How to Make a Spoon Rest

A spoon rest is a simple yet practical kitchen accessory that helps keep your counters clean while you’re cooking. It provides a designated spot to place your stirring utensils, preventing spills and messes. Making your own spoon rest is a fun and easy project that allows you to create something both functional and personalized to match your kitchen decor. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a beginner, crafting a spoon rest can be a rewarding experience. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to make a spoon rest so that you can get back to using it in no time! So grab your tools, and let’s get started!

Why Making a Spoon Rest is Worthwhile

Creating your own spoon rest offers a range of benefits beyond its practical purpose. First, it allows you to express your creativity, as you can design it in a way that complements your unique kitchen style.

Additionally, making a spoon rest is an environmentally friendly option, as you can use recycled or sustainable materials, reducing waste. It is also a budget-friendly alternative to purchasing store-bought versions, which may lack the personal touch and quality of a handmade item. Most importantly, crafting a spoon rest provides a sense of accomplishment and adds a personal story to your kitchenware—turning a simple kitchen tool into a meaningful accessory.

Tools and Materials Needed

To create your own spoon rest, gather the following tools and materials:

• Clay or Wood (depending on your preferred material)
• Rolling Pin (for shaping clay evenly)
• Clay Cutter or Knife (for cutting and trimming)
• Sandpaper (for smoothing edges or surfaces)
• Paints or Glazes (to personalize and finish the design)
• Paintbrushes (for detailed decoration)
• Sealant (optional, to protect the surface and enhance durability)
• Oven or Kiln (for firing clay, if applicable)

These items will help you craft a durable, functional, and visually pleasing spoon rest that suits your style.

10 Methods How to Make a Spoon Rest

1. Hand-Building with Clay Using the Slab Method

One of the most accessible and satisfying ways to make a spoon rest is by hand-building it from clay using the slab technique. Start by rolling out a slab of clay about 1/4 inch thick using a rolling pin or slab roller. Ensure the surface is smooth and even. Cut out a basic oval or round shape using a knife, template, or bowl as a guide. To create the spoon indentation, gently press the middle down using your thumb or the back of a spoon while the clay is still soft.

Raise or pinch one side to form a slight lip where the spoon handle can rest. Once shaped, smooth the edges with a damp sponge, allow it to dry slowly to leather-hard stage, then fire and glaze. This method is excellent for beginners and offers endless opportunities to personalize with stamps, textures, or custom glazes.

2. Using a Mold for Uniform Shapes

For those who want more uniformity or plan to make multiple spoon rests, using a mold is ideal. A shallow bowl or an upside-down dish can serve as a press mold. Roll a clay slab and drape it over the mold or press it inside to form a gentle curve. Trim the edges for a neat finish and let the clay firm up before removing it. Molds allow for consistent shapes and quicker production, especially if you’re making sets. You can modify the rim with small coils or indents to accommodate various spoon shapes. Decorate with underglaze or carving before bisque firing.

3. Throwing a Spoon Rest on the Potter’s Wheel

If you’re comfortable on the potter’s wheel, throwing a spoon rest allows for smooth curves and precision. Center a small ball of clay and open it as if making a shallow dish. Keep the walls low—just enough to contain a spoon—and shape the interior to form a shallow dip. Create a slight notch on the rim by pushing in with a finger or wooden tool, giving the spoon a resting point. Once trimmed and fired, you can glaze it to suit your kitchen decor. Wheel-thrown spoon rests are elegant and showcase craftsmanship beautifully.

4. Using Air-Dry Clay for a No-Fire Option

If you don’t have access to a kiln, air-dry clay is a great alternative. Roll out the clay, cut your desired shape, and sculpt the spoon indentation as with kiln-fired clay. Since air-dry clay is more fragile and water-sensitive, avoid making the rest too thin. Once dry, sand gently and paint with acrylics or seal with a waterproof coating like polyurethane. These are more decorative and less heat-resistant but perfect for gentle use or as gifts. You can add color with mica powders or metallic waxes for a stylish finish.

5. Carving from Wood for a Rustic Touch

A wooden spoon rest adds warmth to the kitchen and can be made with basic woodworking tools. Select a hardwood block like maple or walnut and cut it into a small oval or rectangular shape. Use chisels, a Dremel, or a gouge to carve out a shallow well to hold the spoon bowl. Sand all surfaces smooth and apply food-safe oil or beeswax finish. This method requires more tools and skill but yields a durable, attractive result. You can also personalize with wood burning designs or engravings.

6. Upcycling Broken Ceramics

If you have broken plates, tiles, or dishes lying around, consider transforming them into a spoon rest. Choose a piece with a flat surface and curved edge. Use tile nippers to shape it if necessary, then sand sharp edges with silicon carbide paper or a glass file. Optionally, use epoxy clay to build up a small lip or groove for holding the spoon. Apply mosaic grout to the back for a finished look or mount it onto a wooden base. This eco-friendly method turns waste into functional art.

7. Creating a Resin Spoon Rest with Molds

Epoxy resin offers a glossy, modern aesthetic and is easy to work with using silicone molds. Choose or create a shallow dish mold, and pour a mixed batch of food-safe resin inside. Embed decorative elements like dried flowers, glitter, or pigment swirls for added flair. Before the resin cures completely, you can press in a spoon-shaped indent or place a metal spoon to form a mold. Once cured, sand the edges for smoothness. Resin spoon rests are stylish, heat-resistant to a degree, and make great personalized gifts.

8. Shaping a Spoon Rest from Concrete or Cement

For an industrial look, you can make a spoon rest from concrete or fine cement mix. Create a mold using silicone, plastic, or even cardboard sealed with tape. Pour the concrete into the mold and shape a shallow groove or notch before it fully sets. You can embed small tiles, glass pieces, or colored stones for decorative effect. Once dry, sand the surface and seal with a food-safe concrete sealant. This method results in a heavy-duty, minimalist piece suitable for modern kitchens or outdoor cooking spaces.

9. Forming a Spoon Rest from Glass Fusing

Glass artists can make spoon rests using a kiln and fusing molds. Cut pieces of compatible glass in your chosen shape and arrange them on a mold designed for spoon rests. Use transparent, opaque, or dichroic glass for unique effects. Fire the glass at fusing temperature, then slump it into a mold to shape it. The result is a smooth, colorful, and durable utensil holder that adds elegance to the kitchen. Glass spoon rests are easy to clean and make great gifts or product line items for artisan sales.

10. Assembling a Spoon Rest from Metal or Wire

For a unique, steampunk or rustic style, try assembling a spoon rest from metal parts. You can repurpose copper or aluminum sheeting, gently bending and hammering it into a concave dish shape. Use metal snips to cut and file rough edges, and add a lip or notch with careful shaping. Alternatively, weld or solder wire pieces into a shallow framework that cradles the spoon. Finish with polish or patina to enhance its appearance. While less common, metal spoon rests are incredibly durable and stand up to high heat with ease.

Maintenance and Upkeep

Proper maintenance of your spoon rest, regardless of the material, ensures its longevity and functionality. For ceramic or glass spoon rests, wash them with warm, soapy water after each use to prevent stains and residue buildup. Avoid abrasive scrubbers that could scratch the surface. Wooden spoon rests should be wiped clean with a damp cloth and occasionally treated with food-safe mineral oil to prevent drying or cracking.

Metal spoon rests, especially those made of copper or aluminum, can be cleaned with a mild detergent and polished occasionally to maintain their shine. For intricate designs or welded pieces, use a soft brush to reach crevices. Regular cleaning and gentle handling will keep your spoon rest looking great and ready for use in your kitchen.

Conclusion

Making a spoon rest is a rewarding project that blends functionality with creative expression. Whether you sculpt it from clay, carve it from wood, or pour it from resin or concrete, the methods are as diverse as your imagination allows. Each approach—from hand-building to upcycling—brings its own texture, feel, and personality to the finished piece. By choosing the method that aligns with your tools, materials, and style, you can craft a spoon rest that not only serves a purpose but enhances the aesthetic charm of your kitchen.