I’ve been in the mood to make a small accessory to hang from a purse or backpack—something that adds a little personality without being fussy. Maybe it’s that back-to-school nostalgia, or maybe I just wanted an excuse to craft and buy a new bag for fall. Either way, I ended up making bold tassels from leather and wood blocks, and I love how they turned out. They have a geometric, slightly jellyfish-like look that feels modern and playful. Here’s how to make your own.
I’ve always loved bags with wood details—the Building Block bag’s hanging wood ball is one of my favorites—so I combined that sculptural feel with a leather tassel to get these pieces. They’re neutral and natural in material but really graphic in silhouette. I hadn’t seen tassels like these before, so I thought I’d share the method I used. Make different block shapes and tassel lengths for a set of varied, eye-catching charms.
Materials and Tools
- Wood blocks (various shapes and sizes)
- Vegetable-tanned leather or a medium-weight leather piece
- Rotary cutter (or sharp utility knife)
- Straightedge / ruler
- Cutting mat
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Table vise or bench vise to secure wood while drilling
- Drill with spade bits (I used 1/4″ and 3/4″)
DIY Statement Tassels with Wood Blocks and Leather
- Secure a wood block in a table or bench vise so it won’t move while you drill. Using a 1/4″ spade bit, drill a hole all the way through the center of the block.
- Flip the block and, with a larger spade bit (about 3/4″ for my pieces), drill only partway into the opposite face. This creates a through-hole on one side and a shallow cavity on the other. The cavity gives you space to nest the rolled leather tassel and helps the finished piece sit neatly.
- Cut a leather rectangle. The exact size depends on your block and how full you want the tassel to be. I started a little large (approximately 11″ x 7″) and trimmed after test-fitting. Roll the leather to judge fit inside the cavity before cutting fringes.
- Mark quarter-inch intervals across the long edge of the leather and use a rotary cutter with a straightedge to cut fringe strips about 1/4″ wide, leaving the top uncut so the tassel holds together. Cut most of the length but leave a solid top section to glue and roll.
- Apply a long bead of hot glue along the uncut top edge, then roll the leather tightly into a tassel shape. The glue keeps the roll secure and gives a neat top edge for fitting into the wood block cavity.
- Cut a thin leather strap about 1/4″ wide and long enough to form a loop. This will serve as the hanger strap that threads through the block’s through-hole and knots or loops to attach to a bag.
- Apply hot glue around the top of the rolled tassel and press it into the shallow cavity you drilled with the larger bit. The roll should fit snugly; the glue ensures it stays secure. When that sets, thread the thin leather strap through the 1/4″ through-hole in the block and knot or loop it to finish the hanger.
That’s it—easy and fast. Once I finished the first, I made several more using different block shapes: circles, small squares, rectangles. Each one was assembled the same way; I simply varied the block size, tassel length, and fringe density for variety.
Photography and styling: Brittni Mehlhoff
Model: Cori Maass
I hung a few of these on the wall and liked the graphic effect—almost like earrings for a wall. They’re great as purse charms, luggage identifiers, zipper pulls, or casual wall accents. Because they’re neutral and made from natural materials, they pair well with many styles, but their bold shapes keep them interesting.
If you want to vary the look: try different leather colors or textures, mix block woods (walnut, maple, or painted blocks), or stack two smaller blocks on one strap. Small variations in fringe length and block geometry create a unique set that reads handmade and modern.