After making my Animal Jars I ended up with a bunch of left over animals but had no clue what to do with them. I was on Pintrest today and saw this tutorial by Ginger Snaps on making DIY Animal Keychains.....
what you need: plastic animal(s), small screw eye hook, paint/brush, key ring, *optional: clear sealant spray or clear nailpolish, safety pin, small bowl
I bought a new batch of animals because a coworker wanted a elephant so I used a 40% off coupon from Michaels to get them.
This is my selection of animals that I am going to work with. I decided on the parakeet, elephant, chimpanzee, giraffe, panda, corgi, polar bear, and rat.
Next I got all my supplies together so I could get started. I purchased Martha Stewart High Gloss in Black and Sea Glass in Satin. I also picked up Glitter Acrylic Paint from Martha to jazz up the overall look of the key chains. I bought a pack of Metallic Sharpies for decorating.
Let's get to painting!
You lookin at me?
Before
3 coats of paint
After 2 coats of paint
Mr. Polar Bear only required 2 coats and I was anxious to see how the glitter was going to turn out so I applied a coat to him. The 2nd picture is after one coat. Didn't really do too much but I let this coat dry and applied 3 coats of the glitter.
Time to switch to the animals that will be painted black. I selected the chimp, gator (which I added later), and rat to paint black.
The animals painted black only required one coat of paint. I let them dry for 4 hours once all the animals were evenly painted then cruised Pintrest looking for decorating ideas. I found a few things but decided to go with the flow of each animal.
Once they were all decorated it was time to put the small screw eye hook into the animal. I used a safety pin to start the hole I found it was easier this way.
I grabbed a pair of pliers to assist with the turning of the screw because just be warned it will hurt your fingers after you do a few.
Once they were all decorated it was time to put the small screw eye hook into the animal. I used a safety pin to start the hole I found it was easier this way.
After the gator had his screw I grabbed a key ring and slid it through the hook. So the pictures below are the finished products. I think they turned out fabulous!!!