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Quick and Easy

by Jennifer VanBenschoten
Master the simple art of making these classic wire s-hooks and you'll never find yourself without a clasp for your wire jewelry or beaded jewelry. Even better, once you see how much fun they are to make, you can get creative and add them as components in your wire jewelry necklaces and bracelets. They even make sweet dangles for earrings! Make them out of copper or sterling silver, and oxidize them with liver of sulfur when you're finished for added depth and sophistication.
Instructions
Working from the spool, make a small loop at the end of the wire with the tip of the round-nose pliers.
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Quick and Easy - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make a small loop
Wrap the wire around your mandrel from the back of loop. (In the opposite direction of the tiny loop.)
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Quick and Easy - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, wrap around the mandrel
Slide your mandrel out of the loop, and move it down towards the center, across from the first tiny loop is. Make another loop going in the other direction by wrapping the wire around the mandrel. Trim your wire so that the tail is about ¾” the length of the clasp.
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Quick and Easy - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, wrap around the mandrel
Turn another tiny loop at the tip of the wire tail. Then work harden your piece by hammering it gently on the steel bench block with the rubber mallet. You can also use a chasing hammer to flatten the two large curves to make work harden them and make them stronger.
Add jump rings to either side of the clasp, and you’re ready to go!

Jennifer VanBenschoten's Quick and Easy - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make another tiny loop
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Quick and Easy - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, work harden
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Quick and Easy - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, add jump rings
Make up enough of these s-clasps and use them like links to create bead and wire chains for necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Quick and Easy - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, use s hooks for links

Materials

16 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-16D
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $1.13
  • Gold Club Price: $0.84
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Tools

C.H.P Milano Small Sprue Cutter, 6-1/4 Inches, Flush Cut
PLR-488.00
  • PLR-488.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $24.95
  • Gold Club Price: $18.71
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Dual Size Round Nose Plier
G2-719
  • G2-719
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $34.95
  • Gold Club Price: $26.21
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Steel and Wood Bench Block 3x3 Inch
G17-25
  • G17-25
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
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5/8 Inch Double Rubber/Nylon Head Hammer - Pack of 1
G3-26
  • G3-26
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.97
  • Gold Club Price: $3.73
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Chasing Hammer with Wooden Handle, 1 1/8 Inch Face
G3-27
  • G3-27
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.95
  • Gold Club Price: $10.46
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Chain Nose Wire Pliers
G2-508
  • G2-508
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Wubbers Large Bail Making Pliers
G2-1303
  • G2-1303
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $27.97
  • Gold Club Price: $20.98
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  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): Making Loops

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