Classes Collections About Media Studio Testimonials Custom Designs Events Contact Home
uncommon jewelry designs, fine art photography & adult and youth jewelry classes
San Diego, CA Visual Artist & Educator Denise J. Bonaimo
Shepherd Hook Clasp and Figure Eight Catch Instructions
Tools: Round Nose Pliers, Chain Nose Pliers and Side Cutter, Ball Peen Hammer, Steel Block.
Materials: round, dead soft wire. Recommended Gauge- 18-20 gauge.
Shepherd Hook Clasp
Follow Steps 1-8 of Basic Wire Wrapped Loop Instructions
1)Snip the wire until it is about 1 ¼” in length (including the wire wrapped loop)
2) Grasp the wire about 1/4" from the wire wrapped loop with your round nose pliers.
3) Using your thumb or finger, bend the wire into a “U” shape.
4) At the end of the wire,using your round nose pliers, turn a 45 degree microbend in the opposite direction.
5) Put down the pliers and use your fingers to make your “U” more curvaceous.
6) Tape your clasp to the steel block.
7) Use the ball peen hammer to planish (hammer flat) the curve. Do not hammer the loop at the end.
Figure Eight Catch
Follow the all the steps for making a Wire Wrapped Bead Link, but you may choose to omit the bead, in which case there isn't any exposed straight wire between the wire wraps, or you may choose to use a smaller spacer bead in between.
Note: Make your second wire wrapped loop slightly LARGER than your first one. The larger loop will be the part that you slip the hook into. Hammer only the larger of the two loops.
Denise J. Bonaimo
Jewelry Designer and Instructor
www.bonaimo.com
artdiva@bonaimo.com