Something Other: Non-Traditional Uses for Jewelry Findings

Available in an array of sizes, shapes, patterns and materials, findings are staples of the jewelry maker’s arsenal. Along with their traditional uses, these versatile components can be utilized in a variety of ways.

What's a Finding?

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Findings are anything used to assemble jewelry designs. Jump rings, bails, head pins, clasps and ear wires all fall under the classification of a finding. Largely made of metal, they are also available in other materials like plastic, glass or gemstone.

New Ways to Use Findings

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Bails

• Attach folding bails to connect ring focals.
• Link ice pick bails with a top loop to create a chain.

Shop all bails here.

Bell Caps / Bead Caps

• Embellish the tops of beaded tassels.
• Hang chains from the edge to create tassels.
• Combine two bead cap styles to get the look of a flower in bloom.
• Use to form a teacup, ice cream sundae or the bottom of a cupcake.
• Use as cord ends for earrings and necklaces.

Shop all bead caps here.

Clasps

• Use lobster claw and hook clasps to create removable or interchangeable drops and pendants.
• Use the ring half of a toggle clasp as a drop or link.
• Create adjustable bracelets, anklets, earrings and necklaces by using box clasps as links.
• Use a toggle clasp as a necklace focal component.

Shop all clasps here.

Earring Findings

• Use a kidney ear wire or leverback as an interchangeable bail.
• Transform ear nuts into pedestal-like bases for earring drops.

Shop all earring findings here.

Extender Chain

• Use a decorative extender chain to quickly create earring dangles.
• Create adjustable finger rings with an extender chain and a clasp.

Shop all extender chains here.

Head pins / Eye pins

• Turn paddle pins or head pins into fringe.
• Create a chain using eye pins.

Shop all head pins and eye pins here.

Jump Rings

• Turn soldered closed jump rings into a loop-in-loop chain.
• String jump rings or split rings as easy spacer beads.

Shop all jump rings here.

Mounting / Settings

• Create a brooch by inverting a pendant setting, attaching a drop and gluing on a pin back.

Shop all mountings and settings here.

Safety Pins

• Connect safety pins to make a chain.
• Embellish with rhinestones and filigree components.
• Hang chains, beads and focals on a safety pin to create a funky brooch.
• Thread seed beads on to make beaded drops.

Shop all safety pins here.

Spacers / Spacer Bars

• Stack spacer bars to create pendants.
• Use longer spacer bars with Accu-Flex® wire to create lighter-than-air bracelets.
• Combine with ring components to create overlapping geometric designs.

Shop all spacer bars here.

Terminators (Cones / Cord Ends / Ribbon Ends, etc.)

• Hang an eye pin, head pin or a strung metal bead inside a metal cone to create a bell.
• Hang cones or conical cord ends with loops to make drops.
• Use ribbon ends clamped onto lengths of chain to create fringe.
• Attach ribbon ends to feathers.
• Utilize cord ends as bead caps for tube-shaped beads.
• Nest cord ends on a strand to make a chunky, faux snake chain.

Shop all terminators here.