Lessons learned already
So the paua arrived in yesterday’s mail, and it’s beautiful, but it’s half the size of either of the other two types of shell I bought. I don’t know if it was cut to this size purposely, and intended for rosette inlay, or if this is the size blank one can expect from your average paua abalone. But it does bring up a couple important lessons before I even start cutting.
Notes to self:
1) It is not enough to READ the dimensions of the stuff; it’s probably a good idea to actually COMPREHEND them, and compare them to what you’ve already bought by sketching them out (I have no head for numbers of measurement; I need a visual) prior to clicking "Buy."
2) It would be a good idea to research paua and determine whether this is what I should expect, size-wise, for this kind of shell, or if I made a mistake in purchasing. Don’t get me wrong–it’ll be usable, partularly when it comes to thin stuff like vines or small pieces. But I guess I’m a little disappointed that I won’t be able to use it in the original design I’d planned to start with. I could, of course, make the first design smaller through the magic of photocopying and be fine. Stubborn adherence to the original size that I have 10 photocopies of in the face of the realities of the shell is probably not a good idea. Stubborn adherence to any expectation at this stage of the game is pretty pointless, in any case. The beginner’s mind is what’s appropriate here…there, and everywhere.
I do this ALL the time!! I also have to get out a ruler and sketch out dimensions of things because my brain is simply incapable of comprehending size. I have found it useful to know roughly how big certain body bits are. One thumb joint is right about an inch which has come in enormously helpful on many an occasion.