Angel Baby, love your method. I've been doing it for years- I usually put an S-hook over the branch then add "jewelry" ( nuts, hooks, keys-anything!) . After a while I move it further out on the branch to get a horizontal grow. I find it works best if the plant is staked first to keep it from leaning from the weight.
The method of stem-cracking is actually done by pinching the stem between thumb and forefinger and crushing it slightly, not enough to open it, but enough so you'll feel it give way inside. The theory is that the plant will stop vertical growth while it heals the stem. It can be done multiple times to the same plant, but not on the same spot. I'm unsure if this is done only to keep the plant short, or if it also encourages growth below the pinch. Maybe both-?
I have an NL x Shiva that went in 12/12 on June 1. It was a beautifully shaped plant, but since showing flower it shot up a center 14" above the rest, with only one node and the top. Seemed like a good one to "lay over", as you described. It was very co-operative, folded in half at 90 degrees and didn't split.
Have fun- that's the whole point!

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