Wire Jewelry Idea March 14: 6 InsPIrations for Pi Day!

by Rose Marion, Wire-Sculpture.com

Wire Jewelry Idea for March 14, 2012

π Day, or Pi Day, March 14, is celebrated by math lovers because the date corresponds to the first 3 digits of pi: 3.14. (Mathematicians surely are counting down the days until 3/14/15) Pi is famous for being the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. The circumference is equal to the diameter, multiplied by pi (Wikipedia explains it thoroughly here). Pi continues to an infinite decimal place (over 2 trillion decimal places have been calculated by computers). There are famous competitions for memorizing and reciting Pi to hundreds of decimal places.

Since geometry and mathematics play an unsung role in jewelry design, why not take some time today to celebrate Pi? Here are 6 ideas I came up with for Pi Day, including several jewelry ideas. I’d love to hear what you do today to celebrate Pi in your wire jewelry making!

1. Learn how to write Pi on the computer:
   On Windows, hold down ALT and type 227, then release ALT.
   On a Mac, hold down Option and type P, then release Option.
   It’s π in HTML.
2. Make sorority or fraternity jewelry: Colleges and universities all over have several fraternities and sororities, which often use specific colors, as well as their Greek letters, in their clothing and jewelry. If you live near a university, why not contact the sorority and see if you can host a jewelry party? Use wire to mimic the shapes of the Greek letters to make pendants, necklaces, and earrings, and you can embellish with beads in the sorority’s colors.
   Remember, not just the usual sororities use Greek letters; local and national honor societies and many professional societies use the Greek alphabet to name themselves.
3. Set aside 3.14 hours today to focus on jewelry-making: if that means skipping chores, so be it! (If you usually spend your day making jewelry – treat yourself to a "fun" break – no accounting work allowed!)
4. Make a freeform or wire jig design in the shape of Pi. If it turns into something else, just go with it!


Here's what I made first in my 3.14 hours today... Now that it's a little flattened, I think next this Pi is on to a texturing hammer! To finish, I'll turn the bail 90 degress, so it can slide right on as a pendant. Not my finest work, but I have a lot of ideas now for new pendants! Used 16 and 22-gauge round wire.

5. Create headpin earrings with 3.14 beads each (the .14 can be a bead spacer, bead caps, maybe a zigzag in the wire between beads – your choice!)
6. If you like baking more than math, think about choosing some color combinations from your favorite pies. Peach pie, cherry pie, lemon meringue pie, pizza pie… How about some "Pie with an E" -inspired jewelry?

Have a Wonderful Pi Day, and Happy Jewelry Making!

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3 Comments

1. 

   Pam

   March 14, 2012 at 5:21 am

   What a great idea. Looks like lots of fun. I am going to make a pair.
2. 

   Patti Shifflett

   March 14, 2012 at 6:15 am

   I work in 16 gauge aluminum, pound it from the backside and make all kind of designs/shapes. I will try that design in aluminum. Thanks for the idea. Really appreciate your instructions, encourage, and creativity in helping eager students to learn the fasinating craft of wire twisting. Blessings,
   Patti
3. 

   Rochelle

   March 14, 2012 at 12:28 pm

   Very cool, I love it. I’m always looking for new ideas for wire shapes. Thank you.