What's Your Favorite Type of Clasp for Bracelet Making Projects?

re: What's Your Favorite Type of Clasp for Bracelet Making Projects?

Bead Soup Chef — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:06:52 GMT

My favorite type bracelet is made with memory wire, so no clasp is required and it fits a variety of wrist sizes. Most of the bracelets on my Etsy store [Betty's Bead Soup] use this. One tip for this type bracelet: if you use many large heavy beads to make it up, make sure it's at least three loops long or better - otherwise, if you make a sudden gesture with your arm, the bracelet's weight may pull it off your wrist, to go sailing across the room. (Ask me how I know...) Also, the oval shaped memory wire works well. (Only people with patience for tedium should use the ring-sized wire...)

re: What's Your Favorite Type of Clasp for Bracelet Making Projects?

abakerdrummond — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 14:57:29 GMT

Regarding: What's Your Favorite Type of Clasp for Bracelet Making Projects?

I have to admit that making a clasp is my least favorite thing to do when I finish a bracelet or necklace..... I always have a hard time with that part of my creations. Never can quite make up my mind. Most of the time I will use the beads that I used to make the bracelet, as I don't have to worry about the beads not matching.

re: What's Your Favorite Type of Clasp for Bracelet Making Projects?

Amybeader — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 19:49:48 GMT

I make a lot of spiral rope bracelets. My standard clasp for those is a bead and loop. It's just so easy to attache and to enhance the bracelet with a bead that compliments the colors in the bracelet.

My other favorite is the toggle clasp. For most people, the toggle clasp can be worked one-handed, which makes it a good clasp for bracelets.

re: What's Your Favorite Type of Clasp for Bracelet Making Projects?

AngelaY2 — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 18:05:54 GMT

For me, it's almost always one of two clasps: the reliable lobster claw or a button ("trailer hitch") clasp. The lobster has never failed me, but it doesn't always lay correctly. The trailer hitch is easy to operate and is a little more forgiving in terms of directionality. I'll never advocate a magnetic clasp to anyone again. I had one so strong that it hurt if you got your finger or arm in the way when it came together, but I didn't notice I'd lost a bracelet until the end of a very busy day.

re: What's Your Favorite Type of Clasp for Bracelet Making Projects?

alsdaughter — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 17:57:03 GMT

I have had the same experience as PurpleLynn. I made a bracelet for a friend who wanted a magnetic clasp. She lost the bracelet for several weeks then discovered that it had attached itself to the handlebars of the baby stroller she kept at her house for occasions when she babysat her grandchild. Another time she lost if for a few days then discovered it attached to the side of her refrigerator. I replaced the magnetic clasp on her bracelet with a toggle and she has not lost it since. Now, I use magnetic clasps only on necklaces.

re: What's Your Favorite Type of Clasp for Bracelet Making Projects?

dlmoores — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 17:34:37 GMT

Clasps and a couple of tips I learnt: Never purchase a toggle clasp without trying it out first: sometimes the 'T' section doesn't even fit through the 'O' section, grrr!

Don't buy any toggles that have an asymetrical 'T' section (ie. a pretty little flower on only one end),,, the 'T' is unbalanced and doesn't hang properly and the clasp will tend to come undone very easily (add a safety chain!!).

Always allow the toggle parts to hang loosely! Ie.Do Not wire or sew the toggle parts onto your bracelet such that they cannot freely move and hang.You should see them 'dangle' off your bracelet. It is this movement that allows them to catch on to each other and hold the bracelet together.

Every magnetic clasp has the potential to come apart, especially in a coat sleeve!

re: What's Your Favorite Type of Clasp for Bracelet Making Projects?

dianna@17 — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:52:07 GMT

It is my firm belief that the clasp makes the bracelet/necklace. So before I secure a clasp on a bracelet, I always say in my head "Is this bracelet/necklace worthy of the clasp?" In reality, I am saying does the clasp enhance the project in some way.

re: What's Your Favorite Type of Clasp for Bracelet Making Projects?

PurpleLynn — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 02:32:32 GMT

Thanks from me as well for the info on clasps for bracelets. Has anyone had the problem of magnetic clasps on a bracelet grabbing hold of something else, like a metal door, while wearing them? Since this happened to me, I don't like to use this type of clasp for a bracelet.

re: What's Your Favorite Type of Clasp for Bracelet Making Projects?

Aunty Akoya — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 22:04:20 GMT

thats just like my experience, lost to much bracelets, so i stopped rushing ...anyway it is not easy all the time to find one which suits perfect. for the magnets that i prefer on bracelets, i only choose very strong ones now, and maybe even add a (whats the engl word?) little savety chain that is not eyecatching.

re: What's Your Favorite Type of Clasp for Bracelet Making Projects?

ruthkaplan1950@gmail.com — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 02:31:30 GMT

I used a toggle on a bracelet without realizing that the toggle bar was too short. By the time I was ready to leave the house, the bracelet had fallen off 3 or 4 times. It matched my outfit but I couldn't wear it that day. Had to restring it and use a different clasp. The toggle came from a previously reliable source. So, always check your clasps before you use them!

re: What's Your Favorite Type of Clasp for Bracelet Making Projects?

cweisflute — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 02:17:30 GMT

I always put the safety chain on my bracelets so as never to worry about clasp failure

re: What's Your Favorite Type of Clasp for Bracelet Making Projects?

alice schoen — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 22:11:04 GMT

sometimes I have to wait for "the perfect clasp" but want to wear the jewelry immediately, so i take two split rings - the oval ones are better! - and fix any clasp. I can change it very easy, ita also a good solution for magnetic clasp if they loose their strength after a while

re: What's Your Favorite Type of Clasp for Bracelet Making Projects?

popspet — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 18:13:31 GMT

I have always loved the clasps that fold over and snap closed. Unfortunately, they all have magnets and with my mother having a pacemaker that's out. As far as my favorite---it depends on the bracelet and what goes with it.

re: What's Your Favorite Type of Clasp for Bracelet Making Projects?

padali30 — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:58:58 GMT

Clasps deffinately make or break a bracelet. These days I design a bracelet around a clasp, or I simply design a beaded loop with a gemstone for a clasp. I don't like magnetic clasps, I find that most don't hold together well and I don't like the way they look. A lot of people ask why I don't use them in my pieces and I tell them why. I'd rather just make my own.

re: What's Your Favorite Type of Clasp for Bracelet Making Projects?

BethM@3 — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:12:56 GMT

Thanks for the great reminders on using quality clasps and the different kinds. I have a tip to share. When adding the clasp ends to a beadwoven bracelet, be sure to NOT use the same continuous thread that you used for beadweaving -- the beadwork threads should all be knotted off and woven in before adding the clasp. Use a separate thread for the clasp. This way, if the clasp breaks or you otherwise want to replace the clasp, you can cut off the old one without worry that the beadwork will come undone.

(Don't ask me how I know to do this now...)