How to Make a Dragonfly Keychain With Plastic Beads

Plastic pony beads come in a variety of colors which you can easily string on a cord by hand.

Keychains not only add flair to a set of keys, but are instrumental in keeping them together, making them easier to store and locate. Ornamental keychains can also add a decorative element to jackets, purses and backpacks. Because of their simplicity in design, most keychains made of plastic or pony beads make an excellent craft activity that even children can master. The dragonfly keychain is one such entertaining and inexpensive bead project where you use creativity to create a delightful gift.

Things You'll Need

• Key ring, standard size 3 or 4
• 2 yards satin cord
• 22 pony beads of preferred color for body
• 2 pony beads of preferred color for eyes
• 36 pony beads of preferred color for wings

Instructions

1. Fold the satin cord in half to form equal lengths on either side. Loop the cord around the key ring twice to create two separate strands. Pull to secure.

2. Lace two pony beads in the preferred color of the dragonfly body on the left strand. Slide the right strand through the pony beads to come out on the other side so beads form an even line below the keychain. Pull the ends tight to complete the first row.

3. Slide one bead in the preferred color for the eyes, one body pony bead and another eye bead through the right strand. Run the left strand through the opposite end to complete the second row.

4. Lace three body beads followed by 10 pony beads in the preferred color for the wings on the right strand. Loop the right strand around the pony wing beads twice to form a circle. String three body beads and hold. The upper left wing is complete.

5. Pull the left strand through the body beads in the third row. Follow the body beads with 10 pony beads in the preferred color for the wings. Loop the left strand around the pony wing beads to form a circle and run the strand through the body beads in the fourth row. Pull to secure the upper right wing.

6. Lace two body beads followed by eight pony wing beads on the right strand. Loop the right strand around the pony wing beads twice to form the lower left wing. String two body beads to form the sixth row and hold.

7. Pull the left strand through the body beads in the fifth row. Place eight pony wing beads on the left strand and loop the strand twice to create the lower right wing. Thread the cord through the two body beads in the sixth row and pull.

8. Lace two body beads through the right strand and follow by running the left strand through the row secure. Follow this process with three more rows of two body beads each to complete 10 rows total.

9. Slide one body bead through the right strand and run the left strand through the bead. Pull and tie a tight knot in the satin cord to complete. Cut off excess satin cord at the bottom.

Tips & Warnings

• Coat the final knot with clear nail polish to secure it.

References

• "Beadlings: How to Make Beaded Creatures & Creations"; Candice Elton; 2000

Resources

• DLTK's Crafts for Kids: Pony Bead Dragonfly