Handmade keychain ideas: perfect for novelties and gifts.
Keychains are used to hold keys together, but these days people also attach them to bags as charms or name tags.
They’re popular as novelties and gifts for friends, and they’re also trendy as merch for your favorite idols or characters.
In this article, we introduce handmade keychain ideas.
We’ve gathered ideas using a variety of materials, including shrink plastic, beads, resin, and fabric scraps.
We also showcase plenty of design ideas.
Feel free to use them as inspiration and give them a try!
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Handmade keychain ideas: perfect for novelties and gifts (1–10)
Locker key-style resin keychain
Let’s make a keychain that looks like a locker key tag using your favorite name or number.
It’s super easy! Pour resin in your favorite color into a plate-shaped mold, and once it cures, place stickers or decals with numbers or letters on top.
Finally, pour another layer of resin over it, let it cure, and you’re done.
You could use your own name or birthday, or even include your favorite character or the name of someone you support—so many fun options.
Give it a try and create your own original keychains with all kinds of designs!
[Transfer] Shaka-shaka Key Holder
![[Transfer] Shaka-shaka Key Holder](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fhpvFGarUAA/sddefault.jpg)
Introducing the perfect shaker keychain for fan activities! First, use self-adhesive laminate film to transfer photos or illustrations of your favorite anime characters or idols.
Next, prepare a transparent pouch component.
You can use ones sold at 100-yen shops, or if you’re making it yourself, a soft card case is recommended.
Put the transferred image inside along with beads or other decorative pieces of your choice, then seal the opening—and you’re done! It could be fun to make matching keychains with friends who share the same favorite.
Macramé leaf keychain
Macrame, which is also popular as an interior decor item.
How about making a leaf-shaped keychain with macrame? First, thread a cotton cord through the keychain hardware and start tying square knots.
At this point, don’t pull all the cord tight; leave loops on both the left and right sides and knot the center.
Pull the center snug, then repeat to make more square knots.
As you move down to the lower rows, make the side loops progressively smaller.
Cut the side loops, unravel the cords, and trim the edges with scissors to shape the leaf—and you’re done.
Handmade keychain ideas: perfect for novelties and gifts (11–20)
Anpanman jelly keychain
A keychain that will make you gasp, wondering, “Is it real?”—it looks just like an Anpanman jelly.
Of course, it isn’t real; it’s made by pouring colored resin into an empty cup.
Mix a few colors while checking the shade of the jelly you want to make to get the right look.
Once the resin has cured, reattach the lid, make a hole, and add the keychain hardware to finish.
It’s also cute if you make and attach parts that match the character on the lid.
It’s an idea kids are sure to love!
Beaded keychain
Let’s make a beaded keychain that even small children can easily try.
The steps are very simple: gather your favorite beads and thread them onto a wire in order.
Attach the keychain hardware at the end, and you’re done! Feel free to combine beads however you like and adjust the wire length to suit your taste.
It’s an idea that makes you excited from the very start—choosing which beads to use.
This makes a perfect little gift, too.
plastic shrink film keychain
If you want a keychain of your favorite character, we recommend this: a shrink plastic (Shrinky Dinks) keychain! The method is super simple, so even if you’re not good at drawing, you can make a high-quality keychain.
First, prepare the shrink plastic sheet and sand it with sandpaper.
Print the character you want to use, place the printed paper over the sanded side, and sandwich it in a clear file.
Next, drip a few drops of nail polish remover onto the back of the paper and rub over the clear file to transfer the image onto the plastic.
Finally, cut away the excess, punch a hole for the hardware, bake it in a toaster oven, and you’re done.
Try making them with lots of different characters!
Faux leather scrap keychain
Why not try making a keychain with faux leather scraps? You can buy faux leather scraps at 100-yen shops.
This idea uses a sewing machine, so please have one ready.
First, cut the desired keychain shape from the faux leather.
Cut the piece as a single part that will form both sides, thread the keychain hardware through it, then fold it in half and glue it together.
With the base finished, create a motif from faux leather and sew it to the center of the base.
If you’re making a ball motif, cover a plastic button with the faux leather to give it a three-dimensional finish.