Summer is coming, and I am excited about breaking out my bright summer colors!

One of the ways I love adding color to my life is through jewelry, especially colorful earrings in fun, trendy styles. My current favorites are these fringe tassel earrings, and I’ve found a way to make them myself, and want to show you how to do it too!

Tools and Materials

Ready to get started? First, you’ll need to gather the necessary tools and materials. For each pair of earrings, you’ll need:

1 skein of embroidery floss, in your choice of color
1 pair of standard ear wires
1 pair of 25mm rings (often called “links” in the jewelry making section)
Glue (plain white glue works well)

You will also need a pair of sharp scissors, and a pair of pliers (jewelry pliers are easier to use, but any pliers will work).

Instructions

Step 1 is to prepare the embroidery floss:
a. Remove the paper labels
b. Spread open the skein into a loop
c. Cut completely through all threads at both ends of the floss skein
(you end up with 6” lengths of floss)
d. Separate the floss into 12 groups of 3 (you’ll have leftovers)

Step 2 is to tie the fringe
a. Take 1 group of 3, and fold it in half
b. Slide the folded end under one of the rings
c. Hold the loop open
d. Pull the loose ends through the loop, and pull tight
(congrats, you just make your first larkshead knot)!

e. Repeat with 5 more floss groups, making sure the loops all face the same direction, and sliding all knots close to each other
f. Repeat for the other link and 6 remaining floss groups

Step 3 is to finish and trim the fringe:
a. Lay the earrings face down
b. Apply a small amount of glue to the backs of each knot, and let dry

c. For LONG fringe tassels, brush out and straighten the floss
d. Trim to even the edges

e. For SHORT fringe Tassels, trim the threads to about 1 finger width
f. Use your thumbnail to brush out the threads (see how fluffy the earring on the left is?)

g. For even fluffier fringe, use an old toothbrush to brush out the threads even more. The toothbrush will actually separate the individual threads in each length of floss (see the difference on the left)?
h. Trim the ends to even them out
i. Repeat with second earring

j. Use the pliers to open the jump ring on the earwire, slide in the link, and close the jump ring. Make sure the thread loops are facing to the front, and the glued knots to the back!

That’s it! Your new fringe tassel earrings are ready to wear!

Don’t worry if that sounds too complicated, or you just don’t have the tools needed for this project! Jump over to Team Colors By Carrie, and buy a pair of these fun fringe tassel earrings there (and shipping is free)!

I’ll see you back here next week!

Carrie