{"product_id":"metalwerx-summer-with-the-masters-getting-a-grip-four-funky-friction-based-clasps-in-five-days","title":"Metalwerx - Summer with the Masters: \"Getting a Grip: Four Funky Friction-Based Clasps in Five Days\" - July 15 - 19, 2026","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"dates\"\u003e DO NOT PURCHASE BELOW!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eClick \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/metalwerx.org\/masters-workshops\"\u003eHERE TO REGISTER\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIN PERSON WORKSHOP at Metalwerx in Waltham, MA\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"dates\"\u003eJuly 15 - 19, 2026 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eTension. Friction. Gravity. Entrapment. Our jewelry findings invariably use at least one of these elements to “clasp” whatever they’re holding dear for us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWe’ll spend five days this summer delving into four clasps that each have FRICTION as a critical aspect of their functionality, but which are so distinctly different in behavior that you’ll develop and improve on skills that are highly transferrable to not only other clasps, but also to your everyday metalsmithing practice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLists]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e·\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e       \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Slotted Washer Clasp\u003c\/b\u003e – A deceptively simple concept that takes careful sawing and filing to create a pristinely fitted pass-through between two heavy gauge components. Done right, it creates one of the most secure clasps imaginable. Good for both necklaces and bracelets, this elegant finding is so striking on its own, it can even stand solo as a centerpiece.\u003cbr style=\"mso-special-character: line-break;\"\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLists]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e·\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e       \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Foldover Clasp\u003c\/b\u003e – A clasp that can be used on almost any design once you learn the modifications that are possible, the skills used here include tiny rolled hinges and catch mechanisms along with the creation of a “mouth” that uses friction to entrap a crossbar. It’s an easy next step to use this type of mechanism as an advanced safety catch.\u003cbr style=\"mso-special-character: line-break;\"\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLists]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e·\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e       \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cb\u003eKnocker Clasp\u003c\/b\u003e – An elegant concept clasp that may cause insanity for the fabricator with its “fiddly bits” jump rings – the friction element is a single hole bead “knocker” that snaps in between a well-fitted gap in a hollow tube ring, locking in a jump ring that slides on and off the ring when the knocker is opened\u003cbr\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLists]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e·\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e       \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cb\u003eHinged Bracelet Clasp\u003c\/b\u003e – An incredibly durable and useful clasp for wide band or multi-strand bracelets. We’ll build it with open-ended hollow form connectors on each side and a nested hinge element, but it can also be modified to be “open air” or attached to sheet metal or other components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eNOTE: This is a \u003cb\u003etechniques-focused\u003c\/b\u003e class and students may or may not complete all four projects during the 5-day session but will go home with the steps to do so.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eClick \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/metalwerx.org\/masters-workshops\"\u003eHERE TO REGISTER\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDO NOT PURCHASE BELOW!\u003c\/h3\u003e","brand":"Eclectic Nature Jewelry \u0026 Design","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45879147954349,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0007\/0834\/5911\/files\/Metalwerx_Masters_fcbe411b-0615-4e9d-9014-7198cdccc101.png?v=1775115316","url":"https:\/\/eclecticnaturejewelry.com\/products\/metalwerx-summer-with-the-masters-getting-a-grip-four-funky-friction-based-clasps-in-five-days","provider":"Eclectic Nature Jewelry \u0026 Design","version":"1.0","type":"link"}