If you follow me on instagram you know that we’ve become pretty obsessed with paper tassel making around here.  It’s totally addicting and gorgeous, with the added bonus of using up all that kid art you have laying around that you have no idea what to do with.  Plus, it’s super easy.  Just click on the vid to see how easy and then make your own.  Lots of your own.  And then hang them on every doorknob, neck, zebra (see below) and wall you have and live happily ever after.

Here’s what you’ll need…

Materials

kid art any size

a scissor

a string

white glue

some beads (optional) we love this set of wood beads

washi tape (optional)

The simple steps…

1. Cut any piece of kid art into two rectangles, one slightly smaller than the other.  They don’t have to be an particular size.  You just need two rectangles where one is shorter than the other. Example sizes would be 1 rectangle 6×4 and another 6×2.

2.  Fold each piece in half like a book.  Cut skinny strips from the bottom of the book towards the top.  Leave about an inch at the top.  This will create a fringe across the whole paper when you open up the book.  You can see this part pretty clearly in the video above.  Do this for both rectangles.

3.  Take the bigger rectangle and roll it around a pencil or skinny marker.  Roll it all the way around until there is no more paper to roll.  As you roll take your hand and sort of brush down the tassels as you go so they don’t get caught as you roll.  You can see this in the vid too.  Thicker paper, like watercolor paper doesn’t get caught, but thinner paper might.  Add a little dab of glue to hold the tassel together.

4.  Take the second smaller rectangle and put a little dab of glue on the end.  Then wrap from the glue area around the existing tassel.  This will create the second layer.  Seal the end with glue or a little washi tape.  You could also use a rubber band which gives your tassel a more rustic look.

5.  The last step of adding the little string loop for hanging is the most challenging part, but not really hard.  I kind of wish I had a better way to do it so if you have an idea, let me know.  I just cut a little piece of baker’s twine and glue it into the tassel hole.  I’ve tried it with white glue and a glue gun and they both work, but I preferred the white glue.  I also tried rolling a rubber band inside the first rectangle as I made the tassel, which worked well, but the rubber band wasn’t totally centered so I moved to glue.  Either way, you’ve got yourself a killer paper tassel that has all kinds of possibilities.

My 4 year old loved helping out making the tassels.  She tried rolling her own but that part was a little challenging.  I do think a lot of five year olds can do it though.

So what do you do with paper tassels? You can hang a bunch on some string and wear it as a necklace.  You can attach a few or just one to a keychain.  You can string a few up for a garland or hang a few from a doorknob.  Doorknob art is way underused in my opinion.  You can even hang a few from your favorite purse or make baby ones for earrings.  Or how about hanging them from a big helium birthday balloon.  Paper tassels have no limitations, my friends.  They’d also be a great craft night activity.

We have a bunch happily hanging on our favorite zebra in my daughter’s room.

If you love these paper tassels, check out these painted paper pinwheels by my friend Bar at Art Bar Blog.  In some way, these painted tassels were inspired by Bar’s pinwheels.  I just love them.  You can see one peeking through on the wall above my daughter in the pics above.  They are so pretty.

I hope you’re inspired to turn your art into paper tassels.  Just be warned, they are are really addicting.  Oh, and here’a a whole pinterest board of other paper craft ideas.  Thanks for reading along everyone.  Happy tassel making. xo Meri