I was trying to put the spring from my extruder in when it went flying somewhere on the main floor of my house. I have searched high and low and cannot find it anywhere! I cannot justify a new one right now, nor could I order it in time. Plus, my Dad is coming to visit in less than 2 weeks and I know he'll be able to fix it - he's super handy!
Problem is: I need to make a tassle for a bookmark tomorrow. How can I make a nice one without an extruder? I have quite a few tools and perhaps there is something I'm not considering.
Thanks for your help!

A garlic press might do the trick.

Brilliant - hadn't thought of that! Will give it a go....

I didn't have time to get an extruder for a recent cake either, so I went to Walmart (don't know if you have one) and bought a Play Dough set that had an extruder-like attachment. The specific set I got was called Burger Builder. It was only $10 and worked like a charm.

Yep, a garlic press! I used mine today for the tassels on a pillow cake. One of my favorite tools.

I use my garlic press all the time for the same thing. It also makes good "hair" for fondant models.