A Magnetic Connection
June 12, 2015
Inspirational Art, Technique tutorials
One of the tougher decisions I had to make when putting together the Summer 2015 issue was to cut part of what Helen Breil sent for her wonderful “Magnetic Design” technique tutorial. The article primarily focuses on the creation of pieces with interchangeable magnetic focal points using rare earth magnets, but she also generously added a few additional instructions, including how to create magnetic brooch clasps that work double-duty as a pendant bail, as well as being the basis for multi-pin pieces that can be set on clothing in different configurations. She had also included an easy option for creating a magnetic front closure, but she had sent so much great information that we simply couldn’t fit it all in. So here is a concise collage of the magnetic front clasp she created for us, and the photos that let you see how it is put together.
The quick run down is that you use cylindrical rare earth magnets, drill holes on each half of the clasp, ensuring the magnet positions will line up your two halves exactly where you want them to come together. Create holes just large enough to snugly fit the magnets and deep enough for them to sit flush with the edge of the clasp. (You can insert the magnet into the hole to see if fits and use another magnet to pull it out of the hole when it does go in flush as needed.) Apply cyanoacrylate gel glue to the magnets and place them back into the hole. Ensure the magnets are set in the ‘right’ direction–since magnets are directional, you don’t want them glued in leaving only ends that oppose each other, so snap the magnets together as they should be and apply the cyanoacrylate gel glue to one end, pressing it into its hole, and then grasp that side of the pendant, add glue to the still exposed magnet end and push it into the open hole. Release the magnets by sliding them apart and let the glue set. That’s it!
Helen is a wealth of information and fabulous ideas, not to mention a creator of many wonderful clay-centric products. Be sure to check out her website for her tutorials, books, silkscreens, and texture sheets, as well as take a peek or two at her Flickr photostream for more great ideas. And get your copy of the summer issue of The Polymer Arts for Helen’s entire brilliant article.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or an issue of The Polymer Arts magazine, as well as by supporting our advertising partners.
Polymer Covered Clasps
June 1, 2013
Inspirational Art
A very easy way to make your findings fit into the design of your jewelry is to cover the findings with polymer. Magnetic, barrel screw, or even box clasps can be covered using the same design or colors in clay. But not only that, you can create a clasp that blends into the design by hiding the clasps in two halves of a bead or component that matches others in the piece.
A nice big round bead makes a great concealer of clasps, especially the magnetic and barrel screw types. You create two half round base beads, burying the clasps in the clay (or, since there is evidence that baking magnets can reduce their strength, bury a spacer in the clay same size as the clasp ends and glue them in after baking), then treat the half rounds with the same surface design as other round beads on your piece. Ford and Forlano have been integrating their clasps into their necklace designs for years. Here is one of their timeless big bead necklaces from 1997, with a clasp hidden in a back bead.
I do like that they didn’t even make the two halves the same, but simply versions of the same texture. It isn’t written anywhere that the halves have to match, is it? If you take some time to look through their body of work, you’ll see other finding integration solutions that might spark some ideas for you as well.
Keep in mind the beads don’t have to be round or even bead-like, as long as the clasps can be buried in the clay. For example, Cynthia Tinapple did this with faux river rock, as she demonstrates in this video tutorial. Her approach and tips can be expanded to include any kind of necklace component you would like to hide two-sided clasps in.
Outside Inspiration: Nifty Magnetics
November 23, 2012
Inspirational Art, Supplies & other fun stuff
Ever wish there was a way you could turn a single sale into a sale of two pieces? Wish you had a few pieces that were versatile and clever enough to draw the attention of the more skeptical buyers as they look over your booth? Well, when I saw these two beaded magnetic bracelets below, so easily turned into an interesting neck piece I couldn’t help but imagine all the configurations (and extra sales) a polymer jewelry artist could come up with.
These beaded beauties were created by Hildegund llkerl of Austria. I did wonder at what looks to be plastic ends on these very expensive pieces ($440). But they sold. On the other hand, just think of what beautiful covered connections a clayer could come up with?
The magnetic clasps are a pretty familiar finding now a days but I do wonder that more people haven’t considered how to use them to expand a piece. You could make beaded bracelets that fit together as a necklace, necklaces that can be adjusted to be different lengths by removing a magnetically attached section or make a short necklace with matching earrings that are magnetically attached to earring wires or post but could be pulled to grow the length of the necklace. Or make interchangeable sections of different colors or patterns for a necklace or bracelet. My mind is just whirling. Isn’t yours?
One of the tougher decisions I had to make when putting together the Summer 2015 issue was to cut part of what Helen Breil sent for her wonderful “Magnetic Design” technique tutorial. The article primarily focuses on the creation of pieces with interchangeable magnetic focal points using rare earth magnets, but she also generously added a few additional instructions, including how to create magnetic brooch clasps that work double-duty as a pendant bail, as well as being the basis for multi-pin pieces that can be set on clothing in different configurations. She had also included an easy option for creating a magnetic front closure, but she had sent so much great information that we simply couldn’t fit it all in. So here is a concise collage of the magnetic front clasp she created for us, and the photos that let you see how it is put together.
The quick run down is that you use cylindrical rare earth magnets, drill holes on each half of the clasp, ensuring the magnet positions will line up your two halves exactly where you want them to come together. Create holes just large enough to snugly fit the magnets and deep enough for them to sit flush with the edge of the clasp. (You can insert the magnet into the hole to see if fits and use another magnet to pull it out of the hole when it does go in flush as needed.) Apply cyanoacrylate gel glue to the magnets and place them back into the hole. Ensure the magnets are set in the ‘right’ direction–since magnets are directional, you don’t want them glued in leaving only ends that oppose each other, so snap the magnets together as they should be and apply the cyanoacrylate gel glue to one end, pressing it into its hole, and then grasp that side of the pendant, add glue to the still exposed magnet end and push it into the open hole. Release the magnets by sliding them apart and let the glue set. That’s it!
Helen is a wealth of information and fabulous ideas, not to mention a creator of many wonderful clay-centric products. Be sure to check out her website for her tutorials, books, silkscreens, and texture sheets, as well as take a peek or two at her Flickr photostream for more great ideas. And get your copy of the summer issue of The Polymer Arts for Helen’s entire brilliant article.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or an issue of The Polymer Arts magazine, as well as by supporting our advertising partners.
A very easy way to make your findings fit into the design of your jewelry is to cover the findings with polymer. Magnetic, barrel screw, or even box clasps can be covered using the same design or colors in clay. But not only that, you can create a clasp that blends into the design by hiding the clasps in two halves of a bead or component that matches others in the piece.
A nice big round bead makes a great concealer of clasps, especially the magnetic and barrel screw types. You create two half round base beads, burying the clasps in the clay (or, since there is evidence that baking magnets can reduce their strength, bury a spacer in the clay same size as the clasp ends and glue them in after baking), then treat the half rounds with the same surface design as other round beads on your piece. Ford and Forlano have been integrating their clasps into their necklace designs for years. Here is one of their timeless big bead necklaces from 1997, with a clasp hidden in a back bead.
I do like that they didn’t even make the two halves the same, but simply versions of the same texture. It isn’t written anywhere that the halves have to match, is it? If you take some time to look through their body of work, you’ll see other finding integration solutions that might spark some ideas for you as well.
Keep in mind the beads don’t have to be round or even bead-like, as long as the clasps can be buried in the clay. For example, Cynthia Tinapple did this with faux river rock, as she demonstrates in this video tutorial. Her approach and tips can be expanded to include any kind of necklace component you would like to hide two-sided clasps in.
Read More
Ever wish there was a way you could turn a single sale into a sale of two pieces? Wish you had a few pieces that were versatile and clever enough to draw the attention of the more skeptical buyers as they look over your booth? Well, when I saw these two beaded magnetic bracelets below, so easily turned into an interesting neck piece I couldn’t help but imagine all the configurations (and extra sales) a polymer jewelry artist could come up with.
These beaded beauties were created by Hildegund llkerl of Austria. I did wonder at what looks to be plastic ends on these very expensive pieces ($440). But they sold. On the other hand, just think of what beautiful covered connections a clayer could come up with?
The magnetic clasps are a pretty familiar finding now a days but I do wonder that more people haven’t considered how to use them to expand a piece. You could make beaded bracelets that fit together as a necklace, necklaces that can be adjusted to be different lengths by removing a magnetically attached section or make a short necklace with matching earrings that are magnetically attached to earring wires or post but could be pulled to grow the length of the necklace. Or make interchangeable sections of different colors or patterns for a necklace or bracelet. My mind is just whirling. Isn’t yours?
Read More