DIY Personalised tote bags

Thursday, 15 May 2025 8:58 AM

DIY personalised tote bags

(not beads but a great fun holiday activity)

I'm always after some great ideas to do with the kids on school holidays. Crafty stuff is where my heart lies (I run String of Beads Parties - a jewellery making birthday party business in Brisbane, Australia).

Last weekend with some friends we decided to personalize some tote bags! Bought these super simple tote bags from Spotlight for $2ea (bargain!)…but you could also do this project using a cotton tshirt. 

Each of the kids found a stencil image on the internet that they wanted to use to personalize their tote! We had Grogu (baby Yoda), pineapple, turtle, deer, seahorse, hedgehog, heart, and heaps more… I’ll post some links below to the good images we found to trace onto our clear contact.

Materials:

* white tote bag (ours were $2ea from Spotlight)

* or a white cotton tshirt ($3 from Kmart)

* fabric paint (I bought a set of Tulip Colours from Spotlight)

* cotton buds / qtips (or you could use a paint brush)

* contact (used to cover school books)

* scissors

* pen/pencil

* paint palette / paper plate

* cardboard / plastic bag / plastic table cloth you can cut up

* plastic table cloth to protect your table

* apron or art smock to protect kids clothes

     

Instructions:

1. print out your selected images
2. trace the images onto the paper side of the contact
3. cut out your images being careful so you have a nice solid shape to stick onto your tshirt
4. peel off the paper backing and stick it to your tote bag /t-shirt in the place you want to 'mask' 
5. pop a plastic bag or a cardboard folder into the middle of your tshirt (so that the paint doesn't leak through onto the back side of the t-shirt)
6. squirt out your paint colours into your palette & then we used a qtip / cotton bud to apply the paint to the shirt.
7. when you're applying your paint make sure that you put lots of dots right up to the edge of the contact image (so when you peel it away its a really crisp image)
8. keep applying colour until your happy with your t-shirt…..I suggest making sure there are lots of dots clustered around the contact image, and then gradually space them out further…..that way you get a really good image when you peel off the contact
9. we left ours to dry overnight before peeling off the contact image.
10. you can wear straight away, but one little tip is that first time you wash the shirt, do it in some salt water (that will help 'fix' the fabric paint to the tshirt!).



If you have any questions, please contact Danielle from String of Beads Parties on info@stringofbeads.com.au 



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🎉 The Ultimate Guide to Planning a 9-Year-Old’s Birthday Party (with Sparkle!)

Featuring the magic of a String of Beads party host

Turning nine is a big deal—your child is on the cusp of the double digits, and they deserve a celebration filled with fun, colour, and creativity. If you're looking for an engaging party idea that won’t leave you knee-deep in glitter or glue, a String of Beads party is the perfect solution. Here’s how to plan a birthday bash that keeps the kids smiling—and you stress-free.

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Imagine a group of kids completely immersed in creating their own wearable art—necklaces, bracelets, keychains—while a friendly host takes care of the setup, guidance, and clean-up. It’s hands-on, mess-free, and tailored to a wide range of styles and abilities. Plus, each guest goes home with 3 unique handmade party favours!

đź“‹ Party Planning Checklist

Here's your go-to list to make the day run like a dream:

1. Pick a Date & Time

Aim for 2 hours in the mid-morning or afternoon—plenty of party fun without the sugar crash.

2. Choose the Venue

Your backyard, a local hall, or your living room. Just make sure there’s a big table or two and comfy seating for the crafters. (String of Beads Parties can bring tables if you need!)

3. Book Your String of Beads Parties host

Secure your date early! The sooner you book, the more options you’ll have for themes and customisation.

4. Send Out Invitations

Go digital or DIY with bead-themed invites. Be sure to include RSVP details and any allergy notes. String of Beads Parties can provide a customised invitation to save you the stress of making your own!!

5. Food & Drinks

Keep it simple with kid-friendly snacks, mini sandwiches, and fruit skewers. A bead-shaped cake? Instant wow-factor.

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Put on a playlist of upbeat, age-appropriate tunes to keep the energy light and fun. (String of Beads Parties has a party playlist & speaker if you need help with this one!)

7. Capture the Moments

Designate a “photo corner” with props or a pretty backdrop to snap photos of proud beading creations.


A String of Beads party is more than just a craft activity—it’s a magical, hands-on experience that lets kids express themselves and leave with something beautiful. And best of all, the mess doesn’t stick around. Happy party planning!