Top 20 Purse Charms DIY [Make Within Minutes]

There is something deeply satisfying about carrying a bag that feels completely your own. Purse charms are one of the simplest, most affordable ways to personalize any handbag — from a designer tote to a thrift store find — and the best part is that most of them take just a few minutes to put together. You do not need a craft room full of supplies or years of experience. A little creativity, a few basic materials, and you are ready to go.

Whether you are making something for yourself, putting together a thoughtful handmade gift, or looking for a fun weekend project to do with friends, this list of 20 DIY purse charms has something for every style and skill level. From boho pom-poms to elegant pearl clusters, there is no shortage of ways to make your bag stand out in the best possible way.

Why DIY Purse Charms Are Worth Making

Before jumping into the projects, it is worth talking about why making your own purse charms is such a great idea in the first place. Store-bought charms can be surprisingly expensive, especially those tied to luxury brand names or trending aesthetics. A single charm from a designer boutique can run anywhere from $30 to well over $100. Meanwhile, the materials to make a comparable DIY version might cost you $5 or less.

Beyond the cost savings, there is the customization factor. When you make your own charm, you choose the colors, the textures, the size, and the overall vibe. You can match it perfectly to a specific bag, coordinate it with an outfit, or make it in a friend’s favorite color. You also get the quiet confidence that comes with wearing something truly one of a kind.

DIY purse charms also make wonderful gifts. They are small enough to tuck into a card envelope or a little organza bag, personal enough to feel thoughtful, and impressive enough that people genuinely wonder how you made them. If you enjoy crafting even a little, these projects are a fantastic addition to your creative repertoire.

What You Need to Get Started

Most purse charm projects rely on a small core set of supplies that you can find at any craft store or order online. It helps to have these basics on hand before you start:

Lobster clasps or swivel snap hooks in gold or silver are the standard way to attach a charm to a bag handle or zipper pull. They are inexpensive and come in multi-packs. Jump rings in a variety of sizes help you connect components together. Round-nose pliers and flat-nose pliers make working with wire and jump rings much easier and more precise. Keyring hardware works for heavier charms that need a sturdier connection. Beyond the hardware, the specific materials depend entirely on which projects you choose, but having a general supply of ribbon, yarn, beads, wire, and a hot glue gun covers the majority of what you will need.

Now, on to the good stuff.

1. Yarn Pom-Pom Charm

Pom-poms are eternally charming — literally and figuratively. Wrap yarn around two fingers or a cardboard template about 50 times, tie the bundle tightly in the middle with a separate piece of yarn, and snip the loops on both sides. Fluff and trim into a round shape, then attach the tie ends to a lobster clasp. Done. You can make these in a single color, two-tone, or in an ombre effect using different shades of the same hue. Bulky yarn creates a larger, fluffier pom, while finer yarn gives a denser, more polished look.

2. Tassel Charm with Embroidery Floss

Cut about 30 to 40 strands of embroidery floss to your desired tassel length, fold the bundle in half, and loop it through a jump ring. Wrap a separate piece of floss tightly around the top to form the tassel head, knot it securely, and attach the jump ring to a lobster clasp. Embroidery floss comes in hundreds of colors and costs almost nothing, so you can make a whole collection of these in an afternoon. Mix colors for a boho gradient effect or keep it single-tone for something cleaner.

3. Leather Tassel Charm

Leather tassels feel noticeably more elevated than fabric ones and are still incredibly easy to make. Cut a strip of faux or genuine leather about 4 inches wide and 6 inches long. Make fringe cuts along one long edge, stopping about half an inch from the other edge. Roll the uncut edge tightly around a jump ring and secure with a dab of leather glue or a small stitch. Attach to a lobster clasp. Brown and tan leather looks beautifully western-inspired, while black leather leans edgy and modern.

4. Beaded Charm on Wire

Thread an assortment of beads onto a head pin (a thin wire with a flat or ball end), leaving about a centimeter of wire at the top. Use round-nose pliers to create a small loop at the top, connect it to a jump ring, and attach to a lobster clasp. You can use anything here — seed beads, glass pearls, wooden beads, alphabet beads, gemstone chips. Mixing textures and finishes adds dimension. Try a combination of matte and glossy beads in complementary colors for a sophisticated look.

5. Initial Letter Charm

Alphabet charms are widely available at craft stores in both metal and acrylic versions. Pick up the initial that matters to you, loop it onto a jump ring with a small charm or two on either side — a star, a heart, a tiny flower — and attach to a lobster clasp. This takes about two minutes and feels personal in a way that generic charms simply do not. Stack two or three initials for a monogram effect or add a birthstone bead alongside the letter.

6. Silk Ribbon Bow Charm

Cut a length of silk or satin ribbon about 12 inches long and tie it into a small, neat bow. Fold a short piece of thinner ribbon or wire tightly around the center knot of the bow and use it to attach a jump ring. Connect to a lobster clasp. Silk ribbon bows look delicate and feminine, especially in blush pink, ivory, or soft lavender. For a more graphic look, try ribbon with a stripe or polka dot pattern.

7. Pearl Cluster Charm

String three to five faux pearl beads onto individual head pins, create a loop at the top of each one, and attach all the loops to a single large jump ring. The cluster of pearls dangling together creates an elegant, almost vintage effect. Use pearl beads of different sizes for variety, or add a small crystal or gold spacer bead between them. This charm pairs beautifully with structured bags and anything in a neutral colorway.

8. Seashell Charm

Pick up a small bag of natural shells from a craft store or collect them yourself on a beach trip. Drill a small hole near the top of the shell using a hand drill or a diamond drill bit (these are inexpensive and work well for natural materials). Thread wire or string through the hole, attach to a jump ring, and connect to a lobster clasp. No two shells are identical, which means every single one of these charms is genuinely unique. Layer two or three shells of different sizes for a beachy, layered effect.

9. Dried Flower Resin Charm

This one takes a little more preparation because you need to press and dry flowers first, but the result is stunning. Arrange small dried flowers or petals in a silicone mold, pour a UV or two-part resin over them, and let it cure according to the resin’s instructions. Once set, pop the charm out of the mold, sand any rough edges lightly, and drill a small hole at the top. Attach with a jump ring and lobster clasp. The preserved botanicals inside look like tiny works of art.

10. Coin Charm

Vintage coins, decorative coins from import shops, and even large novelty coins work wonderfully as purse charms. Drill or punch a small hole near the edge of the coin, loop wire or a jump ring through it, and attach to a lobster clasp. Stack multiple coins on a single ring for a jangly, bohemian effect. If you do not want to drill into an actual coin, look for coin-shaped pendants at jewelry supply stores — they come in a huge range of designs and finishes.

11. Macramé Mini Charm

Using a few strands of macramé cord and a small ring, you can knot a tiny square knot charm in just a few minutes. Fold two pieces of cord through the ring, and using the standard square knot technique, tie about five to six knots down the length. Trim the ends into a fringe. Natural cotton cord gives this a neutral, earthy look, while dyed cord adds color. This is a great project for anyone who is already into macramé or wants to try the technique on a small, low-stakes scale.

12. Crystal or Gemstone Pendant

Raw crystal points, tumbled stones, and gemstone chips all make beautiful purse charms with minimal effort. For raw crystal points, you can wrap them in wire using a simple wire wrapping technique — coil wire around the base of the crystal several times, bring it up and over in an X-pattern, and form a loop at the top for a jump ring. For tumbled stones, look for pre-drilled versions or purchase a stone drilling kit. Amethyst, rose quartz, citrine, and labradorite all look gorgeous and each stone carries its own symbolism if that matters to you.

13. Acrylic Keychain Blank Charm

Blank acrylic keychain shapes are available at craft stores and online suppliers in every shape imaginable — circles, hexagons, stars, hearts, butterflies. You can paint them, write on them with paint markers, add dried flowers or glitter underneath a resin coat, or use vinyl stickers to add text or images. These make especially fun personalized gifts because you can write someone’s name, a meaningful word, or an inside joke directly on the charm.

14. Braided Leather Cord Charm

Cut three thin strips of faux leather or suede cord, fold them in half over a jump ring, and braid the six resulting strands together. Secure the end of the braid with a small piece of wire wrapped tightly around it, trim neatly, and attach the jump ring to a lobster clasp. The braid itself becomes the charm — simple, tactile, and visually appealing. Try mixing two coordinating colors of cord for a more interesting result.

15. Vintage Brooch Conversion

Thrift stores and antique markets are full of beautiful brooches that no longer serve their original purpose. With a pair of pliers, carefully remove or bend back the pin mechanism and hot glue or wire a jump ring to the back. Attach to a lobster clasp and you have transformed something old into something new and wearable on your bag. Art deco brooches, cameos, floral enamel pieces, and rhinestone clips all work wonderfully for this. It is upcycling at its most stylish.

16. Clay Miniature Charm

Air-dry or polymer clay is a beginner-friendly material that lets you sculpt tiny shapes to use as charms. Roll it out, cut shapes with small cookie cutters or carve them by hand, poke a hole near the top before the clay dries, and let it cure. Once dry, you can paint the clay charms with acrylic paint and seal with a clear varnish. Popular shapes include moons, stars, mushrooms, fruits, and botanical motifs. Polymer clay baked in an oven comes out harder and more durable than air-dry clay if you plan to use the charm regularly.

17. Zipper Pull Upgrade

This is technically less of a standalone charm and more of an enhancement, but it deserves a spot on this list. Take any small charm you have made or purchased and thread it onto the existing zipper pull of your bag using a jump ring or a small piece of wire. It adds movement and personality to the zipper itself, and because it sits right at a functional part of the bag, it catches attention constantly. A single small pom-pom or tiny tassel on a zipper pull can completely change the energy of a plain bag.

18. Safety Pin Charm Cluster

Take a standard large safety pin and thread small beads, charms, and rings onto it before closing it. The safety pin itself becomes the hardware, and you simply attach a jump ring to the loop at the top and connect it to a lobster clasp. This technique was popular in the punk and Y2K aesthetics and is making a strong comeback. Layer several safety pins together for a maximalist take or keep it to one carefully curated pin for a subtler nod to the trend.

19. Friendship Bracelet Charm

If you have leftover embroidery floss from other projects, braid or knot a tiny friendship bracelet about 4 to 5 inches long and loop it through a jump ring. The knot patterns, the color combinations, and the nostalgic feeling of friendship bracelets translate surprisingly well to purse charms. These are especially sweet as matching sets — make two identical ones, attach one to your bag and give one to a friend to do the same.

20. Photo Locket or Resin Photo Charm

Print a tiny photo — a pet, a person, a place that means something to you — trim it to fit inside a small locket pendant or a clear resin frame pendant. Seal it in with a touch of Mod Podge or pour a small amount of resin over it to protect it. Attach to a jump ring and lobster clasp. Carrying a tiny image of someone or something you love on your bag is genuinely touching, and it sparks conversation wherever you go.

Tips for Making Charms That Last

A few finishing touches make the difference between a charm that holds up beautifully for years and one that falls apart after a few weeks. Always use a dab of jewelry glue or clear nail polish on any knots before trimming the ends — this prevents unraveling. If you are using metal findings, opt for tarnish-resistant or gold-filled options if you want them to stay shiny. For charms that use glue, allow a full 24-hour cure time before attaching them to your bag and subjecting them to movement. And if you are making charms with natural materials like shells or dried flowers, seal them with a protective varnish to keep them from becoming brittle or faded over time.

Mixing and Layering Your Charms

One of the most fun things about DIY purse charms is that you are not limited to just one. Layering multiple charms on a single bag creates a curated, personalized look that feels intentional rather than cluttered — as long as you keep a consistent thread running through your choices. That thread might be a color palette, a material (all leather, all natural, all metallic), or a vibe (all maximalist and jangly, or all delicate and minimal). Start with one anchor charm — something slightly larger or bolder than the rest — and build around it with complementary pieces.

Bags with multiple handles or hardware rings give you more attachment points to work with. A tote bag might carry a tassel on the handle, a beaded charm on the zipper, and a small pom-pom on the strap ring. A crossbody bag might just have one perfectly chosen charm hanging from the front clasp. Trust your instincts, and do not be afraid to swap things in and out as your mood or wardrobe changes.

Final Thoughts

Making your own purse charms is one of those crafts that rewards you far out of proportion to the effort it requires. The projects in this list range from true beginner territory — tying a bow, threading beads onto a pin — to slightly more involved techniques like resin casting or wire wrapping, but none of them demand professional skills or expensive tools. Most can be finished in under 30 minutes, many in under 10.

The best charm you can make is the one that feels like you. Whether that is a cluster of pearls that speaks to your love of vintage elegance, a chunky clay mushroom that reflects your whimsical side, or a simple braided leather cord that pairs perfectly with every bag you own, the act of making it yourself gives it a meaning that no store-bought version ever could. Start with one project from this list, and there is a very good chance you will find yourself reaching for the supplies again before the week is out.