Canadian Alison Griffiths is an author and journalist by profession. She admitted, "After 13 books and thousands of articles it was time for a change." Her daughter Quinn taught her how to bead and that began her new passion!
But soon both mother and daughter were disappointed with poor quality clasps which did nothing for their lovely jewelry pieces. The search for better clasps lead directly to her store, Argus Collection.
Alison is now the sole Canadian distributor for Mag-lok which are "made in the USA in a patented, 3-step precision engineered process. NO GLUE USED IN ASSEMBLY! Rare earth magnets with chip proof platings (or pure metal)." Rare earth - often neodymium - magnets are the strongest and long lasting magnets you can use. (Note : People who have cardiac pacemakers should not wear anything with these magnets.
Mag-Lok Clasps
Her growing collection of clasps include high quality German made rare magnet clasps from Claspgarten. These have rhodium plated ends for extra shine. The colorful acrylic casings are scratch and peel-proof. Alison also pointed out, "Best of all, the casing is non-magnetic so, while there is some pull from the rhodium caps, you are unlikely to lose your bracelet or necklace on another magnetic object." One tip is to add safety chains to your designs for extra security.
Claspgarten Clasps
Her shop also carries other types of clasps. I have selected my favorites here including the Czech rhinestone box clasp shown at the top and this filigree 3-loop box clasp.
The dragon fly, patina and TierraCast clasps are also great for designs!
Alison has also "started working with Theodora Seimeni and stocking the Swarovski Fancy Stones she uses in her designs as she gets questions from North America about where to buy them." They are available from Argus Collection in different luscious colors. I have selected two which show how well the cut and color works together. Fancy indeed!
Before You Go:
- More Lovely Wire Clasp Tutorials to Try
- How to Measure and Make European Leather Bracelets With Any Clasp
- How to Make Claspless Necklace Tutorials
Disclosure
This blog may contain 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.
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
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Pearl, a huge thank you for featuring the amazing collection of clasps from Argus Collection. I had the same dilemma of finding quality clasps and was finally able to find those German ones in my travels. So glad Allison and her daughter took action, as none of the bead shops seem to have done so!
ReplyDeleteThey certainly saw a need stemming from their own frustrations!
DeleteBoy did they identify one of the missing part of the bead market. It's frustrating to work hard to make a beautiful piece of beaded jewelry, only to use a very ordinary clasp. And then to provide a selection of magnetic clasps which are imperative for people with arthritic hands. Thanks to Alison and Quinn Griffiths for filling that niche and to you, as always, for finding information that is useful for all types of artists.
ReplyDeleteGlad to be able to help others with their creative projects. You are right, it is a very useful niche. Good for them!
DeleteHow did you know I was struggling with finding a good magnetic clasp?
ReplyDeleteI have a whole slew of magnetic clasps I got from China and they might hold two pieces of paper together - might. I feel like just chucking them and they are all so pretty.
So this! Wow - I'm heading right over to their shop. And Canadian! Perfect!
Quality is everything. I guess clasps are no good if they don't do their job!
ReplyDelete