Choosing the Perfect Clasp For Your Bracelet

Making a bracelet is about a lot of different things. You have the materials you are going to string the project on, the beads you want, how many strands the piece will have, and whether or not you will be using a stitch in making your piece. However, one important decision that you have to make that is sometimes ignored is making the clasp choice.

Choosing the perfect clasp is often about preference. If you like a particular clasp more then others then you will find yourself using it more often. Sometimes it is about cost and other times it is about what you have when you sit down to make the piece. However, there are still a few things to consider when making a bracelet.

When choosing the clasp for your bracelet there are a few things to consider.

1. Can it be worked one handed? This is often a hard one to answer because it is often about the person's personal abilities. However, there are some that can't be worked with one hand no matter who you are. These clasps are eliminated.
2. Is it too heavy or too light for the bracelet? Sometimes an over heavy clasp is okay because it adds to the decorative style provided by the piece, however you usually want something that works well with the piece weight wise.

3. Does it add to the piece? It isn't necessary for the clasp to add to the piece, however if it is decorative it should be something that matches or adds to the piece. If you have a flower theme going on and then pick a toggle clasp with cowboy boots on it then you have an issue...

This is one clasp that is very popular to use as a bracelet clasp. It is called several things:

• Toggle Clasp
• Bar and Ring Clasp
• Bar and Eye Clasp
• Ring and Guard Clasp
• Sometimes referred to by their style such as Heart and bar clasp or star clasp

These are popular bracelet clasps because they are easily manipulated with one hand allowing people to put the bracelet on. They are also very secure with little chance of falling off while wearing it. Additionally, they come in all types of metals, shapes, and in many decorative styles. You can get them with flowers, boots, stars, or other shapes added for decoration. You can also get them in a wide range of shapes and even some fancy styles. This gives this clasp a lot of variation.

Standard varieties with a simple plain ring and a straight bar are easy to find and very inexpensive. You can get them in silver tone, gold tone, and a variety of copper colors. You can also get them in larger and smaller varieties offering something for everyone.

This is another popular choice for bracelet making. It is simple, easy to use, and fairly secure. It too comes in a variety of options. This one shown is very simple and easy to use. You can get more complicated options for a wide range of style choices. These options can add to your piece or you can choose it for its simplicity.

While similar to a hook and eye the s shaped clasp is unique in that it is either sold as one and then a small ring is used or it is sold as two and they are then hooked together. It isn't as secure as the hook and eye clasp, but it works for most pieces and comes in a wide range of styles and decorative features.

While this clasp isn't as popular as a bracelet clasp it still works well. It isn't as easy to use with one hand as some others, but you can still do it. It comes in a wide range of styles and shapes as well, but is usually found just like this. It is easy to add to a bracelet, never weights it down, and never looks bulky or out of place. This makes it worth it even though it is a little harder to work. It is also extremely secure and won't be going anywhere!

Magnetic Clasps-Magnetic clasps are becoming more and more popular. They are available in a wide range of styles and shapes. They are fairly secure, though not as secure as some other options. However, everyone can work them quickly and easily.

Tube Clasps-Tube clasps make it easy to make multi-strand bracelets and come in a wide range of styles, sizes, and more specifically strand numbers. They aren't always easy to find, but they are easy to use, secure, and make making multi-strand bracelets with separated strands easier (especially with divider bars).

Snap Locks-These clasps are something most of us are familiar with. They are popular with watches and many commercially purchased bracelets. You slide the clasp over the bar and flip it over locking it into place. This is an extremely safe clasp, but harder to find and more expensive then the other types.

While choosing a clasp doesn't have to be rocket science it can be done for function or done for beauty or a combination of the two. Whether you are making a masterpiece of a bracelet or just making the perfect bracelet for your favorite outfit choose with care!