50 & FABULOUS Birthday Fork, 50th Birthday Gift for Women Girlfriend Wife Her Besties BFF, Stamped Vintage Silver, Born in 1973, Gift Box

This listing is for a single MADE TO ORDER vintage silver-plated fork hand-stamped with "50 & FABULOUS". Makes an encouraging gift and memorable keepsake for eating 50th birthday cake!

➽ This upcycled antique silverware item is custom hand-stamped to order (1 dessert/salad fork OR dinner/grille fork, pictured).

➽ You will receive a silver-plated dessert/salad fork (approximately 6-7 inches in length) OR a dinner/grille fork (approximately 7-8 inches in length, pictured) from a random pattern depending on the stock on hand at the time of production.

➽ The fork can be packaged in an (optional) silver gift box tied with gold ribbon, for an additional charge. (The additional charge also covers the additional cost of shipping the item in a box instead of in a bubble envelope.)

➽➽➽ Production time on this item is 2-3 business days (PRIOR to shipping), which does not include weekends or holidays.

➽➽➽ This item will be shipped via USPS First Class Mail Parcel (3-7 days typical delivery AFTER production) OR via USPS Priority Mail Small Flat Rate box (2-3 days typical delivery AFTER production). Both shipping options come with USPS Tracking™.

☛ To view all of my stamped fork listings, please click here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmySueCrafts/search?search_query=fork

➽➽➽ Pictures are enlarged (close-ups) to show detail. The photos are not the actual size of the finished item. Please refer to the applicable scale information shown in the photos (i.e., the U.S. penny, the U.S. dime, the ruler, etc.) and/or the listing description for actual dimensions. Remember, U.S. pennies are only 19mm across (roughly 3/4-inch or 0.75 inches) and U.S. dimes are only 17.7mm across (less than 3/4-inch; roughly 0.70 inches).

➽➽➽ All pieces are handcrafted by me. Spacing between, and depth of, hand-stamped letters, numbers, characters/images, etc., will vary slightly between, and within, items. These small variations add to the charm and unique nature of each piece. They are not imperfections.

➽➽➽ If you need a larger quantity of forks than what is listed as available, please convo me.

☛ To view my other listings, please click here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmySueCrafts


❶ "Gift Box?" -- From the drop-down menu, please select whether or not you want the fork to be gift boxed:
◆ No Gift Box
◆ WITH Gift Box


♥ The fork pictured is only an example. Your pattern will vary depending on the silverware on hand at the time of production but will use the same font for stamping the text and the same heart stamp image.

♥ The fork is safe to eat with.

♥ The fork comes with care instructions.

♥ The fork will be polished to as bright a shine as possible. The fork will show some wear due to its previous life. The fork will show small scratches, dings, plate-wear, and/or dents. It will not show significant plate loss or damage.

➽➽➽ If you would like a variation on this listing, please convo me about setting up a custom order.

★★★ All silverware items designed for use with food have the hand-stamped letters, numbers, and/or design characters darkened using a food-safe oxidation process (i.e., natural tarnishing) to highlight the stamped characters. This semi-permanent patina wears off over time, with washing, and with polishing. However the hand-stamped impressions will last forever. (See more information below.)

☛ To view my stamped spoon listings, please click here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmySueCrafts/search?search_query=spoon

☛ To view my READY-TO-SHIP listings, please click here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmySueCrafts/search?search_query=ready+to+ship

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Please carefully review ALL of the below information prior to placing an order:
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1) What Exactly is Vintage/Antique Silverware?
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This means the silverware pieces are previously used and can include nicks, plate-wear, and/or scratches. Each piece is thoroughly cleaned and inspected by me. I personally select each piece for its elegance, design, charm, and beauty. Only the best pieces are used for my projects. There is great beauty in old silverware. Pieces may be tarnished and slightly worn from years of loving use, but reviving them and giving them new life is a fun way to reuse and recycle as well as to enjoy their vintage charm and history.

Silver plating on antique silverware also varies in color, thickness, and patina between pieces (and even within patterns) depending on the original design as well as how much each piece was used in its previous life. Because of the age and history of my silverware pieces, imperfections are to be expected and cherished -- that is part of their charm and character.

If you are seeking flawless, uniform, modern pieces for your stamped silverware, you have come to the wrong place. You would be better off looking for stainless steel pieces and/or engraved pieces.


2) How Should I Care for my Vintage Silverware?
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Please hand wash your silver-plated silverware. This will preserve the plating, making the silverware last longer.

It is normal for silver-plated pieces to darken and tarnish over time. A light polishing with silver polish or a polishing cloth will keep them beautiful.


3) Are the Letters/Characters Engraved?
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No, each letter on the silverware is lovingly hand stamped (i.e., hammered by hand by me). I carefully hand stamp each character -- one at a time. Therefore, no two pieces ever will be exactly the same due to the font/pattern used, the precise placement of each character, the character alignment, the depth of each impression, and stamp uniformity. This adds to the character, charm, and uniqueness of the pieces. Engraving is done with a machine, not by hand.

Because of the nature of hand-stamping, it is impossible to guarantee that 100% of letters/numbers/characters will be perfectly aligned. In some cases, minor tool markings may be evident on the front and/or back of the silverware depending on the design & thickness of the piece.


4) How are the Letters/Numbers/Design Characters Blackened?
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On silver-plated silverware pieces intended for use with food, stamped characters are safely blackened with oxidation (i.e., natural tarnishing) to highlight them. This patina wears off over time, with washing, and with heavier polishing. However, the stamped impressions are permanent and will continue to be visible.

The stamped characters on pennies, garden markers (coming soon), silver-plated jewelry (coming soon), and silver-plated ornaments (coming soon) are colored with a permanent, water-resistant, fade-resistant black dye. Even this "permanent" dye will fade over time. However, those products are *NOT* food safe.

Although many permanent markers (such as Sharpie® markers) are labeled as "non-toxic," it is misleading. They are "non-toxic" in accordance with their intended "normal use" purpose of writing, labeling, and drawing... NOT for eating. For example, ACMI certifies that Sharpie® markers do not contain any materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or harmful to humans. According to the institute's toxicological evaluations, Sharpie® markers are not hazardous under "normal use" conditions. However, "normal use" does NOT include consuming any amount of the marker ink. This certification as "non-toxic" also does NOT mean that materials are not irritants or allergens. Such products are certified by ACMI to be labeled in accordance with the chronic hazard labeling standard, ASTM D 4236, and the U.S. Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA). For more information, you can search the Internet on topics such as "Are permanent markers toxic?," "What does ACMI AP certification mean?," "What is ASTM D-4236 certification?," or look up the MSDS for a particular brand of permanent marker.

And on ACMI's website, it reminds readers to not put your pen in your mouth, to avoid skin contact, and to avoid eating art materials. Moreover, "never use products for skin painting or food preparation unless indicated that the product is meant to be used in this way." (https://www.acmiart.org/index.php/art-material-safety/safety-tips-what-you-need-to-know)

Buyers are cautioned to consider the health and safety of the intended recipients of their stamped silverware gifts. Sellers who do not disclose the method of darkening the stamped characters on their products intended for use with food may inadvertently be using markers/paints/products that, although possibly labeled as "non-toxic," still could be potential irritants or allergens.


5) Please review the information found in the above "Shipping & Policies" tab or visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmySueCrafts/policy


💗 💗 💗 Please convo me with any questions prior to ordering. I am happy to set up custom orders with different stamped designs and different options (stamping on the fork tines, stamping two lines of text below the tines, stamping on the front and/or back of the fork handle based on the pattern, etc.). Thanks for looking!
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Please READ the Additional Details Below. Your Purchase
of This Item Acknowledges That You Have Read, Accept,
and Understand the Below Information & Policies:
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✔ Please review AmySueCrafts's "Shipping & Policies" available at the tab above or go to:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmySueCrafts/policy

✔ Items created by AmySueCrafts are NOT toys. Please do not allow children, pets, or other adults to play with these items. Many items are breakable and also pose a choking hazard. Never put pennies, coins, charms, or other items in your mouth (or allow others to do so).

✔ Except in the case certain of ready-to-ship items, the items pictured are EXAMPLES ONLY; yours will vary based on your customization choices and natural variations in the hand-stamping process.

✔ Care Instructions for Your Handmade Item:
- Avoid direct contact with lotion, oil, perfume/cologne, hairspray, sunscreen, bug spray, and other chemicals (e.g., harsh detergents, household cleaners, bleach, alcohol, acids, etc.)
- Avoid contact with water – do not shower with OR swim with your keychains, pendants, jewelry, or other items created by AmySueCrafts; chlorine and other chemicals in water can damage, discolor, and/or destroy your handcrafted items
- In addition, keep resin-based items (e.g., music cufflinks, resin flower pendants, etc.) away from extended exposure to direct sunlight and high temperatures
- For vintage silverware, please refer to the care instructions included with your order

✔ Each hand-stamped item is stamped by me, by hand, using a hammer -- one letter/number/character/symbol at a time -- so the letters/characters/numbers may not be perfectly lined up, which only adds to the charming, rustic appeal of an item. No two will ever look the same!

✔ PLEASE be certain to provide me with ALL requested customization details at Checkout. Failure to do so can result in shipping delays which are beyond my control per my policies. If I need to follow up via convos and/or emails to gather missing custom details, your response time will determine when your item is able to be created. Thanks for understanding.

✔ If you need RUSH Order Processing (for an extra fee) to create your item faster than the standard production time listed above, please convo me prior to ordering.

✔ I ship ALL items with USPS Tracking™ (formerly called "Delivery Confirmation") which means I ***CANNOT*** ship anything by regular USPS First Class Mail; it must be sent as a USPS First Class Parcel to qualify for USPS Tracking™. This is slightly more expensive for very small, flat items, but the tracking information provides you with proof that I shipped the package and proof of delivery.

✔ AmySueCrafts accepts payment via ALL major credit cards as well as PayPal. Please convo me if you need further assistance. Please also note that payment by eCheck (checking account) or debit card may delay your order; those forms of payment often take 3-5 business days to clear the bank.

✔ Custom order requests are always welcome!

✔ INSURANCE is available on any purchase. Please click here to access the insurance add-on: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmySueCrafts/search?search_query=insurance. Customer satisfaction is one of my primary goals, but please understand that AmySueCrafts is not responsible for packages once they are in the hands of USPS. I do not work for USPS or have any control over how USPS handles packages. Packages lost or damaged by USPS are not the fault of AmySueCrafts.

Once a package is picked up by USPS and leaves my hands, AmySueCrafts is not responsible for delivery delays, lost packages, undelivered packages, or damaged packages. Lost, damaged, undelivered, or returned packages paid without insurance are the responsibility of the buyer, not AmySueCrafts. If you choose not purchase insurance and your package is lost, damaged, or not delivered by USPS, AmySueCrafts is not liable and cannot provide a refund. Lost/damaged/undelivered packages that are not insured are also not reimbursable via USPS, even if they have USPS Tracking™.