It’s hard to believe (for me, at least), but it’s time for another round of the Monthly DIY Challenge! Each month some of my favorite blogger friends and I team up to create projects based on a common item or theme. In the past we’ve used items like metallic paint and fabric, but this month we’re using air dry clay (basically, PlayDoh for grownups)! For my project, I made air dry clay keychains. 
Before I give you all the details on how to make your own air dry clay keychains, here’s a sneak peek of my friends’ air dry clay projects. You can find links to all of them right at the bottom of this post, too! 
Supplies Needed to Make Air Dry Clay Keychains
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- Air dry clay
- Air dry clay embossing set (this is the exact one I have, and I LOVE it!)
- Needle or some other object capable of poking a hole through the clay
- Large jump rings
- Key rings
- Optional: tassels, charms, or other embellishments
- Acrylic paint
- Metallic wax (I used this gold color and this rose gold color)
- Small paintbrushes
- Small pliers
- Rolling pin
How to Make Air Dry Clay Keychains
Let me start off by saying this project was really fun! I did it with my kids one afternoon, and they were SO excited to be using some of my craft supplies. I could definitely see this being an awesome project to make with older kids as a camp or scouting activity. They would love it!
So first, I took a chunk of clay and rolled it flat and about 1/4″ thick. 
I used the shape cutters from my air dry clay embossing set to cut out several shapes and sizes. 
Next, I had fun using the letter embossing tool, the shape embossing tools, and the textured pattern pieces to make all different kinds of designs on my shapes. 
Once I finished embellishing all of my shapes just the way I wanted them, I found a random tool in a drawer and used it to poke holes near the top of each shape. (Any idea what that thing is?) TIP: when you do this, make sure you poke the holes near the top of the clay, otherwise it will be very hard to fit jump rings through the holes once the clay has dried. Some of mine were a little too far down and they were unusable as a result. Womp womp. 
Next came the hard part. I had to wait just about two days for my creations to dry! That felt like an eternity. For a person who has real issues with patience, this was a test. 
Luckily, I survived the two day clay-hardening period, and lived to paint my clay creations with all different colors of acrylic paint. Once the paint dried, I applied metallic wax to some of them for some added shimmer and shine! 
Finally, I added a jump ring through the holes in each piece of clay, and then attached the key rings to each. 
On some of the key rings I added some cute tassels, too! I kinda love them and want to put tassels on everything. 
So easy and so fun. If you can get past the waiting 48 hours for the clay to dry, you’re golden.
I really enjoyed using air dry clay and am excited to try it out on another project soon! If you liked this project, too, I’d love for you to pin it so you can find the directions later! 
And now go check out what all of my blogger friends made with air dry clay, too! I know they’d love it if you stop by and visit.
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Amy | Canary Street Crafts says
Such a cute idea, Bre! I bet your kids loved helping with this one.
Bre says
Thanks, Amy! Yes – they had an absolute blast. And we have so much clay left over that I am SURE they will think of something else to make with it, too. 🙂
Erin says
These are great! I bet they’d go over well as charms on a sweet little bracelet too!
Bre says
Thanks, Erin! Yes – totally! Bracelet, necklace, dog collar – you name it! 🙂
Nicole B. says
These are so cute!!!! And it sounds like you and your kids had so much fun making them!
Bre says
Someday little man C will be helping you with your projects too, Nicole! It’s great (sometimes). 🙂
Erica @ Dwell Beautiful says
These are seriously too fun! The #BOSS and the heart eyes one are my faves – so cheeky and adorable!
Bre says
Ha! Thanks, girl. Gotta have some fun with the projects every once in a while!
Katie @ Little House of Four says
These turned out great, Bre! I love all the fun designs. And how did I not know they made a clay embossing kit? I may have to get one for my kids 🙂
Bre says
Seeing your daughter’s clay talents, you should DEFINITELY get her one of these. She would love it! 🙂
Bre says
So cute Bre! And such a fun project to do with the kiddos!
Bre says
Thank you, Bre! Just think . . . soon Baby E will be helping you with projects, too! 🙂
Emily @ Table & Hearth says
I wouldn’t have guessed these were made out of just air dry clay!! You made them look so cute and high-end!! I could totally see these in Francesca’s 😉
Bre says
OMG, I am obsessed with Francesca’s so that is a huge compliment! Thanks so much, girl!
Samantha says
I made my own air dry clay keychain and sealed it with gloss glaze instead of the metalic wax that you used. I ended up with dents and scratches from my keys.. Did you experience a similar problem?
Bre says
Hi, Samantha! Oh no! I’m sorry that happened! I wonder if it could be the clay? Maybe different types of clay harden differently? Mine have a few minor scratches but nothing too serious. I’m sorry yours aren’t holding up so well! Maybe you could try polymer clay next time…
JoAnn says
Love them!! I think I will also use a KEY & tell the kids they “hole the KEY to my heart!
Thanks for sharing- some great ideas here.
Bre says
LOVE this idea, JoAnn! 🙂
JoAnn says
Oh question- if I paint them, then can I use a clear spray instead of metalic ? Thanks
Bre says
Hi, JoAnn – yes you absolutely can! Or ModPodge works great as a sealer, too!
Yoanna Lara says
Hello
Do the key chains easily break?
I made charms and they break.
Bre says
Hi, Yoanna – I didn’t find that they broke easily. Did you use the same type of clay I used in this post? Different types of air dry clay break much easier than others. This kind I used is super strong! Also, the thickness of your project / clay piece can impact how easily they break, too. I’m sorry you had a hard time with your charms!
Jeane says
Hi!
Where do you buy your tassels?
Bre says
Hi, Jeane! I got those tassels at Michaels, but they don’t always have them, unfortunately! If you search on Amazon for craft tassels, you will find lots of options! Good luck!