It's a Snap!

I am ashamed to admit it, but when I first started beading, I made several "Well, I would never!" pronouncements. I distinctly recall that "Well, I would never use fishing line in my jewelry!" was one of those.  Guess what? I use that (in the form of Fireline) almost exclusively now.  Another one of those statements had to do with ABSOLUTELY NEVER using sew-on snaps in a piece of jewelry.

Remember the piece I showed you earlier in the month, Where There's Smoke There's Fire?

Several of you asked me if I would reveal the secret to its rather understated clasp:

Well, I did take one (rather fuzzy, my apologies) photograph of the inner workings before it sold.

Yes, I used two sew on snaps. Your eyes do not deceive you.  Never say never!  They were the absolute perfect solution for this piece. Not only did the snaps provide a simple yet secure closure, using them allowed me to echo the design and thickness of the two substantial "end caps" I had created for the kumihimo braids in this piece, enhancing rather than detracting from the overall design. 

Just last week, I completed a bracelet for a client with arthritis, who has difficulty using my peyote toggles.  This Ancient Architecture cuff will be easy for her to put on and take off, and should wear much like a bangle, just tighter fitting, which is what she wants.

The other convenient (read:  super cool!) thing about these snaps is that, while designed to be sewn on to a surface, the flat backed (male?) half can also be attached to a solid surface with E6000!!!!  Yes. Another one of my never's:  GLUE.  

Okay, Carol Dean, why would you need to use a snap as a closure when you're already using a button? Couldn't you just bead a loop for the darned thing? Yes, I could...but large buttons require large loops or button holes ... which can add considerable length to a piece and make a snug fit almost impossible. Here are two recent examples of my use of Lisa Peters Art buttons and snaps.

Lesson Learned:  Never say Never!

Be well and get going!
Carol Dean