I love engineers! I love the way they think and how they see the world so differently; I love that they see possibilities everywhere. They are truly artists in their own right. I think that if I had understood what an engineer does back in the dark ages when I went to college, I would have become one!
So what on earth would a jewelry designer find useful on a website geared toward engineers??? For me, it started with this necklace:
It's a beauty, right??? No, I didn't make it. It was made about 50 years ago back when my best friend's little brother was born. He was the fourth child so we all find it somewhat remarkable that Grandma was given this beautiful Swarovski necklace and bracelet set for giving birth to him. Even more remarkable: this baby boy would father the only girl in the family. And that girl is getting married. Since it's the only wedding my best friend, her sister or myself will ever get to plan...we are over the moon!
Naturally, grandma wanted to pass this necklace down to her only granddaughter. Only...the length is about an inch or so too short for the neckline of the chosen dress. Since back part is wired loops (not even wrapped) and I have a stash of AB crystal Swarkies... it's easy enough to fix. But what gauge wire????
I took out my calipers and determined the diameter of the wire to .5 MM. That's great but now what??? So I googled MM of wire gauges... and found THE MOST AMAZING CHART!!! It's something every wire jewelry artist will want at their disposal. I've printed and laminated one!
Have a wonderful weekend!
1 comment:
Totally irrelevant to your post, but did you know that I *am* an engineer? (Your daily did-you-know...)
I love your chart - I had to find one myself when I discovered a whole bunch of wire that I hadn't labeled "because I would remember the gauge". Um, right. The one you found is nice and clean looking.