If you've been around Laughing Frog Studio for a minute, you probably know we make upcycled silverware jewelry. But what most folks don't see is the wonderfully weird, heart‑soaked world behind the scenes — the stories, the quirks, the silverware obsession, the dog naps, and the upcycling we were doing long before "upcycling" was even a word.
So, we put together a little list. Not the polished, PR‑approved kind — the real stuff. The "oh wow, I had no idea you did that" stuff. The "of course that's how your studio works" stuff. The "yep, that tracks" stuff.
Think of this as a tiny backstage pass to the studio: the history, the humor, the heart, and the handmade chaos that makes LFS what it is. If you're curious about our process, our silverware obsession, or why we upcycle everything we can, you're in the right place.
1. We offer a free earrings + necklace set in exchange for your old silverplate silverware
Yep — a full demi‑parure, completely free, when you send us a minimum of 50 pieces of silverplate silverware. It keeps beautiful old flatware out of landfills and gives us new material to transform into upcycled silverware jewelry. Win‑win.
2. Our pieces have traveled the world
Australia. Switzerland. The UK. Estonia. The Netherlands. Germany. Our handmade silverware jewelry has hopped more borders than we have — and every time a piece leaves the studio, it feels like sending a tiny piece of Texas out into the world.
3. A major wholesaler once copied one of our designs — and we survived it
Some people don't know this, but one of our original designs was copied by a large wholesale company out of Atlanta. It was a gut‑punch moment — the kind that makes small makers question everything. But instead of folding, we doubled down on originality, craftsmanship, and the handmade heart big companies can't replicate. It became a turning point: a reminder that creativity is our superpower, and no one can mass‑produce that.
4. We're obsessed with silverware patterns — like, deeply
We know the names, the years, the manufacturers, the rare ones, the discontinued ones… We're basically silverware sommeliers at this point. Check out our Pattern Library and you'll see what we mean.
5. We create custom pieces from customers' family silverware
Some of our favorite projects start with a family spoon or fork that's been sitting in a drawer for decades. We've turned Grandma's spoon into a necklace, Dad's fork into a memorial cuff, and all kinds of sentimental pieces into something you can actually wear and hold close. Those custom pieces mean something to you — and that makes them mean something to us too.
6. We make spoon rings… and yep, we teach you how to make them too
At LFS, we don't chase perfection — we chase personality. Every curve and bend carries a little human touch, the kind machines can't fake. And because creativity grows when it's shared, not guarded, we openly teach parts of our process instead of hiding it behind a curtain. Our guides and tutorials are written the same way we make jewelry: approachable, real, and a little mischievous. Handmade isn't perfect here — it's personal.
7. Our packaging is simple, thoughtful, and full of heart (and history)
We tuck a little history into nearly every order — because about 90% of the time, we can trace your silverware's past, and we love sharing that story with you. Your piece arrives safely wrapped and sealed in a simple zip‑top bag to help slow down tarnish (because silver and silverplate have attitude). It's practical, thoughtful, and very LFS: part history lesson, part care, all heart.
8. Our studio is also Gibbous our Great Pyrenees' bedroom
Our rescue Pyr, Gibbous, has fully claimed the studio as his personal bedroom — we just happen to make jewelry in it.
While we're bending spoons and polishing cuffs, he's usually snoring like a small tractor, supervising with one eye open, or acting as a giant bear rug draped across the floor. He's our emotional support cloud, our gentle giant of quality control, and the reason there's always a little extra joy (and fluff) floating around the studio.
9. We've got easy sizing help for rings, bracelets & necklaces
Sizing shouldn't be stressful, so we keep it straightforward. Our website has clear, friendly sizing info for rings, bracelets, and necklaces — plus simple guides to help you figure things out at home. No guesswork. No fuss. Just real‑world guidance that actually makes sense.
10. Yes, our pieces are made from actual vintage silverware
Every piece we make starts as real, authentic vintage or antique silverware — the kind we hunt down at estate sales, flea markets, and antique shops. We don't cast our designs, because cast pieces don't carry the history, mystery, or one‑of‑a‑kind character that makes silverware magic in the first place. What you're wearing once lived a whole life at someone's table — and that story becomes part of the charm.
Oh that's 10 things already?
Oops, well we actually have a few more....so 13 Things You Didn't Know About Laughing Frog Studio.
11. If you're not using your Grandma's silverware… we will
Yes — we really do buy old silverware. If you've got Grandma's silverware sitting in a drawer and you know you'll never use it, we'd love to give it a new life. We're always looking for vintage pieces we can transform, and buying old silverware is one of our favorite ways to keep the magic going. Contact us and send photos, what you have, what you're asking, and where you're located — we'll let you know if it's a pattern we can work with.
12. Jewelry is our JAM, but not our only trick
Sure, we're known for our spoon rings and upcycled silverware jewelry, but that's just one corner of the studio.
We turn vintage silverware into all kinds of creations — keychains, belt buckles, cheese knives, ornaments, home goods, and yes, even our beloved Spoon Theory gifts. If it started life as silverware, there's a good chance we've dreamed up a way to transform it.
13. We've been upcycling long before it was trendy
Sustainability isn't a buzzword for us — it's our origin story. We've been transforming vintage silverware for 15 years, back when "upcycling" wasn't a hashtag and Pinterest wasn't even a big thing yet. We've quietly championed reuse, reinvention, and keeping beautiful old things out of landfills since day one. Trendy now? Sure. But we've been doing it because it's who we are — not because it's fashionable.
And there you have it — a little peek behind the curtain of Laughing Frog Studio. The quirks, the history, the silverware obsession, the dog hair, the creativity that refuses to sit still… it's all part of the heartbeat here.
What We Create at Laughing Frog Studio
Behind all the quirks, stories, dog naps, and silverware obsession, this is what we actually make here in the studio: upcycled silverware jewelry, handmade spoon rings, bracelets and cuffs, and custom heirloom pieces created from your family flatware. Every pattern carries a bit of history, every piece is shaped by hand, and every design is rooted in the belief that old things still have something beautiful left to say.
We've spent 15+ years bending spoons, telling stories, rescuing old silverware, and making things with our hands because it brings us joy — and because it connects us to you.
If reading this sparked a smile, a memory, or a "wait, I didn't know they did THAT," then mission accomplished. You're officially in on the good stuff now.
Thanks for being here — truly. This little handmade corner of the internet exists because people like you show up, cheer us on, and love the weird, wonderful magic of turning old silverware into something new.
Find Your Piece of the Story
Ready to find something made just for you? Browse our upcycled silverware jewelry, shop our spoon rings, or explore our gift guides — there's something here for every story.
And if you want to see the studio in action — the bending, the polishing, the Gibbous cameos — come find us on Instagram and TikTok. We show up there the same way we show up here: real, a little weird, and always making something.
Other Interesting Blog Posts:
When Originality Strikes: The Story Behind Our Ergonomic Heart Handle Spoon Charcuterie Knife
The Wild, Wonderful, Totally True Stories Behind My Upcycled Silverware Jewelry Booth
Spoon Rings and Love Over the Ages - A Unique History
History of Silverplating and It's Role in Democratizing Wealth
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