Decorative fasteners are necessary if you are
planning to make Micro-Macrame jewelry, or
projects like belts and purses. A bracelet needs
some type of clasp, as does a belt.
Some fasteners can be purchased in online
stores that carry craft supplies. The Mermaid
clasp shown above is an example of the unique
clasps that are available, if you know where to
look.
A great place to find unique clasps is SHIPWRECK
BEADS.
The information below tells you more about
making your own custom fasteners by using
buttons, beads, and decorative knots.
Loop Clasps
Buttons combined with loops make great
decorative fasteners for jewelry and
belts.
On one end is a shank
style button, and the other end
can have either a simple or knotted
loop.
The best
buttons for jewelry are 3/4-inch to 1-inch
size. The hole in the shank needs to
be as large as possible.
The loop should be only slightly larger
than the button, or the clasp won't hold.
The Buttonhole
Clasp is a knotted loop
made at one end of a necklace or
bracelet. It's usually made with
Vertical Larks Head knots.
A button is attached at the other end.
The clasp for
the Figure 8
Choker is a simple loop
combined with a button.
Loop Clasps do
not always need a button.
This Reversible
Belt has two loops that the
ENDS pass through to form the closure.
The
Knife Knot,
also called the Diamond Knot or Knife
Lanyard, can make a really nice loop
clasp.
You create the knot with a loop at one
end. Then you make the bracelet,
necklace, or belt.
At the opposite end, make the knot again,
but tighten it completely so it has no
loop.
Bead Clasp
Beads can also be used to form
decorative fasteners. The best way to
make them is in the form of a sliding
clasp.
The ends were passed through the bead in
opposite directions.
Then finishing knots were tied on the ends
to prevent them from sliding out of the
bead.
Purse Straps
Purse handles
can be purchased, but they are not as
easy to use as a purse strap.
The best
places to find handles designed for
Macrame are EBAY and ETSY
(online).
They usually
have a slot or bar that you attach the
cords to.
Certain types of Macrame knots are ideal for
handbags. Sometimes they are included as part of
the purse pattern. But if you are not using
a pattern, you need to design one on your own.
Here are a few decorative knots you can try:
Alternating Larks
Head Sennits can be
used to make shoulder straps for purses.
It's best to
attach the knots to a holding cord. This
prevents the sennit from twisting.
Endless
Falls is another
decorative knot that can be used for a
purse handle.
It's easy to
tie and is very slender, which is great
if you are using it to make a small
purse.
The Chain
Sennit is also a slender
type of knot suitable for purse straps.
It's tied with a single cord.
Braided
designs can also be used for a purse strap
or short handle.
The key is to tighten the design as much
as possible, keeping it flat and the same
width all the way through.
Go to the Learn
Macrame section to view other
types of knots that can be used to form
decorative fasteners for handbags.
Look in the
section called "Braids
and Bars".
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