It’s no question that tassels are having a major moment—and I couldn’t be happier. Not only because tassels add a festive vibe to pillows, bags, blankets, necklaces, etc. but because they are super easy to make. For my first tassel DIY, I decided to jump right in and try my hand at replicating these stunning Oscar de la Renta beaded tassel earrings.
Due to my aforementioned love for tassels, I already had these similar BaubleBar Acid Tassel Drops on hand, so I poked around and used them as sort of a pattern to create my own. Having a bit of beading experience will definitely help with this project, but it’s not necessary! Check out the detailed instructions below to create your own Oscar de la Renta-inspired tassel earrings.
For this project, you’ll need the following:
• seed beads
• rhinestones (I used these from Hobby Lobby, but you can use any rhinestone as long as it has a flat back and somewhere to attach a jump ring)
• E6000
• flat earring posts (I used these 10mm ones)
• nylon beading string
• beading needle (I like these open-eye, non-pricking needles)
• 6mm jump rings
• needle-nose pliers
• scissors
1. Apply a dot of E6000 to each earring post and the backs of each rhinestone and let them sit for two minutes. I stuck the earring posts in a piece of cardboard to keep them right-side-up while drying a bit. After two minutes, press the posts to the backs of the rhinestones and let dry completely.
2. This is the most intimidating part, but I promise it’s not that hard! To make the beaded end caps, I used a peyote stitch. Rather than spelling it all out here, I’ll refer you to this awesome video tutorial that walks you through exactly how to do it. I beaded 16 rows and then connected the two ends (the video shows you how to do this around the one minute mark). Once you’ve connected the two ends, you’ll be left with a sort of open-ended tube.
3. At this point, my technique differs a bit from the video. To close the top of the cap, I simply strung the thread through a bead at one end of the circle, took four beads onto my needle, then strung it through the corresponding bead on the other side of the circle.
For the next pass, I used five beads and went back the other way. I repeated that process with five beads two more times. I then finished it off with one more row of four beads. So you’ll have five rows of beads going across the top (see the picture above of what it should look like).
4. Now that we have our rhinestones and end caps made, it’s time to make the actual tassels. This part is easy! Start by stringing 15 beads onto your string. Then, thread your needle back through the beads, skipping the first bead and pulling the thread completely through the 14 other beads. In this way, the end is finished without any ugly knots.
Now, trim the excess thread that you pulled through, remove your needle and string it through the other end of the thread. Add the rest of your beads onto the string. The amount you use will depend on how long you want your tassels to be, but I used 110 beads total per string.
Once you’ve added all of your beads, repeat the process from earlier in this step and thread your needle back through the last 15 or so beads, skipping the first one. Keep beading your little heart out until you’ve finished all of your strings. I made 12 total so each earring would have six strings (folded in half, so a dozen little tassel-y bits).
5. To finish the tassels, line up six of your strings in a row, making sure they’re even. Cut a length of thread and slide it under all six strings until it’s in the middle. Then, lift up both sides of the thread so the beaded strings are gathered in the middle like a tassel. Tie about five knots nice and tight.
6. Grab a jump ring and open it up a bit. Then, attach it to the tassel exactly where the string was tied in the middle, making sure you catch all of the beaded strings. Keep the jump ring open and gently pull it through the top of the beaded end cap with your needle-nose pliers.
7. Finally, attach the jump ring to the bottom loop of the rhinestone. Make sure to close the jump ring nice and tight. Trim any excess thread from the tassel, being careful not to snip any beaded strings. And that’s all there is to it!
Please let me know if you try your hand at making some tassel earrings of your own or if you have any questions!
