Single-Strand Necklace and Earring Set with Turquoise Gemstone Beads, Metal Chain and Wirework

Necklace Instructions

Cut four 3 large/2 small link sections of silver-plated textured round chain. One section should include the toggle bar.

Separate six closed links of copper textured round chain.

Cut the following wire:

• One 7-inch length of 12-gauge sterling silver-filled wire
• One 20-inch length of 20-gauge sterling silver-filled wire
• Three 5-inch lengths of 24-gauge half-round sterling silver wire
• Six 4-inch lengths of 24-gauge half-round sterling silver wire
• Two 3-inch sections of twisted 20-gauge copper wire
• Two 10-inch sections of 20-gauge copper wire

String the following onto an eye pin then create a simple loop:

• One turquoise heishi
• One 6x1mm copper wavy rondelle
• One 10x2mm silver-plated wavy rondelle
• One copper wavy rondelle
• One turquoise heishi

Repeat to create a second heishi/rondelle link.

String one turquoise nugget onto an eye pin then create a simple loop. Repeat to create a total of six nugget links.

Gently hammer the 12-gauge wire to slightly flatten and add texture, avoiding 1 inch at each end.

Bend the un-hammered section at each end of the 12-gauge wire into a large simple loop.

Gently curve the wire to create the base of the focal component.

String and center the following onto the 20-inch length of 20-gauge sterling silver-filled wire:

• One nugget
• One copper wavy rondelle
• One heishi
• One copper wavy rondelle
• One silver-plated wavy rondelle

• One copper wavy rondelle
• One heishi
• One copper wavy rondelle
• One nugget

Holding the strung beads at the center of the wire, bend both ends up and across each other to create a teardrop approximately 2 inches long.

Use your non-dominant hand to hold the teardrop so the point is centered just under the 12-gauge wire base. Use your dominant hand to bring one end of the teardrop wire up and over the base, wrapping tightly approximately 3/4 of an inch from the teardrop. Wrap tightly a second time, moving toward the end of the base.

Repeat to secure the second end of the wire toward the opposite end of the base.

String the following onto one end of the 20-gauge wire:

• One heishi
• One copper wavy rondelle
• One silver-plated wavy rondelle
• One copper wavy rondelle
• One heishi

Holding the strung beads in place, bend the end of the wire up and across itself to create a teardrop approximately 1 inch long.

Bring the wire up and over the base wire and wrap tightly around the base two to three times. Trim any excess wire.

Repeat Steps 7 and 8 with the opposite end of the 20-gauge wire.

Lightly hammer the wire teardrops, avoiding the bead embellishments.

Tightly wrap one end of a 5-inch length of 24-gauge sterling silver wire three times around one side of the large wire teardrop, approximately 1/4 of an inch from the point.

String a 22mm turquoise teardrop onto the 24-gauge wire. Hold the turquoise teardrop centered at the top of the wire teardrop with your non-dominant hand. With your dominant hand, tightly wrap the opposite side of the 24-gauge wire around the opposite side of the wire teardrop three times to secure the turquoise teardrop. Trim any excess wire.

Repeat to add 16mm turquoise teardrops to the smaller wire teardrops.

Tightly wrap one end of a length of twisted copper wire on the left side of the rightmost wire teardrop three times, directly next to the heishi beads.

Bring the wire in front of the adjacent section of the center wire teardrop then tightly wrap three times.

Trim any excess twisted wire.

Repeat to add a length of twisted copper wire between the leftmost wire teardrop and the center wire tear drop.

Create a spiral approximately 3/4 of an inch in diameter at one end of a length of 20-gauge copper wire. Create a spiral approximately 1/2 an inch in diameter on the opposite end of the wire. Lightly hammer the spiral component to flatten and add texture.

Repeat to create a second copper spiral component.

Hold a spiral component to the base wire in the location you desire. Use 4-inch lengths of 24-gauge sterling silver wire to tightly wrap the spiral component in place at three points.

Repeat with the second spiral component.

Attach the following components to begin assembling the necklace:

• Section of silver-plated chain with the toggle bar
• One nugget link
• One copper chain link
• One nugget link
• One section of silver-plated chain

• One nugget link
• One copper chain link
• One heishi/rondelle link
• One copper chain link
• Loop at one end of the focal base wire

Repeat in reverse to assemble the second half of the necklace.

Earring Instructions

Cut the following wire:

• Two 6-inch lengths of 20-gauge sterling silver-filled wire
• Four 3-inch lengths of 24-gauge half round sterling silver wire
• Two 4-inch lengths of 24-gauge half round sterling silver wire
• Two 8-inch lengths of 20-gauge copper wire

String and center the following onto a 6-inch length of 20-gauge sterling silver-filled wire:

• One turquoise nugget
• One copper wavy rondelle
• One turquoise heishi
• One copper wavy rondelle
• One silver-plated wavy rondelle

• One copper wavy rondelle
• One heishi
• One copper wavy rondelle
• One nugget

Holding the beads at the center of the wire, bend the wire ends up and toward each other to form a teardrop shape. Trim the wire ends. Create a simple loop on each end of the wire. Connect the loops together to secure the teardrop shape.

Repeat to create a second beaded teardrop.

Gently hammer the wire teardrops to flatten and add texture, avoiding the beads and loops.

Tightly wrap one end of a 4-inch length of 24-gauge sterling silver wire three times around one side of the large wire teardrop, approximately 1/4 of an inch from the point.

String a turquoise teardrop onto the 24-gauge wire. Hold the turquoise teardrop centered at the top of the wire teardrop with your non-dominant hand. With your dominant hand, tightly wrap the opposite side of the 24-gauge wire around the opposite side of the wire teardrop three times to secure the turquoise teardrop. Trim any excess wire.

Repeat to add a turquoise teardrop to the second wire teardrop.

At one end of a length of copper wire, create a spiral approximately 3/4 of an inch in diameter. Create a slightly smaller spiral at the other end of the wire.

Repeat to create a second spiral component.

Gently hammer the spiral components to flatten and add texture.

Hold a spiral component to the top of a teardrop component, one spiral centered just above the teardrop point and the other in front of the side of the teardrop.

Use 3-inch lengths of 24-gauge wire to secure the spiral component to the teardrop at two points.

Repeat to add a spiral component to the second teardrop.

Add an ear wire to the outer ring of the top spiral. Repeat to complete the second earring.