The standard European Style Chain is a 3mm thick snake chain. If you are not familiar with the European style clip it can be a big mystery as to how to open the clasp. The clasp is designed to look just like a bead with rounded edges, so the finished bracelet will appear seamless. You will see that the clip has a hinge with a groove which you simply pry apart with your thumbnail. Once open you will see a rounded groove on the inside edge. The other end of the chain is narrow, with a tip which sits in that groove, and then the chain will easily snap closed around it. And that's it.. a very simple design. So what about those two little strategically placed raised "bumps" on the chain, what are they there for? Those are useful for dividing the bracelet into sections. You can use the hinged clips which are designed to stop the beads from sliding around on the chain. If you use 2 clips, one on each raised area, it creates 3 sections on the chain. You can place beads in all 3 sections, or just in the middle section, and the clips provide a stop which will keep all of the beads centered in the middle. However it is not necessary to use these stops at all. So how do you stop beads from sliding off the end when you go to open the bracelet? Simply place a clip on the chain right after your last bead, and this keeps the beads on. Or... if you like a really big lobster clasp that is super easy to get on and off, and requires no clips at all, I also sell these in my store, just click on the pic for details. These have a double clasp so you can open the narrow end for getting the beads on and off. The big end is just for opening or closing the bracelet. You can also use a bangle specially designed to hold these beads. So now you will need to choose a size..You will find they are all in metric. That may be a complication for some folks but it is not that difficult to find your size. I will explain that next week, meanwhile you might check out my store and see the different style chains. If you get 15 beads from my store you will even get a chain for free! Check it out at http://stores.ebay.com/Kimbalina-Charms?_rdc=1
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