Tiny Shiny Parts

Making jewelry is my hobby and challenge. I am a permanent novice with shaky metalworking skills, but my survival sense and memory are relatively intact and so I offer this summary, gleaned from Ganoskin, an internet forum for jewelers.  It is condensed from a thread that deals with finding shiny bits dropped during the exacting process of building a beautiful object out of ordinary parts.

1.       Drop tiny, shiny part.

2.        Freeze, listen for the ding when the part hits the floor, slap thighs together and stick out left foot to catch the falling object.

3.       Remove needle file from thigh where the unplanned slap has wedged it.

4.       Don’t catch object.

5.       While wearing magnifiers and an apron—if nothing else—drop into Downward Facing Dog.  Simultaneously apply tourniquet and call somebody who cares.  Amateurs, work up to this move.

6.       Take a small flashlight, and place it on the floor EXACTLY parallel to where the tiny shiny part may be and look for a diamond-like reflection.

7.       Don’t find part.

8.       Make a new tiny shiny object to replace the lost one.  Repeat as necessary.

Speed and proficiency at jewelry making increases dramatically as this process is repeated.  At some point, more sensitive jewelers decide to take a little break from making jewelry and decide to teach.  Of course, the class mantra is always, “Practice makes perfect.”

This checklist can apply to many of life’s little challenges with a few modifications. After a password for email which was set up three computers and a couple thousand generations of technology ago can’t be recalled on the computer or in your memory, you can try dropping to the floor in Downward Facing Dog to unplug and replug routers, and calling India for your secret password.

If you are lucky enough to get back into your email, reset your password completely.  Don’t record the new password just make a note that Kenneth in an ATT call center in Mumbai can help you.

To finish the process, always remember to clean up after yourself.  Chances are good that if you sweep the floor or clean out the computer info files you will find what you are seeking.  Of course, finding the tiny shiny part or the password is more frustrating a year later.