Hammer Forged S-clasp Jewelry Tutorial

Learn how to craft your own Hammer Forged S-clasp at home with this instructional tutorial and a few simple hand tools; no electricity, soldering, or studio required. This two-page PDF jewelry tutorial illustrates the mathematical formula and step-by-step process to transform a length of 14-gauge round wire into a secure S-clasp design. Back in 1998, when I started selling my beaded chain jewelry designs at art galleries, one major problem was that commercially available clasps did not compliment my designs, as they were too small, delicate, and difficult to use.

Necessity being the mother of invention, I spent weeks of trial and error sitting on a park bench in Seattle to hammer out my signature S-clasp design that is easy to use, and extremely secure due to its forged springback gateway to accept and release the catch ring. This tutorial reveals the techniques that took me years to refine, from flaring-out the ‘tongue’ shape, systematic file-shaping of the tongue, precise curving the ‘ski tip’, bending the S-shape equally to create an aligned ‘gateway’, and finally forging the gateway’s springback tension. This technique requires hand-eye coordination, a light hammer strike, and patience to master, but you will never buy inferior clasps again.

Please note that this listing is to purchase the digital PDF download only, and no physical supplies are included. This handout is an extended format of the information in the second published book: Chain and Bead Jewelry Creative Connections.

After purchasing this item, you will be able to download the PDF file directly through Etsy. If you have any problems downloading your purchased PDF document, please contact me directly through Etsy’s Message service, or send an email to (info[at]davidchain.com).

Tools Needed: Flat-nose pliers, round-nose pliers (marked at 3mm and 6mm diameters), side-cutters, measuring tape, digital calipers, felt-tip pen, bench-block anvil, jewelers hammer, and a flat file. Optional: Rotary tumbler and steel shot for strengthening the finished S-clasp design.

Supplies Needed: AWG 14-gauge wire (specific length stated within), and 14-gauge catch rings (specific sizes stated within).

To source correctly-sized jump rings, and review my recommendations for quality hand tools and studio supplies, please visit my website at: www.davidchain.com/supplies.

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*Legal Copyright Notice: These digital PDF tutorials are sold expressly for individual and personal use only. Please do not post these PDF tutorials onto any website forums, blogs, or message boards. Furthermore, these digital PDF tutorials may not be used for teaching workshops, given away for free, or sold in any format. All jewelry designs, images, and text are the copyrighted intellectual property of Scott David Plumlee, and may not be used without express written permission. Thank you in advance for respecting my copyright.

Although I am protective of my copyright, I do allow individual artisans my permission to sell the finished jewelry design to clients or through consignment art galleries, all I would ask is that you list ‘Designed by: Scott David Plumlee, Handcrafted by: your name’. However, this permission to sell my original jewelry designs is limited to individual artisans who are handcrafting a limited quantity to support their hobby and does not allow for the bulk selling of machine-made, mass-produced replicas of my original jewelry designs.

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Inspiring others with my passion for handcrafting beaded chain jewelry is the goal of this Etsy store, and I hope it encourages people to discover the quiet meditative practice of assembling jump rings and spark their curiosity to seek a creative adventure.

Visit my website to review the published five-book educational series and a full listing of derivative jewelry project tutorials from each book title at: www.davidchain.com

Follow the Davidchain Jewelry Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/DavidchainJewelry

Many thanks, Scott David Plumlee
www.davidchain.com/artist
www.travelmagic.world/author
www.ESLupskill.com/teacher