Thank you Helen. I’ve made simple hook & eyes & I’ve made
more elaborate ones. I appreciate your advise. Sharon
A good source for these little rare earth magnets...
I buy my rare earth magnets from United Nuclear
Paf Dvorak
I have trouble closing bracelet clasps. Since I live alone I don’t
have someone who can take care of it for me. I make what I call a
bracelet helper. Essentially it’s an alligator clamp on a stick, like
a paint brush handle. Put the clamp onto one side of the bracelet
clasp and then hold the handle in the palm of the hand that will be
wearing the bracelet. then you can use your other hand to get the
bracelet closed. Makes it so much easier. I make them and sell them
on order or at shows or give them away with a nice order. Really easy
and inexpensive to make.
I don’t have a magic answer for necklaces. I do agree on making a
hook and ring as probably the easiest, best looking clamp for a
necklace. I have changed out some magnetic clasps for some elderly
people who couldn’t wear them. If you want a picture of the bracelet
helper email me.
Pat Gebes
I, too, make hooks for clasps, though I usually use a hand made
asymmetrical fig 8 connector for the other end, not a jump ring.
It’s easy, too, to make a nice, short chain of these links so the
necklace may be closed at different lengths to suit either the neck
size or the clothing design of the wearer. Hooks can be extremely
graceful and elegant if you get the design and forging right: they
can be made to close over the ring with a satisfying little “snap”
for security, while still being easy to operate. Many of my clients
(not all of them older) say they love the ease of use of my hook
clasps. If you make the hooks from a wire gauge to suit the necklace
design and weight, they’ll never look clunky or clumsy.
Janet Barkwith
TheSmilingFoxStudio.com
Rare earth magnets (and any magnets) cannot take heat. They will lose their stickiness.
I didn’t know that, I learn, or try to learn something new daily. I
haven’t used them, but wonder. I pack my van up right before a show,
so setup & my work is in van overnight & in the heat of the van (&we
get hot down here in TX!) wonder if that affects magnets, setup, my
work any. Thank you, Sharon
...my work is in van overnight & in the heat of the van wonder if that affects magnets?
I wouldn’t think so.
Here’s a rather detailed discussion on this subject:
United Nuclear sells (or used to sell, I haven’t looked lately) a
rare earth magnet made to be placed in your car’s oil pan to catch
bits of steel.
I asked my mechanic if I should get one for my car and he informed
me that my Subaru has an aluminum engine. Who knew?
Paf Dvorak
Pat, thank you & yes I’d love a picture of your bracelet helper.
Sharon Perdasofpy
I am highly appreciative of all comments, suggestions I received on
this subject. including those of Mr. O.'R. I replied within email he
posted, but did not see my reply posted. I apologized if I offended
him for not immediately helping the elderly woman with her necklace.
I felt he doubted my ethics is why I’m writing this, which have
never been questioned, but he did not have the whole story. She
didn’t have any of the necklaces with her. Up until I drew social
security what Icreated with my hands & sold retail or wholesale was
my only income & I’ve been creating jewelry with a variety of
techniques full time (as my only income) for 23 yrs. & I’m still
learning (hope to until I draw my last breath). I’ve donated my
time, money, work over the years to organizations and individuals
more than I can count, because I do care.
Hopefully we will hold off judgment on another unless we know the
whole story and most of us don’t. So now as Paul Harvey would have
said that’s the rest of the story & I hope the end of that.
Thank you. Sharon Perdasofpy
Hi
My wife uses large toggles and loops in non nickel metal, for
customers who cannot use parrot/spring ring clasps. They are
available from bead suppliers.
Easy to get them cast in sterling if needed.
I sell a lot of 2mm snake chains, recently I have had to add jump
rings to some chains because poor eyesight and trembling hands make
it too hard for many to do up, without the jump ring.
So newbies the market is heading to aging BOOMERS.
I make a range of rings for those with big/arthritic knuckles.
Would love to boast ingenuity of design, but alas, just another tip
learnt at The School for Silversmiths.
Think a ring with a bezel set stone bezel set into the band.
Now make bezel and ring. Cut through the solder line of the ring.
Bend up “ends” 90 degrees. Solder in bezel.
Turn ring sideways to put on. MAGIC!
The ring now fits very well and gets over the knuckle.
THIS CANNOT BE DONE WITH A ROUND RING!
Richard
Xtines Jewels
There is a lot of good, and readily accessible, on rare
earth magnets at the website of K&J Magnetics.
I am not affiliated with them, just a satisfied customer.
Elliot Nesterman
Pat thank you, who knew is right. we learn something new all the
time. Sharon
Mr. Rourke said it all. When I am anywhere displaying my jewelry I
get more customers with repair needs than you would believe. I take
a small tool kit with me anyway since I rarely sit and do nothing at
shows at the festivals I attend. I use my very pretty best friend to
field the public while I work. I do such repairs for free, but
sometimes people must pay something so I accept it with thanks.
First and foremost every person that enters my booth area is treated
as an individual. I believe in my motto “Treat Every Stranger as a
Friend”.
Teri
United Nuclear sells (or used to sell, I haven’t looked lately) a
rare earth magnet made to be placed in your car’s oil pan to catch
bits of steel.
Back when cars were made of steel, drain plugs had a little magnet
built into them to catch the microscopic steel shavings of piston and
ring wear.
And anything else that was steel that should not be circulated. Even
with an aluminum engine, I would still think the rings are made of
steel. I cannot imagine aluminum rings and pistons holding up to
friction wear and heat. I can’t do much more than change the oil on
these new cars. Remember when there were grease fittings? Even on the
U-joints!
Charlie