DIY: DINOSAUR KEYCHAINS

DIY- or for those of you who do not like to speak in acronyms "Do It Yourself" (however, for the sake of my fingers, we'll just call it DIY on this blog), is an easy enough concept that can save you money, time and can sometimes look better than the real thing.

I think that like most things, DIY can be a bittersweet thing. When you find something in a store or online you like, but for whatever reason- mine is usually money- you don't buy it, it is a great alternative to try to make it yourself.

Sometimes, things turn out great (i.e. you made something you can be proud of and flaunt in the faces of all your peeps <--- people say that still, right?), and other times you make a piece of utter garbage you'd rather throw away (or like me- hide in the closet thinking you'll use the materials some day in the future, but instead it collects dust until your significant other stubs his toe and subsequently throws it away in his fury).

Either way- one of my favorite things to attempt (being the operative word) is a good DIY project.

On today's table we have: DINOSAUR KEYCHAINS!!! Ok- so they may not be that exciting- enough to warrant 3 exclamation marks, but my obsession with dinosaurs runs very deep, and getting to carry one with me nearly all times of the day is pretty exciting.

MATERIALS:

- plastic animal of your choosing (or reptile)

- acrylic or plastic paint (I used Martha Stewart acrylic paint- found at most craft stores)

- screw eye hooks (also found at most craft stores- mine are from Michael's by the wood working items)

- Acrylic Sealer
- paint brushes

- paper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1: Paint the animals (or reptiles) in any color(s) you choose. Place on paper to dry between coats. Repeat 2 or more times- enough to get between the cracks of the plastic animals, and achieve the desired color.

2: When the paint is dry, spray with a nice even layer of the spray sealer- this will ensure that your new friend won't chip when he is tucked away, mingling with your other keychains.

3: After the spray sealer is completely dry (about 20 minutes or so- 30, if you sprayed a thinker coat), find where you would like to put your screw eye hook in the animal. It will take a bit of effort to get it trough the first layer of sealer, paint and plastic- use pressure more than force- it will start to give in, and then screw until it is to the smooth part of the hook.

Here is my example- don'y mind the wear and tear- he has been through a lot.

 

Leonardo