DIY :: LUCKY KEY CHAIN ::
Find pennies with years that are cent-imental (yes, I can’t believe I just said that…that was horrible!). No seriously, find pennies that have a meaningful year with any significance like birthdays, anniversaries, etc. and attach them to a Lucky key chain. Whether you want to let someone know just how lucky they are for St. Patrick’s Day, or celebrate your anniversary date with your significant other and include pennies with the years of your wedding date and when you first met, or even if you want to celebrate Mother’s Day or Father’s Day and include the birthday years of your kids. It’s the perfect little handmade gift to make for anyone for any occasion!
:: Here’s how to make your own Lucky Us Keychain :: Good Luck Key Chain ::
:: What You’ll Need ::
* Aluminum blank metal tags (dog tags) or blank bottle caps
* Sharp nail
* Hammer
* Key chain ring
* Self healing mat or protective/padded surface
* Pennies with significant years
* Letter stamps for metal or flat head screwdriver
:: DIY Lucky Charm Keychain ::
:: What To Do ::
Use your hammer and sharp pointy nail to hammer on your self-healing or protective padded surface to make a hole in the penny (yes! you can hammer a hole into a copper penny!) Make sure you hammer on one side until you feel and see the pointy side of the nail coming out on the other side. Then turn your penny over and do the same thing until you make a hole through the entire penny. Then lay your penny flat and hammer down (where you made the holes) so that no sharp or rough edges remain. Continue to do the same thing for all your pennies. I made my holes in the same location of all of my pennies (just so that they would all hang the same way). If your tag does not have a hole, do the same thing to your tag. Make sure that your pennies and tag fit through your key chain ring…and move around loosely, if not, repeat hammering with the nail until they do.
:: DIY Custom Keychains ::
To emboss lettering onto your tag (you can find those at your local craft store), use letter stamps for metals or a flat head screwdriver to make letter formations. Choose your keychain key word: Lucky or Love or Dad or Mom….whatever you choose, make sure you figure out that all your letters will fit! Then LIGHTLY hammer the flathead screwdriver onto the tag to form your letters/words. Check each letter as you go…just to make sure they are all even! Then assemble your key chain!
:: DIY Custom Key Chain ::
FYI:: TO CLEAN YOUR PENNIES and LEAVE THEM SHINY:::
Yes! This will remove oxidation too!!!
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 shallow, clear glass or plastic bowl (not metal)
1. Pour the salt and vinegar into the bowl.
2. Stir until the salt dissolves.
3. Place pennies inside and allow to soak for at least 5 minutes. Leave more if needed.
4. If some stains still remain…just rub off with a Q-tip or cloth.
5. Rinse off pennies. Dry.
:: Good Luck Keychain ::
