Six Tips for Securing a Clasp on Your Necklace or Bracelet

Over time I've made enough mistakes to discover how NOT to add a clasp to my jewelry.  When you first add your crimp beads to your jewelry wire, it's a cinch!  But when you get to the end, it gets complicated. I used to sweat every time I had to finish a piece.  Now I feel much more confident!

Tip 1:  Use the Proper Pliers
I improvised this weird way of trying to bend wire into shape using round-nose pliers.  It was a disaster.  One day I realized it wasn't just my technique that made finishing a piece so sketchy.  It was the pliers!  I switched to regular long-nose pliers and it's gotten instantly easier!  Hook nose also work great.  Both are shown in this photo.












Tip 2: Give Just a Little Wiggle Room
If you are like me, you have strong tension.  This makes for very tight bead weaving and stringing.  Loosen up for Pete's sake!  When you get to the end and put your crimp beads on the wire, give yourself a little space between the crimp bead and the clasp.  Make sure you can move the wire a little around the clasp so that it doesn't lock up when it's worn.

Tip 3: Watch that Wiggle Room!

Before you crimp, make sure you don't have any major gaps in your work.  There's nothing more irritating than having to take apart your project and restring it because you failed to detect the extra wire or thread in some area of your work.  On the other hand, you want to make sure the necklace or bracelet doesn't bunch up.  Before crimping the clasp on, bend it into the shape in which it will be worn.  Remember that saying, measure twice, cut once!

 

Tip 4: Double Crimp
Many people who come to me for repairs do so because of a failed crimp bead.  Having your project fall to pieces as you wear just stinks, especially when you've just told someone your one-of-a-kind necklace is your artisan creation (synonym for homemade).  Add two crimp beads to each end to keep it secure.

Tip 5:  Know Your Clasp!
Obviously you need the right clasp for your work.  A magnet clasp might not support the weight of your necklace.  Some clasps tarnish when worn.  Your clasp should be sturdy and the right size as well as strand accommodation for your project.  I've recently begun using a sealant on certain clasps that I know will turn color from use.

Tip 6: Close a Locking Clasp First
Certain types of clasps lock into place.  For this reason, it's possible to put one end of the clasp on backwards, especially if you are in a rush or perhaps just tired from a long day at work.  I recommend putting the clasp together right before attaching the wire or thread.  This way you are sure to attach it correctly.  It is so frustrating to discover only too late that half the clasp is backwards.  From this point you usually have to restring the entire project!  Yikes!

I hope these tips are useful for you!  Feel free to hit Follow or Subs

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