How to Make the Fastening Piece of a Necklace
The fastening clasp of a necklace holds the necklace together in a secure way. Many crafters like to make their own clasps to match the details of the necklace they've created. A design material that is inexpensive and simple to use is polymer clay. Using a clay allows you flexibility with your design and control over your project. You can also include polymer beads in your necklace project to tie the materials of the clasp to the necklace.
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Things You'll Need
- Polymer clay
- Clay tools
- Aluminum foil
- Cookie sheet
- Oven
- Acrylic paints
- Paint brush
- Jewelry glue
Instructions
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Soften your polymer clay by kneading the clay in your hands to warm it and make it easier to shape. Roll a small portion of clay into a ball shape that works for the size and shape of your necklace. Insert a clay tool or nail halfway through the ball to create a hole large enough for your necklace cord. Smooth your edges and allow the bead to harden.
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Roll a second portion of clay into a dowel shape. Cut the ends of the clay to the length you need. Insert a clay tool or nail through the length of the bead. One end of your hole should be larger than the other as you will be inserting two cords into one end. Smooth your edges and allow the bead to harden.
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Place both beads on aluminum foil on top of a cookie sheet. Bake at 225 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Allow the beads to cool completely.
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Paint the beads using acrylic artist paints in the colors you prefer. Paint with a small artist paint brush. Allow the paint to dry and then spray both beads with a spray finish in gloss or matte. Suspend the beads on thread for best overall coverage. Allow the beads to dry completely.
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Drip jewelry glue into the hole of the round bead fastener. Insert the end of one cord into the hole and allow the glue to dry without disturbing the cord or bead. Thread the other end of your cord through the narrow end of the elongated bead. Form a loop in the cord and tuck the end of the cord back into the bead. Test your loop over your round bead to get the correct size of loop. Remove the end of the cord. Add jewelry glue as deep into the bead as possible and press the end of the cord back into the bead with your loop at the correct length. Allow the glue to dry completely before wearing the necklace.
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Tips & Warnings
This type of bead can be shaped and painted to match other beads in the necklace so that all of the necklace pieces blend together well.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
