So You Want to Surprise Them BUT....

I cannot tell you how many emails I receive from customers asking for advise on how to choose a size cuff and or, size ring for their honey, friend, love, and even themselves. They simply do not know what the wrist or ring size is of the person they are buying for, and they do not want to ask because it is a surprise. And, because they would like to take advantage of the customization I do offer on both my website and in my shop on Etsy, they want to make sure they have the sizing right.

I have experienced many times over what it's like to receive an online purchase that I've been waiting in anticipation for, and it doesn't fit. Disappointing can be an understatement especially if it's a item for an event or intended as a gift, and time is a factor. This is the very reason why I offer the customization service, and why it is that I do ask for measurements, and why I may follow up with you with a question or two. It brings me great joy knowing that I made something especially for you, or your gift recipient, and it fits as you had expected it would. 

With all that said, I thought it was about time that I write a blog entry to share a list of trick-your-honey measuring suggestions for those times when, "SURPRISE!" is the end goal. Included in this list are surprise measuring tricks (some you may find rather amusing) that my customers have tried and shared with me. And as time goes by, I will be adding to this list. I would like to include your suggestions, too. So, please share and leave a comment below....you may see it added. :)

So hear goes....

1. Take one of their existing cuffs or bracelets and when they're not around, try it on yourself placing it on your wrist or forearm at a point where it fits you. Mark and Measure that point. *HINT use some double stick tape to hold the tape measure in place.
   
    
2. Your wrist is larger, trying it on is not an option; with the cuff (watchband or bracelet) closed as if they are wearing it (it's probably the hole or area where the leather is most worn) measure the INSIDE circumference of the cuff using a dressmakers tape measure.
   For those who prefer a video tutorial:

    

    

3. Tip from a customer:  "HA! Had to buy a new mini sewing kit yesterday as mine has come up missing. Was the perfect opportunity to be joking around with the tape measure, and asked him to measure my wrist. Then I said , here let's measure yours! Asked him to measure his neck too just to make it not look so planned, and he proceeded to ask me if I was making him a suit. LOL.". Oh boy, one could have some fun with this. lol
    
4. Check one of your honey's past leather bracelet or cuff purchases by visiting the website and the listing where they had made that purchase. In the listing description, it may state what wrist sizes that cuff will fit. 
   

    

   Here is a recent example: a customer had sent me this photograph of a cuff that she screen captured from the website where her boyfriend had purchased the cuff. She told me that he wears it on the last snap nearest the edge of the cuff.

   I asked her for the link to that website which is where I had found in the listing description that the cuff fits wrists that measure 6.5" to 8.5".

   This is not an exact wrist measurement, however we can assume that his wrist measures approximately 8.5". The bracelet that I will be making for her boyfriend is adjustable so we do have some wiggle room.

    

5. In case you're contemplating taking one of your love's current leather bracelets and measuring that in order to get his or hers wrist measurement, please don't. It's not the same. The bracelet he will receive from me will end up being too big. If you have doubts about that, check out this video:

    

    

6. Should you be trying to figure out what size leather ring to purchase for your someone special, below is a trick you can try. For this you will need one of his or hers rings, dressmaker's measuring tape or a Ring Sizer, a Sharpie Marker, and a tapered candle. Video below or view on Youtube.
1. Slide the rind onto the candle pushing it down to the point where it fits snug but not overly so. 
2. With the Sharpie, place a mark on each side of the ring. 
3. Slide the ring off.
4. Measure between those two marks with the dressmaker's measuring tape and make a note of that measurement and find the appropriate ring size using this chart on this page. Or instead, 
5. Slide a Ring Sizer in between those two marked lines...and that is your ring size.

I hope you have found this information to be helpful. Remember, I will be adding to list so please pop back in again soon. And, thanks for reading! 

Be Well, Be Blessed,

♥

Lisa