DIY Resin Flower Keychains for Every Occasion

There's something undeniably charming about a handcrafted keychain. It's a small piece of art you carry everywhere, a reminder of a cherished memory or a reflection of your unique style. And what better way to personalise a keychain than by capturing the fleeting beauty of nature in crystal-clear resin?

DIY resin flower keychains are a delightful way to express your creativity and create stunning, one-of-a-kind accessories. This comprehensive guide will give you everything you need to know, from gathering materials and drying flowers to perfecting your pouring technique and achieving a flawless finish. To learn more about such techniques, enrol in a resin art workshop.

Essential Supplies for DIY Resin Flower Keychains

Before diving into the world of floral resin keychains, gather the necessary tools and materials:

• Crystal Clear Resin: For faster curing times, especially for beginners, choose a high-quality UV resin kit. The kit should include both resin and hardener.
• UV Lamp: A UV lamp is essential for curing UV resin quickly and efficiently. Ensure the lamp's wattage is compatible with your chosen resin brand.
• Silicone Moulds: Select silicone keychain moulds in shapes and sizes that suit your taste. Popular options include hearts, circles, squares, or even geometric shapes.
• Dried Flowers: This is where your creativity shines! Use a variety of pressed flowers, ferns, small leaves, or even tiny twigs in different colours, shapes, and sizes. Experiment with textures and consider incorporating small embellishments like glitter or gold flakes for extra pizzazz.
• Safety Gear: Safety is paramount. When working with resin, wear safe materials (gloves, a respirator, and eye protection).
• Tweezers: These will be your best friend when arranging delicately pressed flowers.
• Toothpicks or Craft Sticks: Useful for gently nudging flowers into place, removing air bubbles, and stirring the resin.
• Mixing Containers: Disposable plastic cups or small beakers work well.
• Stir Sticks: Ensure they are long enough to reach the bottom of your mixing containers.
• Rubbing Alcohol (Optional): This can help clean the silicone moulds before pouring the resin.
• Sandpaper (Optional): Use it to smooth any imperfections on the cured keychain after demolding (if using a mould).

Drying Your Floral Treasures

The key to stunning resin flower keychains lies in using dehydrated flowers. Here are two methods for drying your floral components:

• Pressing: This is the most common method. Gather your flowers and arrange them between the pages of a heavy book. Layer them with parchment paper to control sticking, and weigh the book with additional books or bricks. Depending on the flower thickness, this process can take several days or even weeks.
• Microwave Drying (Optional): While not ideal for all flowers, this method can be quicker for specific delicate blooms. Put the flowers between two paper towels. Now, microwave them on low power for short bursts (10-15 seconds). Check on them frequently and remove them once completely dry and brittle.

Pro Tip: Experiment with different drying methods to see which works best for your flowers.

A Step-by-Step Guide for DIY Resin Flower Keychains

Now that you have your supplies and dried flowers let's get crafting!

1. Prepare Your Workspace: To protect your work surface, choose a clean, well-ventilated area covered with newspaper or a disposable tablecloth.
2. Mould Prep (Optional): If using silicone moulds, consider lightly wiping them with rubbing alcohol to remove dust or debris.
3. Plan Your Design: Before working with the resin, envision the arrangement of your flowers within the keychain mould. Experiment with various arrangements to achieve a visually attractive composition.
4. Mix the Resin: Following the manufacturer's instructions for your specific UV resin kit, carefully combine the resin and hardener in the designated ratio. Stir slowly and thoroughly, scraping the container's sides and bottom to ensure proper mixing.
5. First Layer (Optional): For a more polished look, consider pouring a thin layer of clear resin into the mould and curing it entirely with the UV lamp. This creates a sealed base before adding the flowers.

Arranging Your Floral Symphony

1. Flower Power: Using tweezers, carefully arrange your dried flowers into the mould or directly onto a flat surface if not using a mould. Play with the composition, layering flowers and leaving space for others to peek through.
2. Resin Time: Once you're happy with the flower arrangement, slowly pour a thin layer of mixed resin over the flowers. Gently nudge the flowers into place with a toothpick to ensure the resin flows evenly around them.
3. Taming the Bubbles: Air bubbles can sometimes appear in the resin. To remove them, gently blow on the resin surface or use a heat gun (following safety instructions) held at a distance. The heat will force the air bubbles, which can be popped with a toothpick.
4. Adding Color (Optional): For vibrancy, consider adding drops of alcohol ink to the uncured resin. Use a toothpick or disposable dropper to swirl the ink gently, creating a marbled effect or coloured accents that complement your flowers.
5. Glitter and Shine (Optional): If you crave a touch of sparkle, sprinkle a small amount of fine glitter onto the uncured resin before pouring the next layer.

Building the Resin Layers

1. Curing and Repeating: Once you've poured your first layer and addressed any air bubbles, cure the resin completely using the UV lamp according to the manufacturer's instructions. This will typically take a few minutes. Once cured, repeat steps 2-5, pouring additional layers of resin to encase the flowers completely. The number of layers you need will depend on the mould depth and the resin's desired thickness. Aim for a final layer that creates a slightly domed finish to ensure the flowers are fully encased.

[Pro Tip: Consult the manufacturer's recommendations for thicker resin layers. Some UV resins may require pouring in thin layers with curing in between to prevent overheating and cracking.]

The Finishing Touches

1. Patience is Key: Allow the final resin layer to cure entirely before demolding (if using a mould) or touching the keychain. Refer to the curing times specified in the resin kit instructions.
2. Demolding (Optional): Once fully cured, gently twist or peel the silicone mould away from the hardened resin keychain. Be patient, and do not pull or tug on the mould.
3. Sanding and Polishing (Optional): After demolding, you may notice slight imperfections on the edges or surface of the keychain. Use fine-grit sandpaper to gently sand these areas until smooth. You can then buff the surface with a polishing cloth for an extra shine.
4. Attaching the Hardware: Most keychain moulds come with pre-drilled holes. Use a jump ring to attach your keychain hardware, creating a functional and beautiful accessory.

Cleaning Up

• Dispose of gloves, mixing containers, and other used materials responsibly according to your local regulations.
• Wipe down any surfaces that may have come into contact with uncured resin with rubbing alcohol.

Conclusion