DVD Review - Making Beaded Tassels & Fringes from Spellbound Bead Co

When I received this DVD through the post from Christine at Spellbound Bead Co, I had to restrain myself from putting it on straight away, especially when a quick glance inside told me that I already had the beads I needed in my stash!

However, I managed to put it away until this Easter when I knew I would be spending a few days in Devon. I packed up my computer and a selection of beads, thread, beading needle and scissors (tassels are the perfect projects for beading on the move!) and as soon as the rain arrived, I dived in!

The first great thing about this DVD is that the accompanying booklet has a list of the supplies you'll need to complete the designs included in the video tutorial. This means you can gather together everything you need before you've even put the DVD into the player. You'll need beads suitable as the focal or tassel top then a selection of smaller beads for the tassel strands. I used a range of size 6/0, 8/0, 10/0 seed beads in shades of purple, pink and grey to complement the beautiful lampwork bead I'd chosen from Ciel Creations plus some lilac bugle beads and Hex beads to add a little sparkle. Instead of the recommended fire-polished faceted beads, I used some Czech glass Cathedral beads.


Julie Ashford takes you through selecting beads at the start of the tutorial, showing you how to pick out colours from your chosen tassel top beads and the right beads to choose for weighting your strands. She then shows, at close quarters how to thread your beads to create a series of identical beaded strands (including some clever little tricks to keep your beads in place and to avoid testy tangles in your thread!). Following Julie's clear and simple instruction, you will quickly work to make your own first tassel. Once you've mastered the easiest design, Julie will take you on to discover more ways to finish your tassel ends and also, how to create textural branched strands. I warn you, you will be hooked!

This DVD doesn't just cover tassels! You will also learn to make pretty fringed necklaces and also how to incorporate tassels with ribbon to create your own beaded trim to use in your home made cushions and throws. PLUS, Julie covers some beautiful beaded beads using a couple of techniques for creating luxurious tassels that you could use as curtain tie backs or other home décor accessories. The sky is the limit once you have learned the techniques.

The instructions and demonstrations in the DVD are so clear and comprehensive, I only needed to watch once to be able to go away and create my own simple tassel. I will certainly be referring back to the video to make the more complex tassels and to have a go at beaded beads in the future. Whether you are a beginner beader or are familiar with small beads, you'll learn something new from Julie.








And if you want even more tassel-tastic fun, then why not get a copy of Julie's book 'Spellbound Beaded Tassels' which will take your new tassel techniques up to the next level.
Both the DVD and the book are available from Spellbound Bead Co. The DVD is just £9.95 and the book is £14.95.

We have a copy of the DVD to give away to one lucky fan!

To be in with a chance of winning, simply comment on this post an tell us your favourite colour combination for a tassel.Look out on our Facebook page for another opportunity to enter!

We'll pick a winner at random after midday on Friday 29th April 2016.