What are barrel clasps?

Posted by admin on Jun 13, 2011 in jewelry supplies | 0 comments

When it comes to clasps, there are several types of choose, like barrel clasps, lobster claw clasps, magnetic clasps, spring clasps… you all can find at wholesale jewelry findings stores. For today’s DIY jewelry blog, I will teach you what are barrel clasps in detail.
This kind clasps are two part cylindrical screw clasps that look like barrels (hence the name), each with an eyehook or connector loop. They usually feature some sort of ridges around the barrel for easier grasping when trying to fasten, you simply rotate one part into the other.
We use these jewelry clasps quite frequently for necklaces. They provide greater security than magnetic or hook type clasps, though they are a bit more difficult to attach around the back of your neck. Barrel clasps do seem to be easier than lobster claw clasps to open up which is why we often prefer them for necklaces.
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What are toggle clasps?

What are jewelry clasps?

What are toggle clasps?

Posted by admin on May 5, 2011 in Beading Tips | 0 comments

There is already a post about clasps in my jewelry blog, I think some friends have find it. Yes, it’s what are jewelry clasps. Clasps are given different types, today I will talk about one of them- toggle clasps. Toggle clasps are one of the most popular jewelry clasps-both for their functionality and for their contribution to the overall design of the piece of jewelry. Toggle clasp also known as “toggle” is a two piece clasp that is attached to opposite ends of a piece of jewelry. One section of the clasp has an open center (round, square, oval, or some other shaped-opening). The other half is a T-bar that attaches to the components at the other end. You insert the “T” into the hole which holds the worn jewelry in place.

toggle clasps

As they are very easy to put on and take off, these kinds of clasps are widely used to secure bracelets, anklet, and necklaces. If you have an especially interesting or attractive toggle, then in the design of your necklaces, the clasp can be designed to rest to the side or at the bottom of pendants, rather than at the back.

Jewelry clasps are one kind of jewelry findings, if you are interesting in jewelry making findings, you can also view me like:

What are jewelry findings in jewelry making?

Jewelry findings-for your hand make beaded work

Glossary of Beading jewelry findings

What are jewelry clasps?

Posted by admin on Apr 14, 2011 in Beading Tips | 0 comments

In the process of creating your own jewelry, the major components used in handmade jewelry are not only beads, but also the materials that bind them together. Yes, they are jewelry findings. Jewelry making findings is not a new item in my DIY jewelry blog, as they play a very important role in beading, for these little findings are responsible for finishing off a jewelry style and without them, it would be impossible making your finished product look finished. Although I have posted an article about glossary of beading jewelry findings before, today I also give you the information about jewelry findings-jewelry clasps.

Tibetan style clasps

A jewelry clasp is one of the types of jewelry findings that connect the free ends of a bracelet, an anklet or a necklace. Jewelry clasps are more than just functional components used to securely connect two ends of a necklace or other piece of jewelry. Some clasps are there for function only, while other clasps are bold and are an important part of the jewelry’s overall design. Jewelry findings for your hand made beaded work, follow me and you will learn more about beading needs, and how to make unique jewelry.

Wholesale beads, jewelry supplies, jewelry findings from zacoo

Posted by admin on Mar 3, 2011 in jewelry beads, Products | 0 comments

Making Beaded fashion and charming Jewelry is alleged to be the most favorite hobby today. Many of jewelry designers are just doing it as a past time, and some take it as a professional way of building a business. No matter which kind of jewelry making, making beaded jewelry should not be difficult when you have prepared necessary jewelry making materials and when you know how to make jewelry and have design methods. After that the last thing and the most important thing is add your fresh ideas to inspire and increase your creative. Jewelry supplies is necessity in jewelry making. Supplies for making beaded jewelry involved beads, jewelry supplies, and jewelry findings to finish one’s jewelry design.
Beads can be given any kind of materials and also can be made varies of color, size, shapes. There are various kinds of beads which includes:
Acrylic beads (Being made by plastic, acrylic beads can be given any kind of shape, such as animal acrylic beads, butterfly acrylic beads, faceted acrylic beads, flower acrylic beads, heart acrylic beads, leaf acrylic beads, round acrylic beads or even irregular shaped acrylic beads)
Metal beads
Porcelain beads
Crystal beads
Tibetan style beads
Wood & Nut beads
Pandora style beads
Glass beads (Lampwork beads are the most popular beads for making glass beads jewelry)
Gemstone beads
The fact is that beads are most necessary and the most components of beading jewelry, no matter you are designing jewelry necklace, beaded bracelet or even you are designing a pair of earring, however there are many other jewelry making items are necessary for beaded jewelry.
These items are:
Jewelry chains
Jewelry charms
Pendants
Organizers
Apparel and accessory
Stringing materials
Jewelry findings are the components that structure jewelry and are usually used to bind the jewelry itself. Without jewelry findings a jewelry designer can not finish her/his beaded jewelry. Common findings include the following:
crimp beads
Bails
Cabochons
Clasps
Jumps rings
Head pins and eye pins
Terminators
Earring findings

Jewelry supplies for beaded jewelry, beading jewelry and handmade fashion jewelry

Posted by admin on Feb 28, 2011 in jewelry supplies | 1 comment

The jewelry making supplies for fashion jewelry that are required for making beading jewelry are basically jewelry wire, jewelry beads and jewelry findings.  Today we will discuss these three jewelry supplies categories.
 Jewelry Beads are decorative items made from a variety of materials that in general have a hole used for holding the bead in position in your jewelry.  Beads can be made of glass, plastic, wood, stone, metal, bone, and semi-precious or precious materials. We zacoo.com is an online supplier providing wholesale beads, such as metal beads, acrylic beads, Tibetan style beads, crystal beads…, jewelry supplies for fashion handmade jewelry making and jewelry supplies for beading jewelry. Some examples of jewelry beads for fashion jewelry making that are:
Acrylic beads
Tibetan style beads
Crystal beads
Porcelain beads
Pewter Beads
Lampwork beads
Pandora Style Beads
Jewelry wire is in general brass, copper, silver, gold, silver-plated, gold-plated or gold-filled wire. For making fashion jewelry the most common gauges are 16, 18, 20, and 22 gauge.  24 and 26 gauge are used, but less frequently.  For making permanent wire components, usually 16, 18 or 20 gauge wire will be used, but beginners should avoid 16 gauge because it is harder to work with.  For connecting wire components with the wrapped bead link, frequently 22 gauge wire will be used.
Jewelry findings are jewelry making components like clasps, head pins, ear wires, jump rings, and other manufactured or hand made components.  Some examples of jewelry findings for fashion jewelry making that are rather important for making jewelry and should be purchased by anyone getting started in making jewelry are:
Head Pins
Clasps
Jump Rings
Earring Findings
Eye pins
Head pins
There are many other categories of jewelry findings, such as Bails, Bead Caps, Cabochons, Links, Spacers, Bead Frames, Bookmarks, Bead Cages, but the six identified above are in general more important and necessary for most beginning jewelry making projects. A beginner would be well served by purchasing some inexpensive head pins, clasps and ear wires to be used for making jewelry.

Preparations before making jewelry chains

Posted by admin on Feb 21, 2011 in jewelry supplies | 0 comments

Chains have been a mainstay of jewelry since humans learned to craft metal into decorative objects. A jewelry chain is an essential in any jewelry collection. It’s versatile, able to be worn alone or carrying pendants.
To start making jewelry chains, you’ll need to purchase an assortment of basic supplies for making wire jewelry. For example:
Beads: Beads are not strictly necessary for making jewelry chains, although many designs do incorporate beaded accents into the finished piece.
Wire: Wire is sold in sizes that are called gauges. For most general purpose projects, 20 gauge wire is sufficient. If you require lighter and more flexible wire, however, look for a spool of 22 gauge wire.
Jump rings: Some chains can be constructed entirely from jump rings, but these findings are also useful for adding jewelry charms and pendants to the finished chain.
Pliers: Many different types of pliers are used in making jewelry. If you’re just getting started, look for a kit that includes round nose, chain nose, and needle nose pliers.
Wire cutters: The wire used to make jewelry can’t be cut by an ordinary pair of scissors.
Clasps: Whether you prefer a toggle clasp or lobster clasps, you need to have some way to open and close your finished chain.