I got several stainless steel spatulas at the dollar store, giving me a nice, large, flat surface to work with. They have cheap plastic handles. When the plastic was broken off, the remaining steel handle fit nicely into my copper pipe.

I know exactly what you are saying. I even raided my own silverware drawer.

The other day I was in a thrift store heading for the spoons and a woman beat me to them and took about 20 or so. I only found one that suited after that. I have started carrying a little piece of pvc with me to test the handle width.
I also bought a serving fork which had enough surface.
I wish that woman would buy the ones I saw yesterday, rather hard to flatten and with a design "cut" right where the bend would be. I've had them break when there is a cut there so I passed them up tho they had thin handles with roses on them. I actually prefer spoons with roses or stars on the handles, lol.

I think we are competeing with the wind chimers!

Kathy

I've been looking for small spatulas and cake servers, too. They're hard to find in the thrift stores here. I'm going to try the $1 store.

When a handle is too large for the pipe I grind it down or use a 3/4 inch pipe rather than a 1/2 inch. I like to use a 3/4 inch for the larger flowers.

I went to the 99 cent store today and bought 5 cake servers. They are kinda nice, have 3 cutout slots and they have a large surface for the bigger plates. I like that they are already flat and they bend easy and..... they fit the 1/2 inch PVC pipe. I don't like to grind the handles down but yes, my DH did 2 for me yesterday.