Saturday, October 25, 2008

Inspired

The other day I was reading The Pleasures of Homemaking blog spot. Manuela had made a tassel using a bird shaped pepper shaker at the top of the tassle. It was done in black and white. Her tassel was so darling and simple. I really like tassels. They are a nice contrast to the many primitive things I have. I thought, "I can do that". So I rummaged around, thinking I had a pepper shaker I could use.........no. Well, I had to do a few errands, I could stop at the thrift store and find something. I saw a couple of nice shakers, but the holes were off center, so it wouldn't hang straight. Mm mm.
I really wanted to make a tassel. When I got back home I thought, "I'll look for an alternative". Rummage, rummage........not finding anything. I know, I know, I could have made a plain tassel, with some beads on top. But that would not satisfy this time. Mm mm..........What to do?????
I was looking through some boxes of "stuff". You know, the stuff you are saving for the "perfect" project. Not seeing anything. I was starting to get bummed. At this point I just sat back, and let my gaze wander around, not really looking at anything specific, Just letting my eye look and communicate with my brain without my consciousness getting in the way. Have you ever done that?
Suddenly, something sparkling caught my eye, and communicated with my brain "that's it". What , what??? Oh, a glass doorknob. A newer one that I wouldn't be using in restoration on the house. I had it sitting out, knowing it would be just right for some project, sometime.
Out came the glue gun, out came the fringe and ribbon. As soon as the glue was hot, I applied it to the base of the knob and wrapped the fringe around it about three times. Wrapping the fringe around the fat knob makes the tassel look plumper, like it's a fat tassel, without using so much fringe. Then I added some bead trim, and topped that with ribbon. Then I glued a ribbon loop to the top of the knob.
Oh! There were two knobs......so I did it again.Twenty minuets later, I had two tassels. I really like them. They are very elegant, and will go almost anywhere. You know........Christmas is coming. I hardly want to think about it yet. I want to enjoy autumn and Thanksgiving. But I make most of our gifts, so I need to get on with it. Tassels would be a lovely gift or decoration on a box or bag. I think I need to let my eye wander and "see" what else I could use to make tassels. Thanks Manuela for the inspiration.

2 comments:

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

O.K. I like yours better! Now I'm going to have to find a door knob. That is soooo pretty!

I like tassels - they make such great little accents. Have you seen what people charge for them on Etsy? Crazeeee!

Good job!

Manuela

tincanlily said...

I love your idea of using the doorknob. A make do life, indeed. The tassels came out great. I love when everything comes together!
denise