Have you been looking for an antique ring for a good deal?! Here is your chance. We recently interviewed Eric Bowley, Owner to get the inside scoop on what Silver And Spoon is all about. Learn what inspiration for Silver and Spoon was and what can be expected for 2011! Give it a read and grab yourself a ring!

State your name and your role for Silver & Spoon.

Eric: My name is Eric Bowley and I am the owner of Silver & Spoon.

What inspired the creation of Silver & Spoon?

Eric: The creation of Silver & Spoon was inspired by a small chain of events that took place over the summer of 2010. My girlfriend, April, was living in Seattle at the time and she has owned a spoon ring for many years. She never took it off. Wherever we would go out, I would constantly hear people complimenting her on her ring and asking questions about it and where she’d gotten it. She had purchased it at a flea market when she was younger. One night we had dinner at my mother’s house and my two sisters fell in love with her spoon ring when they noticed it. Instead of letting them look around and buy a spoon ring online, I decided I wanted to hand-make one for each of them. From there, the idea to open an online shop where I could sell them to anyone interested in owning a little piece of antique history was set in my mind. It was pretty much all I could think about for a while. I was really excited about starting it.

For someone who may not know what Silver & Spoon is about, how would you describe the concept of it?

Eric: The exact origin of the spoon ring has always been subject to debate. Many sources claim that spoon rings originated in England during the 17th century and were originally used as wedding bands. Popular opinion further explains that servants who could not afford to have rings made of precious and expensive metals. This would resort to stealing the silver flatware from their employers and having them crafted into wedding bands. Those who were caught were prosecuted for theft, which is the reason why spoon rings are known to have been used during this time. In recent decades, the concept of spoon rings has continued to grow with increasing popularity. These antique heirlooms carry a level of personal sentiment, while at the same time promoting a rich sense of history. With Silver & Spoon, I really just wanted to provide a way to share these historical little works of art with anyone who wants one! I think the concept of taking something old, something that might not see the light of day for a long time and turning it into something new is very special.

All the rings are unique in their own way, explain how not one ring is the same.

Eric: Every single ring is hand made from an antique spoon. Each ring is just as unique as the spoon it came from. Every ring has a different story about how it survived so many decades until it became a ring. No two are exactly the same; they might be identical patterns, but they’re all unique.

Where do you find these antique spoons to create these rings?

Eric: I’ve found most of the spoons I use to make Silver & Spoon rings at antique stores. I’ve also found spoons online and at flea markets. I’m normally looking for silver plated and sterling silver spoons only.

Explain the process of how these rings get made from spoons:

Eric: First I polish and clean each spoon to a certain extent. I’m careful not to remove any of the tarnish that gives the ring a nice antique look, but it’s amazing what kind of grime comes off the spoons after not being cleaned for many years. I then remove the bowl of the spoon and toss it into a bucket where I’m collecting all the bowls from all the rings I’ve made (I want to do something with those too eventually). Then I use a file to remove the rough edges around the piece of the handle where I cut the bowl off so that it wont hurt the finger of the person wearing it once it becomes a ring. Then I use a vice and a mallet to bend the handle around a jeweler’s ring mandrel. A lot of people are shocked to find out that there isn’t any heat or soldering required.

Out of all the Silver & Spoon rings created, which one is your personal favorite and why?

Eric: Any of the rings I made for April, my mother or my sisters. They’re my favorite because of the love and attention I used when making them for people that are so special to me.

What can we expect to see for Silver & Spoon in 2011?  Will new rings be created soon?

Eric: Yes! I will definitely continue to create more rings. I also have a few other ideas up my sleeve for different pieces of jewelry I want to make. I’m hoping to release one of those ideas within the next month before Valentine’s Day.

It’s been stated that many individuals have been looking for antique rings, do you think creating Silver & Spoon has made it easier for individuals to find these rings?

Eric: Absolutely. Not only easier to find one that suits you perfectly, but they’re completely affordable at $29 per ring.

Did you expect Silver And Spoon to be popular and successful so quickly?

Eric: I really didn’t. I would tell myself and April repeatedly that I would be happy if I could at least just make back the initial several hundred dollars I had invested in the tools and spoons. She was at my side the entire time and got to watch all of my crazy ideas unfold. I figured if I could sell enough rings to my family and friends to break even, that I would be happy. I have been pleasantly surprised at the success Silver & Spoon has seen in the last few months.

For someone who wants to purchase a ring, where would they go for further information?

Eric: Right here: http://www.silverandspoon.com/shop/

Is there anything else you would like to say?

Eric: I’m really grateful to everyone who has already purchased a ring. A donation of $2.00 from each spoon ring sold by Silver & Spoon is immediately donated to the Riley Hospital for Children through the annual Indiana University Dance Marathon. For 20 years, the marathon has raised money for the Ryan White Infectious Disease Center at the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, IN. Riley is one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive outpatient care facilities for children. It blesses my life to be able to donate that money and participate in such a worthy cause.

Artist Seshions would like to thank Eric Bowley for making this interview possible. Check out Silver & Spoon and purchase yourself a antique ring!

(Source: weinterviewartists.wordpress.com)