Sometimes it's hard to come up with gifts for people who have everything they could want or need, so this Mother's Day I gave the grandmas a little version of their grandson...a cute photo keychain. (Don't worry - I made one for myself, too!) This would be a fun, simple gift that you can easily customize for anyone.
You'll need:
a small wooden shape
a drill
craft paint
scrapbook paper
xacto knife
a photo (small enough to fit on your shape)
mod podge & mod podge dimensional magic
jump ring, chain, and split ring
Start by drilling a small hole at the top of your shape and painting the edges the color of your choice. (My shape is 1 1/4" x 1" rectangle, but you could use any shape--circle, star, heart--whatever.)
Next, cut a little piece of scrapbook paper slightly larger than your shape. This will serve as the back of your keychain. (You could also put names, dates, etc. on the back if you want.) Spread a thin layer of mod podge on the wood surface and on the back of the paper. Smooth paper in place and let dry.
Turn wood shape over and trim off excess paper...
then spread another thin coat of mod podge on top and allow to dry. Use a pin or toothpick to poke out the hole you drilled.
Now finish off the back with a coat of dimensional magic and let it set up according to package directions. (If you've never worked with it before see
this past tutorial of mine for some tips!) This will create a shiny finished look.
Once the back is dry, you can just repeat the process for the photo on the front. I just printed mine on photo paper on my home printer so I could get it exactly the size I wanted.
Mod podge it on and trim it up...
Add another coat of podge, poke your hole...
...and do a layer of dimensional magic.
When it's dry, add your jump ring, chain, and a split ring (all found in the craft store jewelry making section) and that's a wrap!
You could use any kind of image--a favorite vacation pic, your kiddos or grandkids or significant other, pets, a little collage. Endless possibilites.
