Make Your Own Bracelet Button Clasps

by Judy Larson

Category: Findings
Technique(s): Cutting, Dapping, Hole Punching
Skill Level: Beginner

I wanted to make quite a number of leather cord and bead wrap bracelets for graduation gifts. When getting all my supplies ready, I realized I did not have enough buttons made to start.

Materials

24 Gauge 0.020 Dead Soft Nickel Silver Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch

MET-703.24

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $17.48
Gold Club Price: $13.11

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Tools

Nylon Bracelet Bending Plier

PLR-840.00

PLR-840.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $19.97
Gold Club Price: $14.98

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11 Piece Wood Dapping Set

DAP-160.00

DAP-160.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $64.97
Gold Club Price: $48.73

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Xuron Sheer - Non Serrated

SHR-691.81

SHR-691.81
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.95
Gold Club Price: $18.71

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Economy Needle File Set, 6 Piece Set

FIL-993.00

FIL-993.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $7.95
Gold Club Price: $5.96

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Auto Center Punch

PUN-430.00

PUN-430.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $8.97
Gold Club Price: $6.73

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Euro Tool Metal Hole Punch Pliers, 1.8 Millimeters

PLR-133.50

PLR-133.50
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $11.98
Gold Club Price: $8.98

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Deluxe 3-Hole Punch

PUN-420.03

PUN-420.03
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $58.97
Gold Club Price: $44.23

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Instructions

Step 1

Read through the tutorial before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies being used and the space you are working in.

I could not find my template pattern. So, I started from scratch to make my 10.5mm x 14mm button template. I flattened four of the buttons from my stash on a bench block. Then I made multiple photocopies of them-and saved one copy with all my templates so I would not have to go through this again! Scale the photo to a size that suits your needs.

Step 2

The buttons are small enough that many times scraps are just big enough for them. Cut the templates apart and glue to sheet metal scrap.

Pro Tip: Some of my scraps were textured, which makes interesting buttons.

Step 3

BEFORE cutting the button shape out, it is important to make the holes. Once the small button is cut, it is just too hard to hold it to punch (or drill) the holes accurately. First, make a divot with a center punch in the template button holes. This makes it easier to see the hole through the hole in the lower jaw of the hole punch. Center the divot in the hole in the lower jaw of the 1.8mm or 2mm hole punch, depending upon the size of the cord being used.

Pro Tip: Go larger as you never know when the cord being used is just a tad too thick for the smaller hole. Also, the divot makes it easier to use a drill bit to make the holes.

Step 4

Since my leather cord was 2mm, I needed to enlarge the holes with a bead reamer. Once I knew the hole was large enough, I marked the bead reamer with the hole size so I did not have to keep checking it.

Step 5

Cut out the buttons.

Step 6

Remove the paper template. File, sand, and refine the button edges. Sand the button surfaces to remove any surface scratches. It is important to clean and smooth the holes in the button or they could wear away at the leather cord over time, cutting through it.

Step 7

Use a deep bending pliers or a swage block with a 1½" dowel to curve the button. Curving the button makes it sit better in the button loop.

Step 8

Tumble if a more polished surface is desired.

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!