Clasps, Tools and Findings for Stringing, Design & Jewelry Making, Beads by Mail
50% OFF THIS GROUP, DON'T MISS THESE TREMENDOUS VALUES! WHILE THEY LAST ...
CORRECT PRICE/QUANTITY WILL DISPLAY IN SHOPPING CART LIST WHEN YOU CLICK ADD TO CART BUTTON.
Memory Wire Bracelets 50% OFF!!! Easiest to Make & Enjoy
Left you see examples of memory in use. It is so easy to work with, and you can switch your
bead combinations around with no trouble. Plus a package is so inexpensive, no need to
worry about mistakes. 75 loops per package, with easy instructions included.
Bracelet size memory wire, OLD PRICE $13.99 per one-ounce package NEW PRICE $6.99 PER PACK.
Is Copper the New Silver? SAVE!!!
Beautiful, well made copper (solid no plating) clasps, earwires, headpins to try with glass, stone, or
cloisonne beads! These colors will flatter and give you an original design. The toggle clasps are 18mm - 25mm, the
headpins are 2.5" with 4 little balls on the end, and the earwires are very pretty, about an inch with
a coil and a fancy bead. Copper toggle clasps, any shape, 3 sets $5.50.
Copper headpins, 4 pair $6.00.
Copper earwires, OLD PRICE 2 pair for $2.99
NEW PRICE 6 PAIR FOR $4.99.
Copper crimps 2mm, 30 for $1.50.
Sample pack of 2 toggles, 2 pair headpins, 2 pair earwires, 10 crimps, $7.99.
Tools
Pliers
The single most important tool in the jewelry designer's box is a needlenose (or chain nose) pliers. The one pictured at left is inexpensive and very well made as well as comfortable in the hand. This pliers is all you need for 95% of the tasks. Chain nose pliers, $13.99.
Many jewelers swear by round-nose pliers for making links and turning loops. True, you can get more perfect round shapes with a round-nose, but it is not very good for gripping the work, which you need to do quite frequently. You may actually mar the piece you are trying to grip if you use a round nose pliers. However if you are doing wirewinding they are indispensable. Round-nose pliers $13.99.
If you do a lot of work with jump rings you need two pliers. Get a needlenose and a round-nose.
Thread Nipper
You also need a tool to cut cords. In making jewelry, as in any other job,
using the right tools saves a lot of time and effort. For trimming fine threads you need a nipper that can get into very
small spaces and make a clean cut without "sawing". Thread nipper, REDUCED FROM $13.99 TO $8.99.
Hand Braided Faux Leather Cord for Creating Unique Designs
This fine quality leather cord is 1mm in diameter & fits through most beads that have larger holes.
You can also attach pendants to it for instant jewelry ready to wear. We use it frequently, and you don't need
a clasp, just knot it at the length you like. Leather stringing cord, 2 yards for $3.99.
Toggle Clasps & Other Styles For Every Budget
These clasps are different and priced so you can try them
Left, sterling--a wavy heart shaped loop with a bar. The heart is about 14mm, the bar is 20mm and all edges are smoothly finished. Sterling heart toggle clasp, $2.99 each, 4 for $9.99.
Teapot Toggle Clasp-Sterling
Your bracelet will cheer you up every time you look at this clasp. A sterling teapot with an opening into which a spoon bar fits. Very secure. 13mm x 16mm. Sterling teapot toggle clasp, $6.50 for the 2 pieces.
Findings
Findings are the indispensable metal or plastic parts such as earwires, necklace and bracelet clasps, jump rings, ear posts, and so on that enable you to wear your bead designs.
Metals Commonly Used in Jewelry Manufacture
Almost any finding comes in the following metal:
- base metal (brass/copper alloy)
- gold-plated
- nickel-plated
- rhodium-plated
- plated in sterling silver
- plated in gold
- sterling silver
- 14 or 18 karat gold
No matter what your jewelry design idea, there is probably a finding to hang it, loop it, set it, or link it. The problem is how to find the finding! Many jewelers create their own.
The illustrations below are a starting guide to help you identify the most basic findings in frequent use.
Take a look through your jewelry box to identify some findings you already own. It's also interesting to visit the costume jewelry counters at a department store to look at the variety of findings used in making necklaces, pins, various styles of earrings, and bracelets. You'll see a lot of gold plated and nickel/rhodium plated clasps, links, and jumprings.
Earring Findings
Headpin
The photo above at left shows headpins. A headpin is a straight piece of stiff wire with a flat or other-shape head at one end. You string beads on it and then turn a loop at the open end with your pliers to make an earring drop or pendant. Headpins come in various lengths, from one inch to 4 inches. Two inch headpins are a good length. Price reduced. 20 two-inch long headpins, silver plated, no nickel, $1.99.
Eyepin
Eyepins
are like headpins only with a loop at the end. You need these for attaching
dangles. Ours are a very high quality silverplated 2-inch length. These are also
handy for attaching clasps and wiring beads. 20 two-inch long eyepins, silver plated, no nickel, $1.49.
Sterling Headpin
You also need sterling headpins, 2" long, 24 gauge wire, 20 (10 pair) for $4.25. (These are the ones in the photo.) If you want eyepins, they are same price & size, please indicate that choice in the shopping cart special instructions box.
Shepherd crook earring
Gold Fill Earring Finding
Clip with loop
This clip with loop is for unpierced ears. It has a half ball that fits on the earlobe.
You can open the loop with pliers and hang your earring dangle. These are very comfortable and
secure. 10 pair clip with loop, silverplate, $3.49.
CRIMPS for securing the clasp to the strand!
If you string necklaces and bracelets with Beadalon or Tigertail, a very strong yet supple material with a monofilament wire core in a smooth covering, you need crimps to fasten it at the ends. 2-mm crimp beads (sterling silver or copper) are 20 for $1.50 STERLING SOLD OUT. 14K Goldfill crimps, in 14k goldfill, are 10 for $2.99.
We show only a few of the wide variety of clasps for necklaces and bracelets. Of course the simplest way to close a necklace is to tie a knot. This works well if your necklace is strung on a single piece of silk cord or hemp or a leather thong. However, if you want your necklace to fit a certain way and be a specific length, you will need a clasp closure. Clasps are easy to attach. The technique you use depends on what you string your beads on - Beadalon, silk, nylon, etc.
Send us an email if you have questions.
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