Starfish Tassel

I LOVE tassels and have ordered great ones on Etsy, click here. Since then, I've found wonderful blogs with tassel tutorials, here, here and here. It always amazes me how creative people are in making a product. Their strategies are so varied and each tassel is unique and beautiful!

I've been in the mood to make a starfish tassel, so I combined strategies and just went for it.

I began with a candle cup I purchased from Hobby Lobby.

I took jute {4ply #72}  and made 20 or so loops approx. 8" long. I secured the top with a small length of just and clipped the loops at the opposite end. I used the secured end and stuffed it into the candle cup with a small drop of hot glue. After it had dried, I untwisted each strand of jute, separating into four strands...I wanted a natural base for the starfish.

{Kinda looks like a jellyfish, doesn't it?}

After fluffing this jute I added various ribbons at different lengths to add volume. At this point, it's just a matter of what you like and how full you like your tassel.

On top of these ribbons, I wound more jute around the cap, covering all edges. I could have stopped at this point, but I decided to add more fringe. I put on three layers, two brown and one off white. When I felt the tassel was full enough, I added the starfish on top and another piece of jute on the back in which to hang him.

Just for fun, I added a few small shells on various ribbons.

Image all the possibilities! Be sure to check out all the links above, the tassels these ladies have made are absolutely gorgeous! As I go back to visit, I find myself looking around my home thinking, hm...where else can I add a tassel?

I'm linking to Susans' Between Naps on the Porch for her Metamorphasis Monday. Be sure to stop by to visit!

I'm also linking with The Nesting Place...You'll LOVE this blog too. Please visit for LOADS of inspiration!