Wacky Wednesday #43: Spoons

If you inherited 1,000 plastic spoons, what would you do with them? Perhaps you’d invite your 1,000 closest friends over for ice cream.

In my world, they become wearable art.

This post actually started approximately two years ago. The kids and I made a trip to Yogurtland and we brought home the spoons. We used them many times, and even two years later the colors are still bright and cheery. We’ve made other trips to Yogurtland and always brought the spoons home to reuse. In the back of my mind an idea started to form: these weren’t forgettable white plastic spoons—no, these had color and personality. I imagined turning them into some kind of art work, someday…

The second piece of this puzzle fell into place a few months ago when my friend Angela asked me the question that all friends ask at some point. Angela asked if I’d like 1,000 shiny red spoons. Ang didn’t need them anymore, and she is aware of my tendency to turn everyday items into costumes. I accepted several hundred and tucked them into the back of my mind so they could germinate into a design. Phase three began when my aunt Eileen gave me some orange spoons left over from Halloween. Several hundred white or clear plastic spoons wouldn’t be exciting to me, but if they are in bright shades, I’m all in.

 

 

Today all this colorful cutlery became clothing. 

 

1,000 spoons is a lot. Even the 500 I took is a lot. I used 100 of Angela’s red spoons on this costume and more than 70 other spoons of various colors. The only things I bought to make this costume were some hot glue sticks. The spoons were given to me or reused and the dress fabric was something I already had. My hat was made from an empty plastic container. It happened to be cracking, but that doesn’t mean it is on its way to the grave. No way! I turned it upside down, added a little hot glue, and covered it with some fabric left over after I cut my son’s sweat pants into shorts (which happened when the holes in the knees crossed the line from edgy-cool to flat-out mess).

 

 

 

 

 

By the way, does anyone need 400 shiny red plastic spoons? They are still in their factory-sealed bags! If I’m not inundated with requests I may donate a bag or two to a local soup kitchen. Or maybe I’ll make my loyal readers some spoon-tastic clothes.

In the last eight months of making costumes each week I’ve learned a thing or two. I designed today’s outfit so that the spoons were only on my front. I’ll sacrifice for my art, but sitting on plastic spoons isn’t going to do me any favors. I’m drawing the line there.

I know this is last minute, but does anyone want to meet for an ice cream party? Since Angela had a big hand in the inspiration for this costume, I’m sure she’d be glad to organize a get-together for us. I’ll bring the spoons. Ang, could you throw together a party for 400? Angela claims to be moving this week, but I don’t think it’ll be a conflict. I’ll keep you posted…

 

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