DIY Resin Keychains: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Resin keychains are one of the easiest resin projects to start with, and you don't need any special skills to make one you're happy with. Once you get the hang of it, you can make more of them for yourself, for friends or as gifts.
In this guide, we'll break down the process of making DIY resin keychains into five simple steps.
But before you start, it's important to know that resin fumes and skin contact aren't things to take lightly. Make sure you work somewhere open, with proper airflow, and wear gloves and all the protective gear mentioned in the next section throughout this project.
Things You Need to Make Resin Keychains at Home
Materials:
● Two-part epoxy resin
● Silicone molds (start with simple shapes like hearts or stars)
● Disposable plastic mixing cups (with measurement markings)
● Disposable stirrers (wooden craft sticks, disposable plastic spoons, toothpicks)
● Heat tool (optional, for popping bubbles)
● Silicone work mat (or disposable table cover)
● Keychain rings and jump rings
● Screw eye pins or glue-on bails
● Jewelry pliers
● Fine sandpaper
● Decorations (optional: resin-safe pigments, glitter, foil flakes)
Protective Gear:
● Half-face respirator mask (with organic vapor cartridges)
● Nitrile gloves
● Safety glasses
● Work apron or long-sleeved shirt
Wear all the protective gear mentioned before you start, and keep it on throughout the project while working with resin.
Along with these materials, your workspace matters a lot. Resin drips are hard to clean off most materials, so cover your surface with a silicone work mat or with something disposable.
The room should have good airflow and proper ventilation. Open your windows and doors or work in an open area if possible. Please do not ignore these safety instructions because working with resin can be dangerous.
How to Make Resin Keychains at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide
Once you're ready, wearing your protective gear and with your workspace properly ventilated, start with step 1, which is to prepare the mold.
Step 1: Prepare the Mold
Start with something simple, like a heart, star or round shape. A complicated shape can wait until your second or third try.
Check the mold for dust, hair or other leftover bits from your past project. Clean the mold the way the manufacturer recommends, and let it dry completely.
Use a silicone work mat or something disposable. Set the mold on a level surface before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2: Mix the Resin
Read the instructions carefully for your specific epoxy first, since ratios and working times can differ from brand to brand.
Measure both components the way the manufacturer recommends, combine them in a clean cup, and mix slowly. Don't forget to scrape the sides and bottom of the cup as you go, because unmixed resin left along the edges won't cure.
Don't whip the mixture. While it may seem efficient, it just pulls air into the resin and gives you more bubbles to deal with later.
Mix only as much as you need for this project.
Step 3: Add Color
Now is the time to decide whether you want clear resin or colored. Decide on a finish before you pour. Clear resin lets anything underneath show through, while a colored piece stands on its own without anything else.
Mix in a small amount of resin pigment until the color is even. One bold color usually reads better than several stacked together. A bit of decoration like glitter or foil flakes adds texture.
If you're using decorations for the first time, test a small amount first. Some materials can bleed, float or affect curing, so make sure they're suitable for epoxy resin before use.
Go easy on the additions. Too much pigment or glitter changes how the resin cures.
Step 4: Fill the Mold
Pour the mix slowly into the mold, guiding the resin toward the edges with a disposable stirrer. Stop before the mold overflows. Resin covers more surface than it looks like it will, so go slow.
Check for trapped bubbles. A heat tool can pop these bubbles, but make sure your resin manufacturer allows it. Use short passes and keep the heat tool moving so you don't burn the surface.
Pick out any visible debris, then keep the mold covered and away from dust while it cures. Cure time varies from brand to brand, so check the instructions on your packaging.
Step 5: Attach the Hardware
Make sure you're wearing all the protective gear for this step too.
Wait until the resin has fully cured. Flex the silicone mold gently to release the pieces instead of forcing them out.
Smooth any rough edges with fine sandpaper; the dust from this step can be harmful. That's why wearing protective gear until the project is completely over is so important.
Now, choose a screw eye pin or a glue-on bail and attach it to your piece. To attach a screw eye pin, you will need to drill a small hole first; go with a glue-on bail for an easier time.
Using your jewelry pliers, add the jump ring, keychain ring and any other keychain hardware of your choice.
Your DIY resin keychain is now ready!
Custom Epoxy Keychains by Vograce
By now, you must've understood everything you need to know about resin keychains. They are fun, and the process is kind of simple, but it's the safety instructions that make a lot of DIY crafters hesitate.
But you can still get custom resin keychains the way you want without making them yourself. Just order a custom epoxy resin keychain from our site.
You may not have the time to create a large batch of keychains, experiment with mixing and curing, or deal with the hassle of cleaning, or you just aren't in the mood for DIY; that's when you can choose Vograce.
The process is straightforward. Upload your design, customize your keychain, check out the preview in the online editor, select your quantity and place the order. You will get your favorite resin keychain delivered directly to your home.
