How to Make Handmade Clay Keychains
Seen a ton of artists making clay keychains and not sure where to start? In this guide, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned—and wish I’d known—so you can start making your own!
Handmade Clay Keychains at a Glance
- ✔️ Get Materials: Gather your clay, paints, eye pins, and any extra accessories you want to use.
- ✔️ Plan Designs: I always sketch out my ideas before getting my hands on the clay—helps me stay focused!
- ✔️ Set Up Workspace: Cover your table and get all your tools in place.
- ✔️ Craft Pendants: Shape your clay into cute pendants.
- ✔️ Add Eye Pins: Stick eye pins into your pieces before baking.
- ✔️ Bake: Follow the clay’s baking instructions to get it ready.
- ✔️ Paint and Gloss: Add your colors with acrylic paints and finish with a glossy seal.
- ✔️ Assemble and Add Accessories: Attach chains or charms to complete your keychains.
- ✔️ Selling? Think about cute packaging and how you present your work online—it really makes a difference!
Now that we’ve got the basics down, let’s dive deeper into each step for a more detailed breakdown!
What materials do I need for clay keychains?
There are a lot of tools out there, and it can get tricky to keep track of what you actually need. Here’s a basic list to get you started—you can always expand your toolset later as you get more into it!
Polymer Clay Choices: Opt for colors or stick with plain white. I like using Fimo Soft polymer clay for its ease of use and availability in my area. So far, I've mainly used white clay since it's more budget-friendly than buying a bunch of different colors. For specific shades, you can mix two colors to get the exact hue you want.
Clay Tools: Basic tools you'll need include a rolling pin and a craft knife. When I first started, I used a glue stick to roll out the clay and a kitchen knife for cutting. Feel free to improvise with what you have—just remember to protect your workspace with a cover and be cautious with your hands!
Baking Options: You’ll need a baking sheet and an oven for your clay pins. If you don’t have an oven, air-dry clay is another option, though it takes about 24-72 hours to set compared to half an hour in the oven.
Acrylic Paints and Pens: Use these for adding color and details. Posca markers are a great choice, especially the smallest tip sizes for tiny details like eyes and mouths.
Keychain Hardware: For keychains, you’ll need eye pins to stick into the clay, jump rings to assemble the keychain, and key rings for the final touch.
Gloss Varnish: Apply this to give your clay pins a polished, professional look. It also protects them from scratches and color fading, while adding a nice shine!
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Create a clean and organized workspace by using a cutting mat or wax paper to keep everything in order and protect your surfaces.
Arrange your tools so they’re within easy reach and clear away any clutter that might interfere with your crafting.
My current set-up.
Step 2: Condition the Polymer Clay
Condition the clay by kneading it with your hands to make it soft and easy to work with. This is also the ideal time to mix colors if you’re blending new shades. I prefer Fimo Soft because it’s simple to condition and doesn’t take much effort.
Tip: If your clay is older and a bit stiff, try warming it up by placing it near a radiator or under a hot water bottle to soften it.
Step 3: Shape Your Clay
Roll out the clay to your desired thickness with a rolling pin. You can use cookie cutters, molds, or just shape the clay by hand to create various designs.
I typically roll out the clay, cut out the basic shape with a knife, and then refine the details—like my beloved chonky cat shapes. It might be a bit tricky at first, but you'll soon find the method that suits you best and gives your creations that personal touch.
I’ve experimented with cutters, and they can be a bit finicky. Each technique has its own learning curve, so it’s all about finding what works for you through a bit of practice.
My new cutting knife, though I preferred using my kitchen knife (be careful!)
Step 4: Add Eye Pins
Before baking, make sure to insert an eye pin or screw eye into the clay so you can attach the keychain hardware later.
I’m trying screw eyes for the first time to get a more secure attachment for my pendants since the smooth surface of the clay and eye pins sometimes makes them slip out. Previously, I used superglue to secure them and would reapply if they came loose.
Just be careful not to squish your pendants or push the pin in too far so it doesn’t stick out. There are different lengths and sizes of eye pins and screw eyes, so feel free to experiment to find what works best for your creations.
Step 5: Bake the Clay
Lay your clay shapes on a baking sheet and bake them according to the instructions on your polymer clay package. Usually, this means setting your oven to 135°C (275°F) and baking for 15-30 minutes, depending on the size of your pieces.
Letting your pendants cool down before handling them is crucial—they’re still soft and can easily get deformed, plus it keeps your fingers safe from burns.
I typically wait about 20 minutes, then move them to a spot where they won’t be in the way. I prefer to let them cool fully and do the painting the next day.
Step 6: Color Your Keychains
If you’re using white clay, start with a base coat of white acrylic paint. This will help other colors adhere better and make them pop. For fine details, like faces or tiny highlights, acrylic paint pens are perfect—they give you great precision and control.
Black paint usually only needs 1-2 coats, while brighter colors might need 2-3 coats to really shine. For fine lines, use a thin brush like in my pride keychain designs.
Tip: I like to organize my pieces by the colors I plan to use for painting. This keeps things smooth and efficient. If you make a mistake, just let it dry and repaint. And remember to be patient—rushing can lead to muddy paint or an uneven finish.
Step 7: Add a Glossy Finish
To give your keychains a glossy finish and protect the paint, apply a coat of glossy sealer or varnish. Just be sure to use a light hand with the sealer—if it runs and pools at the base, it’ll dry that way and won’t look as neat.
I usually apply three coats on each side, but one or two can do the trick. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with a glitter gloss, and I’m loving it, especially on darker pieces!
Step 8: Assemble the Keychains
And now for the best part—putting your keychains together! This is where you can really have some fun. I enjoy digging through dollar stores for cute pendants and accessories to customize my designs and make them more whimsical.
Double eye pins are perfect for middle pieces, and you can easily make your own by shaping a long eye pin, which is handy for beads with tiny openings.
Simply assemble everything with strong jump rings, choose a key ring style that fits your vibe, and you’re all set!
Now you`re all set! Happy crafting! If you want to check out more of my designs, visit my etsy!
Follow Along and Share Your Creations
If you want to follow along with my creative journey, check out my social media profile @shadowbloom_art for updates, tips, and my latest projects.
And when it comes to packaging, I love adding cute touches to make everything feel special—I'll share more on that soon! I’d also love to see your clay pins, so feel free to tag me in your creations!
