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Monday, August 16, 2010

Clasps

Often when I'm designing a necklace or bracelet, I spend just as much time designing as I do looking for the perfect clasp. To me, a clasp is more than a functional device; it's an integral part of the piece, whether or not it's in view. I go out of my way to find interesting ones in a variety of styles, sizes and materials. I've spend as much as $50 for a clasp I couldn't live without. Some I find them at trade shows, and others at online stores. And I love discovering things in little bead shops whenever I'm traveling.

My favorite are box clasps made with vintage buttons or intaglios. Box clasps are two-piece clasps that open when you push down on the exterior lever of a wedge-shaped piece of metal (tongue), compressing it so that it slides out of the opening. Push it back in the groove and it clicks into place.


I also love to use toggle clasps. One section of the clasp is formed into a circle or other shape with an open center. The other half is a thick bar that attaches to the components at the other end. When you insert the "T" into the circle extends past the circle's edges to hold the jewelry in place.

4 comments:

allhorsestuff said...

You are an artisian. I love your beautiful wares, creatively crafted. Unique always,Tara.
I would love to purchase...1 of each!
:-) KAC

Vera said...

Oh I can see why you think of clasps that way, those are all so unique and pretty :) true beauty and function!

Cindy Gimbrone said...

What a lovely collection of clasps! You incorporate them beautifully into each of the bracelets - they really sing!

Thanks for following us at Art Bead Scene - we love our readers!

Cindy

Fine Estate Jewelry said...

Those are really amazing clasp, great work of art, those are so unique and simple. I like to flaunt these type of clasps.

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