All jewelry — in fact, ALL engineered structures — have one thing in common; they are each and every one, no matter how complex or simple, is made up of a collection of elements.

Okay, so what the heck is an element?

It is a single repeatable item — in the case of Jewels of Ancient Lands jewelry, this consists of a bead or a small grouping or series of beads strung onto a copper, silver or 18k gold wire in the following manner:

1.    Form a loop at one end of the 4″ long .20 gauge copper wire.
2.    Wrap the end of the wire to finish the loop.
3.    Press the cut end of the wire deeply into the wrapping so it doesn’t catch on anything.
4.   Thread on a 4mm round copper bead.
5.    Add a spacer bead.
6.    Add a bead cap if wanted, with the hollow side toward the main bead.
7.    Add the gemstone or main bead.
8.    Add a bead cap rotated opposite the first cap.
9.    Add another spacer bead.
10.    Add another 4mm round copper bead.
11.    Make a loop to close off and finish the element.

Okay, now you can wire another element onto that one, and so forth, until you’ve made a necklace, bracelet, earrings or pendant.

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