ECT TV Episode 28: How to Make a Wire Wrapped Hook Clasp

Are you ready to dig into a new Emerging Creatively Tutorials Television (ECT TV) episode?I've got a brand new one for you today and we're making a clasp!Here's the video episode:Here are the steps in photos:Tools and Materials:

• 18 gauge, half-hard, round wire
• Wire cutters
• Round nose pliers
•  Chain nose pliers
• Bent nose or another pair of pliers
• Hammer - chasing or rawhide or nylon
• Steel bench block or anvil

Step #1Cut a piece of 18 gauge wire to approximately 4".Step #2Now we'll make a wire wrapped loop at one end.  Hold the wire about 1/3 of the way down.Step #3Wire the wire around the pliers.Step #4Now the loop is not centered on the wire, so we need to center it.  This is probably easier to see in the video.This is how I do it:Hold the loop in chain nose pliers.  Wrap the shorter wire around the longer wire and as you do that, straighten out the longer wire.Step #5Hold the loop in your chain nose pliers and wrap the wire a few times around.Step #6Trim off any excess wire and use your chain nose pliers to make sure the end isn't sticking out.Step #7Trim the wire so it's about 1 1/2" total.  If you want a longer clasp, you can leave it longer.Step #8Now we'll make a decorative loop at the other end.Hold the wire in the tip of your round nose pliers.  The wire should be at the top of the pliers, but not poking through.With one hand wrap the wire around the pliers and with the other twist your wrist away from you.  Twist as far as your wrist will go, readjust your wrist and complete the loop.Step #8Bend the wire in (approximately) half using your round nose pliers.  There will be more length on the bottom toward the wire wrapped loop.Step #9Hammer just the hook part of the clasp.  You'll have to hold it to the side as seen in the photo.Use a chasing hammer to flatten the wire or use a rawhide or nylon hammer to harden the wire without flattening the wire.Step #10Now we'll make the other end of the clasp.  I often use a wire wrapped bead link instead.Start out the same way as the other side.  Cut a piece of wire approximately 4".Then make a wire wrapped loop using steps #2 - #6.Step #11Hold the wire in round nose pliers a little above the loop you just made, but in the biggest part of the pliers to make a larger loop.Then again, follow steps #2 - #5 to create a wire wrapped loop.  Do not trim off the excess wire yet.Step #12Continue wrapping until the wraps meet the wraps of the first wire wrapped loop.Trim off any excess wire and push in the end.Now you can use your clasp to make your necklace and bracelet creations even more unique!Mentioned in the episode:The Creativity Countdown starts on Monday, November 10, 2014.  Stop by the blog here each Monday for a creativity boost.This is counting down to the next Rediscover Your Creativity & Make Jewelry eCourse round which starts on January 5, 2015.  More information will be coming on Monday, but in the meantime you can take a mini eCourse and get on the list for Rediscover Your Creativity here.Plus, in just a couple short weeks the book version - in PRINT form - of this eCourse will be available as well.In the episode I mentioned the tutorial for the necklace I showed could be found in Wire Wrapping for Beginners.  You can get the eBook version or print version.  (A great gift for a beginner jewelry maker or someone new to wire work!)