When it comes to popular crafting supplies, it’s safe to say that keys – and things associated with keys – are pretty popular. From color coding your set with nail polish to coming up with clever (and very useful) ways to keep them all organized at home, there are lots of crafts based on keys. For kids, keys can be a fun make-believe accessory, can start a collection (by way of key chains) or transform into an important rite of passage – when granted access to your very first house key. If any of these describe members of your family, this week’s Make It is for them.
NOTE! This week’s Make It is intended for older children. Giving this set of play keys is not intended for small children and babies.
Materials
- Craft clay, such as Fimo
- Spare key
- Craft knife
- Rolling pin
- Aluminum foil
- Small baking sheet
- Toaster oven or kitchen oven
- Key ring
Instructions
| 1. Start by rolling your craft clay so that it’s about 1/4-inch thick. Use both hands to roll the clay back and forth; smooth evenly with a rolling pin to achieve the desired thickness. |
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| 2. Using an old or spare key, place the key on top of your clay. |
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| 3. Gently run your craft knife along the lines of the key’s shape to give you a cutting outline.
If you don’t have a spare key and don’t want to give up one on your own key chain to use, check with your local hardware store to see if they have any mis-cut keys. Often times they’ll part with these keys very inexpensively or even for free. |
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| 4. Cut out your key with your craft knife. Add a hole to the top of the key so that you can add it to a key ring. |
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| 5. Bake your keys by way of the manufacturer’s directions. Let cool completely before handling. |
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| 6. Add your clay key to a key ring to act as a brand-new key-chain bauble or group several together to make a pretend set of keys for the dress-up box. Try decorating the keys, too, by taking a cue from these Pinterest ideas. |
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