Acrylic keychains with Vinyl

This project may seem like a lot to make just one keychain, and it does have a lot of little parts, but it is super easy to make. These can be used on a purse, wallet or bag or as a small gift. They are completely customizable in keychain shape, colour, design and embellishments. 

If you are a crafter who sells items, whether it be online or at craft shows, this is a great way to build up stock. They are super quick to make once everything is ready to go. Once you know how to assemble them and have a rhythm going, it goes fast. I made about 20 in a period of a day. I may paint some of the keychains, but not sure yet. They were a fun project, and I enjoyed making them.    

Materials

*When you order the keychain blanks, you usually get these items, but not always.

**If you want to paint one side of the acrylic piece, I have seen other crafters paint it before or after applying the vinyl decal.

How to Make

Creating and sizing the decals

1. Open Cricut Design Space and create a template using the "shapes" tab that is the same size as the circle, rectangle, or shape you are working with.
2. Go to "images" and search for the image you want to use, or if you purchased the image, upload it to Design Space.
3. Once you have the image, move it over top of your template and adjust the size. Remember, there is a hole for the jump ring.  
4. Change the colour of the image if you like, or just make sure you put in the right colour when feeding the machine; either will work. 
5. Either cut the image right away or repeat steps 2 and 3 for all the images you want to work with, and then cut them.

Cutting vinyl decals

1. Turn on the Cricut machine, and the fine point blade is loaded. 
2. Put vinyl onto the mat or mats, depending on how many images you have. The machine wants you to keep feeding it. 
3. Go to "Make it" when you are ready to cut.
4. Pick the "materials mat" and click "continue".
5. Set the material to washi tape for fine or thin images or vinyl if it is a solid image.
6. Load the mat into the machine when prompted. The arrow will start flashing.
7. Click the flashing “C” when it starts and repeat as needed.
8. Repeat as needed.

Removing & weeding vinyl decals

1. Unload the machine when prompted.
2. Flip the mat over and pull the mat off the vinyl. It helps keep the vinyl from curling. 
3. Take the weeding tool and remove all the unwanted vinyl till you have just the decal. Keep scissors nearby just in case there is a piece you want to cut away. 
4. Repeat as needed for each decal.

Applying vinyl to the acrylic piece

1. Cut the decals out of the sheet, and leave some white space. I find it easier to work with each cut-out individually.
2. Cut a piece of transfer tape to match the size of the decal.
3. Peel the backing off the transfer tape, exposing the adhesive side.
4. Place the transfer tape on top of and the back of the vinyl decal, then take the scrapper and run it over to help adhere the tape.
5. Peel the protective plastic off the keychain if you haven’t already.
6. Use the alcohol wipes to clean off all the dirt and oils. And make sure it is nice and dry. 
7. Place the acrylic piece on the self-healing mat so it is lined up with the grid lines.*
8. Now, place the decal and take the scraper and run it over to help it adhere and remove some bubbles.
9. Then peel the transfer tape off slowly and run your fingers over to help remove some of the bubbles.
10. Repeat as needed.

*This isn't necessary but it can help with placement.

Adding the key ring, jump ring & tassel

1. If you haven’t already removed the protective plastic on the other side of the acrylic piece.
2. Take the jewellery pliers and pull the jump ring apart. Keep holding on to the jump ring with a pair of pliers.
3. Slide the acrylic piece, then the key ring and the tassel onto the jump ring. 
4. Once everything is on the jump ring, take the pliers and squeeze the jump ring closed.
5. Repeat as needed.

You can add any other embellishments you like. If you find that you are having a hard time fitting everything on the jump ring, you can buy bigger ones.  

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