Designer DIY: Neon Tassle Necklace with Holst & Lee

1Today marks part deux in my DIY series with Holst & Lee.  I could not be more excited to share this tassel necklace project with you!  There are a bunch of steps, but I swear… it’s pretty simple.  When I arrived at the Holst & Lee Studio, Natalie had already made the necklace.  I didn’t realize it was going to be our DIY – it looked so elaborate and complicated!   (Truth be told, I wanted to buy it).  Once she broke down the steps, it wasn’t hard at all.  I learned a few tricks along the way, too, which I am excited to share with you today.

P.S.  You should probably check out a few of my other favorite Holst & Lee necklaces.  This one is insane and I love this one.. if only for the name

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{love these bracelets!}

IMG_6079Supplies:  3 feet (or so) of Fringe Trim // 14 Eyepins // 7 Cap Beads // Seven Beads //  Two Small End Caps // Pliers // 7 End Caps //  Not Pictured:  E6000 Glue // Wire Nippers  // Parachute Cord // Colored Rope  // Two Large Hex Nuts // Seven Small Compression Sleeves

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{couldn’t you just die over all that rope?  A crafter’s paradise!}

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Using the steps found here, assemble seven tassels with endcap/beads… basically as if you were making the earrings but without any posts.  This is time-consuming, but once it’s done, the necklace is basically made.

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Measure seven pieces of parachute cord, each 30″ long.  Tape off the ends together.  Slide on your seven compression sleeves.

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Once the sleeves are all on, cut off the taped portion.  Spread the compression sleeves out carefully along the body of the necklace.

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Using a lighter, light one part of your colored rope, and then another… about seven inches or so in.  This helps seal the rope so that it won’t fray when you cut it.  Then, cut the ends.  Using a bit of E6000 glue, stuff each end into an end cap.  Allow to dry.

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Next, tend to your eyepins.  Using the wire nippers, cut an eye pin at the diagonal to give it a pointy end.  Starting at the middle of the colored rope, pierce the rope with an eye pin and then attach your tassel/bead/end cap combination.  Once you’ve pierced and attached each piece, snip off the end of the eyepin, and bend it back into the rope .

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Repeat seven times until you have attached all of the pieces to the rope.

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Next, you are going to sew the colored rope to the parachute cords.  Use an invisible stitch (close stitch) and weave between the compression sleeves.

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Once you’ve sewed the necklace together, you will want to focus on the ends.  Take a long piece of thread and stitch it through the parachute cord; right near the last compression sleeve.  Then, begin tightly wrapping the cord… wrapping carefully.  Wrap for about 1/2 inch and then tie it off.  Then, pull the center parachute cord to the middle and cut off all the other ends.

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Then, use a lighter to seal off the loose ends.  This will basically melt everything together, sealing off the ends.  Pop the hex nut end on to cover it up.

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Then, you’ll want to snip off the ends to taper the tassels.  Hold (or have a buddy) hold the necklace so that it can properly hang… then, leave the center one alone and taper the other ones.

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Finish the necklace by sealing the ends of the end pieces with a lighter, and glue a small end cap on to each end, to finish things off.

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P.S.  Out of everything Holst & Lee makes, this necklace is my favorite.  I just ordered the gold one (longer length).  Goes with everything and (in my opinion) the longer length is super slimming as the long lines draw the eye downward.

Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment

44 Comments

  1. Kimberly:

    Amazing DIY, Grace – you are so creative!

    5.10.13 Reply
  2. Lucia:

    Molto bello!

    5.10.13 Reply
  3. Quinn Cooper:

    Amazing necklace!
    Such a great DIY.
    Love this series you started.
    xo Quinn

    Quinn Cooper Style

    5.10.13 Reply
  4. Rachelle:

    their studio looks like a dream to me. Love making jewelry.

    xo
    http://pinksole.com

    5.10.13 Reply
  5. Alyssa:

    I wish I was this talented–these necklaces are AMAZING!

    5.10.13 Reply
  6. Lauren:

    so awesome… love this DIY! you should sell them in your etsy shop too.

    5.10.13 Reply
  7. Daisy:

    oh my love the neon pink tassels!

    & Pretty Things

    5.10.13 Reply
  8. Stefanie // Life on the Squares:

    Ah I have been wanting you to do a Holst + Lee DIY for so long! I love it! Now if only I can do it…Have a great weekend : )

    xx, Stefanie

    5.10.13 Reply
  9. Chelsea:

    Yay, more tassels! I’ve really enjoyed these last couple DIYS Grace. You look so fabulous and need one of those necklaces ASAP!

    xoxo,
    Chelsea & The City

    5.10.13 Reply
  10. Rach xo:

    wow beautiful! a little more complicated than I can handle but awesome project!

    http://rumandcouture.com/blog/

    5.10.13 Reply
  11. Chelsea:

    Awesome! Love those tassels. So fun for summer. Love love love. xo

    5.10.13 Reply
  12. chelsie | chelsie, darling:

    love the hot pink! i’m obsessing over that color right now.

    have a great weekend, grace! x

    5.11.13 Reply
  13. victoria | vmac+cheese:

    When I’m in NY, can I please come over and you teach me how to craft? This is just too good.

    5.13.13 Reply
  14. Jordan - Queen of LA:

    the hot pink… i am speechless. too good.

    5.14.13 Reply
  15. Anna @ IHOD:

    These are incredible Grace!

    5.15.13 Reply
  16. Dana:

    I can’t wait to share this with my daughter!! She will totally love it – amazing!

    5.16.13 Reply
  17. Lauren (L.A. in the bay):

    I MUST make this! Love it so much! And LOVE Holst & Lee!

    5.28.13 Reply
  18. erin Taylor @ pocket Stylist:

    omg I love this necklace. It is seriously killer!!! It would be perfect with just a simple white tank.

    6.4.13 Reply
  19. Emily:

    That necklace is gorgeous! You did such a good job with it–I might need some more DIY practice before I attempt 🙂

    6.14.13 Reply
  20. greatrockmoon:

    Wow. Truly inspired. I love it!

    6.17.13 Reply
  21. brynne koscianski:

    What is the clasp/closure of the necklace?

    10.7.13 Reply
    • Grace Atwood:

      it just ties in a bow to close!

      10.7.13 Reply
  22. staci:

    Awesome tutorial! What size end cap did you use? What supplier did you order these from? Thank you!

    10.7.13 Reply
  23. martina:

    WOW!! i really love your necklace!!
    http://laruedelafortune.blogspot.it

    10.29.13 Reply
  24. BluKatDesign:

    These are fabulous! Love it!

    2.2.14 Reply
  25. maylin:

    How I can buy this necklace?
    Do you sell it..? thank you!

    4.26.14 Reply
  26. Hapiness, Everywhere:

    I want that supply closet!!!

    10.2.14 Reply
  27. Sommer:

    What type of coloured rope is this?

    11.11.14 Reply
    • Grace Atwood:

      Paracord!

      11.11.14 Reply