Embellished Altered Keys Tutorial

I had been saving this pile of keys for a while now with the idea that someday, somehow, I was going to alter them into something crafty. Well, today was "someday" actually the last couple of days. I was having so much fun I kept making more.

Basic Supplies:

Black and gold acrylic paints
water based varnish clear
sponge brush and paint brush
wax paper
Goop glue
Jewelery making supplies including: jump rings, wire, head pins, eye pins etc.
Good jewelery needle nose pliers (even 2 pair work well if you have)
Filigree embellishments all shapes & sizes
assorted cabochons, buttons, broken jewelery, beads, chain and any other decorations you desire.

Getting Started:

Start with a collection of ugly old car and house keys.



Next get out your black paint, using a sponge brush paint the keys both sides. I set them down on wax paper as I was working on them. Don't be too fussy about making them perfect because the paint doesn't stick perfectly. Besides, you will be adding additional colors that will hide any flaws.







Next, using the gold paint, dry brush very lightly a little bit of gold on each key, allowing lots of the original black paint to show through. This just gives a very vintage look.

Variations: Try painting with patina colors, for an antique copper look, or even rusting your keys for a couple week for a natural weathered look.








Yep, I know, they still look like old house and car keys but they are getting better right?

Now give a very light coat of varnish to protect the paint from chipping.









Now go through your stash of Filigree embellishments to decide which style fits best with each key. Be sure to try them different ways too, I loved the diamond shape when I turned it the other way.
Ohhh, not sure where to get a great collection of filigree findings? Well be sure to visit my friend Kat aka alteredkat she has loads of different styles of these wonderful embellishments. Just follow the links on her blog.





I changed my mind several times before I actually glued them down. Using Goop Glue, glue the filigree pieces to the keys. covering the old key face as you desire.






Next is the embellishing of your keys. It is impossible to give you actual instructions because it all depends on how fancy you want to get or what findings are available to you. But if you are resourceful, you will probably have a multitude of great items very close at hand. I used buttons (break off the shanks) odd earrings, cabochons, gems, beads, chain and more.
Be sure to glue these items on using the Goop glue, this way you know they wont fall off.

Below are pictures of finished keys that I made. I will describe what I used for each key (I think I actually remember)

Key 1 a pair of earrings, one attached to the key, the other dangles from a chain.
Key 2
A watch face with a cabochon and matching beads dangle from a chain.
Key 3
A butterfly hair barrette with matching beads and chain.







Key 4 a Button and a chain tassle from a necklace.
Key 5 A button, beads and chain
Key 6 Another button (too easy) and more beads and chain





Key 7 Coin trinket with beads and chain
Key 8 Red Glass Gem beads chain
Key 9 Heart shaped earring and more beads and chain





Key 10 Button
Key 11 Pendant with glass bead
key 12 Button
These I used some broken necklaces chain and beads





Key 13 Earring
Key 14 Button
Key 15 Earring
Start asking your friends for all their old jewelery, visit your local thrift shops and garage sales.





Key 16 Cabochon
Key 17 Hair barrette
key 18 Earring
I really lucked out in my stash of beads to find matching colors, but I do have a huge stash to work with. keep in mind when you are making these keys, what you want to add and match with the embellishments.





Key 19 Button (it actually fit right into the frame)
Key 20 Earring ( I love this green one)
Key 21 Gem ( a plastic dollar store find)





Key 22 Pendant
Key 23 Button
Key 24 Another Earring





So there you have it! Hopefully you will be inspired to create your own embellished keys. Please let me know if you make any yourself, I would love to see your creations.

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