Learn to make your own clasps — Addie Kidd

In this video class, Art Jewelry associate editor, Addie Kidd, teaches you how to bend and form wire to make your own clasps that will completely personalize all your jewelry pieces. Learning to make your own clasps has its rewards. First, you’ll never have to worry about having a clasp handy to finish a piece. Second, when you make your own jewelry, customizing the clasp lets you match the look, lines, and size of your work.

The class also includes:

• An overview of the types of wire to use, how to select hardness and gauge, plus some tools you’ll need to make working with wire easier.
• Instructions for making a basic S-hook clasp.
• Instructions for making a traditional hook-and-eye clasp, plus an alternative angular hook-and-eye clasp.
• Instructions for making an angular spiral-hook clasp—the spiral added to the inside of this clasp makes it truly special.
• Instructions for making a toggle clasp. This basic clasp is a staple in jewelry making.

Jewelry Classes on Demand is brought to you by Bead&Button, BeadStyle, and Art Jewelry magazines. Each class includes a downloadable PDF with complete written instructions and illustrations, and a list of all the materials and tools you’ll need. Download a class now, and you’ll be able to watch and learn at your own pace.

Art Jewelry magazine associate editor, Addie Kidd, has been working in metals for over a decade. She edits, writes feature projects and technique articles, as well as the “Beyond Jewelry” column and serves as the metals technical editor for the magazine.