Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip

Question:

In making the ends of a necklace, is there a standard for which side gets the clasp? I’ve been making pendants, and just randomly chose where to put the clasp.

-Helene in Perkasie, Pennsylvania

Answer:

Hi Helene! I found some interesting information to go along with my answer today. Did you know that statistics say there are more right-handed people than left-handed? The percentages I found say that only 10 to 20% of the world’s population is left-handed. I know that I have worked with several people who seem to work better with the left hand, but had been encouraged to use the right at an early age. Most of these folks could be ambidextrous, if they will let themselves, enjoying the best of both!

Most of those in the jewelry making industry design necklaces with the clasp on the right side, so that a right-handed person can easily take them on and off. The beauty of making jewelry yourself is that you are free to also create necklaces for those who are left-handed! Here is a marketing idea that I occasionally use: make a necklace that is either reversible, or easily changed, so you can switch the clasp from one end to the other in a few minutes. This is a great way to be able to customize your work, and customers love it!

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip

Question:

I watched a video on how to make a Double Wire Wrapped Hook. What are my options as far as hardness, material, and size? Also, the same question in regard to simple hook-eye clasp and a J-hook. I’m looking to make something approximately 18-22mm long to use on a medium-weight necklace.

-Julie in Fort Pierce, Florida

Answer:

Hi Julie, the weight/gauge of the wire you choose to make your clasps and hook & eyes with does depend on the size, rather than the weight, of the finished item. Wire is wire; it’s strong and will hold a lot!

For example, on a heavy-weight chain necklace, embellished with cabochons, beads, etc., the hook would be made using just 21-gauge half hard, as the wire is folded or doubled in its creation, so the strength is doubled too! On heavier, wider bracelets with a hook & eye clasp, I like to use a minimum of 18-gauge soft; if the bracelet is 1" wide, I use 16-gauge soft. For a simple J-hook, I like to use 20 or 18-gauge soft and hammer it while shaping.

A rule of thumb for tempers would be: when using 22, 21, and 20-gauge, use half hard; when using 19, 18, and 16-gauge, use dead soft, because it work hardens very quickly in small areas. For the specific project you mention, I would use 18-gauge round dead soft wire.

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
April 11, 2010

Question:

Dale, in your book, you show making the bracelet so the hook opening points away from the wrist.  Other bracelet patterns often show the hook pointing toward the wrist.  Does it make a difference?

Answer:

Great question, thanks! In my many years of making and selling hundreds of wire bracelets with a hook and eye clasp, I have only ever had one customer request that I turn the hook around to face ‘in’, toward her wrist (which is simple to do ‘on the spot’). With the hook facing ‘out’, away from the wrist, it is so easy for one to be able to put a bracelet on and take it off, with one hand, eliminating the need for struggle or another person to help (especially for those with arthritis). Also, if you think about it, the majority of folks who purchase bracelets are ‘working’, writing or using a computer, and when the hook faces ‘in’, it can dig into the arm. The next question that I am usually asked about facing the hook ‘out’ is if it won’t catch on clothing. The answer here is; that unless one is wearing something with an extremely loose weave, such as crochet, because the hook is rounded in shape, it most often it just glides over most fabric.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
March 26, 2010

Question:

How do you make your own hook and eye fastener for use on a necklace?

Answer:

Sherrie Lingerfelt and I made several free video tutorials that can help you with these techniques. Here is one that shows how to make a hook, how to make a hook and this one shows how to make a figure 8 component, which works well as an ‘eye’ for the previous hook: Figure 8 video.

Of course, you can also make a large jump ring to use as an ‘eye’ as well: http://wire-sculpture.com/jewelry-making-blog/188/making-jump-rings

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
March 14, 2010

Question:

Dale, in your book, you show making the bracelet so the hook opening points away from the wrist.  Other bracelet patterns often show the hook pointing toward the wrist.  Does it make a difference?

Answer:

Great question, thanks! In my many years of making and selling hundreds of wire bracelets with a hook and eye clasp, I have only ever had one customer request that I turn the hook around to face ‘in’, toward her wrist (which is simple to do ‘on the spot’). With the hook facing ‘out’, away from the wrist, it is so easy for one to be able to put a bracelet on and take it off, with one hand, eliminating the need for struggle or another person to help (especially for those with arthritis). Also, if you think about it, the majority of folks who purchase bracelets are ‘working’, writing or using a computer, and when the hook faces ‘in’, it can dig into the arm. The next question that I am usually asked about facing the hook ‘out’ is if it won’t catch on clothing. The answer here is; that unless one is wearing something with an extremely loose weave, such as crochet, because the hook is rounded in shape, it most often it just glides over most fabric.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a question? Submit your question here