Enjoy the Journey Tassel Necklace

by Ali on 04/30/15

Additional Images:

Project details:

"Enjoy the journey" seems to be my new mantra. I feel like days go by so quickly... especially when we have a ton of things going on with the kids and work and home improvements. It's important to take the time each day to breath everything in. This necklace is that--a deep breath of summer--from the fresh airy silks, to the warm leather tassel, to the tomato reds and melon tones, to the dragon inspiring travels.

I love wearing longer necklaces in the summer, so I added a 2mm leather cord at the back tied off of the silk string and 1.5mm leather.

↓ Step-by-step

↓ Buy the supplies

Project supplies:

The products used in this project are listed below.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1

Begin by selecting materials.

Step 2

Making a tassel using the leather fringe. The next several steps will go over this in detail. It's super easy with endless possibilities for finishing.
To begin, decide on the size of your tassel and mark on the leather where you want to cut.

Step 3

Once you have cut the fringe at your mark, add glue to the top back side of the leather.

Step 4

To create the loop for the tassel, you will need to work relatively quickly so the glue doesn't dry on you. Take the end fringe piece and fold it up and over the top, creating the loop (see image).

Step 5

Roll the leather beginning where you just made the loop.

Step 6

Now that the tassel is rolled up you can finish however you like. I wanted to add color, so i wrapped with green waxed linen.

Step 7

Embellish the tassel with beads, and you're done!

Step 8

To make the journey focal grouping: Take the 8" length of 12-ply Irish waxed linen, fold in half, and make an overhand loop knot. String on the beads, "Enjoy the Journey" charm and teardrop using knots.

Step 9

To make the Xaz raku focal grouping: Take the 6" length of both the 7-ply and 12-ply Irish waxed linen, fold in half and make an overhand loop knot. String all 4 ends through the raku bead and knot. String Saki bronze beads onto the 12-ply waxed linen and make some knots on the 7-ply waxed linen.

Step 10

When you are done making all of the focal groups, combine the silk string and 1.5mm leather cord and string on your focals. Knot in-between the focals groups. This will help keep the focals from bunching on each other.

Step 11

To secure the "charm holder," make an over hand knot. Knot the string around the leather as you run up the cord.

Step 12

To complete this necklace, take an 18" length of 2mm leather cord and make a knot at one end. Tie an overhand knot at the end of the 1.5mm leather cord and silk string, slipping the knot on the 2mm leather cord through the loop of the knot before tightening down. Dab some adhesive into the knot.
Repeat on the other side. Done! :)