Use this simple technique to turn a hollow, large-holed Thai silver bead into a brushy tassel drop. You can attach tassel drops to ear wires, use them alone as pendants, or slip them onto swivel clips to make cute purse charms. Resources for the tools and supplies needed for this project are linked at the bottom of the page.

Tools & Supplies:

~ One hollow Thai Hill Tribe silver heart bead (about 14.5mm long by 16mm wide)
~ About 10 inches of 24 gauge, dead soft sterling silver wire
~ Two or three inches of 24 gauge scrap wire (copper is used here)
~ A spool of ruby red sewing thread
~ One business card you don't mind folding in half
~ A marker pen
~ Very sharp scissors
~ Flat nose pliers
~ Round nose pliers
~ Side cutters
~ Chain nose pliers

Instructions:

1. Fold a business card in half lengthwise and place a marker pen inside the fold.

2. Holding the pen in place with one hand, use your other hand to wrap sewing thread (directly off the spool) around the card about 50 times.

3. Slide the scrap wire underneath all of the thread strands at the opening of the card, between the thread and the pen. Twist the ends of the scrap wire to create a temporary loop around the thread.

Close up:

4. Remove the pen from the business card and slide off the thread. You should have a little coil of thread secured by the scrap wire loop. Set this aside for a moment.

5. String the heart bead onto the 24 gauge sterling wire, and use flat nose pliers to make a bend a few inches from one end, as shown below.

6. Slip the coiled thread into the bend in the sterling silver wire.

7. Remove the scrap wire. Pull the heart bead back up the wire past the folded end, and then slide it back down over both wires. Gently pull the two wires up through the bead until the top of the thread coil reaches the inside top of the bead.

8. Use round nose pliers to make a loop in both wires at the top of the bead, the same way you would normally make a loop with a single wire.

9. Holding the new loop gently with flat nose pliers, use the round nose pliers in your other hand to wrap the wire ends around the base of the loop.

10. Use side cutters to trim off the excess wire ends, and flatten them down against the wrap using chain nose pliers. Using very sharp scissors, trim the bottom of the thread to create the tassel. You're now ready to attach your drop to the finding of your choice.

Resources:

~ The Thai silver heart beads used in this project, along with tools and findings, are available at ArtBeads.com (the hearts are bead code HTS003)*
~ Thread and extra sharp scissors are available at Fabric.com or your local fabric store

*ArtBeads.com carries many other Thai silver bead designs as well; if you select a different style, make sure the bottom holes are relatively large so your thread coils will fit through them.

Chris Franchetti Michaels is a writer and jewelry artisan specializing in beaded designs, wire work, and metal fabrication. She is the author of the books Teach Yourself Visually: Jewelry Making and Beading, Beading Quick Tips, and Wire Jewelry Quick Tips. Visit her website BeadJewelry.net for more jewelry-making help and inspiration.