DIY Polymer Clay Keychains: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

Updated at: 30/05/2025

Polymer clay is a fantastically versatile material, and creating your own keychains is a rewarding and surprisingly simple craft project, perfect for beginners. Whether you're looking for a fun weekend activity, a personalized gift, or a way to unleash your creativity, this guide will walk you through the entire process of crafting beautiful and unique polymer clay keychains. Forget mass-produced trinkets; you'll learn how to design and make keychains that perfectly reflect your style and personality, from whimsical animals to elegant geometric shapes. The possibilities are truly endless!

This ultimate guide will equip you with all the essential knowledge and step-by-step instructions needed to create stunning polymer clay keychains from start to finish. We'll cover everything from choosing the right clay and tools to mastering essential techniques like blending colors, shaping your designs, and achieving a professional-looking finish. Ready to dive in and start crafting your dream keychains? Let’s get started with the step-by-step process outlined below.

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Polymer clay (Sculpey Primo recommended)
  • Clay tools
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Q-tips
  • UV resin
  • Respiratory mask
  • Gloves
  • Oven
  • Eye pins
  • Pliers
  • Jump rings
  • Cable wire
  • Clasp
  • Beads (optional)
  • Bead landing (optional)
  • UV lamp
  • Nail file
  • Soft pastels (optional)
Safety Guidelines
  • Polymer clay needs to be baked in a conventional oven according to the package instructions. Never microwave or use a toaster oven.
  • Always work in a well-ventilated area. Polymer clay fumes can be irritating.
  • Ensure surfaces and tools are clean before and after working with polymer clay to avoid contamination.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare and Shape

    • Prepare your workspace and hands.
    • Condition your clay until smooth.
    • Shape your clay into your desired design.
    Shape your clay into your desired design.Shape your clay into your desired design.Shape your clay into your desired design.
    Prepare and Shape

  2. Attach Eye Pin

    • Cut and bend eye pin to appropriate length. Insert carefully into the charm.
    Cut and bend eye pin to appropriate length. Insert carefully into the charm.
    Attach Eye Pin

  3. Add Details

    • Add details to the charm (eyes, mouth, blush, etc.).
    Add details to the charm (eyes, mouth, blush, etc.).
    Add Details

  4. Bake and Finish Charm

    • Bake the charm according to the clay instructions.
    • File down any excess dust or rough edges after baking.
    • Apply UV resin evenly and cure under a UV lamp.
    Apply UV resin evenly and cure under a UV lamp.Apply UV resin evenly and cure under a UV lamp.Apply UV resin evenly and cure under a UV lamp.
    Bake and Finish Charm

  5. Assemble Keychain

    • Attach jump ring to eye pin, attach to cable chain, add clasp.
    Assemble the keychain: Attach jump ring to eye pin, attach to cable chain, add clasp.
    Assemble Keychain

  6. Add Beads (Optional)

    • Add beads and bead landing (optional).
    Add beads and bead landing (optional).
    Add Beads (Optional)

Read more: Hang Your Clay Creations: The No-Hole Hanger Method

Tips

  • Use a harder clay like Sculpey Primo to prevent flattening when inserting eye pins.
  • Use rubbing alcohol to clean your clay and remove fingerprints.
  • Always wear a respiratory mask and gloves when working with UV resin.
  • Experiment with different beads and colors to create unique keychains.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Uneven Baking

Reason: Uneven baking can lead to cracks, warping, or soft spots in your keychain.
Solution: Ensure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature and bake your clay evenly, potentially rotating the keychain halfway through.

2. Insufficient Baking Time/Temperature

Reason: Underbaking results in a keychain that is fragile and easily damaged; it may also remain sticky or soft.
Solution: Always follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding baking time and temperature, adding a few extra minutes if needed.

FAQs

How do I cure/bake my polymer clay keychains?
Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on your clay packaging (usually around 275°F/135°C). Bake your keychains on a parchment-lined baking sheet for the recommended time, usually 15-30 minutes depending on thickness. Let them cool completely before handling.
What kind of polymer clay is best for beginners?
For beginners, Sculpey III or Premo Sculpey are excellent choices. They are relatively easy to work with, readily available, and have good color retention after baking.