How To: Use the Essential Findings
Today's blog post is to explain the different types of essential findings that you can put on your jewelry piece and how to use them.
There are a ton more findings that you can use, but these are the basics that every jewelry artist should have in their collection. You may be able to find kits at your local craft store that has several of these findings in them. Those kits are great to sample everything and see exactly what you like to use!
Here is a photo of chain. If you plan on working with any metal you will need some chain. It comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. You can get it in sterling silver, gold plated, or more basic metals. You may also want to add a 2 inch piece of chain to the end of your necklaces to allow your customers to customize the length of their necklace.
These are silver and black rubber eyeglass holders. Perfect to make an Eyelash leash! It connects you jewelry piece to the ends of eyeglasses to add a stylish touch!
You will need clamshell bead tips to finish designs strung on lightweight silk, cotton or linen cord. When you end the design you will tie a knot with the remaining string. This knot gets covered by the clamshell bead tips. the knot is cupped between the two sides of the shell that close together with chain nose pliers. You can then add a clasp to the end with the loop.
These are cord ends and they are used to finish designs that involve leather, ribbon, suede, cotton or other fibers. You place the material into the cord end and flatten the wings down with chain nose pliers. you can then attach a clasp to the end with the loop.
These are split rings. They do not open very easily and provide a secure attachment due to its tight key ring.
These are called jump rings. They are small wire rings that link different materials together or attach charms to a chain. You may be able to see in the photo a small opening in the ring that can easily be opened or closed using needle nose pliers. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors to suit your needs.
These are head pins. You can see that you can get flat head pins (on the left) or a more decorative kind, such as the ball tip head pins (on the right). The end is what makes a head pin unique. It is able to stop a bead from falling off. So after you place your beads on the pin, you end it with a loop and attach it to your chain or clasp. I recommend getting a larger length like 1.5" or 2" because you can always cut down the pin to make it smaller to suit your beading needs.
These are eye pins and they are similar to head pins in the way that they have something at the end to stop the beads from falling off, but they are not flat at the end. Instead they have a loop. This loop makes it easier to create beaded links, as it eliminates the need to create on of the loops because it is already there. Again, these come in various sizes and colors but I recommend getting a larger size to be safe.
These are called crimp beads or crimp tools. They are used to finish off your designs when you use tiger tail. You use either flat nose pliers or crimping pliers to flatten these tubes down to keep the tiger tail in place when adding on the clasp. They come in various sizes and colors, so get ones that match what you are planning on creating.
If you plan on creating lanyards you are going to need these findings. They can be used to attach IDs or key rings to the lanyard.
Now, for the fun part: clasps!! There are a variety of different styles, shapes and sizes of clasps. So have fun and get what you think will be best for your creation. These are magnetic clasps (as you can see they are all stuck to each other!) They make putting on a piece of jewelry very simple and easy! Be sure to check the weight limit on the magnets you buy, you don't want your necklace to be too heavy and then the magnets won't stay together. I typically use magnetic clasps when making lanyards so they have an easy release for nurses or teachers who are required to wear those types of lanyards.
These are not my favorite clasps to use, but they are very basic. They are called spring rings. They come in various sizes and colors, but they are very difficult to put on by yourself, so I try not to use these unless requested.
Again, I also try not to use these barrel clasps because they are hard to put on by yourself. I only use them when requested. They come in numerous shapes and sizes, as well.
Lobster claw clasps are one of my favorites. They are the best when you add a 2 inch chain extender to your necklace to give your customers a customizable length. They come in different sizes and colors and are relatively easy to use by yourself!
If you want something a bit fancier, you can use a toggle clasp. They come in tons of shapes and colors! They are also pretty easy to use!
Want something more fancy? Get a decorative toggle clasp like those shown in the picture above. They can be used as the focal point of a beautiful bracelet! These add some fun to any piece that you create because they come in all different shapes and sizes!
If you want to design something with multiple strands, I recommend getting a clasp made for multiple strands like the clasps shown in this photo. This will make it so much easier to create!
There are numerous earring findings as well! Starting at the top and going clockwise you have a euro lever, a post and clutch, and a fish hook earring finding. I usually ask my customer what they prefer before I make their earrings. These also come in different colors and finishes. Since many people have sensitivity to earrings I try to only buy Sterling Silver or Gold plated earrings.
Lastly, there are earring hoops! These come in various sizes and colors! They can also be used to make wine glass charms! I will show you how to do that in a future blog.
I hope that this blog helped you out when starting your own jewelry creations! Like I said before, there are an infinite amount of findings, these are just the basics you will need to get started.
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Artistically Yours,
Brianna
A.K.A. Beach Bird
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