Asked on Jan 11, 2014

I bought a shadow box frame to put this fork and spoon in. They were

Louise
by Louise
my mother's. They were never used, but were always in the silver drawer. I think her mother or even further back, had them. Just because they've always been in my life, I want to hang them. Two questions. 1) What's the best way to adhere them to a backing? I'm thinking of punching tiny holes in whatever backing I use and then using nylon fishing filament to tie them. 2) I'd probably polish them before framing them, but then I'd guess they'll tarnish again. Should I remove them from time to time to re-polish, or leave them tarnished? If the former, I'll for sure want an easy way to remove them.
  12 answers
  • Brenda Smith Brenda Smith on Jan 11, 2014
    You could use those foam adhesive mounting squares that are used for hanging posters, but I like your fishing line idea….A metal crafter told me that humidity causes tarnish and that chalk will absorb it…So if there is room somewhere behind the mounting board, i'd put in a couple of pieces of plain chalk. (I tucked some into my silver drawers after learning this.)
    • Louise Louise on Jan 11, 2014
      @Brenda Smith Wow, what a great piece of info about the chalk!! Thanks. I'll try that for sure. Wonder how large the pieces need to be? I'll Google and see what I find.
  • Brenda Smith Brenda Smith on Jan 12, 2014
    I just break up some chalkboard chalk and stick a few pieces here and there.
  • Jennifer G Jennifer G on Jan 13, 2014
    It's hard to see whether they are under glass. Silver needs to be exposed to air before it will tarnish (I wrap mine in saran loosely between uses). I like the idea of fishing line. I think you'd only have to polish every few years. The fishing line will degrade with light, so it could be replaced when you polish. It's so interesting to look at them and wonder who used them at meals, what they were talking about, how their lives were going......very charming.
  • DONNA WETHERELL DONNA WETHERELL on Jan 13, 2014
    There are small Velcro circles available with adhesive backing- I would do that and it would be invisible completely, but removable. I did this with medals in a military shadow box and it worked great!
    • Louise Louise on Jan 13, 2014
      @DONNA WETHERELL Wonderful idea! And way easier than making holes, tying knots, etc.
  • Joan Santa Cruz Joan Santa Cruz on Jan 13, 2014
    For displaying, your treasured fork and spoon, I too like your idea of using fishing line, rather than an adhesive, to avoid damaging the pieces. The hint of using chalk to absorb any humidity works great for me, in my china cabinet and drawers. Best wishes as you enjoy!
  • Mindy C Mindy C on Jan 13, 2014
    thank you for giving me a great idea for the old spoons I collect!
  • Rosemary McKinney Rosemary McKinney on Jan 13, 2014
    I like all the ideas but I just used hot glue...have stayed for years....as for them tarnishing....I like the old look...I just found the flat places on the back and did a dot of the hot glue...
    • Nancy Gramm Nancy Gramm on Jan 13, 2014
      @Rosemary McKinney The good thing about Rosemary's suggestion is that hot glue is easily removable by freezing the object for a while. it pops right off and hopefully won't mar your silver at all.
  • Faye Campbell Faye Campbell on Jan 13, 2014
    If you buy yourself a silver polishing cloth, the utensils can be easily polished and your backdrop won't get marked. I found that chalk works to a point but the pieces will tarnish over time.
  • ByLightOfMoon ByLightOfMoon on Jan 13, 2014
    I had no idea of this chalk idea! Thanks for the info! Smiles, Cyndi
  • Ricki Holliman-Ryan Ricki Holliman-Ryan on Jan 13, 2014
    Why don't you use some spray adhesive to adhere some silver cloth to your background...the silver cloth has anti-tarnish chemicals in it.
  • Janis Hill Janis Hill on Jan 13, 2014
    If I were the one doing the project I would hot glue them to a piece of black velvet then frame them. The hot glue will simply peel off when or if ever you want to remove them from the fabric.
  • Ruth james Ruth james on Jan 14, 2014
    There is a cloth that resists tarnish for decades....I know that QVC has a line of jewelry boxes that resist.........but I have also seen the cloth loose, but I do not remember where. If you used a new one as the mounting "fabric" on the back wall, it would totally solve the tarnish problem.