Hello!
I have a little something to share with my blog readers – a tutorial I created just for YOU. I know many of you can teach me a thing or two about wirework, but this is tutorial is for anyone out there just getting started with wire. Have you ever wondered how to create a one-of-a-kind clasp? Here’s a quick tutorial to help you create a clasp that can be used in your next bracelet or necklace design. All you need is a length of 16-gauge wire and your usual arsenal of tools! Let’s get started……
I hope this quick tutorial is helpful. Let me reiterate one of the final tips that I mention – using a tumbler. My tumbler has to be my absolute favorite “tool” when working with wire. If you give your clasps a good tumble (an hour or so), you’ll have a nice and sturdy clasp to be proud of. Please send me an email if you need further clarification on any part of this tutorial. I aim to please.
I’ve got one last photo to share – it’s my Bead Table Wednesday shot. This is an action shot trying to take pictures for this tutorial. I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold my pliers and my great big camera at the same time but I thought I’d give it a try. Needless to say demonstrating the steps with tools was out of the realm of possiblities for me. I needed my handy assistant.
Thank you for stopping by today. ‘See you around your bead table! 🙂
2014 Update: I hope that you found this tutorial helpful. I’m glad you found my blog, especially visitors from Pinterest. 🙂 If you would like more tips and tutorials on working with wire, please be sure to look for a copy of my book, The Missing Link – published by Interweave in Oct. 2013.
Follow Me on Pinterest
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
great tut. Thank you!
I’ve never used a rotary tumbler. Do you have a brand or attributes to recommend? Thanks – great tutorial!
Carol, I highly recommend the Lortone tumbler – a single barrel model is fine. I hope to do a tumbler tutorial soon – stay tuned! 🙂
Awesome Tutorial!! I look forward to trying it out!
Thank you for this wonderful tutorial. I’m new to this type of jewelry making and just wanted to play w/ wire today so this was perfect!
Thank you! Great tips and tutorial. Love your pics! Carina : )
Thank you…they are lovely!
Does this work if it is not tumbled? Or is it too flexible. Can I work it with a hammer instead? Liz
Yes! You can definitely make this clasp without tumbling it and it will be sturdy because it is a thick enough gauge of wire. Tumbling will polish the clasp if you oxidize it and help to work-harden it. You can also work-harden the clasp with a rawhide or rubber mallet and a bench block.
Thanks so much…I needed something a novice could pull off…especially appreciated “forming a messy sort of spiral”…that…I can do~!~lol
cjeureka
thanks for this generous tutorial. I am really grateful.
I tumble my polymer clay beads with small smooth-ish river rocks. Does that also work with wire, or is there a better material to use?
I love the beautiful hook but I would like to see the eye that goes with it. Could you post the eye that corresponds to the eye or even give me a verbal description of it. Thanks much!
Luci, the nice thing about a hook clasp is that you can use any kind of eye to go with it, as long as the hook fits nicely. A large jump ring is the easiest solution, or you can make a fancy eye as well.
Thanks for sharing this Cindy! I love making clasps out of wire, and seeing how someone else does it is always interesting. I have some ideas to go and try now, just need to find a little time…
Just beautiful!! I’m feeling very inspired! Thanks so much for sharing your lovely clasp tutorial Cindy! I have pinned it and I will surely be making some today. Can I ask what you use to oxidize your brass wire? TIA!
Cindy 🙂
Thank you, Marie-Noel and Cindy! Cindy, I use an oxidizing agent such as Novacan Black or a Jax product to oxidize brass. 🙂
Thank you very much!
Just wanted to say thank you for this great clasp tutorial and I also wanted to let you know that I got your book as soon as it came out and WOW!! It’s fantastic! I always have problems coming up with interesting links and stuff, this book has helped me so much! Thank you for putting it out there 🙂
I just bought your book last week, and I absolutely love it. I need to practice about 500 times, in order to get good, but I am looking forward to creating some beautiful things. Thank you.
Many thanks 4 the tutoríal is clear and original works…
Thank you so much for the tutorial! I really appreciate it when I find a someone who had taken time to do a tutorial and it’s free. I get excited when I see steps on wire art, I definitely will try these clasps 🙂
Will try having a go at making these clasps, love the free tutorial thanks candy! 🙂
I’m glad you like the tutorial! Have fun with wire and thank you for the feedback!
Loved this – so easy and versatile. I immediately went out and bought the book. The book is wonderful too. Starts out easy and works into more advanced wire wrapping. Thanks.
Thank you for the kind comment and so nice to hear you were inspired to buy the book, The Missing Link!
I freaking love you and have your book on Kindle Unlimited. I wanted to say THANK YOU THANK YOU for making your book available on Amazon Kindle Unlimited. Your book has changed EVERYTHING (happy tears in eyes), filled with gratitude!
Kind Regards~
Thank you, Cindy, for this great tutorial. I found it easy to follow and very effective! I’m very pleased with my clasp. I used 1mm/18ga wire and it worked really well. Also used your tips and hammered where you recommended and the liver of sulphur worked a treat 🙂
Love the tutorial and I love your books!
Thank you, Kerri! :0)
Thank you Karen – Glad to hear the tutorial worked well for you (and a bonus that you used liver of sulphur too!). 🙂
{ 5 trackbacks }