Stick a fork in it, or

better yet, put a mini painting or an old photo "on" it. Items that are re-purposed into pretty little other uses have long been a favorite of mine. A few weeks ago, a talented antique selling friend, from Vintage Village, was making these neat little easels from vintage (4-tined & silverplated) forks to display her old cabinet photos on.

I fell in love with these mini easels and wanted to share how she made them with you. When you see how simple they are to make you will be seeking out old forks to create these yourself. The older the fork, I find, the easier it is to bend and shape with a jewelery or needle nose pliers.

Remember, it must be a 4-tined fork. You bend back the two outer tines and bend forward the two inner tines. Spread the inner times like a set of open skies and be sure to turn the tips up to hold the photo or picture in place.

Closer look at what position the bent tines should be. Notice the front (inner) tines have the tips turned up like skis to support a photo or picture.

This is a 5 x 7 tin type that was over painted with a still life signed and painted in oils. You can see the end of the fork at the top of the little painting which makes a decorative support. I wanted to share this nifty way to make instant easels for your vintage displays and personal decorating. Please feel free to share with your blog visitors and friends.