These key ring gift tags came about because I’ve been concentrating on gift wrapping ideas lately (splatter paint and stamping), and I started thinking about how it would be cool if the gift tag was part of the gift.
I know that not everyone has the tools and supplies for metal stamping, so there are two options here, a metal version and a wood version. Either one makes a cute key chain that you can use year-round!
Sometimes when I’m coming up with projects, I’m not sure if I’m making them too complicated, and using tools that most people won’t have. I have a ton of craft supplies and tools, but I know that’s not the case for a lot of people out there. So if you’re supplied up for metal stamping (or want an excuse to give it a try), go for it, but if ink stamping is more your speed, I’ve got you covered.
These could actually work for any holiday or event, not just Christmas. I love the idea of making a whole bunch with personalized phrases for a big group. And if you can’t come up with words or phrases, you could always go with initials, first name, or a meaningful date or set of coordinates (perfect for something like an anniversary). With the wood ones you can actually stamp on both sides, so you could put the recipient’s name or initials on one side, and then a word or phrase on the other.
Now I kind of want to make another wood one that says “cat lady” on one side, and “plant lady” on the other. The cat lady one I already made has “Fear less” on the other side. Most of my other ideas for what to put on these keychains involved swearing, ha! What would you put on a key ring gift tag?
DIY Key Ring Gift Tags in Wood
Materials
Round wood blanks – These are similar to the smaller sized ones I used which are about 1 1/4″, and these are similar to the bigger 2″ ones, but you’ll need to drill your own hole.
Clear spray sealer
Ball chain or key rings
Black stamp pad
Tools
Steps
1. Pick your word or phrase, and line up the stamp letters. You could tape them together, especially if you were doing the same word a bunch of times, but I just held mine together. Test stamp the word(s) on paper, and if necessary, flip the stamps over to help line up the letters.
2. Carefully stamp the wood tag with your chosen words. After the ink has dried, you can even do another word or phrase on the opposite side of the tag.
3. Let the ink dry, then spray with the sealer according to the instructions on the package.
4. Add a key ring or ball chain for attaching to the present, and later, keys.
DIY Key Ring Gift Tags in Metal
Materials
Metal alphabet stamps
Steel block
Masking tape
Sharpie
Paper towel
Key ring stamping blanks (or round stamping blanks with separate ball chain or key rings)
Black stamp pad
Tools
Hammer
Steps
1. Secure your piece to the steel block with tape. For these blanks, I taped them so that the rings were off of the edge, so that they wouldn’t get bent. When I’m stamping metal, first I like to put a piece of masking tape over the item, and stamp the letters in ink to help me line up the word.
2. After you have the word lined up, move the masking tape so it’s below where you want to stamp, with the word centered. Use the tape to line up a letter above its corresponding letter in ink, then strike it with one blow. Repeat for the remainder of the letters. (If you’ve never stamped metal before, buy extra blanks to practice on!)
3. When you’re done stamping, run a thick sharpie over the letters, then rub off with excess ink with a paper towel. This will help make the letters stand out more.
