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"S" Clasp |
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"There is no boundary between the
possible and the impossible when spiritual forces are free to
intervene at any moment". Diamond Jenness, from North
American Indian Jewelry and Adornment |
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This is a nice comfortable clasp. Make sure you use a wire gauge
that is heavy enough to produce a strong clasp for your necklace
or bracelet. I generally use 14 gauge wire, but, for a delicate
piece I may use 16 gauge. |
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What You Need
- Round nose pliers
- Wire cutters
- Chain nose pliers
- Chasing hammer
- Steel bench block
- 14 gauge wire
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Click on thumbnails to see an enlargement. |
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Step 1. |
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Cut 2 1/2" of 14 gauge wire. Please note: The length
of your wire will be determined by how far up or down on your
round nose pliers you make your curves. You may need to make
some adjustments in how much wire you need to make this clasp.
Experimenting with copper wire is very inexpensive. Make
sure both ends have been blunt cut with your flush wire cutters.
Hammer both ends with your chasing hammer. |
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Step 2. |
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Make small circles with the tips of your round nose pliers at
each end of the wire. The circles should be flowing in opposite
directions from each other. As I mentioned previously, if
you use these small round nose pliers, 14 gauge is really going
to give them a work out. I use my old pliers that I bent making
small circles with 14 gauge! |
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Step 3. |
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Grasp one end of your developing clasp in the back of your round
nose pliers. The little circle should be sitting up on top. Rotate
your plier hand away from your body pressing down on the shaft
with your free thumb. |
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Step 4. |
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Put the other end of your developing clasp in the back of the
round nose pliers. The little circle should be sitting on top. |
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Step 5. |
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Rotate your plier hand away from your body. Your free thumb should
be pressing down on the wire. Hammer both of the large loops
for a finished look. If you leave one end open slightly a jump
ring can slide through. Please see photo at the top of the page
for the finished clasp. |
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Variations |
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Completely close both ends of your clasp to create a nice link
to be used in a variety of ways. Or, with both ends closed use
the simple clasp to hook through one of the loops to form your
clasp. |
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Previous Page
Coils |
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Please contact
me if these instructions aren't clear so adjustments can
be made.
Click here to download a printer
friendly Acrobat PDF file of this page. |
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