What do you use for the clasp for bracelets made with beading wire? I find lobster clasps are hard to do up and not that pretty but toggle types are hard to get the tension right. Any advice?

Di

I sometimes use magnetic clasps with safety chains. Beads Direct have some nice strong rhodium plated ones - but they aren't cheap.

I have started using the larger lobster clasps (as people were finding them hard to do up themselves) and instead of a jump ring on the other end use a split ring to stop the beading wire coming out of the gap on a jump ring.

Other than that i use a toggle clasp (my fav) but as for tension, just pull it tight enough so your beads are very slightly loose but not loose enough that they slide along it, then finish off the crimps with 2mm crimp covers.

HTH

Carol XXX

I use toggles, nothing else. There is such a great choice, they look attractive, are a cinch to do up one-handed, and customers love them. I use them for most of my necklaces too. Not sure what the problem is with tension, but the way I do it is to pass the wire through the 2x2mm crimp tube, then through a 3mm sterling bead just to give it a neat look. through a toggle loop, through a wire guardian, then return it - wire guardian, 3mmbead, crimp, and back through a few more beads. Crimp either conventionally and cover, or crimp using Magical Crimping tool.
To ensure a taught wire, I pull it through the "return" beads with a round nose pliers. I dont leave a gap. The wire guardian ensures that it all moves smoothly.
Hope this is of use to you Di.
Nia.

depends on the style-flat cuffs i use box clasp to keep the shape(but largish lobster or bar thingy for men)-most others toggle-sometimes i add an extra ring to the bar end to make it more"pliable"-with chain i like to use multi stranded onless they are narrow-tension-i`m with carol on this-2mm play is about right

Like Nia I am a toggle fan. Customers really like the Bali toggle clasps I use and find them really easy to do up.

I have also used St silver magnetic clasps (which I sell) with safety chains, and strangely I am drifting back to lobster clasps as sometimes toggle's seem too heavy as my work is getting lighter.

Thanks for the tips, they are helpful, but I wasn't very clear was I? When I said tension I was meaning how to make the toggle clasp do up so that it sits nicely but isn't in danger of coming undone. I suppose it may depend on the clasp, perhaps I need to try a few different ones. I've just made a bracelet and am not that happy with it but it may need a weightier toggle than I've used.

Di

I made button toggle fasteners with fimo. I tend to use them for most of my jewellery now and can make them in any colour i like

I'm exactly the opposite - I can't stand toggles (for myself anyway). I like hooks, either simple or 's'. Otherwise nice chunky lobsters or big bolt rings. I like using heavy clasps that mean I can get away with not having to counterweight, or those that are decorative enough to become part of the design.

george

To get the length of bracelet right - make one for yourself. It's a pain I know, but anyhow You don't need to actually crimp it finished.

You know your wrist size, measure the length of beading that was correct for your wrist size, then the difference between the two tells you what length of beading you need for any size of wrist. Clear as mud?

For example: Wrist size 17cm, beading length 15cm and when the toggle is put on total length 21cm (rectangular clasp). So I know that whatever the length of beading I do, that design will fit up to a wrist that is 2cm bigger and the toggle will work safely.

Thanks Hilary - I think I get it! Thanks too for the lovely washers which arrived this morning

Di