How to Make DIY Bag Charms for Your Purse

Hi there! If you’re someone who loves putting a personal touch on your accessories, this DIY bag charm tutorial is going to be your new obsession. Recently, I’ve fallen in love with crafting these adorable, stylish, and completely customizable charms for my bags. And today, I’m sharing everything with you—so you can make your own and express your unique style.

You could buy premade charms online, sure—but many are overpriced and often lack that personal connection. Why not make something that’s yours from start to finish?

Not only is this project super affordable, but it’s also incredibly fun. Whether you’re customizing your own tote, upgrading your backpack, or making a thoughtful handmade gift, these bag charms are a perfect way to add charm (pun intended!) to your daily look.

Let’s dive in.

✨ Why Bag Charms Are the Accessory You Didn’t Know You Needed

Think of bag charms as little bursts of personality. They dangle, they sparkle, and they can speak volumes about your mood, interests, or aesthetic. Want a soft pastel charm with letter beads spelling your name? Done. Going for edgy black cord with silver hardware? You can make that too.

Unlike many DIYs that require tons of tools or a big budget, bag charms are simple. You likely already have some of the supplies at home. And the best part? You can make one in under 30 minutes once you get the hang of it.

🧰 Supplies You’ll Need

Here’s what I used in my charms, but feel free to get creative and substitute with what you have:

Brass Key Ring or small carabiner
Paperclip Chain (chunky or slim, based on your preference)
Jump Rings (you’ll need several, get a variety pack if you can)
Parachute Cord (available at craft stores in tons of colors)
Charms (letters, stars, hearts, zodiac signs—whatever you love)
Beads (glass, acrylic, wood, alphabet beads)
Safety Pins (regular and shaped ones like hearts or gold-toned)
Stretch Magic Thread or thin jewelry cord
Jewelry Pliers
Krazy Glue
Lighter (optional, for sealing cord ends)

You don’t need every single item to get started. The beauty of this DIY is that it’s completely customizable.

🌈 The Four Key Elements of a Great Bag Charm

Each DIY bag charm I make has four components, which you can mix and match to suit your style. Here’s a breakdown:

The Boondoggle (cord design)
The Safety Pin Bead Stack
The Bead Stack on Jewelry Thread
The Charm Chain

Once you make each part, you’ll attach them all to your keyring or clasp to create your finished piece.

🔷 1. The Boondoggle Cord (Nostalgic & Textured)

Remember those colorful cord keychains we made at summer camp? Yup—they’re back. The modern take on boondoggles involves more stylish color combos and added charm details.

How to Make:

Cut two pieces of parachute cord about 24–30 inches each.
Thread them through a jump ring and pull until both ends are even.
Cross the strands into an “X” under the jump ring.
Fold one cord end over to create a loop. Repeat with the other side.
Now, take one of the unused cords and thread it through the first loop from behind. Take the second unused cord and thread through the second loop.
Pull all strands to tighten. You’ve just made a square knot.
Keep repeating this knot to add length. To add a charm, slide it onto one cord before tying the next knot.
Once your boondoggle reaches the desired length, tie all four strands into a tight knot, trim, and seal the ends with a lighter.

📌 2. Safety Pin Bead Stack (Quick & Cute)

This one’s super easy and perfect if you’re gifting your charm to someone. You can spell out names, affirmations, or inside jokes with letter beads.

How to Make:

Take a heart-shaped or gold safety pin.
Slide on your beads—stick to a theme (like all blues) or mix textures.
Alphabet beads work great here to add personality.
When done, attach a jump ring to the end of the safety pin for easy clipping to your main charm.

💎 3. Bead Stack with Stretch Thread (Dangling Sparkle)

This section gives the whole charm movement and shimmer.

Steps:

Cut about 8–10 inches of Stretch Magic Thread.
Loop it through a jump ring and knot it at the base.
Add beads to both ends of the thread so they stack evenly.
Once you’ve added enough beads, place a small crimp bead after the last one.
Use pliers to flatten the crimp bead to secure everything.
Trim excess thread neatly below the crimp bead.

Creative Tip: Use a large bead or pendant as the final one for a pretty dangling finish.

🔗 4. The Charm Chain (The Statement Maker)

This part brings structure and style to your charm—it’s also where you can go bold.

Instructions:

Use jewelry pliers to open the jump rings attached to your charms.
Slide each charm onto a chunky chain link—space them a little so they don’t overlap.
Choose a theme: celestial, vintage, colorful gems, etc.
Once all charms are attached, add a jump ring to the end for attachment.

💫 Putting It All Together

Now it’s time for the fun part—assembling your custom creation.

Grab your brass ring or carabiner.
Clip each of the four elements onto the ring.
Rearrange them until it feels balanced—visually and in weight.
Add any extra beads or single charms directly to the ring as accents.

And there you have it—your own one-of-a-kind DIY bag charm.

💡 Bonus Ideas & Variations

These charms aren’t just for purses! Try clipping them on:

Backpacks
Camera bags
Makeup pouches
Gift bags for birthdays
Zippers on jackets or pencil cases

You can also make themed versions for:

Birthdays (use zodiac charms)
Holidays (think snowflakes, pumpkins, hearts)
Travel (mini globe, airplane, luggage tag charms)

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📦 Final Thoughts

Crafting these DIY bag charms isn’t just about creating something pretty—it’s about slowing down, expressing yourself, and enjoying the process. Whether you’re spending a rainy Sunday with your craft bin or making a set of charms for your best friends, this project brings joy with every strand and sparkle.

So grab your supplies, turn on some music, and get making. You might just find yourself addicted like I am.