Peyote stitch bracelets are a beloved staple in the world of beadwork, known for their intricate designs and timeless appeal. However, choosing the right clasp for your peyote stitch bracelet can be just as important as selecting the beads themselves. In this article, we'll explore various clasp options, discussing their features, benefits, and potential drawbacks, to help you find the perfect finishing touch for your bracelet masterpiece.

Ribbon Crimp Ends

Metal ribbon crimp ends are jewelry findings resembling folded pieces of metal with a loop in the center for clasp attachment. Each side of the folds features teeth along the inner edges.

Intended for ribbon, these findings are aptly named, but some bead enthusiasts also use them to finish flat peyote stitch designs.

I find this method less preferable. Care must be taken when compressing the crimp end to avoid bead breakage.

If you opt for these findings, consider adding a touch of G-S Hypo Cement inside for added security. Additionally, used nylon-jaw pliers to prevent scratching the findings when closing.

Attach a Clasp

Various styles of clasps can be attached to flat peyote. Most of these clasps are attached by sewing through them or creating beaded loops to attach them.

If your piece is wide you may consider using decreasing peyote to taper the piece to a point before adding the clasp.

• Classic Toggle: A traditional toggle clasp consists of a bar and a loop that interlock to secure the bracelet.
  
• Lobster Claw or Spring Clasp: Lobster claw clasps feature a spring-loaded mechanism that snaps shut when released.
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• Box Clasp: Box clasps feature a mechanism that slides into a hollow box to secure the bracelet.
  
• Snap/Ball and socket: This is one of my personal favorites. As the name implies the two pieces snap together and I find them easy to use without help. The ball snaps in place into the circular socket.
  
• Magnetic: A magnetic clasp is a great option for ease of use but is not ideal for heavier bracelets. The stronger the magnet the more secure the hold but this also increases the change of the magnet attaching to something. Many people choose to add a security chain when choosing a magnetic clasp.
  
• Hook & Eye: The hook is typically shaped like a small curve or "J" or "S" and is designed to fit securely into the eye, which is a loop or ring-shaped component. You can also choose to bead the loop and use just the hook finding in your project.
  
• Carabiner screw clasp/ screw gate: This clasp uses the same concept as the hook & eye with a little more security. To open the clasp, you rotate the gate counterclockwise, unscrewing it from the loop. As you unscrew it, the gate moves away from the loop, creating an opening for a loop to go through. These come in a variety of materials, colors, and shapes.
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• Slide bar: The slide bar clasps are used by folding over the peyote strip and zipping together the two pieces to create a loop on either end. These come in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles. On the left is the standard design. On the right is a closure is a bikini clasp.
  
  
  
  You can see the steps to attaching the clasp on my how-to-page here

• Tube Slide End Bars: These bars are attached by ladder stitching a bead onto each up bead on the last row of your bracelet. The tube then slides over the beads and you use pliers to fold over the end to lock it in place. You can attach a traditional clasp with jump rings to the loop in the center.
• You can also use an attach chain to make the bracelet adjustable.
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• Multi-strand Loops: These come in a variety of designs and two main styles. Horizontal loops and vertical loops. Vertical loop clasps have the loops facing the other direction so they can be attached more seamlessly to the beadwork.
  
  
  
• Specialty: Cymbal has created a collection of some very cool magnetic clasps that overlap each other. I find this style doesn't come apart. Elegant Elements clasps are also very unique and finish jewelry nicely. Here are a few of my favorites.
  

Make a Beaded Clasp

If you can't seem to find the perfect clasp for your project, or just want to add an additional design element you can create one.

Button and Peyote Loop

I use this method for finishing my jewelry pieces a lot. A button & loop clasp works similarly to a toggle where your beaded loop is large enough to slide over the button when it's facing one direction but with hold itself together when worn. Using buttons is a great option because there are so many buttons available in a wide variety of materials and designs. The peyote loop makes the clasp blend more seamlessly into the piece. I especially like this clasp method because I find that most people, myself included can take the jewelry on or off without assistance.

There are other options for this closure. Instead of a button you can use a bead, bezel a crystal, or create a beaded button or bead, and I am sure even more possibilities I haven't discovered yet.

Beaded Toggle

You can also create a completely beaded clasp. This is a great method for those with metal allergies. There are several ways to create the ring for a beaded toggle. A common method is some sort of beaded toggle. A toggle clasp consists of a bar and a loop that fit into each other.

To make the bar you create a peyote tube by zipping the ends together. Sometimes larger bars have a piece of wire through them to keep them from bending.

The simplest form is to just bead a loop of beads and peyote stitch around a few times like the button closure. However, this is not the most secure since the loop itself doesn't have structure to it and is more likely to undo itself while being worn.

A structured peyote circle can be made by making what is essentially a tubular peyote and then zipping the two sides together. There are lots of videos of various methods to create the loop the bar will go through. You can create rectangles, triangles, and other shapes as well. 

Zipping the ends together is also used to create beaded toggle bars.

Make a small strip of Flat Peyote Stitch, roll it so the ends meet and zip them together. Attach a simple loop of seed beads on the opposite end of your jewelry that’s large enough to accommodate the beaded toggle.

Creating your own toggle can take some trial and error. The loop and bar need to fit into each other just right. There also has to be enough space between the bracelet itself and the clasp components to put the bar into the loop with a wrist in the way. If your piece is wide you may want to taper the ends to allow the room for the clasp to work.

Other Beaded Options

Another beaded clasp option is shown here. I created a warped square and sewed 2 snap buttons (often used in onesies) to the sides of the bracelet and points of the square. These snap together and securely.

Additionally, you could also attach one half of the snap clasp to each point and snap it around a loop or beaded shape. RenovatiobyLuciela on Etsy has a tutorial available on creating this clasp as well as some other really cool clasp tutorials.

Leather Clasp 

You can create a clasp out of leather or faux leather. This works well for loomwork to help hide the threads however it can be used in a flat peyote bracelet as well. You can attach cording to a piece of leather and glue the leather directly to the beadwork. The cord ends can be tied to close the bracelet or you can use a button loop variation.  I have also seen the beadwork stitched to a leather backing along the whole length of the bracelet.