Tiny beads. A piece of cord. An unreasonable amount of time deciding whether the pink heart should go before or after the smiley face.
Welcome to making bag charms.
Beaded bag charms are one of those wonderfully simple projects where there really isn't a wrong way to do it. You can colour-coordinate everything, embrace complete chaos, spell out your name, make matching charms with a friend or add every cute bead you can find.
The best bit? You don't need to be particularly crafty to make one.
Here’s how.
What you’ll need
To make a basic beaded bag charm, you'll need:
- A selection of beads
- Strong cord suitable for beading
- A keyring, clasp or other attachment
- Scissors
- Any special feature beads, letters or charms you want to add
Choose beads with holes large enough for your cord, and make sure your finished attachment will work with wherever you plan to put your charm — a backpack, handbag, pencil case, keys or anywhere else that could use a little more personality.
Step 1: Choose your beads
Arguably the most important part. Definitely the most fun.
Start by tipping out your beads and seeing what catches your eye.
You could choose a colour palette, build around one favourite feature bead or completely ignore the concept of coordination and pick whatever makes you happy.
Try laying your beads out before threading them if you want to plan your design. Or don't.
We're not the bead police.
Step 2: Create your design
Before you start threading, have a rough idea of how long you'd like your charm to be.
Try alternating larger and smaller beads, breaking up colours with neutral beads or putting a favourite feature bead somewhere it will stand out.
Letter beads are also an easy way to personalise your charm with a name, initial or word.
And if you change your mind halfway through? Take them off and try again.
That's part of making.
Step 3: Start threading
Attach or secure one end of your cord so your carefully chosen beads don't immediately escape across the floor.
Then start threading your design.
Keep checking the length as you go, remembering that you need enough cord left at the end to securely finish your charm.
Step 4: Secure your charm
Once you're happy with your design, tie the cord securely according to the type of cord you're using.
Trim any excess cord carefully, leaving the knot secure.
Give everything a gentle tug before attaching your finished charm to make sure it can handle everyday use.
Step 5: Make it yours
Now for the important bit.
Clip it onto your school bag. Add it to your keys. Hang it from your handbag. Make another one for your best friend. Start an entire collection.
There are no rules about what your finished charm is supposed to look like.
That's kind of the point.
Want the fun bit without finding all the bits?
If you'd rather skip hunting down beads, cord and hardware separately, a DIY bag charm kit gives you everything together and ready to make.
At Bubbl Beads, our DIY Bag Charm Kits are packed with colourful, carefully curated bead mixes and everything you need to create something that's completely your own.
Choose your colours. Find your favourite little things. Then see where your imagination takes you.
Make something. Make it yours.
Find your Bubbl.