First thing to do is trim the neopixel LED strip to match the length of the tie. The 20" breakaway tie can fit a length of 9 NeoPixels. If you're using a different tie, be sure to find the appropriate length before cutting.
Regular scissors can be dulled or damaged by cutting wire, so make sure you use a pair of wire cutters or scissors designed to cut metal, like these.
We'll be cutting the strip at two points indicated by dashed red lines in the image below.
Cut the male pin connector (the one with protruding metal pins inside a plastic shroud) from the strip. Cut close to the connector itself to provide extra length. This is the end of the strip that will connect to the Circuit Playground Bluefruit.
In the picture, there are two extra wires coming out. But depending on the strip, those may be at the male end or the female end. They are not a reliable indicator of which end is which.
Use wire strippers to remove about 15mm of insulation from the end of each freshly cut wire.
Gently twist each bundle of wire strands to keep them from fraying.
Starting from the end you just cut, count out a length of 9 NeoPixels.
Cut the strip after the ninth neopixel, leaving as much of a tail as possible.
Don't strip or split the wires at this end.
When you're all done, the finished strip should look like the image above.
Alternate connection without cutting
Alternatively, if you are making a similar project and have room, you can use the 3-pin JST SM Plug + Receptacle Cable Set to plug into the male end of the NeoPixel strip.
