DIY Tassel Earrings

This week’s DIY was inspired by a reader’s request, asking us to recreate a pair of vintage Yves Saint Laurent tassel earrings. Tassels?! No need to ask us twice. Hanging from a belt, off a bag, or from the ears . . . tassels are high up in our favorite jubuliant accessories category, alongside the ever-so exuberant pom pom. And the best part about these simple yet elegant tassel earrings is that they are completely customizable!

You’ll need:

Japanese bunka cord is a very fine, high quality knitted rayon square cord that is perfect for making tassels. It usually comes in 6 meter skins. Start by unraveling the skeins of cord. Cut 2 3″ pieces and set them aside. Then cut the rest into multiple 8-10″ pieces. (For this tutorial, I used shades of peach and orange but of course, you can use just one color.) Separate the strands into two groups, approximately 20 strands each.

Lay the strands flat and pull them up from the middle. Take one of the 3″ pieces and slip it under the middle of the bunch. Tie into a double knot and trim away any excess.

Thread the eyepin through the bottom of the bead cap. Insert a small amount of E6000 into the bead cap.

Take the bunch of cord and stuff tied off middle section all the way into the bead cap. Hold in place for several seconds. Thread the corrugated bead on to of the bead cap.

Take the pliers and bend the eyepin 90 degrees to the left. Then wrap the eyepin clockwise around the right side of the pliers.

Bring the eyepin all the way around. While gripping the loop with the pliers, take the excess eyepin and start wrapping around the base of the loop.

After winding it around twice, trim away any excess wire.

Thread the loop through the earwire and trim the tassel to a desired length.

Repeat the same steps to complete your new pair of swinging tassel earrings!

So glam, so easy!

(all images by HonestlyWTF)

Leave a Comment

127 Comments

  1. Mira wrote:

    I love your diy tutorials and the earrings are fantastic. Can´t wait to make my own pair <3

    GIVEAWAY ON MY BLOG

    xo

    glamDevils

    2.13.13
    Reply
  2. I love it!!! I will do it!!!

    http://www.thestelstyle.com

    2.13.13
    Reply
  3. This is really funny/cute 🙂
    I really love your blog <3

    Check out my own DIY 🙂
    The last one is about : Valentine's Day Nails <3
    On : http://www.thefashiontale.com

    2.13.13
    Reply
  4. madeline wrote:

    found my new weekend project. these are great!

    http://geography541.com

    2.13.13
    Reply
  5. Danka wrote:

    Very pretty! And what a versatile project! x

    http://thepeppermintstore.blogspot.co.uk/

    2.13.13
    Reply
  6. You make it look so easy! hahaha!

    Great DIY! 😉

    xoxo
    LEATHER & ICE CREAM

    2.13.13
    Reply
  7. Veva wrote:

    Easy and great!

    kisses

    MY WHITE IDEA

    2.13.13
    Reply
  8. Namrata wrote:

    Only you manage to make it look so neat and stunning! Love this DIY. This is definitely worth a try! The earrings are simply gorgeous!

    N
    http://seasoncheck.blogspot.in

    2.13.13
    Reply
  9. EmerJa wrote:

    Once again, amazing and easy DIY.

    http://www.emerjadesign.com/

    2.13.13
    Reply
  10. Stand Out wrote:

    Love theme, great DIY!

    http://standoutfashionblog.blogspot.it/
    DIY projects also on my blog <3

    2.13.13
    Reply
  11. Wow! Love them!

    MIAMI IN http://cravingforbarneys.com

    2.13.13
    Reply
  12. Denisa wrote:

    I really like that earrings. Are so nice. Have a great day.

    http://www.fashiondenis.com/

    2.13.13
    Reply
  13. I love this idea! And I love your blog. I read it every day in the office!

    2.13.13
    Reply
  14. irene wibowo wrote:

    nice! i like it! 🙂Irene Wibowo

    2.13.13
    Reply
  15. whatkrissydidnext wrote:
    2.13.13
    Reply
  16. brooke wrote:

    i love your DIYs! these earrings are so 70s fabulous, but they could appear modern with bold color cord. love the green ones!

    http://www.insparisian.com

    2.13.13
    Reply
  17. these are lovely!

    2.13.13
    Reply
  18. Very pretty DIY!
    And easy, too!
    Must try this!

    http://9lla.it/
    Fashion & DIYs

    2.13.13
    Reply
  19. Very chic and trendy!

    2.13.13
    Reply
  20. Isa wrote:

    I LOVE tassels! I’ve been meaning to make myself some jewelry with them for a while now, this is the perfect inspiration!

    http://lasaloperie.blogspot.com

    2.13.13
    Reply
  21. Lejla wrote:

    Who would have guessed how siple this can be…Super!

    http://lejlatravels.blogspot.com/

    2.13.13
    Reply
  22. Ambyr wrote:

    These are super cute. I really love the green ones. I’m always looking for fun, colorful earring ideas.

    xoxo
    http://www.thewrittenrunway.com

    2.13.13
    Reply
  23. 2.13.13
    Reply
  24. Reptilia wrote:

    Beautiful and easy! I will try!

    http://www.justreptilia.com

    xx

    2.13.13
    Reply
  25. Domonique wrote:

    Super cute- I think I wanna try them in black and gold 🙂

    Thanks for the tutorial!

    x

    2.13.13
    Reply
  26. this is reallyyy cute!

    http://iamturquoise.wordpress.com

    2.13.13
    Reply
  27. ana wrote:

    Hi!
    great DIY
    We have a GIVEAWAY running.Checkout our blog:

    http://theduplicity.blogspot.pt/

    with love,
    Ana

    2.13.13
    Reply
  28. I’ve been keeping the tassels you made for a bag in the back of my mind for a future project. I love that you’ve now made them into earrings too!

    http://www.whenwewander.blogspot.com

    2.13.13
    Reply
  29. Mandy wrote:

    Looks good! wanna make them!

    xoxo
    My Blog, Blonde but not least

    2.13.13
    Reply
  30. Lauren wrote:

    Love these! I am definitely going to give it a try.

    Lauren
    livinginaboxx

    2.13.13
    Reply
  31. Chelsea wrote:

    yep, def making xoxo chelsea http://nowismagic.blogspot.com

    2.13.13
    Reply
  32. B. wrote:

    Love these! The sorbet colors are perfect for spring. Thanks for the inspiration!

    blurbs-blog.blogspot.com/

    2.13.13
    Reply
  33. Shelby wrote:

    I know what I’m doing this weekend!

    http://danslamer.blogspot.com/

    2.13.13
    Reply
  34. Kim wrote:

    wow pretty and fairly easy 🙂

    2.13.13
    Reply
  35. marta wrote:

    i love tassel earrings… have one pair that is an icelandic design and they go with everything! :):)

    http://www.martakristin.blogspot.com

    2.13.13
    Reply
  36. i.s. wrote:
    2.13.13
    Reply
  37. Vanessa wrote:

    This is absolutely gorgeous! 🙂

    Vanessa
    http://cafecraftea.blogspot.com/

    2.13.13
    Reply
  38. kristina wrote:

    these are so beautiful, i just love all of your diy’s 😉 xoxo

    2.13.13
    Reply
  39. Nuria wrote:

    You are very creative!!

    2.13.13
    Reply
  40. I love these, but I don’t think that they would look good on me.

    -Haley-
    haleyvalerie.blogspot.com

    2.13.13
    Reply
  41. wow, the green ones are my favorites! 🙂

    2.14.13
    Reply
  42. Paula wrote:

    I have this exact tassel hanging off my handbag – but I didn’t make it :S Might give it a go!

    <3 Paula Shoe Fiend
    http://shoe-fiend.blogspot.co.uk/

    2.14.13
    Reply
  43. Jane wrote:

    I like it

    2.14.13
    Reply
  44. Laure wrote:

    Great idea !!!! Thanks for sharing 😉
    http://www.ilovedoityourself.com

    2.14.13
    Reply
  45. carolina wrote:

    Oh, i love this! 🙂

    xo
    Carolina
    http://carolinakrews.blogspot.com/

    2.14.13
    Reply
  46. Jaeger wrote:
    2.14.13
    Reply
  47. merv wrote:

    love this!!!!

    2.14.13
    Reply
  48. waw, love it…

    2.14.13
    Reply
  49. oh my dior wrote:

    pretty pretty tutorial!

    http://www.ohmydior.org/

    2.14.13
    Reply
  50. Charlotte wrote:

    Great idea!
    – Charlotte
    http://fashiongirl134.blogspot.com

    2.14.13
    Reply
  51. Carol wrote:

    Graceful, I will have a try, thank you for sharing:)

    http://www.ccchinachic.com/products/health-and-beauty/c-59/

    2.15.13
    Reply
  52. january wrote:

    you have THE best DIY’s!

    january, x
    jessicajanuary.com

    2.16.13
    Reply
  53. I love absolutely all of your DIY’s.

    2.16.13
    Reply
  54. nina wrote:

    I love all your diy tutorials…everything is great especially jewelry..:)..Maybe you can do a tutorial with a chunky chain bracelet….I found a big plastic chain necklace but i would like to make a bracelet like on this picture i sent you…with some rhinestones or crystals on it….. could you give me some examples ?:) thank you so much… kisses from Serbia 🙂 http://images.thesartorialist.com/photos/92510Viv_8078Web.jpg

    2.17.13
    Reply
  55. 2.20.13
    Reply
  56. Steph wrote:

    Is it 20 each earring of each colour? 25meters just sounds so much for 2 earrings & making some for my sister too, wondering if that left you with spare?

    2.24.13
    Reply
  57. Rita wrote:

    I love the design. Simple, easy to do but special. Nice look.

    2.24.13
    Reply
  58. meixi wrote:

    That is so smart!
    I would love to make one in shades of aqua <3

    http://thiscache.blogspot.sg/

    2.28.13
    Reply
  59. ana wrote:

    Hi! about this tutorial I have a little question: the bunch won’t get unglued if it’s pulled down a bit strongly?

    3.11.13
    Reply
  60. Alexa wrote:

    Great tutuorial! Tassel earrings are so cool and yours look like the ones you can find in a store.
    http://lexiluthor.blogspot.com/
    http://lexiluthor.blogspot.com/

    4.8.13
    Reply
  61. desiree wrote:

    Just curious, when you order from the site you ordered from, how many of each material do you receive? like how many bead caps and brass beads in one order?

    5.22.13
    Reply
  62. Mini Me wrote:

    I love these! I think i’m going to try to make it soon!

    6.14.13
    Reply
  63. there are many such tassel jewelry in the market. But I know you must be the creator!

    8.6.13
    Reply
  64. These are so cute and easy to make. Thanks for sharing the tutorial.

    11.21.13
    Reply
  65. Hi, its pleasant piece of writing on the topic of media print, we all be aware of media is
    a impressive source of information.

    My webpage … http://telephone-crous.com/crous-academie-versailles/

    4.18.14
    Reply
  66. Thiss page really has all of the information aand facts I wanted
    about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.

    9.26.14
    Reply
  67. Another great tutorial! I love tassel DIYs- have done like 5 for my blog hapinesswherever.wordpress.com !

    10.20.14
    Reply
  68. Pamela Scholl wrote:

    I love your D.Y.I. tassel earrings, but I have not been able to find the corrugated brass caps. Can you help?

    4.3.15
    Reply
  69. Clara M wrote:

    Hi Erica!

    I was searching for an email to contact, but could not find one. I am an editor for HGTV.com and would love to feature the last photo of the tassel earrings. Please email me for more details. Thank you!

    6.2.16
    Reply
  70. meenakshi wrote:

    These tassel earrings are amazing and a tutorial is quite self-explanatory. They look so pretty and lively.
    I got inspired by your blog post and tried the Tassel earrings of my own.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdW996-72Mk

    8.1.18
    Reply
  71. Lori wrote:

    Thank you so much for the easiest tassel earring pattern I have found. I have found so many that just either post pictures or do a video super quick and never tell you even an approximate number of threads. Yaay!❤

    3.24.19
    Reply
  72. Tanya wrote:

    Where can I buy the material to make these magnificent earrings?

    11.16.20
    Reply
  73. Montse Arranz wrote:

    Hello! I completely love these tassel earrings, but I have not been able to find the corrugated brass caps in any bead shop in my city (Barcelona), or in Internet. Would you be so kind to share your supplier, please? thank you so much

    7.26.21
    Reply
  74. Louis James wrote:

    Beautiful earnings.
    My one suggestion. When tying the 3″ strung around the tassels, also thread the 3″ string through the eye of the eye pin. Then guide inside the cap, with glue. Thus makes a for stronger hold. Especially if the tassels get caught in clothing.

    10.24.21
    Reply