Tuesday, July 23, 2013

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

13 comments:

Sally Anderson said...

What a great idea! You are so clever!!!

Lilyweeds at Augusta Kent Studio said...

Very very clever!

Lilyweeds at Augusta Kent Studio said...

Very very clever! Love these. ~diana

Cynthia Newcomer Daniel said...

Or as I drove my kids crazy saying: "Never name the well from which you will not drink." Snaps and glue work!

Marsha Wiest-Hines said...

Beautiful finishes Carol, and perfect solutions to design problems! I did not imagine I would use hooks either, but sometimes they are just the best solution. OH... we dressmakers call the snaps "daddys" and "mommies". :)

Beti Horvath said...

Wonderful solution! the pieces are fantastic.

LisaS said...

Very cool! What a perfect solution ;)

Cath Thomas said...

Clever you! love your snap clasps featured here!

Unknown said...

Sweet! I love your designs and this just makes sense!!! Have a Blessed Day!!!

Malin de Koning said...

Great! I will certainly use this in future designs.Thank you so much!

baymoondesign said...

Beautiful jewelry!

Unknown said...

Never say never 80 Great list of nevers that you broke your rules on!

salla said...

I have considered using snaps on my beadwork, but I always worry that pulling the snaps apart will pull at the beadwork the are sewn to and cause wear or damage. Have you seen any of this? Do you have any tips for sewing them on securely?

Thanks!

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