I love doing my own clasps! I just finished up a custom wedding order where I did 11 necklaces ( all with a different handmade closure) It was so fun and I feel like I save money as well. I can make a much more interesting closure for the same price as a simple store bought one. Are you thinking of starting or do you work on these a lot? I'd be interested to see everyone's different styles for closing!
You could probably find some basic instructions for a closure in one of those wire wrapping magazines you pick up at Hobby Lobby or Micheal's too. Those are pretty clasps HeartFeltRosaries , thanks for sharing! You will defiantly save some $$ making your own findings. Buy a pair(or 2) of bail pliers. They are great for getting nice even round loops. I got couple of great pairs at Hobby Lobby,they sure are handy.:-)
I often make my own clasps and findings, especially if I am working with unconventional wires that simply don't have anything ready-made available (14 gauge green aluminum wire?). It adds another dimension to the handmade element, as well.
justbethlevey - Try a 16g Dead Soft.For best hardness,put it through the tumbler . You could tumble it with the finished piece of jewelry,or if you are attaching it to a piece that can't be tumbled,you could always just tumble the clasps separately.
I harden my sterling silver by hammering it on a steel block with a ballpeen hammer. I use 20 gauge dead soft, and hammer it flat but not flimsy. Strengthens the wire and keeps it from kinking, and it's cheaper than a tumbler.
heartfelt..........such beautiful closures. I've been making alot of mine, but they don't look like that. I do make most of my ear wires. I like them better for the style and they look nicer than the average store bought ones. Alos they fit better in my ears. I don't feel like they are falling out all the time. I would really love to wrap as beatiful as some of you. I'm really interested in learning more.
