Beaded Toggle Clasp Instructions
Part of the beauty of an artisan jewelry piece is the quality and design of the clasp. Toggle clasps are stylish and unusual while being one of the most functional clasps because the jewelry wearer can close the clasp without assistance. Professional jewelry makers and hobbyists can find toggle clasps of different styles, shapes and materials, but they can also create their own toggle clasp and add to the beauty and value of their creations.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Sterling silver or gold-filled 20-gauge half hard round wire
- Wire-cutting pliers
- Ring mandrel or other cylindrical item-the circumference you want
- Beads to match jewelry item
- Flat beak pliers
- Round beak pliers
Instructions
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1
Cut two lengths of 20-gauge round half hard wire with the wire-cutting pliers. The first length should be 6 inches, the second 3 inches.
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2
Wrap the 6-inch length of wire around the mandrel or cylinder to the desired size of round part of the toggle clasp. Make sure you have even lengths on both sides of the mandrel.
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3
Pull the wire taut around the mandrel or cylinder to give it a round shape, but do not bend or crimp the ends.
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4
Lay out your beads in the order you want to use them for your clasp.
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5
Remove the wire from the mandrel. With your index finger and your thumb, hold one end of the wire. With the other hand, begin threading the beads onto the wire in the layout you designed in Step 4. Your index finger and thumb holding the wire will prevent the beads from slipping off.
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6
Hold an end of wire in each hand after you thread all your beads. Again wrap the wire around the mandrel or cylinder.
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7
Lay down the mandrel flat with the wrapped beaded wire without letting go of the wire ends.
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8
Grab an end of the wire in each hand and cross the ends over each other. Twist firmly and tightly two to three times, closing the beaded loop.
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9
Remove the wire from the mandrel or cylinder. You should have a taut, beaded circle with a twisted tail.
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10
Use the flat-end pliers to pinch the wire twist soit is tight and will not unravel. Clip off one of the wire tails as close as possible to the twisted closure.
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11
Grab the remaining end of the wire with the round pliers as close to the coiled closure as possible. Hold the pliers and the wire in your non-dominant hand. Pull the wire around the round part of the pliers with your dominant hand, making a small loop.
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12
Wrap the free end of the wire in a clockwise motion around the twisted end of the closure at least three times, each coil neatly laying one right after the other (while still holding the loop in your non-dominant hand.) If there is leftover wire, clip it with the wire-cutting pliers. You now have the round toggle part of your clasp with a connector ring.
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13
Wrap the 3-inch wire around the round plier. Twist the two ends around each other tightly against the plier at least twice. Create a small, taut loop; this will be your connector loop for the other end of the clasp.
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14
Use the flat beak pliers to straighten out the two ends of the wire on either side of the loop you have made.
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15
Thread beads onto one end of the wire until it is full. Leave a small tail.
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16
Curl the end of the wire into a closed loop at the end of the beaded wire, tucking the tip of the wire underneath the last bead. Repeat this on the other end of the wire, using beads equal to the number you used on the first side. You will have a flat toggle closure with a connector loop.
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Tips & Warnings
Six inches of wire will make a clasp that is roughly 2½ inches to 3 inches in circumference. If you want a smaller clasp, cut the wire shorter; if you want a larger clasp, cut the wire longer. The larger the clasp is made, the weaker it becomes.
Make sure your twists to close the wire are tight. If not tight enough, they may unravel while you are working on i or the beads will fall off.
References
- Photo Credit jewelry image by Byron Moore from Fotolia.com
