This homemade keyring idea uses heart-shaped pieces of clay with your child’s fingerprint or thumbprint embedded in the surface of the clay.
They are cheap and easy to make so you could easily have one for every member of the family to carry around on their backpack for the kids, or keys for the parents. The best part is that you will have a clay snapshot of those little fingers that you can store away and keep forever.
We have provided full DIY instructions, plus a video demonstration to show you the project from start to finish.
Prepare Your Keyring and Clay Materials
The two main elements that are unique to this project are the keyrings and the clay.
You can buy keyrings that include the chain, and jump ring at the end so you can easily secure your heart-shaped clay at the end. Along with any extra jewelry pieces you want to add.
The other is the clay. Make sure you buy air dry clay and follow the instructions for that specific brand when it comes time to fire your clay in the oven.
Feel free to mix up your clay shapes and paint colors. You don’t need to use hearts as we have. Any shape will do as long as you can still secure the keychain to one corner.
Video Demonstration
Check out the video below for a quick overview of the whole project.
There are a couple of steps that can be a bit tricky. So observing this being done before tackling the written instructions can be very helpful.
How to Make a Fingerprint Keyring Craft
This keyring craft idea will create very personal mementos for parents and kids through the use of finger and thumbprints molded into a decorative clay feature to place at the end of a keychain.
It is simple to create multiple pieces, with optional jewelry inserts, so that everyone can carry with them their little piece of the family.
Instructions
Stage 1: Cut Your Heart-Shaped Clay Pieces
- Step 1 - Knead the clay and roll out into a thin, flat surface that is even all the way across.
- Step 2 - Using the heart-shaped cutter, gently push into the clay until you push through to the other side. Repeat to make as many heart shapes as needed.
- Step 3 - Press yours and your children's fingerprints into each heart shape.
- Step 4 - Using a toothpick, poke a hole at one corner of the heart shape. This where the keychain ring will thread through the piece of clay.
Stage 2: Fire the Clay in the Oven
- Step 5 - Put the clay hearts in an oven tray and place it in the oven for 5 minutes only, or as directed by the manufacturer.
- Step 6 - Set aside to allow the clay hearts to cool down.
- Step 7 - Paint the clay the desired color.... Usually pink or red - but feel free to experiment. You may have to apply multiple coats to get solid coverage.
- Step 8 - Set aside to dry.
Stage 3: Attach the Keyrings
- Step 9 - If you are adding additional jewelry then thread this through the hole in your clay hearts before we add the jump ring at the end of the key chain.
- Step 10 - Thread the jump ring through the hole in your clay hearts before closing the open end of the ring using pliers. Tighten until the gap is completely closed and your hearts (and jewelry) are secure.
- Step 11 - Your fingerprint keychains are now ready! If you have made enough then everyone in the family can have one to match.
Why Make a Fingerprint Keychain
These fingerprint keychains are a creative way to make some memories from those little fingers while you have the chance. They will grow fast, and you will be grateful that you did this while they were small.
Given that you can attach a small jewelry piece to go with the fingerprint this is something that you can personalize for each of your kids to make it that little bit more special.
It is also a practical item to carry with you wherever you go. Unlike many craft ideas which end up in a box, or on the fridge door.
Final Word
We have opted for very traditional colors here, but you can brighten this craft project up with metallic paint or go for more of a precision paint job.
This all depends on what stage your kids are up to with their motor skills, and how creative they want to be.
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