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:
- Form a loop at one end of the 4″ long .20 gauge copper wire.
- Wrap the end of the wire to finish the loop.
- Press the cut end of the wire deeply into the wrapping so it doesn’t catch on anything.
- Thread on a 4mm round copper bead.
- Add a spacer bead.
- Add a bead cap if wanted, with the hollow side toward the main bead.
- Add the gemstone or main bead.
- Add a bead cap rotated opposite the first cap.
- Add another spacer bead.
- Add another 4mm round copper bead.
- 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.