15-Minute DIY: Tassel Chain Necklace

Kelly Bryden

Kelly Bryden, an east coast native, is stoked to be a part of the Brit + Co team. Design, DIY, and fashion are her passions. If she isn't crafting you can catch her on the dance floor or wrapped up in aerial silks.

Full Bio

Jun 02, 2014

We always have our eyes wide open when it comes to scoping cute outfits around the city. And one thing we’ve recently noticed is that tassels are a total must! So we decided to put a summery twist on the tassel necklace by using bright embroidery floss + thin chain instead of heavier leather. Of course, we couldn’t pass up the additional wow factor of adding a chic acrylic ring to the mix. But just ’cause we’re adding on elements doesn’t mean we’re making it harder — you can make one, two or even three of these tassel necklaces in under 40 minutes. Mid-year gifts for friends just because? We think so!

Materials:

– 4 feet of gold jewelry chain

– 3 small gold jump rings

– medium gold jump ring

– large gold jump ring

– embroidery floss, at least two colors

– thin gold jewelry wire

– gold end cap

– decorative acrylic ring

– gold clasp

– E6000 glue

Tools:

– 2 flat nosed pliers

– wire cutters

– scissors

Instructions:

1. Make your tassel: Do this by wrapping the embroidery floss around your hand at least 20 times. Slide the floss off of your hand. Use an extra piece of string to tie a knot at the top and then snip the bottom loop to form individual tassel strings.

2. Add some E6000 to your end cap and stick the knotted end of the tassel inside. Wait for it to dry, 20 to 30 minutes.

3. Using the wire cutters, cut your 4 ft chain into one 2 ft piece and two 1 ft pieces.

4. Take one piece of the 1 ft chain, fold it in half and loop it through your decorative ring.

5. Take one of the smallest jump rings and attach the grouped ends of the 1 ft chain to one end of your 2 ft chain.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 to complete the other side of the necklace.

7. Cut about 6 inches of wire. Use it to wrap the chain tight against the decorative ring. Repeat on the other side.

8. Since you attached both ends of the 2 ft chain to the necklace, use the wire cutters to cut the it in half. Then, attach the small sized jump ring and clasp to one end and the medium sized jump ring to the other end.

9. When your tassel is dry, use the largest jump ring to attach the tassel to the decorative ring.

Tassel time! This will take awhile to dry, so we will get it done first. Wrap your embroidery floss around your hand at least 20 times. The more times you wrap the denser your tassel will be. Slide the bundle off of your hand and using an extra piece floss, tie a knot so all the strings will stay together. Using scissors, cut the bottom loop and trim the ends to form your tassel.

Grab your end cap and pile in some E6000. Stick the knotted end of the tassel into the cap. Wait for this to dry, about 20 to 30 minutes. So set that — and any other tassels you’re gonna make today — to the side.

While those are drying, lets start forming the necklace. Cut the 4 ft chain into one 2 ft piece and two 1 ft pieces.

Take one of the 1 ft pieces of chain, fold it in half, then loop it through your decorative ring. We found these cool acrylic rings at our neighborhood bead store. Check out your local jewelry supplies stores to find something similar, or you could always substitute brass rings from the hardware store.

Using one of your smallest jump rings, attach all ends of the grouped 1 ft chain to one end of the 2 ft chain. Repeat those steps to complete the other side.

The finished product will look like this. So simple and pretty on its own! But there’s still more to add.

Did you notice that gravity takes over and the chains don’t stay together? Well it happens. To avoid this problem, use thin jewelry wire to wrap the chain tight against the decorative ring. Problem solved AND your necklace just got way chicer.

Since you attached both ends of the 2 ft chain to make the necklace, use the wire cutters to cut it in half. Then, insert the small jump ring and clasp onto one end and the medium sized jump ring onto the other end. Twist those jump rings open + back closed again!