thought came to me: “This would be a way better bracelet than a fork.”
!["Earthen" Pendant, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, Natural Cherry Creek Jasper, 3” x 2” x 1” by artist Don Kelley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Earthen-Fire-2.jpg)
“Earthen” Pendant, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, Natural Cherry Creek Jasper, 3” x 2” x 1”
That was years ago. Today I create timeless jewelry that is both simple and striking from vintage silver dinner forks. I shape, sculpt and re-forge each fork around a natural stone to create bracelets, pendants, earrings, pins and rings.
![“Pearls Swooping” Pendant, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, Sterling Silver Wire, Natural Pearls, Cubic Zirconia, 3” x 1” x 1” by artist Don Kelley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Pearls-Swooping-2-2.jpg)
“Pearls Swooping” Pendant, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, Sterling Silver Wire, Natural Pearls, Cubic Zirconia, 3” x 1” x 1”
I almost never have a predetermined design or preformed idea, as I “cold form” each piece of metal into a work of wearable art. It’s almost as if the design was already there and all I did was discover it. My work has been described as Bauhaus inspired and has a Germanic boldness.
!["Blooming Red" Pendant, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, Druzy Quartz Cabochon, Cubic Zirconia, 3” x 2” x 1” by artist Don Kelley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Blooming-Red-2.jpg)
“Blooming Red” Pendant, Silver Fork Tines, Druzy Quartz Cabochon, Cubic Zirconia, 3” x 2” x 1”
Many customers bring their family silverware to me to create heirloom pieces. The rich history of this silver has special meaning and connections to those who wear it.
!["Angularity" Pendant, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, Tahitian Pearl, 2” x 2” x 1” by artist Don Kelley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Angularity-2-2.jpg)
“Angularity” Pendant, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, Tahitian Pearl, 2” x 2” x 1”
Even my tools have a history. One pair of pliers I use are the very same pliers that my mother used. As an eight year old boy, I would watch her craft a sterling ring or some other piece of jewelry. Even at that age I was intrigued by the process and fascinated by these special tools.
!["Black and Pink" Earrings, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, South Sea Natural Black and Pink Pearls, 2” x .5” x .5” by artist Don Kelley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Black-and-Pink-2-2.jpg)
“Black and Pink” Earrings, Silver Fork Tines, South Sea Natural Black and Pink Pearls, 2” x .5” x .5”
Decades later, I found these tools while going through her personal effects. I opened “the box” and rediscovered the magic these tools still held for me. That’s when my new journey began.
!["Sunset Glow" Pendant, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, Orange Veriscite Cabochon, 3” x 2” x 1” by artist Don Kelley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/rsz_sunset_glow_2.jpg)
“Sunset Glow” Pendant, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, Orange Veriscite Cabochon, 3” x 2” x 1”
I read, studied and taught myself silversmithing while realizing the joy of creating lasting memories. I still use many of her tools and the pair of pliers I watched her use touches nearly every piece of jewelry I make.
!["Golden Hue" Pendant, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, Rainbow Jasper Stone, 3” x 2” x 1” by artist Don Kelley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Golden-Hue-2.jpg)
“Golden Hue” Pendant, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, Rainbow Jasper Stone, 3” x 2” x 1”
“My Mother’s Rings” collection is made using seafood forks and an appropriate birthstone.
![“Inclining Pearl” Ring, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, Natural Pearl, 1” x 1” x 1” by artist Don Kelley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Inclining-Pearl-2.jpg)
“Inclining Pearl” Ring, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, Natural Pearl, 1” x 1” x 1”
Another line, the “Fork in the Road” collection, was inspired by a friend who commissioned me to make a piece for her mother. It turned out her mother was just diagnosed with breast cancer. The fork I used to make the pendant became a symbol of my friend’s mother’s “fork in the road” moment as she chose to be a cancer survivor.
!["Red" Pendant, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, Red Coral, Cubic Zirconia, 2” x 2” x 1” by artist Don Kelley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Red-2.jpg)
“Red” Pendant, Sterling Silver Fork Tines, Red Coral, Cubic Zirconia, 2” x 2” x 1”
I am now making bracelets for veterans working with leather and yes, the silver from forks. Veterans especially have their own “fork in the road” moments. If I can bring a bit of hope, inspiration and a reminder that they are not alone, I feel I’m doing something important.
![Artist Don Kelley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/rsz_don_image_for_web_page_2.jpg)
Artist Don Kelley
Whether I’m using a family’s vintage silverware to make an heirloom wearable piece of jewelry for a daughter or granddaughter, or providing a bit of hope or inspiration to a cancer survivor or deserving veteran, I feel as if I’m doing something purposeful.
Artist Don Kelley invites you to follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
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