Not Martha

to make: ridiculously easy wine glass charms

I decided to make sets of 12 charms each, so I got 12 different colors
I decided to make sets of 12 charms each, so I got 12 different colors

I bought 6mm druk beads (simple Czech glass) - I originally wanted 8mm but those did not fit over the rounded wire
I bought 6mm druk beads (simple Czech glass) – I originally wanted 8mm but those did not fit over the rounded wire

I bought base metal (as opposed to sterling silver) 1 inch hoops that are actually earring findings - they also carried 3/4 inch which probably would have worked out even better, but may have created more problems getting the bead on
I bought base metal (as opposed to sterling silver) 1″ hoops that are actually earring findings – they also carried 3/4″ which probably would have worked out even better, but may have created more problems getting the bead on

detail of the ends, one is flattened and has a hole punched in it creating it's own clasp later
detail of the ends, one is flattened and has a hole punched in it creating it’s own clasp later

STEP ONE: put the bead on
STEP ONE: put the bead on

STEP TWO: grab the regular end with some pliers (needle nose would work best if you have them) - just 1/4 inch or less. I found holding the hoop right where I was going to bend it worked best
STEP TWO: grab the regular end with some pliers (needle nose would work best if you have them) – just 1/4″ or less. I found holding the hoop right where I was going to bend it worked best

STEP THREE: bend upwards
STEP THREE: bend upwards

STEP FOUR: admire your work. Slip the flattened end with the hole over the bent end to secure.
STEP FOUR: admire your work. Slip the flattened end with the hole over the bent end to secure.

detail of closed charm
detail of closed charm



If it doesn't want to hold, gently pull the hoop open so that it will have some tension when closed.
If it doesn’t want to hold, gently pull the hoop open so that it will have some tension when closed.

ta da!
ta da!

I packaged some in those glass topped favor containers which are so trendy these days.
I packaged some in those glass topped favor containers which are so trendy these days.

These simple wine charms are so easy to make it’s silly. All I ended buying were the hoops and the beads themselves. I bought my hoops at JewelrySupply.com – base metal silver, 100 for $9. The beads I bought at General Bead here in San Francisco. They came in units of 25 for $1.50 to $3.00 per unit. I also found the hoops at General Bead. If you want you can get more complex and start adding charms attached with little jump rings.

Here are some wine glass charms being sold you can use for examples and inspiration:

at red envelope

at plum party

at sur la table

There are a few places with more complete instructions on making you own wine glass charms:

how to make at rings-things

how to make at jewelry supply

how to make at beadland

And a few threads on wine glass charms at Glitter:

one and

two

And the very clever Jenny make personalized wine glass charms with shrinky dinks!

79 Comments

79 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Lachon // Sep 13, 2010 at 6:35 pm

    Where can I purchase the glass topped favor containers ?

  • 2 Kara // Oct 28, 2010 at 11:25 pm

    I am looking for magnetic charms for wine glasses. (1) round magnet goes inside glass and the other side, outside glass. The outside magnet has a ring to attach string of beads or a charm. Has anyone seen these. I can only find finished sets for high price

  • 3 Linda // Nov 2, 2010 at 9:05 am

    you can find the magnetic’s at Joanns fabric shop, real reasonable and nice………

  • 4 Oui, oui! A Beaujolais Nouveau Party | Girlfriend Celebrations // Nov 15, 2010 at 6:50 am

    […] -Or, keep the girls occupied making their own beaded wine charms. You’ll find an awesome how-to for “Ridiculously Easy” beaded wine charms on NotMartha. […]

  • 5 arleene // Nov 22, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    Love this idea. My daughter-in-law wants a set with their initial on it. Couldn’t find anything, but with this idea, I’ll find the initial charms at the craft store, and put a bead on either side of the initial. I think this will look great. So excited to have found this idea here. Thanks!!!!

  • 6 Christmas shopping survival guide « Satisfying my champagne taste on a beer budget // Nov 24, 2010 at 10:11 am

    […] a practical gift for someone who likes to entertain. I found this how-to from years back over at Not Martha. She even made the packaging […]

  • 7 Make Glass Charms : Craft Ideas // Dec 17, 2010 at 1:07 pm

    […] Not Martha’s Easy Wine Glass Charm Beading Project […]

  • 8 Tina // Jun 24, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    I bought wire rings and Christmas charms from Primitivebeads.com and made wine charms for all my girlfriends for Christmas. I used all the same beads for each set with a different color/shaped charm. They were a huge hit. I bought beads at numerous places.

  • 9 dee // Sep 8, 2011 at 7:20 pm

    Thanks, Arleene! I used your idea & made personalized gifts for the bridal shower! Added a wedding ring charm on the bride’s!! Sooo cute!!!

  • 10 Sue J // Nov 20, 2011 at 2:00 am

    Hello I just wanted to say thank you for your pics it is a great idea as I had bought some hoops but never made them now I am thinking of xmas presents they are a great idea

  • 11 tida // Dec 2, 2011 at 9:48 am

    I Love this!!! i’ve been making wine glass charms recently, but has had a hard time finding rings to make them. the earring thing is great!

  • 12 Ruthie // Dec 9, 2011 at 4:35 pm

    Did not read all reviews but how about using old charms or an earring whose double has been lost????

  • 13 Jane // Jan 19, 2012 at 12:08 am

    Wow this is such a neat idea, thank you!

  • 14 Mary Beth // Apr 25, 2012 at 5:46 am

    Thanks for the tips on where to find the wire, etc. I am using the ends of old wine corks, free at my house :-), for the charms. I am using some that have a design on them and will put initials on others. Will let you know how it goes! I love the idea of favors for weddings etc. I used “unused” wine corks for my name place holders and this would have been a great addition! The name place cards had their full name and table # on one side and their first name on the other side for others at their table to be able to see. They were so cute!

  • 15 Trudi Bannister // May 15, 2012 at 10:08 pm

    Awesome – thank you. I’m having my 40th party on Sat night, so have made charms with each persons name on it, with beads with letters on them. They look fantastic – I’m thrilled. I’ll have a champagne glass with everyone’s name on it at the ready as they arrive. Each person can change their charm to a wine glass, if they change beverages. Thanks so much!

  • 16 Melanie // May 19, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    This is so simple, it’s ridiculous! :D

  • 17 DIY Wine Glass Charms for Game Night | | DIY Envy BlogDIY Envy Blog // Jun 1, 2012 at 8:40 pm

    […] DIY wine glass charms were so easy. I used this tutorial from Not Martha to make them. She uses beads to make hers, but you could really use any charms you […]

  • 18 Wine Lass // Jun 13, 2012 at 10:37 am

    I love the wine charms–I have tried to make them myself but can’t seem to do them justice. Nice touch and growing in popularity.

  • 19 BoTTle ChArMs « buggalcrafts // Jul 10, 2012 at 11:48 pm

    […] heigh-ho it’s off to the web I go!  A search turned up several wine charm ring tutorials from wire loop earrings and memory wire and I had the further idea to use chain in place of the […]

  • 20 buggalcrafts // Jul 10, 2012 at 11:56 pm

    Hi! Just wanted to let u know how much I enjoyed your tutorial! I recently had the idea of using wine charms to make charms for small bottles and vases – – – and when I searched for “wine charms” your tutorial was the SIMPLY THE BEST!

    I just posted a tutorial on bottle charms and included a link to your post.

    Thanks so much for the clear concise directions!

    http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/bottle-charms/

  • 21 DI-Wine: Tags and Bags | Broke-Ass Stuart's Goddamn Website // Aug 13, 2012 at 10:16 am

    […] from various items you may have laying around like orphan earrings, or Monopoly pieces, charms, beads – lettered beads are a neat choice. Just (very carefully) drill a hole in your charm if it […]

  • 22 Ellen Renfro // Aug 23, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    Love these. We made then last year as give aways at the festival and we plan to do it again this year. Everyone loved them. It only took about 2 hours to make 100 of them! making 500 this year.

  • 23 Mary // Dec 13, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    I saw this post and was inspired to make my own wedding favors (and then open up my “Charmed By Wine” etsy shop afterwards!!). I found using memory wire was easier and more durable than the more flexible wire. It also eliminates the need for a clasp, which is good for less nimble hands =)

  • 24 Nancy // Feb 25, 2013 at 9:47 pm

    Does anyone know where to find wine rings that are sturdy and less expensive than 30 cents/ring? Thanks

  • 25 April Gunderson // Jul 1, 2013 at 5:17 pm

    This is amazing! I was going to buy a bunch of these to give to my bridesmaids and then I realized how costly it would be to do that. I then found this blog and LOVE the idea. DIY and cheap, that all is perfect in my book, and no one will know the difference! Thank you for sharing.

  • 26 how to host a wine tasting party at home | planning it all // Feb 12, 2014 at 4:32 am

    […] of different places sell them, with options ranging from the serious to the girly to the eclectic. Not Martha has an easy DIY version, or I like these chalkboard versions from Etsy Seller Val Vista […]

  • 27 Katie // May 4, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    Do you know where I can get heart-shaped wine charm hoops? Saw on etsy, but expensive there!

  • 28 megan // May 4, 2014 at 6:09 pm

    Katie – I have no idea, but those sound adorable!

  • 29 Katie // Nov 3, 2014 at 7:08 pm

    Thanks, clear advice, lots of pics. Easy project for a bridal shower favor!

Leave a Comment