Getting a Grip: Four Funky Friction-Based Clasps in Five Days

Tension. Friction. Gravity. Entrapment. Our jewelry findings invariably use at least one of these elements to “clasp” whatever they’re holding dear for us.

We’ll spend five days this summer delving into four clasps that each have FRICTION as a critical aspect of their functionality, but which are so distinctly different in behavior that you’ll develop and improve on skills that are highly transferable to not only other clasps, but also to your everyday metalsmithing practice.

•    The Slotted Washer Clasp – A deceptively simple concept that takes careful sawing and filing to create a pristinely fitted pass-through between two heavy gauge components. Done right, it creates one of the most secure clasps imaginable. Good for both necklaces and bracelets, this elegant finding is so striking on its own, it can even stand solo as a centerpiece.

•    The Foldover Clasp – A clasp that can be used on almost any design once you learn the modifications that are possible, the skills used here include tiny rolled hinges and catch mechanisms along with the creation of a “mouth” that uses friction to entrap a crossbar. It’s an easy next step to use this type of mechanism as an advanced safety catch.

•    Knocker Clasp – An elegant concept clasp that may cause insanity for the fabricator with its “fiddly bits” jump rings – the friction element is a single hole bead “knocker” that snaps in between a well-fitted gap in a hollow tube ring, locking in a jump ring that slides on and off the ring when the knocker is opened

•    Hinged Bracelet Clasp – An incredibly durable and useful clasp for wide band or multi-strand bracelets. We’ll build it with open-ended hollow form connectors on each side and a nested hinge element, but it can also be modified to be “open air” or attached to sheet metal or other components.

NOTE: This is a techniques-focused class and students may or may not complete all four projects during the 5-day session but will go home with the steps to do so.
 

PLEASE READ THE MATERIALS & TOOLS TAB CAREFULLY TO BE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT TO BRING.

Please be advised: Due to the need to order supplies, we customarily close registration for our on-site offerings one week before the start date. If you wish to join the class after registration closes, please contact us at [email protected] or 781-891-3854.