An easy-going, and maybe slightly quirky, tassel necklace is all the jewelry you’ll need this summer. Recently, I was shopping at one of my favorite boutiques and noticed all of the girls working there sporting effortless tassels. To say the least, they looked so nonchalant and cool, and I instantly wanted to try out the look for myself!
Tassels are so right now, and it comes as no surprise. Whether you go for one large tassel or opt for six small ones, they’re unique and are sure to add personal flair to any ensemble. Not just limited to boho-babes, you’d be surprised at the instant update that tassels can lend to even your most preppy striped tee.
So, if you want a statement piece that looks to be straight out of an Anthropologie catalog, then here’s how to do it.
What you’ll need:
- Fishing wire
- Embroidery thread (floss)
- Beads
- Jewelry Clasp (I ended up buying an entire jewelry kit that included clasps)
- Scissors
Determine the length of your necklace by wrapping a piece of fishing wire around your neck. Once it’s at the desired length, cut the fishing wire, making sure to leave extra wire just to be safe.
Decide on a color palette for your tassels (I went with coral, lilac, pink and brown) and select beads that are complementary (I opted for earth tones).
Tassels are super easy to make and it’s actually kind of fun! According to the tassel-making tutorial that I used, you start by wrapping your embroidery thread around a small rectangular piece of cardboard (I made mine 2.5 inches long). Wrap it until you have a nice, thick bundle and then carefully pull the thread off the cardboard. Once you’ve done so, cut a small piece of thread to wrap and tie snugly around one end. (Optional: Add a dab of super glue to the spot where you tied the knot to ensure that your tassel stays together.) Create the actual tassel by cutting the loops at the bottom, snipping the edges to create a straight edge.
When it comes to laying out your bead pattern, you can either eye ball it or sketch out a quick design. I did the latter so that I could plan out where the tassels would be positioned and where the brown and white beads would come in.
To attach your tassels, all you need to do is loop the fishing wire through the top part of the tassel. (If you want to get fancy, then you can connect the tassel to a small metal link.)
Once you are satisfied with your design, it’s time for the clasp. Leave about four inches of fishing wire on both ends so that you have enough room to attach two metal links and a clasp. Be sure to double or triple knot the ends!
While a boutique necklace can retail anywhere from $25-$100+, a homemade tassel necklace is the most cost-efficient way to go (mine cost less than $10!). And, this way, you’re left with a guaranteed original design that no one else will have. Let the compliments roll in!
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