Hidden Clasps – Innovative and Intriguing

There is something fun about hiding a clasp inside a finished piece of jewelry. It becomes a kind of secret you have from the viewer. And when an admirer asks “How do you put that design on and take it off?,” there’s likely a satisfied smile crossing the wearer’s face, especially if they are also the maker.

This is a basic two-part clasp originally purchased to be “hidden” inside polymer clay – it has grooves and twists apart making it ideal for this use.

Using and hiding this clasp inside polymer was an idea Pier Voulkos shared during a polymer conference back in the 90s. You can “see” Pier’s use of this idea in her design, “Star Fruit Bead Necklace,” made in 1996.

This large bead necklace by Ford and Forlano is another example of a clasp concealed in polymer. Each half of the clasp is concealed in half of a bead (Note: the halves don’t match – so love that!)

Clasps can also be concealed inside beadwork. Snaps are a great go-to for this type of work, as they are easily stitched into place.

The design, “Hercules Knot Bracelet,” by Carole Horn, is finished with a snap. The snap is integrated into a woven peyote strip that is fed through loops on each end of tubular herringbone woven sections that comprise the “knot.”

From Carol “The Greeks believed Hercules used this knot to protect the people he loved. The Romans tied it into the belts of brides on their wedding day. Make your own version of this ancient token of good luck using tubular herringbone stitch with an interchangeable crystal closure.”

The peyote strip closure works as a decorative element and features a bezel-set rivoli and fringe cluster on the front.

“Heroine” necklace, by Jean Power is another clever design with a concealed clasp.

The clasp is hidden in the center triangle. Each section of the triangle has half of a magnetic clasp stitched into place.

In addition to the cleverly hidden clasp stitched into each section of the triangle, the center component has  different color rivoli on the reverse, making this necklace interchangeable and reversible.

The instructions for both the “Hercules Knot” and “Heroine Necklace” can be found in the “Mythical Beading Collection.” A compilation of designs reminiscent of Greek and Roman style. Check them out and find your next favorite design to make.