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Susan LeGuyader's Handmade Clasp for a Ball Chain, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin. Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop. I made a lovely necklace, using a ball chain and ball chain connector as a clasp.

Handmade Clasp for a Ball Chain

by Susan LeGuyader
  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): Making Loops
  • Skill Level: Beginner
I made a lovely necklace, using a ball chain and ball chain connector as a clasp. I sold the necklace and the buyer said she needed a different clasp, as she couldn't manipulate that kind of "clasp".

Putting my thinking cap on and a quick online search, I found there are proper components to transition from chain to clasp. Did I have any of these components? Did I want to go to the craft store (or maybe 3) to attempt to find the right thing? No. No I did not.

Materials

18 Gauge Round Half Hard Copper Wire
H11-18H
  • Lesson Quantity: 14.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $3.38
  • Gold Club Price: $2.53
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Tools

Round Nose Wire Pliers
G2-507
  • G2-507
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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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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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
PLR-487.00
  • PLR-487.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $16.97
  • Gold Club Price: $12.73
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Wire Rounder Set, 3 pieces
G14-20
  • G14-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.95
  • Gold Club Price: $10.46
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Instructions
Step 1
My first attempt was soldering a loop to a cord connector. All that accomplished was contaminating my pickle and turning some sterling work pink.

Then I really started to look at the ball chain connector and realized that if I balled a piece of copper wire, it would fit through one end of the connector. After putting a ball chain connector on each end of the necklace, I got to work.
Susan LeGuyader's Handmade Clasp for a Ball Chain - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, handmade ball chain clasp
Step 2
Take 2 pieces of 18g copper wire, roughly 4" long and ball up one end. Pickle, rinse and dry.
Insert the balled headpin through the middle of the connector, so the balled end sits on the inside of the connector.
Susan LeGuyader's Handmade Clasp for a Ball Chain - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, handmade ball chain clasp
Susan LeGuyader's Handmade Clasp for a Ball Chain - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, handmade ball chain clasp
Step 3
Make your wrapped loop as normal, using round nose pliers and chain nose pliers. Snip off excess wire and file down any rough edges.
Susan LeGuyader's Handmade Clasp for a Ball Chain - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, handmade ball chain clasp
Step 4
Make the hook end of the clasp with 6" of 18g wire. Connect the loop of the clasp to the wrapped loop on the chain before finishing the clasp.
Susan LeGuyader's Handmade Clasp for a Ball Chain - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, handmade ball chain clasp
Step 5
For the other side of the clasp, I made the second balled headpin loop larger, 6mm inside diameter. This eliminated the need for having anymore wrapped loops or links and finished the clasp very nicely.
Susan LeGuyader's Handmade Clasp for a Ball Chain - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, handmade ball chain clasp

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