Secret Snowflake Challenge Reveal!

I love Michelle Mach's bead challenges. They always have an interesting theme and she sends out lovely beads. Sign ups for this one happened before Christmas, but the reveal was not until January, so I figured I had plenty of time to complete it during the post-holiday breathing spell.

Unfortunately, I have had a case of the "horribles" this past couple of weeks. It's the cold that just won't go away. I had this challenge to complete and I just did not feel up to beading. But I knew I could not put it off any longer, so I took to my bed and brought my beads with me.

From the comfort of my cozy bed, I created this beaded tassel.

Click on each photo to enlarge.

Here are the details...

Here is what I did.

I gathered my components on a bead board. I added some glass beads from my collection (in the box, upper left) to the beads Michelle sent out for the challenge (in the center of the board and in the box, lower right). I grabbed some nylon beading thread, scissors and clear nail polish to seal the knots.

I cut 12" of thread. The challenge mix had cute drops, so I used those for the bottom of each tassel leg.

 I tied an overhand knot to secure the drop and then threaded each strand with a double thread.

 I used the large focal as the main anchor for the tassel. I strung seven tassel legs with a random assortment of beads.

I gathered all of the strands and strung them through a bead with a large hole.

I used another large-holed bead to string the threads through.

I strung the threads around a silver ring, and back through the bead. I tied a square knot underneath the bead to secure the strands.

I wire wrapped a bead to the ring to act as a hanger. I used a few more to embellish the top and it was complete. I can use it as a decorative tassel or I could string it on a long cord or bead strand as a striking necklace. For now it enhances a green pot that sits on my worktable.

Thanks for stopping by to check out my piece. Here is a list of the other participants in the challenge. Everyone made such lovely pieces!

• Alice (Alice Dreaming)
• Chris (beadjewelry.net)
• Christa (Adventures of One Beady Woman)
• Crystal (Here Bead Dragons)
• Cynthia (Cynth's Blog)
• Dawn (Morning Glory Beading)
• Donetta (Simply Gorgeous)

• Erin A. (Designs pictured on Michelle's blog)
• Jennifer (JenniferJW)
• Jennifer (Jewelry, Art and Life)
• Kari W. - Coming soon!
• Kate (We Can Make That at Home) That's me!
• Kay (Palm Coast Art)

• Linda (Lindy's Designs)
• Lisa C. (A Bead a Day)
• Lisa (Inspired Adornments)
• Mary (MLH Designs)
• Michelle (Beads & Books)
• Michelle B. (Reverie & Revival)

• Millie (AMM Jewelry)
• Norma (Moonlit Fantasies)
• Pam (The Crazier Sister)
• Pamela  (Designs pictured on Michelle's blog)
• Rebecca J.  (Designs pictured on Michelle's blog)
• Renetha (Lamplight Crafts)

• Rosemarie (Gem Rose Designs)
• Shannon (Falling into the Sky)
• Susan (Bead Inspired)
• Therese (Therese's Treasures)
• Therese (Domestic Goddess Enterprises)

If you would like to join in a future challenge, sign up for Michelle's newsletter. Thanks Michelle for hosting and looking forward to the next one!