6 InsPIrations for Pi Day

by Judy Ellis
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.
Instructions
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!
Judy Ellis's 6 InsPIrations for Pi Day - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Design, , Pi Day
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.
Judy Ellis's 6 InsPIrations for Pi Day - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Design, , Wire wrapped PI
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!

Materials

20 Gauge Half Round Half Hard Copper Wire
H11-20HRH
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $2.22
  • Gold Club Price: $1.67
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16 Gauge Round Half Hard Copper Wire
H11-16H
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $5.25
  • Gold Club Price: $3.93
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Wire
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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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Bench Block Helper with Steel and Nylon Blocks
DAP-500.30
  • DAP-500.30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $29.95
  • Gold Club Price: $22.46
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Professional Texturing Hammer With 12 Faces
HAM-480.00
  • HAM-480.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $47.97
  • Gold Club Price: $35.98
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  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Cutting, Making Loops, Making Spirals, Texturing, Wrapping, Design, Twisting