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Turn a Pendant into a DIY Key Chain

DIY Key Chain

I found this vintage Sarah Coventry necklace at a yard sale for $1.00.  I loved the shape of the pendant but the gold tone was wearing off.  It was hard to capture in photos, but it looked really worn out, in the way only cheap jewellery can.  Not pretty.

Sara Coventry

Vintage Sarah Coventry

I wanted to try Rub ‘n Buff but it was hard to come by in Ottawa, and I also worried about it continuing to rub and buff off onto surfaces (anyone have experience with this material?), so I thought I’d try some leftover spray paint instead.  As a bonus, I had dribs and drabs of various paints so this makeover was cheap-cheap-cheap.

I used Krylon indoor/outdoor paint in gloss blue ocean breeze (leftover from my play kitchen accessories and bow box) and painted the whole surface.  But that looked a little plain, so I taped off half-ish with painter’s tape (after waiting for the turquoise paint to cure for 24 hours):

Then I sprayed the un-taped section in Krylon’s Brushed Metallic Satin Nickel (leftover from a yet-to-be-revealed project).  I’m loving this paint because it is a really warm, elegant silver.

Krylon Brushed Metallic Satin

After patiently waiting for my project to dry, I had a chic new key chain!  I could have kept it a necklace, but I just know I have too much costume jewellery to wear this.  It will see the light of day more as a key chain.  It seems pretty durable (without priming or sealing) but you can always add those extra steps for more durability. 

DIY Spray Painted Key Chain

Easy Hand Made Key Chain

Spray Painted Key Chain DIY

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13 Comments

  1. Melanie@MailboxJourney
    May 16, 2012 / 12:56 pm

    That's really cute!

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      May 16, 2012 / 1:13 pm

      Thanks! I had this nagging feeling this would turn out to be a flop, but I'm actually pretty pleased. Whew.

  2. Courtney at Little Moments
    May 16, 2012 / 2:13 pm

    Love this idea!! I was contemplating using Rubb n' Buff in my Master Bath on some light fixtures. I've heard great things about it when using it on metal! I'll let you know how it turns out if I tackle that project 😉

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      May 16, 2012 / 3:12 pm

      Fabulous! Yes, I'd LOVE to know how this stuff really works and an honest review would be great. Good luck with the light fixtures. I hope they turn out beautifully!

  3. Erin
    May 16, 2012 / 5:51 pm

    I'm dying to rubb n' buff something! When I do, I'll be culling through all of Sammy's projects at renewredo.blogspot.com again. She must be the absolute master of rubb n' buff… Cute keychain!

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      May 17, 2012 / 11:16 am

      Great blog, thanks for the tip. She really uses rub 'n buff on everything!! Awesome!

  4. Dana@Mid2Mod
    May 16, 2012 / 9:00 pm

    I've been using Rub 'n' Buff type products since the late 1960s when it was all the rage to paint ceramic or metal items flat black and then rub on a metallic finish. (That was during the Spanish-influenced period: conquistador pictures/armor/shields/wrought iron/scrollwork.) I have Antique Gold and Silver Leaf Rub 'n' Buff in my box of paints right now, along with a Plaid product called Treasure Gold in Pewter, which is very similar, just a little grainier. I've always had good luck with these carnuba wax-based products. They cover well and buff out to a nice mellow glow.

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      May 17, 2012 / 11:15 am

      Thanks, Dana, this is great to know! Do they ever rub off once they've dried? That's my biggest reservation.

  5. Lets just build a house!
    May 16, 2012 / 11:41 pm

    that looks awesome! I love simple and chic projects!

  6. Dora
    May 17, 2012 / 1:26 am

    This looks so cool. You always have the best ideas dor diys 🙂

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      May 17, 2012 / 11:16 am

      Awww, thanks Dora. I find so many times if I have any idea, then google it or look for it on Pinterest, it's been done, lol!

  7. Amy
    May 24, 2012 / 4:23 pm

    Amazing find and refurbishment!Will you be out and about at the glebe garage sale this saturday?

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      May 24, 2012 / 8:05 pm

      Sadly, no!! I've never been because I've always had another commitment. This weekend I'm presenting a paper at a conference. Yay, but also boo . . .

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