[Jewelry making - Article 01127] - Re: [Orchid] Belt Buckles - Attaching the belts

[Silverspotstudio]

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Tina,

    The majority of belt buckles featured in jeweler's catalogues (at
    least the ones I have) have findings that consist of a squarish loop
    of heavy wire and a single, slightly curved prong. In this sort of
    buckle, an end of the belt is folded over the wire loop and, when
    worn, the tip of the belt is passed through the loop under the
    buckle but over the folded end (does this make any sense?), while
    the prong hooks into the holes. It's held in place while wearing
    just by tension. You can buy just the findings for this sort of
    buckle, or the whole buckle (in varying degrees of fanciness)
    already assembled and ready to decorate with engraving, beadwork,
    etc. 

    The other type of buckle, with the movable prong attached to a bar
    at one end or in the center, works like conventional store-bought
    buckles. This is the type generally featured in ranger sets (buckle,
    tip, and keeper). 

    For either style, you will need to find belts that feature snaps
    that allow the end of the belt to come apart. These are very rarely
    found on department-store belts and are not even that easy for
    jewelers to find.   Many western-wear places carry belts like this,
    but they're often stamped with leaves and acorns or guys riding
    horses and pestering cattle. Rio Grande carries a few nice styles,
    but they are quite expensive. I have found a heavy, plain leather
    style at www.i-m-e-x.com for about $4.50 - $5.00 wholesale. Check
    these through carefully before using or selling them, however, as
    the snaps are prone to spontaneous disassembly (known to the layman
    as "falling apart"). The leather quality is quite good, though, and
    the price is unbeatable. 

Jessee Smith
www.silverspotstudio.com

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