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Relish Fork Tassel Ornament

I found some relish (for hors d'oeuvres or cocktail snacks) forks at an estate sale with a hole that was perfect for hanging. I knew I had to do something special with them. I decided to make them into tassels. Since I do make a lot of lamps and lampshades, I have a lot of scraps of trim that work great for this free chistmas craft project. I used up some of my chainette fringe, beaded and metallic trims and metallic crocheting cotton. You can embellish to your heart's content.

Supplies

Plastic/Bakelite Relish forks (mine were called Party Pickers)

Chainette Fringe

Various trims (you pick)

Metallic string (crochet cotton or foil)

Scissors

Fabric Glue

Tacky Glue

Double stick tape (very handy, but not necessary)

Instructions

The first step is to decorate the handle a bit.

I'm using a metallic foil string that I found at an estate sale. The crochet cotton works well too! I cut a very small piece of double stick tape and place it on the handle in the places I want to wrap my foil. This hold the foil in place until the glue sets up. Spread the tacky glue around the handle where the foil (or string) will be attached and wind the foil around the fork.

The chainette fringe is going to be wound around the fork. I've found that the fabric glue is easiest to use for this step.

Squeeze a bead of fabric glue along the top of the fringe and roll the end fringe around the bottom of the relish fork. You should let the glue dry, so that the fringe is not slipping from the fork when you add the rest of the trim. Fabric glue dries quickly.

Add the rest in the same way as the fringe. Squeeze a bead of glue along the top of the trim and roll the trim around the fork. Let the glue dry.

Cut a piece of crochet cotton, thread it through the hole in the relish fork, make a loop, tie the ends together and trim the ends so they are even.

Your tassel is finished and you can use it for anything you want. You can hang it from your drapes, tie them on presents, add them to the end of a bookmark or use them as Christmas tree ornament.

Other Ideas

You can use a metallic rub and buff wax on the handle of your tassel (the relish fork).

I've used different kinds of relish forks without the hole. The end of the fork has a knob that held my string very well. You may want to put a tiny bit of glue on the knot...just to be safe.

I used a metallic string on my handles, but the metallic crochet cotton looks very nice wrapped around the handle too.

Be creative and use beads, buttons, sequins, glitter, crystals, bows, and any other assorted embellishments that are begging to be used.

For more free christmas crafts, visit the Projects page.