How to Make a Quick and Easy Beaded Handbag Charm

You don't need to be an expert to make a polished and attractive beaded bag charm. It doesn't take very long and it is inexpensive to make but looks great. See below for my easy to follow instructions and step by step picture guide.

You can choose your beads according to the current fashion trends, to match a certain bag or just because you like them. Mix two different complimentary colours to give a good contrasting effect and use some different types of beads.

I have used faux glass pearls in different shades of white and green. I have then added in some more expensive glass and lampwork beads. Mixing inexpensive beads with a few more expensive ones is a good idea because it is economical to make but still looks great.

It is a good idea to roughly lay your beads out and plan the type of design you are trying for. Bead boards or jewellery mats are specifically for that purpose but a cloth which they won't roll about on will work just as well. I always lay them out right at the beginning and then I know what beads should be threaded together later.

Safety Tip - Beads and jewellery findings present a choking hazard to young children and should always be kept away from them.

Once you have chosen and laid out your beads you then need to gather all the other materials you will need.

You can make your own key chain but in this instance I have used a pre-bought one which saves a lot of time and are easily accessible from local bead shops or online at Amazon.

Safety Tip - Remember to check when ordering your goods that the metal they are made of is what you are looking for.

You will need to use cutting pliers to cut two pieces of chain. The two pieces shouldn't be too long and should be different lengths from each other. By making them different length from each other it ensures that the beads will hang at all different lengths.

When you have cut the chain you will need to put a jump ring on the end of each piece as shown in the picture below.

Safety Tip - Remember you safety glasses.

With you pliers you then need to cut the top piece of the headpin off. Then curl the other end of the headpin around the keyring attachment forming a loop.

Safety Tip - Remember your safety glasses and hold the end of the piece of pin being cut as it will fly across the room otherwise.

Now you need to trim the other end of the headpin so that only a short length remains. There needs to be enough length to curl around and attach both the chains to the key ring finding.

The ends of the chains which have the jump rings attached should be left hanging down, as it is other side of the chains which should be attached to the keyring.

We then need to close the loop which leaves both the chains securely attached.

Next you need to put two or three beads on a headpin. When you slide them on the pin due to the head they will stay on. You will then need to trim off the excess headpin and again use your pliers to create a loop at the top of the beads.

Next attach your beads onto the chain using the loops you have created. Use the two bottom jump rings and then attach the beaded looped headpins at varying points on the chains. You need to repeat this process until the bag charm looks full and colourful.

Safety Tip - Make sure that the loops are securely closed because the wire is sharp and can cause cuts if sticking out.

You now have a one off bag charm which you designed and made yourself. It will definitely draw attention and you will probably have your friends asking if you can make them one. These bag charms are easy to make, inexpensive and also make great gifts.

Let your imagination run wild and create different bag charms for all your different bags. Thank you for reading and happy crafting.