Making your own findings really adds to handmade designs. They can be all wire or or you add beads to compliment the jewelry piece. Check out this lovely wire wrapped toggle clasp tutorial by Abby Hook (her surname is a great example of nominative determinism - I have one too! see this past post)
Those big wraps made at the bottom of the small loops are particularly well done!
The coiled wire work is especially attractive. The wire gauges used as 16 G and 24 G. 16 G might be a bit thick for a beginner to work with. So make sure you use soft temper wire like copper. Work slowly - rushed wire work usually leads to imprecision.
Also remember that wrapping with thicker wire looks better. If you are tempted to change to 26 G or 28 G for the wrapping, the final design will look finer and may not be as appealing as the toggle clasp made by the designer.
Rachel Murgatroyd's tutorial (no longer available) is very different but lovely nonetheless. Hers is for delicate designs. The wire work here is also simpler to do with thinner, dead soft wire (18G ). You can also attempt this in 20 G if you scale down the size and are using it for light bracelets.
Before You Go:
Disclosure
This blog contains affiliate links. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips -Jewelry Business Tips
Those big wraps made at the bottom of the small loops are particularly well done!
The coiled wire work is especially attractive. The wire gauges used as 16 G and 24 G. 16 G might be a bit thick for a beginner to work with. So make sure you use soft temper wire like copper. Work slowly - rushed wire work usually leads to imprecision.
Also remember that wrapping with thicker wire looks better. If you are tempted to change to 26 G or 28 G for the wrapping, the final design will look finer and may not be as appealing as the toggle clasp made by the designer.
Rachel Murgatroyd's tutorial (no longer available) is very different but lovely nonetheless. Hers is for delicate designs. The wire work here is also simpler to do with thinner, dead soft wire (18G ). You can also attempt this in 20 G if you scale down the size and are using it for light bracelets.
Before You Go:
- How to Wire a Toggle Clasp into a Pendant
- More Lovely Wire Clasp Tutorials to Try
- Prong Set Cabochon Flower Clasp Design
Disclosure
This blog contains affiliate links. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips -Jewelry Business Tips
Those are both lovely hand made toggles Pearl. The tutorials have got my brain going - which is a good thing! I'm thinking of using my coiler to make some of the coils and just slide them on - then finish with some wrapping.
ReplyDeleteOr - different wraps would add such a lovely design to the first wouldn't it? Of course this was for beginners and needed to be easy enough to do - but it's also good for the rest of us to tweak our brains a bit and get us going in the middle of winter. (well it is here and will be for another couple of months)
Yes, I agree with using a wire coiler if the dimension is right. I often do this. I never mind winter as it is the season where I get the most time to do crafts!!
DeleteEvery time I see the price of findings I get closer to making my own, Or at least learning how. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThese are perfect examples of how, with practice and patience, you can turn plain wire into something beautiful.
As far as fitting names go...the Orthopedic Surgeon that put my shattered leg and ankle back together is Dr. Foote :-)
Making your own findings means your design will be almost all handmade and unique! That is too funny about your orthopedic surgeon's name! Mine is also perfect for what I love doing!
DeleteLove this!
ReplyDeleteOnce again, thank you for a perfect post, Pearl. These are really wonderful thought starters.
ReplyDelete