How to Attach a Large Toggle Clasp

Creating your own beaded jewelry is an inexpensive alternative to buying your jewelry at a store. Beads come in all shapes and sizes, and can be combined to suit your taste. In addition to saving money, stringing your own necklaces puts the control in your hands, allowing you to customize the design of the jewelry you wear. Large toggle clasps match well with bulkier strung beads or with multistrand necklaces. You need a few tools and a simple technique to finish your strung necklaces with a large toggle clasp.

Things You'll Need

• Beading wire
• Wire cutters
• 2 crimp beads for every strand
• Large toggle clasp
• Crimpers
• Assorted beads

Instructions

1. Cut a length of wire 6 inches longer than the desired length of your necklace. Necklaces strung with bulky, heavy or large beads should be shorter: around 17 to 19 inches. Multistrand necklaces made from smaller, lighter beads can be longer, as they will not be as heavy.

2. String a crimp bead onto the wire and add one side of the toggle clasp. Run the wire back through the crimp bead forming a loop around the clasp attachment. Pull the loop tight and crimp in place. Repeat with any additional strands.

3. Lay your beads out on a bead board and rearrange them as necessary until you are satisfied with your design. String the beads onto the beading wire, making sure to cover the wire tail coming from the crimp bead. Continue adding beads until the necklace is 1/2 inch short of the desired length.

4. Add the second crimp bead and the other side of the toggle clasp. Bring the wire back through the crimp bead to form a loop around the toggle clasp attachment. Run the wire tail through five to six beads. Pull the wire tail to tighten the loop and crimp in place. Trim any excess wire close to the necklace.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 on additional strands.

Tips & Warnings

• Use crimp covers for a more polished look.

• Take your time in the design step to ensure you are happy with your finished necklace.

• Beads are a choking hazard for young children.

References

• Land of Odds: Clasps and Closures
• Fire Mountain Gems: Clasp Styles and Their Uses