@syphist
I get they'd pretty regularly... but I work somewhere fairly progressive, live in a bit of a bubble where I mostly hang out with trans people, and I don't see my family all that often 😅

I suspect mileage may vary a bit based on location?

@Dangerous_beans Oh, you've finished your twelve weeks already!

I read that you probably won't have side effects, but bodies vary etc. I hope the change is kind on you 💜

@coolandnormal It does look good! I tried it once, just with some rings I had laying around, but it looks like I didn't take a picture or write down the ring sizes I tried. Which is annoying, because I vaguely remember something about it wasn't perfect?

Anyway, roughly going off those pictures, I think there are two ring sizes with the same gauge, one with an Aspect Ratio of about 4.2 and one with an Aspect Ratio of about 6.3? (I hope I did that math right.)

@coolandnormal @Dangerous_beans Actually, I'm gonna link you to my document that I was (perhaps obsessively) using to keep track of all the things I tried, or wanted to try.

The "Reference" tab has a lot of links that cover a lot of what I just said. It might be useful:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1958Vc44qLcj6kNaB1JfBVvEOpugOt3bR-Vae-seJGKw/edit?tab=t.3yl98hnl44id

@coolandnormal @Dangerous_beans Haha, yeah there are so many fun math problems with maille, such as working out proper aspect ratios for a project, especially when using multiple different ring sizes, and you feel great when you solve it.

And then there are the not so fun math problems of trying to convert AWG to SWG or vice versa which if things work out you usually just feel like you got lucky 😅

Here's a conversion chart I've been using and it just hurts to look at because: Whyyyyyy are there so many competing standards?!

https://www.esr.co.uk/sound-light/Infomation/awg-swg.htm

And this is all before factoring in things like springback (based on the gauge, rod diameter and the type of metal used) and how thick the saw cut is, as these will all affect the aspect ratio!

And then some places list their 'actual' jump ring sizing (measured after being cut) and some simply list the size based on the rod used for twisting, which will not be entirely accurate.

(aussiemaille lists both, which is actually very helpful.)

And people posting online the details of weaves they have made rarely specify ANY of this.

It's all very fun. It's like being a... mathematical historian.

@coolandnormal @Dangerous_beans If you're interested, you can see most of the things I have made using the #AmblyArt tag.

I had a lot of fun trying new weaves and then pretty quickly just started designing new things from scratch and trying to do all of the calculations before making a purchase so I don't have to pay extra for additional postage.

I haven't really worked on anything since November, but I am keen to make something complicated soon. Maybe I'll try gloves next.

If you haven't already, I recommend checking out https://www.mailleartisans.org/ for details on different weaves. Do note that people tend to list ring sizes very differently so it can be a bit of a process trying to convert something into ring sizes you have access to.

@Dangerous_beans
Yeah. My set consists of relatively heavy duty, curved pliers I got at bunnings, and expensive, finer pliers I got from aussiemaille.

You don't need expensive, but do not go cheap. I got a pair at spotlight early on and they hurt to use and the "spring" kept popping out of place (both related).

If somewhere specialises in jewellery, any flat pliers they have will probably suffice. If you're working with thick guages or steel, be sure to get something strong enough.
@coolandnormal

@Dangerous_beans

@coolandnormal

Apologies, I just saw this.

I work mostly with aluminium so far. Some people hate it because it's so light, but it can be colour anodised and I love pastels.

For aluminium, I have had no issues with aussiemaille.com.

For steel, I am aware of the following two places but I have never actually purchased anything from them yet:

https://thecraftarmoury.com.au

https://www.mailleorderringsaustralia.com.au

Others' suggestions in the comments are also good, but I'm scared of joining groups and talking to strangers so online shopping works for me =P

Let me know if you have any questions I may be able to help with.

@Dangerous_beans I saw a (fill in) GP who asked me how taking progesterone was going and they were adamant that the only thing it can do for trans fem people is help with breast growth. I decided to agree and pretend that breast growth was the reason I was taking it, and avoid the weird, judgemental conversation that was taking place.

I was actually surprised, because I had just seen an endo who was adamant that there is no adequate science to conclude any benefits at all so they don't recommend it.

My sense is that doctors don't have time to stay on top of the slow and wildly complicated research about trans people and progesterone, so they go by what was understood 10-20 years ago - which is why the breast cancer thing persists.

Anyway, anecdotally it doesn't increase my libido (it wasn't my intention), it may have helped with breast growth (this is not good science), and a number of the other possible benefits I read about are unmeasurable so who knows what it's doing for me.

Back to puritanism though, I never actually thought about what the general population think we take it for. (Do they even know it's a thing?)

I still think GPs just don't really know, but I think you're right that whatever they do know is going to be filtered through a lens of some sort, and that could be puritanism, misogyny, or transphobia.

My regular GP is by no means an expert on this, but is happy for me to try it out to see what happens. And that's reassuring to me.