[Caitlin]

There are various ways to attach a clasp. Here is my favorite way. There is another thread that has all the tools and equipment you may want)

Get out your thread scissors, gimp, and clasp. You may need a needle nose plier to hold the thread at one point. I use one, my daughter does not. It depends on how nimble you are.

I recommend you lay our your beads out in a U shape on a bead board or a terry cloth hand towel on a tray.

Thread your twisted wire big hole beading needle with four (4) times the length is the beads, plus another 10" and knot the end or tie it on a thread holder (a gadget shaped like a small spring that holds the thread so beads can't slip off). (Sources will be added later).

Cut your gimp. I prefer 1/4 " of gimp for each side. Knotty uses 1/8th, so it is up to you.

You will start your clasp by stringing two (or three) beads from one end. The trick is: you start with the third bead from one end, then add the second, then add the first. Be sure you slide the bead down to the knot or thread holder.

Add the gimp and 1/2 the clasp.
Slide the clasp to the beads.
Slide the gimp from the rear all the way to the 3 beads and position clasp on top.
Put the needle back through the end bead and pull the thread through. Don't let it go through two beads.

Now, how you make the knot is up to you. I wrap the thread around two fingers near the beads and pull the needle through the loop that creates. Be sure to keep the gimp next to the bead as you pull.

Here is a photo of how my daughter Kether does it.

[Caitlin]

This picture is after the first knot. the tail is the piece of thread that goes down. That is the part you trim to the bead

[Caitlin]

When the first knot is tight (which somewhat compresses the gimp), go through the second bead and knot it the same way. Now with those two knots in place, you know that the clasp will break before the thread does.
I often take it through three beads and knot the third one with a square knot surrounding the other thread. (I take off the thread clamper before I tie that last knot. )
Trim the excess thread. Leaving a little tag is just fine, we will return to it later.
Thread all the beads on, in order. Put a thread clamp on your needle eye so you don't lose your beads.
leave a 12" gap or so between the knotted and unknotted sides.
Starting at the end with the clasp, push a bead down to rest against the two or three you just knotted and knot it with an overhand knot. You will pass the short end through because it is much easier than the long end, but I often switch it towards the end because that end is now shorter.
How you hold your hand when you knot can help make sure the knot is up against the bead. I'll get a picture of that, or you can use the videos we have up as stickies on this thread.

Now separate the two threads and pull apart until you can't pull anymore. If the knot was seated up the thread away from the bead, it will slide into place. (With my favorite thread I have moved knots up to 12 inches from where they belong, but this thread is not about which thread to use)

Now I always pull on the threaded beads one hand at each end to stretch them. This will take out any kinks and straighten the lay of the knots. Rarely, you may need to tighten a knot a little more. This little step is as essential as the rest of them.

Leave two or three beads unknotted at the end.

[Caitlin]

saved for a picture later.

[Caitlin]

Saved for another picture to illustrate above steps.

[Caitlin]

When you are done knotting, take the thread holder off and add the other piece of gimp and the other half of the clasp.
Holding the loose beads tight- (I often accomplish this by holding the thread just above the gimp with a needle nose plier)
Thread through the end bead and pull it all tight. Knot the same as you did the first half of the clasp.
Put through the second bead and knot, and the third bead as the third bead in the above directions.
Trim excess thread
Use a cigarette lighter or Thread melter to melt down the excess thread and bond it to the knot. The cigarette lighter is fine because you don't have it touching the pearl for more than a second. I can often do it without letting the flame touch the pearl at all.

[Caitlin]

Picture placemark.

[robinmce]

[quote=Caitlin;26273

Now separate the two threads and pull apart until you can't pull anymore. If the knot was seated up the thread away from the bead, it will slide into place. (With my favorite thread I have moved knots up to 12 inches from where they belong, but this thread is not about which thread to use)

[/QUOTE]

Thanks Caitlin for your clear concise directions. I especially appreciated above quote as I feared I would have to redo the entire strand due to a misplaced knot but... moved it about 8 inches to the right spot!!
I used powerpro on 8.5 to 9.5 pink/ peach pearls and made a passable necklace!
Robin