Wire Clover Clasp
One reason I enjoy working with wire is because it allows me to personalize my jewelry by making claps, bales, or even my own beads. This wire clover claps is one of my favorite ways to add a special touch to a necklace. Though I’m using green wire here, you can use any color or type you’d like. Since it is a clasp, however, I wouldn’t use anything lighter than 22 gage. Also, if you do use colored wire, try not to handle it too much with your tools. It tends to scratch and the coating can peel off. As always, it’s a good idea to practice on copper wire first.
You’ll need:
approx. 5 inches of round 18-22 gage wire
wire cutters
jeweler’s files
round nosed pliers
nylon nosed pliers are nice too, but optional
There are two parts to the clasp: the eye and the clover hook.
Making the Eye:
1. Cut off about 1 ½ inches of wire and file the ends.
2. Use round nosed pliers, and position the middle part of the pliers’ nose approx. ¼ inch from the end of the wire.
3. Curl the wire towards you.
4. Flip the wire around so the curl in on the bottom and way from you.
5. Now, using the larger part of the round nosed pliers, curl the rest of the wire towards you. You should have a figure 8 with one circle smaller than the other.
Making the Clover:
1. Using a piece of wire about 3 ½ inches long, file both ends smooth.
2. Position a pair of round nosed pliers so the larger part of the nose is approx. an inch away from the end of the wire. Curl the wire towards you to form a loop.
3. Use round nosed pliers to create another loop of approx. the same size. This time position the pliers approx. ½ inches from the other loop and curl towards you.
4. Repeat step 3 creating third loop.
5. Using the tip of the round nosed pliers, make a tiny loop at the end of the wire.
6. Now bend the straight part of the wire half way by either using your fingers or round nosed pliers. Bend in the opposite direction of your tiny loop created in step 5.
You now have a clover clasp.
To connect to a necklace, go the end of the first curl in the clover and insert the end of your necklace (for example with the loop of a clam shell or the loop of beading wire) around the loop and push it to rest in the middle loop. Use either flat nosed or nylon nosed pliers to close up the curls a little and flatten the clover. Add the other end of your necklace to the eye.
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All graphics created by Tammy Powley.
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