How To Use End Caps For Jewellery Making

End caps are a great component used to secure the end of your necklace or bracelet designs! There are a few different styles of cord ends to choose from - in this tutorial we show you how to use glue-on end caps.

You can also find more styles including box style cord ends where you simply need to fold over your chosen cord and also pinch style cord ends, which you can squeeze closed with pliers.

Our sterling silver end caps featured in this tutorial have an inside diameter of approximately 2.4mm and work best for cords which are 2mm thick, such as our leather thonging featured in this tutorial.

For this project you will need:

• Sterling silver end caps
• Leather thonging (2mm) (cut to your desired length)
• Sterling silver carabiner lobster clasp
• Sterling silver 5mm jump rings x2
• Star charm - or choose from our huge selection of charms
• Snipe nose pliers x2 for opening and closing jump rings
• Devcon 5 Minute Epoxy Glue

For more projects, explore our range of jewellery making kits filled with wonderful ideas to inspire your designs - you may also like our range of packaging options if you're making jewellery to give as a gift.

Step 1

Lay your findings out before assembly.

Step 2

Cut the leather thonging to your desired length and thread your charm onto the cord (depending on your chosen charm, you may need to attach a jump ring to it so it hangs from the cord neatly).

Step 3

Mix a small amount of Devcon 5 Minute Epoxy Glue with a cocktail stick or similar.

Step 4

Use a cocktail stick to place a dab of glue inside the cap, coating the inside well.

Tip! We recommend scoring the inside of the end cap with a scribe or similar to create a rough surface, this will help the cord stick to the end cap better. 

Step 5

Position the cap over the end of the cord and leave to dry. Repeat the same steps for the cap at the other end of the cord.

Step 6

Use snipe nose pliers to twist open a 5mm or 7mm jump ring and loop through the hole at the end of the cap, then close the jump ring to secure.

Step 7

Repeat this step at the other end of the necklace, this time attaching the clasp before twisting closed the jump ring.

Finished!

Your necklace is now complete!

Top Tip!

Placing a piece of wire through the eye in the cap can help prevent the cord from being glued in too deep and blocking the hole - just be careful not to glue the wire in place!

End Caps

This sterling silver end cap is perfect for using with 2mm thick cord!

Explore more of our range including silver plated 5mm cord ends, box style cord ends and pinch style cord ends.

Threads

We have a range of threads from leather thonging, cotton cord, silk thread, hemp cord, suede cord and more. Always check whether the dimensions of your chosen cord is suitable to use with your chosen findings.

Devcon Glue

This glue is our most recommended glue for jewellery making. It's fast drying, high strength and sets clear while creating high quality bonds. It's also brilliant for all kinds of crafts too! Use it with metal, gemstones, ceramic, concrete and wood.

Jewellery Charms

Discover our wide range of sterling silver & gold vermeil charms to use in your jewellery designs! Perfect for pendant designs, earring drops or for adding to bracelets.

HAVE A QUESTION?

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team who will be more than happy to give you advice over email or on the phone.

You can learn more and find inspiration by visiting our Jewellery Making Tutorials, Jewellery Making Kits and YouTube Channel. Don't forget to follow us on social media and tag us in your designs on Instagram & Facebook, we would love to see!