Post it note key ring or zipper pull

It’s almost August and pretty soon all the kiddies will be returning to school.  This little post it note is a handy little key ring or maybe even a zipper pull.  Need to jot down a quick note, assignment or phone number?  Just pull a sheet off for a sticky note.  It’s always at hand just when you need it.  It’s easy to make it just a few minutes and you can even personalize the cover depending upon which scrapbook papers you use.

You will need:

2” x 2” post it notes in choice of color

Drill with small drill bit

Heavy corrugated cardboard or other surface to drill on

10mm heavy jump ring

Split key ring

Cardstock scrapbook paper cut to 2” x 2”

Two needle nosed pliers

Ruler

Small Awl or embossing tool

1.     Cut a piece of cardstock scrapbook paper 2” x 2.”  Pull off a chunk of post it notes to the thickness of just under ¼” thick.  Place the cardstock on top of the post it notes using the sticky surface to hold it on.

2.     Take the entire piece to an area where you can drill without damaging your surface.  I use a few sheets of heavy corrugated cardboard.  Drill in the corner with the sticky area going down the left side, sort of a diamond shape. Make sure if you hold that corner that the pages are free.

3.     Use the awl to make sure the drill has made a hole that goes through the entire pad and to clear out any drill shavings.

4.     Use the needle nosed pliers to twist open a heavy jump ring. (Twist rather than pull open) Thread through the hole and twist to close.

5.     Add a split key ring. 

Party in a jar

Have you seen the gift jars layered with ingredients for making brownies or cookies?  Using the same concept and layering technique, why not fill the jar with a party? Fill the layers with various party themed ingredients. I like wrapped candy, balloons, and birthday candles or little bags of confetti. Key the layers in the party colors and you will be all set! It’s easy and so much fun to create.  Anthropologie has a similar party jar but it costs about $30!  You can make one for pennies.

You will need:

Small Mason jar

Sheer wired ribbon 4 ½” wide x 35” long

Bowdabra mini Bow maker with ruler

Bowdabra bow wire

Scissors

Ruler

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

For filling layer--balloons in color choice and sizes, wrapped candy kisses, mini candles, confetti or sequins, even small toys and prizes.

1.    Gather your supplies.  Cut an 18-inch piece of Bowdabra bow wire and fold in half and place in the Bow maker.  You will have a loop at one end and two pieces of wire on the other.

2.    Cut 35 inch long piece of 4 ½” wide sheer wired ribbon and insert directly in the Bow maker from the top.  The ribbon piles up like an accordion.  Scrunch the ribbon into the Bow maker until you reach the end.

3.    Use the wand to push the ribbon down tightly.

4.    Thread the two loose ends of the bow wire through the loop and pull tightly.  Remove from the bow maker and tie tightly into a knot at the back.

5.    Working on the front of the bow pull the loops up and adjust into a pom pom shape.

6.    Use a hot glue gun and glue sticks to attach the pom pom bow on the top of the Mason jar lid.  Let the glue dry and adjust the pom if necessary.

7.    Fill the jar in layers with various colors.  Balloons, candy, candles etc.  You can make as many layers as you want in any combination. 

Lucky penny polymer clay piggy bank key chain tutorial

The old saying goes…”See a penny, pick it up, all day long, you’ll have good luck.”  So even though pennies aren’t worth much these days, they are still lucky.  Keep a lucky penny from a birth year, anniversary, wedding or just a shiny new one with you all the time on a piggy bank key chain easily created with some polymer clay. 

Piggy bank pattern

You will need:

Polymer clay, medium pink and white

Polymer clay tools, roller, cutter pointed and smoothing tools

Optional X-acto or craft knife for precision when cutting

Penny of choice

E6000 glue

Waxed paper to cover work surface

Ruler

Pig pattern (click for download)

Size E black or brown seed bead

Small eye screw

Key ring

Gloss acrylic sealer for clay and small paintbrush

1.     Clay blocks usually come with four sections scored.  Cut off three sections off the pink and one section of the white and knead with your hands until the clay is conditioned and mixed.  There will a slight white mottling through the pink of the clay. If you are making this for a man (and there are never enough craft projects suited for men) you can use three sections of white and one section of black to make a black and white pig. Pull off and set aside a small amount of mixed clay (Frame around penny)

2.     Use the clay roller to roll out the clay to a ¼” thickness.  Download and cut out the pig pattern.  Place the pattern on top of the rolled out clay and carefully cut around the shape with the cutting tool or a craft knife.  Smooth the edges with your fingers or the smoothing clay tool.

3.     Use the pointed tool to punch two holes for the nose and indent a bit at the ears and hooves.

4.     Place the penny in the center of the pig and trace around with the pointed tool.  Carefully dig out this center till the penny can fit in it flush.  Roll out two skinny snakes and twist together.  Place around the penny in the pig and press to adhere.  Adjust the shape if necessary.  Roll another small snake and taper it at one end.  Attach it to the rear bringing up the tapered end into a curl.  

5.     Use the pointed tool to push a black seed bead where the eye should be.  Make a hole in the top center of the pig for attaching the eye screw.

6.     Place on a foil-covered pan in a 275-degree oven for 15 minutes.  Do not bake at a higher temperature or longer than recommended.

7.     When cool brush on some acrylic gloss sealer for clay and let dry. After one side dries brush on some gloss sealer on the other side. Attach the eye screw using a bit of E6000 glue on the end and add the key ring.