Silver and gold vermeil tulip crimp clasps available in three sizes
Deer hide lace and silk cords & ribbons can be turned into necklaces and bracelets in just a few easy steps using Tulip Crimp Clasps. They’re available in sterling silver and gold vermeil and come in three different sizes: small, medium, and large. Pick your clasp according to how thick your cord(s) are. The thickest silk cord will fit into our biggest tulip crimp clasp with some coaxing. If you’re working with multiple strands, tie a knot into your cord(s) for added security.
Next, stuff the knot into the bell of the clasp. If you need to do a little extra coaxing, try using the end of a paper clip or the tip of your round nose pliers to push the knot in there. These crimp clasps are designed with four petals, each with a little burr that prevents the cord from moving once pinched shut.
This next part is the most critical. You want to close these petals in phases. Using your round nose pliers, pinch the two petals that face each other closer together, but NOT all the way. Next pinch the other two facing petals closer together until they meet the first two petals. NOTE: if you were to close the first two petals all the way down, there would be no room for the next two to pinch down. After the first round of pinching, you’ll most likely want to adjust the petals a bit closer and tighter together. I like to make sure they’re as evenly spaced as possible. And, that’s it. Voila, you’re done!
Coaxing Thin Silk Cords into Smallest Crimp Clasp
Slowly close facing petals toward each other in phases
Wow, that was easy & what a clean finish!
I like to tie a knot on all my single strands EXCEPT the Silk C – I just stuff the excess fabric into the clasp. I’ve never had an issue with the silk slipping out of those tulip clasps. So easy, so awesome!
Comment by The Lady Dandy — June 28, 2010 @ 3:44 pm