Today's the deadline for entries into our first Reader Challenge, and we've had a few more incredible submissions to Get Closure; Show Us Your Clasps. This weekend, we'll ask you begin voting for your favorite design.
Brenda Gebhart submitted a bracelet where the closure is made from formed bronze sheet and sterling silver wire. The straight edge of the wire slides through the sheet and is twisted into a loop to form a catch. The bronze sheet is attached to the crocheted sterling silver cuff using objects and elements brass nuts and screws. She learned the technique from Susan's new Metalwork DVD.
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Kelly Snelling created a toggle clasp by re-purposing vintage jewelry parts. The clasp is a shiny rhinestone earring and the toggle is made from 16 Gauge sterling silver wire with a bead drawn on each end. She wrapped the sterling with a bit of variegated red fabric and smothered it in tiny faceted garnets and freshwater pearls. She wrote us a sweet story as the inspiration for her piece. Please see her blog to see a full image of the necklace and learn more about the story behind it.
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Potter and Jewlery Designer Nancy Schindler made her closure from one of her lovely handmade porcelain rings and a pretty handmade lampwork bead (created by Jennifer of Blue Seraphim), in which she inserted several different lengths of sterling silver wire and drew a bead on the ends to create the toggle part of the clasp.
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Jewelry Designer Tonya Powell, owner of Pareure, sent us a handmade textured flower clasp she created from silver metal clay. A certified metal clay instructor, Tonya's been a student of Susan's at Art & Soul in Hampton, Virginia.
ADDITION and NOTE: This is an addition to our entries. Due to an error on my part, Renate Starke-Krammer, of Germany, sent me her submission well before the July 1st deadline. A total brain freeze on my part kept her work from being included. Here is her lovely hand formed copper heart toggle clasp:
If you haven't seen the other entries to the Challenge, please scroll down your computer screen a bit. The winner will receive a clasp and some goodies from the objects and elements™ store.
Keep an eye on the blog. We'll be putting up next month's challenge soon, and we'd like to see even more participation of your lovely designs!
I sent mine in last night! Thanks for the challenge =)
Posted by: Diane Cook | July 02, 2009 at 05:41 AM
These new entries are all amazing....such talented people! I'm glad I'm getting to share ideas with them!
Posted by: sharon | July 01, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Thank you for issuing such a great challenge! Such fun! Can't wait to find out what the next one will be!
Posted by: Renate | July 01, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Love this challenge, can't wait to cast my vote, but seriously, how can I choose just "one" when they are all so amazing???
Posted by: Sherry | July 01, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Love this challenge! Can I still send in an entry right this very minute?
Posted by: Nancy | July 01, 2009 at 10:03 AM