Judy Larson's Make Your Own Bracelet Button Clasps, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin. Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole. I wanted to make quite a number of leather cord and bead wrap bracelets for graduation gifts.

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: $31.95
  • Gold Club Price: $23.96
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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. 
Judy Larson's Make Your Own Bracelet Button Clasps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, make your own button clasps
Judy Larson's Make Your Own Bracelet Button Clasps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, make your own button clasps
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. 
Judy Larson's Make Your Own Bracelet Button Clasps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, make your own button clasps
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. 
Judy Larson's Make Your Own Bracelet Button Clasps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, make your own button clasps
Judy Larson's Make Your Own Bracelet Button Clasps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, make your own button clasps
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.   
Judy Larson's Make Your Own Bracelet Button Clasps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, make your own button clasps
Judy Larson's Make Your Own Bracelet Button Clasps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, make your own button clasps
Step 5
Cut out the buttons.
Judy Larson's Make Your Own Bracelet Button Clasps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, make your own button clasps
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. 
Judy Larson's Make Your Own Bracelet Button Clasps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, make your own button clasps
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. 
Judy Larson's Make Your Own Bracelet Button Clasps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, make your own button clasps
Judy Larson's Make Your Own Bracelet Button Clasps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, make your own button clasps
Judy Larson's Make Your Own Bracelet Button Clasps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, make your own button clasps
Step 8
Tumble if a more polished surface is desired.