DIY Pom Pom Tote for Less Than $35!

DIY pom pom tote - it costs less than $35!
This tote is a DIY that looks JUST like the Eliza Gran one - for a third of the price!
I’ve heard a lot of feedback from y’all that you LOVE this Eliza Gran tote, but at just under $100, they are not very budget friendly. The truth is, you don’t have to spend that much money to get a similar look! Today I’m showing you how to create an almost identical pom pom tote for less than a third of the price. Read on for details…

You will need:
– plain straw bag (I bought this one and this one from Amazon, both less than $30)
– large pom pom maker (comes in a set of two)
large eye yarn needle (only needed for the pom pom charm)
– scissors
– hot glue gun
– yarn color of choice

How to make pom poms

Instructions:
There are quite a few different ways to create pom poms, but honestly this pom pom maker made the experience so much easier and quicker. You wind the yarn around each side of the plastic discs (the ends can be loose – you will cut them eventually), then bring the two sides together to create a full circle. Next, cut the wound yarn with a pair of sharp scissors. Using thread or yarn, tie around the middle and remove the pom pom maker by pulling apart. You’ll need to “clean up” the pom poms by trimming long ends with scissors. 
To create the Eliza Gran look-alike, I started with this straw bag that is nearly identical but less than $25. The only difference is the leather handles, and honestly I like the leather ones better!
After I had made four different pom poms using the larger of the two pom pom makers, I tried arranging them different ways on the tote until I was satisfied. Then I used a hot glue gun to glue them in place, applying the glue to the pom pom (rather than the bag). I’m wearing the Eliza Gran version of this bag in this blog post if you want to see me carrying the designer version!

Pom pom tote DIY
Pom pom beach bag
I also got a little imaginative and created a second pom pom tote. You can purchase pom pom bag charms like this one online, however they are cheaper and way more fun to make yourself! For the bag below, I used this straw tote from Amazon and created my own removable pom pom charm from five different colors of yarn. 
DIY - removable pom pom charm
DIY how to make pom poms
For the black and white string, I simply braided two strands of white yarn and one strand of black. When I created each pom pom, I left the tie strings long because I knew I would need them to tie onto the braided string. Then I used the large eye needle to thread each pom pom onto the braided piece. Once I tied the pom poms onto the braided string, I trimmed them down to the size of the pom pom so they blended right in. 

CUTE DIY pom pom charm for straw bags
You can experiment a lot with this – use different colored pom poms, different string, or even add tassels instead of poms. The cool thing is that the charm can be removed and added onto other bags!

A few more photos of the large tote… (I linked up my home decor at the very end!)

DIY pom pom beach bag
beach bag
Pom pom tassel beach bag

If you decide to make a pom pom tote, I’d love to know! Take a picture and use the hashtag #curlsandpearlsdiy. If it’s a good picture, I’ll repost!

xoxo

Home decor: 
lucite chair // similar clothes rack // similar furry rug (mine is faux) // panama hat
similar small starburst mirrors // embroidered tassel top
Living room decor:
Pottery barn sectional // leopard pillows // similar furry pillows // crystal lamps

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48 Comments

  1. Obsessed with this post girlie! Great job teaching us how to make great designer dupes! xoxox, Lauren
    {www.rosesandrainboots.com}

    6.14.16Reply
  2. Such a cute idea!!!!

    6.14.16Reply
  3. Oh my gosh, I love this idea so much!! The pom poms look like so much fun to make, I have to try this!

    http://www.livelaughlinda.com

    6.14.16Reply
  4. OMG! Such a cute idea Caitlin! xoxo

    6.14.16Reply
  5. This is such a cute idea, I love pom poms on everything and I can think of a few places I can add them to and spice things up a bit.
    XO,
    Maria
    MariaOnPoint http://mariaonpoint.com/ | Find me on IG https://www.instagram.com/mariajabad/

    6.14.16Reply
  6. Such a great idea, love this!

    xoxo
    Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl
    http://poorlittleitgirl.com

    6.14.16Reply
  7. This is such a cool idea. Thanks for sharing!

    http://www.one-hautemess.com

    6.14.16Reply
  8. Anonymous

    Love these types of posts! Definitely will be giving this one a try!

    6.14.16Reply
  9. I am loving these posts on designer dupes, diy and drugstore finds!!

    6.14.16Reply
  10. This is so cute!! I honestly don't know which one I love more and I'd totally buy these from you if you were selling them! I need to do this!

    xo, Nina
    Law of Fashion Blog

    6.14.16Reply
  11. This turned out so cute! Love both versions.

    How Gorgeous

    6.14.16Reply
  12. I love this DIY, what a great look for less! Thanks for sharing!

    Ashley
    MyWellDressedLife.com

    6.14.16Reply
  13. So cute! Love this DIY:P

    Shall We Sasa

    6.14.16Reply
  14. Anonymous

    Caitlin,

    I am in LOVE with this DIY! Pom poms are totally trending right now so these totes are perfect! I also love how you braided the pom poms on the second bag! I'm so trying this!!

    -Kelsey

    http://www.kelseyatfirstglance.wordpress.com

    6.14.16Reply
  15. What a pretty idea!
    Kari
    http://www.sweetteasweetie.com

    6.14.16Reply
  16. So cute! Thank you for the tutorial!

    Kim
    http://bit.ly/1URfM9f .. Summertime ESSENTIAL!

    6.14.16Reply
  17. This looks so cute! I love the idea and would've never thought of it. 🙂

    Rachel
    Simply Rachel Nicole

    6.14.16Reply
  18. This tutorial is so cute, and easy! Love it.

    Rachel / http://www.seashellsandsparkles.com

    6.14.16Reply
  19. I love this post!! I have wanted that pom pom tote for some time now but never wanted to pay that much. So thankful for your helpful tips and tricks:) I will definitely be making this soon!!

    http://www.ohwhatasighttosee.com

    6.14.16Reply
  20. This looks amazing and so fun. I bought a new bag and been eyeing to add a Pom Pom charm as it seemed like it could use one but now I think you inspired me to do it myself.

    Jackie | fashionxfairytale |

    6.14.16Reply
  21. This is one of my favorite posts from you Caitlin! Such a great affordable and easily cute alternative.

    Sarah
    http://www.StylishSassyandClassy.com

    6.14.16Reply
  22. This is such a cute idea! You should start selling these, they're adorable!

    Xo – Steph

    http://www.urbanblonde.com

    6.14.16Reply
  23. Oh my goodness this is TOO cute!! I'm getting a pom pom maker stat! Lol xx.

    JennyLovesBeauty♥

    6.14.16Reply
  24. wait i can't believe you made this!! How adorable!!! You're so crafty and cute!! love this idea! XO

    @stylemelauren
    http://www.stylemelauren.com

    6.14.16Reply
  25. I LOVE this DIY! I can't wait to start my project 🙂 I'm just loving the totes with the multi colored pom poms…absolutely perfectly cute and budget friendly!

    http://www.toreystreasures.com
    @toreystreasures

    6.14.16Reply
  26. This is such a cute DIY and it looks doable too!

    Lauren,
    http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com/

    6.14.16Reply
  27. I need to make one of these this summer! So fun and cute!
    -Angela & Amy
    http://filetostyle.com/

    6.14.16Reply
  28. This is such a cute idea, I love it! Perfect for beach days & lazy Sunday brunches!

    http://www.blushandbordeaux.com

    6.14.16Reply
  29. love love love this idea! I've been eyeing all the pom-pom totes that are out there this season but never thought to make one myself.
    Xx, K
    http://www.jassamineelaine.com

    6.14.16Reply
  30. Such a cute DIY pom pom bag!

    Her Heartland Soul
    herheartlandsoul.com

    6.15.16Reply
  31. I LOVE YOUR Pom-Pom Tote better than the expensive one at Shopbop! The 4 colors you chose are Beautiful and feminine! I would do it exactly how you did! 🙂 Beauty, Brains and Talent! <3

    6.15.16Reply
  32. I love pom pom makers! I have a couple and have found so many cute things to make with them! Love your bag!

    http://www.giltedgeblog.com

    6.15.16Reply
  33. Such cute options!

    xx Kelly
    Sparkles and Shoes

    6.15.16Reply
  34. Oh my gosh I am obsessed with this! Loving pom-poms…if I buy that pom-pom maker, everything I own will be pommed! So cute!!!

    XOXO,
    Natalie
    http://www.combatbootsandcouture.com

    6.15.16Reply
  35. Such a cute idea, definitely going to try this out! Xo

    http://www.laneyslooks.com

    6.15.16Reply
  36. Aww this is too cute.
    xoxo, Rachel
    http://www.rachelvogttrends.com

    6.15.16Reply
  37. It looks so funny and cute.This bag is a perfect idea for summer. So colourful!
    with ♥ by Masha | BRIGHT QUIETNESS

    6.15.16Reply
  38. This is such a cute D.I.Y! I think I'll have to try that!
    Unique Geek

    6.15.16Reply
  39. Love both of these!!

    xoxo,
    Katie
    chicincarolina.blogspot.com

    6.16.16Reply
  40. Oh my, I am ordering the stuff to make this now! 🙂

    XOXO
    Melissa

    6.16.16Reply
  41. Such a cute idea…had to pin it!

    6.16.16Reply
  42. Oh my goodness, this is such a cute and fun idea! I've had my eye on the Eliza Gran bag since it started popping up everywhere, but I almost like the DIY version better 🙂 Plus, it can be more personalized!

    Jordan: The Teacup of Style
    Instagram: @teacupofstyle

    6.21.16Reply
  43. DIY is always a great option. It's a skill to have. You can save so much money doing things yourself and I love this.

    Mich x
    michjosephblog.wordpress.com

    7.4.16Reply
  44. Nice review. This is very useful. Keep sharing !

    non woven bag making machine

    9.10.16Reply
  45. This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love
    seeing that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. 🙂 🙂
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