Those of you who visit the AJE Component of the month blog hops may remember that my last COM design was incomplete because I'd made a bespoke bronze clasp and hadn't had time to fire it. Well, I still haven't fired it but I have managed to play around with some toggle bar ideas to go with it when it is fired.
This method takes a little bit longer but does create a slightly cleaner looking bar although personally I'd be happy to use either version.
Once the clasp is fired and patinated I think this will complete the design very well.
I have all sort of beads and components in my stash that could be used as clasps if they had a bar so I made a few more to see how they worked. For this one I used a square macrame knot and gently curved the bar when I finished knotting.
I think it makes a lovely focal closure for this beautiful ceramic element from Karen Totten.
For this ceramic link component by Marla James I used a spiral knot and teamed it with some lovely rustic faceted Czech glass beads to create an unusual clasp.
And finally, some simple seed beads add a little interest to a plain sheet bronze clasp - an idea that would translate easily to washers or large jump rings.
Lesley
Rather than use my usual hammered wire bars I wanted to try and come up with a design that carried the beaded element of my bracelet into the toggle bar so I decided to try the wire macrame technique I've used before for earrings. For my first attempt I use a spiral knot with the little etched beads featured in the necklace to create this bar and added a jump ring to the centre by which it can be attached to the bracelet.
This works fine but I really wanted to see if I could include the connection loop within the bar itself so this time I formed a loop in the centre of the core wire and instead of knotting from end to end I attached the wire through the loop and knotted from the centre out.
This method takes a little bit longer but does create a slightly cleaner looking bar although personally I'd be happy to use either version.
Once the clasp is fired and patinated I think this will complete the design very well.
I have all sort of beads and components in my stash that could be used as clasps if they had a bar so I made a few more to see how they worked. For this one I used a square macrame knot and gently curved the bar when I finished knotting.
I think it makes a lovely focal closure for this beautiful ceramic element from Karen Totten.
For this ceramic link component by Marla James I used a spiral knot and teamed it with some lovely rustic faceted Czech glass beads to create an unusual clasp.
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And finally, some simple seed beads add a little interest to a plain sheet bronze clasp - an idea that would translate easily to washers or large jump rings.
So it's really quite easy to add a little extra interest to your jewellery designs with a few beads and a length of wire. I'm sorry I didn't have time to write a complete tutorial for this post but I will do that as soon as I can and post it here and on my own blog.
Lesley
I really like your macrame wire bars. They are a wonderful idea for clasps.I will read your tutorial and make some too.
ReplyDeleteI love this!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely LOVE!!!
ReplyDeleteVery cool!!!
ReplyDeletewhat a cool idea for a clasp - really like it
ReplyDeleteLove the bars and the way you wrap the beads so effortlessly...something that I avoid. Your techniques are always so fresh and creative. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving how your CoM bracelet is looking! I can't wait to see it finished, and to see what your frame clasp looks like when it's all done. I love your beaded toggle bars, I'm always trying to think of ways to make more interesting-looking toggle bars too. I feel inspired to add some beads to them!
ReplyDeleteThat is super clever! Love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDelete