What is the last thing you do before leaving your home? If you’re someone who cares about looking stylish, you probably give yourself a final once-over to make sure your outfit looks just right. Yet, there’s one thing you might overlook, even though it’s always with you – your beaded keychains, which carry all your essential keys.
You might think that something as small as a keychain doesn’t really matter. But trust us, carrying a dull, old, or damaged keychain can detract from the great impression you always want to make. So, how do we fix this? The answer is simple: make your own DIY beaded keychain.
We understand that this might sound a bit intimidating, especially if you’re not particularly skilled in DIY projects. But what’s there to worry about when we’ve got your back? In this blog, we will guide you through the process of making a beaded keychain from scratch.
So, if you’re ready to add a touch of style to your keys, continue reading!
Bundle Your Keys Together In Style: 7 Steps For Making A Beaded Keychain
- Step 1: Gather All The Required Stuff At One Place
It’s easier to get things done when you have everything you’ll need at arm’s reach. Believe us, realizing you’re missing something crucial for your keychain project can seriously disrupt your DIY groove. So, here’s a list of items you should have ready:
- A keyring
- A cord
- Some beads
- Paint
- Crimp beads (optional)
But most people hit a wall when it comes to choosing the beads and cord. Let us help you with it, though. The good thing about creating beaded keychains is that you have a lot of freedom. Of course, some people will argue that it also leads to confusion when you don’t know which way to go, but we are here to make these choices easier. Let’s start with the beads!
Choosing The Right Beads For Beaded Keychains:
For this DIY project, you have the option of selecting wooden, acrylic, or polymer clay beads. All of them have their own pros and cons. Wooden beads, for example, add a warm and authentic feel to the keychain. These should be your top choice if you’re aiming for a natural look!
On the other hand, if you want to make a bold and vibrant statement, acrylic beads might be more suitable. They come in a wide range of colors, from bright to pastel, and are lightweight – which is a definite plus! Moreover, they strike a good balance between cost and performance.
As for polymer clay beads, they are the most durable and long-lasting option available. Like acrylic beads, you have various shapes and colors to choose from. However, they are a bit pricier, but this shouldn’t be a concern unless you plan to make a large number of custom keychains.
Choosing The Appropriate Cord:
Now, let’s talk about the cord. Your options include leather, nylon, satin, rubber, metal wire, and waxed thread. Your choice largely depends on the beads you’ve selected. You’ll need a thin cord like wire if the beads have small holes. But if they have larger holes, thicker cords like leather will work perfectly fine.
Once you’ve gathered all the necessary materials, you can proceed to the next step!
- Step 2: Cut The Cord Depending On The Keychain Size You Require
Generally, keychains are supposed to be 5 to 6 inches long. You can adjust the size according to your preference, but we believe sticking to the standard size would be better. When cutting the cord, make sure to cut it twice the length you want.
For example, if you want a 6-inch long keychain, ensure that the cut length of the string is at least 12 inches. Why, you may wonder? Well, it’s because we’ll be folding this strand in half, so it’s crucial for the cord to be double the size of what you have in mind!
- Step 3: Insert The Key Ring And Position It In The Centre Of The Cord
Next, you’ll want to insert the keyring into the cord and position it in the middle. To confirm it’s perfectly centered, bring the two ends of the string together, and if the keyring sits right in the middle, you’re on the right track! Here’s a little tip: place the cord on a flat surface before doing this step. This will help you make a more precise and accurate assessment.
- Step 4: Tie A Knot Or Insert A Crimp Bead
Now, it’s essential to ensure that the keyring you just inserted stays securely in place. You have two options for this. First, you can tie a knot just above the ring. However, if knot-tying isn’t your strong suit, you can use a crimp bead instead. Place it right on top of the keyring. This will keep your keyring in place, much like how heat secures iron on patches. It will ensure you can insert the rest of the beads without any trouble!
- Step 5: Prep The Beads
This is the simplest yet the most fun part of the process. Do you have all the beads you need? Fantastic! It’s time to thread them onto the cord. But hold on, do you have all the colors you had in mind? If not, this is the step where you play around with the paint you have nearby!
In our opinion, acrylic paints are your best choice for this step. Spray paints can work, too, but they tend to create a bit of a mess. Also, make sure the beads are completely dry before you proceed with them!
- Step 6: Start Inserting The Beads
This is the stage where your keychain starts to come to life. Begin by threading the beads in the desired order through both ends of the string. Make sure there’s little to no space between them. Remember, if you accidentally get the order wrong, you can always remove the beads and redo the sequence.
- Step 7: Secure The Keychain From The End
Once you’ve finished threading the beads, ensure you have at least 2 inches of space left. Now, take both ends of the cord and tie them together or use a crimp bead, just as we did at the beginning. This will prevent the keychain charms from falling off. Afterward, trim any excess cord, and your keychain will be ready! Attach your keys to the ring, and voila – you’ve just created your beaded keychains!
Key Takeaway: Give Your Keys A New Look With This DIY Beaded Keychains Method
Are you tired of your plain old keychain? It’s time to say goodbye to it and craft your own eye-catching keychain! We admit, at first, making one yourself may seem like a lot of effort. But once you give it a shot, you’ll discover how easy and enjoyable it can be.
Just think about all the compliments you’ll receive for your unique keychain. They will definitely make up for any extra effort you put in. So, why wait any longer? It’s time to immerse yourself in the DIY world and let your creativity guide you in creating the most attractive keychain for yourself!