How to Make Custom Key Chains

Add a custom key chain to your keys.

Key chains are both useful and decorative. Making your own key chains is a way to express yourself, or give a personal gift to friends and family. Use mediums like clay, wooden cut-outs or beads to create a unique and crafty custom key chain that reflects both your sense of style and artistic personality. Try making your own key chains instead of buying mass-manufactured fobs.

Things You'll Need

• Air-dry clay
• 2 inch section of wire stock or a paperclip
• Fine grit sandpaper
• Craft paints
• Pre-cut wooden shape or letter
• Power drill with 1/8 inch drill bit
• Key ring
• White glue
• Glitter
• Leather cord
• Scissors
• Beads

Instructions

Clay Key Chain

1. Mold air-dry clay into a shape that you want to use for your key chain. Use a shape like a heart, star or even a more detailed object like a house or a replica of your car.

2. Bend a 2-inch section of wire stock (or a paper clip) into a loop and insert the ends directly into the clay object.

3. Allow the clay to dry according to the product label and sand it with fine grit sandpaper to smooth the surface and remove any imperfections.

4. Paint your clay object with craft paint and allow the paint to dry.

5. Use the wire loop to attach the key chain to your existing key ring.

Wooden Key Chain

1. Purchase a pre-cut wooden shape or letter from your local craft store. Choose a shape that you like, or a letter from your initials.

2. Drill a hole into your wooden shape with a power drill and a 1/8-inch drill bit.

3. Paint your shape or letter with craft paint in any color and allow it to dry according to product labeling.

4. Apply a layer of white glue over the entire surface of the wooden shape and sprinkle it with glitter. Allow the glue to dry for about 10 minutes.

5. Place a key ring onto the shape, through the drilled hole.

Beaded Key Chain

1. Cut three sections of leather cord to varying lengths with your scissors.

2. Knot one end of each leather cord around the key ring.

3. Slide beads over the hanging ends of the leather cords and knot the cord at the end to hold the beads in place. Use glass, clay or even lettered beads to decorate your key chain. Consider spelling out your name with lettered beads and adding decorative beads as accents.

References

• Crayola: Air-Dry Clay Tips for Use