I know this isn't garden junk, but I've been making jewelry from silverware. Maybe you could try that. Over on Crafts and Decorations I have some spoon pendants and beaded bracelets posted. I even made some lapel pins from silverware. I plan on using my grandchildrens photos in one, and you might be able to make a pendant with your mother's photo( a copy of course :) ) and some of her little things inside it. I used my grandmother's tatting in ones for myself,and pieces of old crochet and tatting I found at yard sales for ones I'm selling. You could put in small pieces of her old jewelry,or just anything that reminds you of her. I hope this helps with some of the silverware.

Here is a link that might be useful: spoon jewelry

I've seen pics of how someone used the polymer clay on the spoons and made Santa faces in the scoop of the spoon. First they painted the handle red, for the Santa Hat and then made the facial features with different colored clay. Don't remember where I saw it but you might be able to do a search for "polymer clay Santa Spoons" on your web browser line and see what pops up.

Being new in the forums, don't forget, you can always do a search on the GJ forum page you're on at the top of the page in the "search" box. Just type in what you're looking for and if there was a post on it, it'll come up.

Sal

They could look pretty framed in a shadow box. Maybe as a place setting with a pretty place-mat as the matt. I love repurposing, but this might be more memorable showcased as they were used when you were young.

kudzukween: Thanks! That's something I hadn't thought of or seen.
Sal...that's interesting. I bet it looks cute.
NancyJean...that's a great idea (and sounds easy enough for someone like me who's new to this) I'd love to use something that she already owns for the box part. I'll have to keep an eye out for osmething. Thanks for the idea.
Also Sal...thanks for the reminder about searching. I've found so many great ideas by doing that. :-)

I've made bracelets out of old flatware.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:201300}}

Here are some pictures I took at an craft festival that show different things you can make from old silverware. This is where I got the idea for the windchime.
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This shows business card holders but I imagine they could be used to display other things as well.
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Different styles of barretts.
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Bud vases hanging from suction cups that you could hang in a window.
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You can also use old forks to hold plant labels by sticking the handle into the dirt and slipping the label between the tines.

I really like the look of hooks made from silverware. They would looke great in any kitchen or by a BBQ area outisde.

Here is a link that might be useful: Silverware Hooks

here's something a friend of mine does with old forks.
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Here is a link that might be useful: more from her web site.

I love that last one with the fork and the prisms:) I hung some my sister brought me from a piece of metal I painted white,but I believe I'll replace it with a couple silver forks and do this! I love her stuff,BEAUTIFUL mosaic work and those conservatories are especially gorgeous. I've also seen the hangers made from silverware,and one day want one like that,too,painted white.