Shiney Lounge

FREE Wire Work Hook clasp tutorial

Intermediate Hook Clasp

Materials Required

0.8mm craft wire

Tools

• Round nose pliers
• Flat nose pliers
• Snipe nose or chain nose pliers
• Flush Cutters
• Nylon Jaw Pliers
• Chasing Hammer
• Steel Block

Step 1

Straighten a piece of 0.8mm wire with nylon jaw pliers and cut a 20cm piece to work with. Using the tip of the round nose pliers make a bend in the wire approx. 5cms from one end and form a hair pin.


Step 2

Using the flat nose pliers, very carefully pinch the hair pin end together so that the wires site next to each other to close up the hair pin. Take care not to squash to hard and twist the wires, they must remain next to each other.


Step 3

Using the tip of the round nose pliers, make a ‘P’ shaped loop at the end of hair pin.


Step 4

Grip the two wires with the widest part of the round nose pliers, approx. 1 cm away from the ‘P’ shaped loop. Using your fingers, bend the two wires around the pliers away from the ‘P’ shaped loop as it should be on the outside of the clasp. This forms the hook shape.


Step 5

You should now have approx. 7mm of wire protruding past the end of the ‘P’ loop. Very carefully, with your cutters, snip the short wire, so that you have only 2mm protruding past the ‘P’ shape loop. Take care not to snip through the long wire!


Step 6

Using your round nose pliers, grip the long wire where the short wire ends and bend at a right angle to the hook. It should come out to the side of the hook.


Step 7

Slide your round nose pliers into the angle about half way along the pliers and grip. Bend the wire over the top jaw of the pliers with your fingers, so the wire is pointing downwards.


Step 8

Change the grip of the pliers so that the loop is positioned on the lower jaw and bend the wire towards the back of the loop, so that the wire is at 90 degrees to the hook.


Step 9

To add to your jewellery, gently open the loop and slide onto your piece. Continue by gripping the loop flat with snipe nose pliers (nylon jaws are recommended) and wrap the wire around three times, just above the loop, before snipping the end and squashing with your snipe nose to flatten any sharp edges.


Tips!

• 1) When using thicker wires, flush cutters are advisable for a cleaner cut.
• 2) For a great shape round loop, always grip the wire/headpin at the very end and avoid having any wire protruding from your round nose pliers. Keep your grip in the same place on the pliers and you should produce the ideal shape!