Crafting Exquisite DIY Vintage Medallion Keychains with a Faux Resin Finish

Hello fellow craft enthusiasts! Diana here from Dreams Factory, delighted to share another captivating DIY project with you. Today, we’re diving into the enchanting world of handmade keychains, creating stunning double-sided vintage medallions adorned with elegant gold touches. These beauties aren’t just accessories; they are perfect, thoughtful gifts for anyone who appreciates a touch of vintage charm and a handcrafted sentiment. While the process requires a dash of patience and attention to detail, the results are truly rewarding and professional-looking. We’ll explore techniques to achieve a gorgeous faux resin domed effect that will elevate your crafting game.

This project has been a long-held vision, and I couldn’t be happier to finally bring it to life. The outcome exceeded my expectations, and I’m thrilled to share my discoveries with you. Initially, I experimented with various glues to seal the paper, which often involved lengthy waiting times. However, I found an ingenious shortcut: utilizing clear duct tape! This not only eliminates considerable drying time but also proves incredibly effective. The true star of our show, providing that luxurious faux resin finish, is Ranger’s Glossy Accents. This versatile medium will help us create that coveted domed effect, giving your medallions a professional, high-gloss appearance.

To make these super chic vintage keychains, I’ve designed an exclusive printable featuring three exquisite vintage insect images: a delicate butterfly, a busy bee, and an elegant dragonfly. Each design offers its unique charm, but I must admit, the dragonfly has truly captured my heart! These timeless motifs are perfect for creating unique accessories that blend classic aesthetics with modern craftsmanship. The printable is designed for ease of use, ensuring you can replicate these beautiful designs with precision and confidence.

With this printable, you’ll be able to craft three beautiful double-sided keychains using the larger medallion images. As an added bonus, I’ve included a few smaller versions of these captivating images, perfect for experimenting with other creative projects or smaller embellishments. Feel free to download and use this printable as many times as your crafting heart desires! These versatile designs open up a world of possibilities for personalized gifts or charming additions to your own collection. Imagine these elegant insects adorning notebooks, gift tags, or even serving as unique pendant charms.

Free Printable: Vintage Medallion Designs

—-> Click HERE to Download the Full Size Printable PDF  <—-

DIY Vintage Medallion Keychains: Essential Supplies List

Gathering your materials is the first step to a successful crafting journey. Here’s a comprehensive list of everything you’ll need to create your stunning vintage keychains:

• white cardstock paper (choose the heaviest weight your printer can handle for durability)
• home printer (for crisp, vibrant prints of your medallions)
• sharp scissors (small, precise scissors are recommended for intricate cuts)
• mini distress inks (adds an authentic aged, vintage look to the edges)
• blending tool with foams (for applying distress ink smoothly)
• Glossy Accents by Ranger (the key to our faux resin domed effect)
• DecoColor gold marker (for optional gold edging)
• gold watercolors or gold acrylic paint (for adding delicate gold details)
• fine-tipped brushes (for precision painting)
• clear duct tape (our secret weapon for sealing paper quickly and effectively)
• old credit card or bone folder (for burnishing and removing air bubbles)
• key rings with a chain and open jump rings (the hardware to complete your keychains)
• drill hole tool (a small, precise tool for creating the attachment point)
• jewelry pliers (two pairs are highly recommended for ease of assembly)
• toothpick (useful for manipulating glue and popping small air bubbles)
• Q-tips (for pressing edges and cleaning up)
• scrap plastic or silicone mat (for working with glue and drying)

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Crafting Your Faux Resin Medallion Keychains

Step 1: Print, Cut, and Distress Your Designs

Begin by printing the provided medallion designs onto your chosen cardstock paper. The quality of your paper significantly impacts the final product, so opt for the heaviest cardstock your printer can handle. Thicker paper offers greater durability and a more substantial feel, crucial for keychains that will endure daily use.

Once printed, carefully cut out each medallion piece using your sharp scissors. Strive for precision, following the intricate shapes of the designs as accurately as possible. Remember, these are double-sided, so each image has a corresponding match that will be glued together.

Next, it’s time to add that authentic vintage flair with distress ink. Apply the distress ink to the edges of each individual piece. For an even more seamless finish, overlap the two matching designs and distress their edges together. This technique helps to camouflage any minor discrepancies in cutting and ensures a unified, aged look. If you desire, you can also use a black colored pencil to subtly sketch over the white details within and around the wings of the butterfly, adding depth and definition.

Step 2: Align and Glue the Medallion Halves

Before applying glue, hold the two matching pieces together one last time to assess alignment and make any final, tiny adjustments. Achieving a perfect match here sets the stage for a flawless medallion.

Now, for the gluing. We’ll be using Glossy Accents for this step, applied with a brush. It’s crucial to avoid applying the glue directly from the bottle to the paper, as this can cause warping. Instead, squeeze a generous amount of Glossy Accents onto a piece of scrap plastic or a silicone mat. Then, using a brush, pick up the glue and apply it evenly to the entire back surface of one medallion piece. Ensure thorough coverage, as this glue acts as both an adhesive and a sealant.

Carefully overlap the two glued pieces, aligning their shapes as precisely as possible. Gently press them together with your fingers. To ensure a smooth, even bond and remove any excess glue without smearing your design, place the overlapped medallion inside a plastic pouch folded in half (a recycled plastic bag works wonderfully). Press firmly from the center outwards towards the edges. This technique helps to distribute the glue evenly and pushes out any trapped air or excess adhesive. Once pressed, carefully remove the glued medallion from the pouch and place it on another piece of plastic or a silicone mat to dry completely. Repeat this process for all your matching images, allowing ample drying time before proceeding to the next step. Patience at this stage is key to a durable bond.

Step 3: Add Exquisite Gold Embellishments (Optional)

This step allows for creative customization. You can choose to leave your medallions as they are for a classic vintage look, or you can add a touch of gold to further enhance their elegance and bring out specific details.

I personally love adding subtle gold accents. Using my favorite Kuretake gold watercolors and a very fine brush, I painted delicate gold strokes onto the wings of the dragonfly and butterfly, following the natural vein patterns. For the bee, I covered its wings in gold, carefully avoiding the black veins to maintain the integrity of the design. This selective application creates a stunning, intricate effect that catches the light beautifully.

Afterwards, I used a DecoColor gold marker to trace around the edges of the medallions, carefully preserving the small black border. While the gold marker initially looked fantastic, I found that its visibility diminished slightly after the final glazing steps. Therefore, you can certainly skip this step if you prefer, or choose a more opaque gold medium if you want the edge to truly stand out. Experimentation is encouraged to find what you love!

Step 4: The Game-Changer – Sealing with Clear Duct Tape

Now for the truly innovative step: sealing your paper medallions with clear duct tape! This technique is a fantastic alternative to traditional sealants, offering quick results and excellent protection for both inkjet and laserjet printed projects. It’s the secret to ensuring your paper is perfectly protected before the final glaze application.

Carefully apply a strip of clear duct tape across the upper side of your medallion, ensuring it extends beyond all edges. Imagine you’re taping the medallion to your work surface – complete coverage is key. Use an old credit card or a burnishing tool to firmly press down the tape, working from the center outwards. This crucial step removes any trapped air bubbles and creates a smooth, even surface.

Next, apply a second strip of tape to the lower side of your medallion, making sure it slightly overlaps the first strip. Burnish this section thoroughly as well. The goal is to completely cover the entire paper surface with tape, creating an impenetrable barrier. Flip your medallion over and repeat these exact steps on the back, ensuring both sides are fully sealed. This dual-sided tape application guarantees maximum protection for your delicate paper designs.

Step 5: Precision Cutting and Edge Sealing

With your medallions now encased in protective tape, it’s time to refine their shape. Begin by using your scissors to trim some of the excess tape around the edges, but avoid cutting too close just yet. The goal here is to get rid of bulk, not to make the final cut.

Now, use your fingers to firmly press the tape around all the edges. This ensures the front and back layers of tape adhere seamlessly, creating a strong, sealed perimeter. For an extra measure of protection, place the medallion on your table and use a Q-tip to apply firm pressure along the taped edges. This step is vital to prevent the Glossy Accents glaze from seeping into the paper later. A well-sealed edge is the foundation for a professional, durable finish.

Finally, using your sharp scissors (smaller, fine-tipped scissors are excellent for this), carefully cut around the design. Aim for a smooth, organic cut that follows the contours of the medallion perfectly, avoiding any blunt or jagged edges. Pay particular attention to smaller, intricate areas, such as the wings, to achieve a refined look. This precision cutting contributes significantly to the overall aesthetic of your finished keychain.

Step 6: Create the Faux Resin Dome with Glossy Accents

Now for the magical transformation! It’s time to apply the Glossy Accents, our ‘glaze’, to create that beautiful raised domed effect, mimicking the look of real resin. The fine tip of the Glossy Accents bottle is incredibly helpful for precise application.

Start from the top of your medallion and work your way down in small, manageable sections. Apply enough glue to cover the surface and reach the edges, forming a slight dome, but be careful not to over-apply. We want to avoid drips and ensure the glue remains contained within the medallion’s shape. The self-leveling properties of Glossy Accents will naturally help create a smooth surface.

To achieve that beautiful, raised domed effect characteristic of resin objects, you’ll need to apply at least two layers of Glossy Accents. After each layer, carefully inspect your medallion from both the top and the side. This allows you to identify any areas that need more glue for leveling or to spot accidental air bubbles. As you apply the glue, gently use the tip of the bottle or a toothpick to carefully pop any visible air bubbles. It’s often easier to drag larger bubbles to the edge and pop them there rather than just poking them in place. Ensure you don’t miss any, as they will solidify and become unsightly in the final cured layer.

Patience is paramount here! Allow each layer of Glossy Accents to dry completely before adding the next. Drying times can vary depending on the thickness of your application and the ambient temperature and humidity in your crafting space. This careful layering is what builds the stunning, durable dome. Once the front is finished and fully cured, you can follow the same precise steps to glaze the back of your medallions, creating a truly double-sided, professional finish.

Step 7: Assemble Your Keychains

For the final steps, you’ll transform your beautiful medallions into functional keychains. First, use a small drill hole tool to create a clean hole at the top of each medallion. Before drilling, carefully check the orientation of the design (like any French writing) to ensure your medallion hangs correctly once assembled.

Next, move on to adding the key rings and chains. This process is significantly easier if you utilize two pairs of jewelry pliers instead of just one. Using two pliers provides better control and leverage when opening and closing the small, open jump rings, making the assembly smooth and frustration-free. Carefully attach the jump ring through the drilled hole, then connect it to the keychain chain.

If, like me, you find the standard gold key rings a bit too bright or new-looking for your vintage aesthetic, consider an optional step to age them. I used a subtle touch of brown acrylic paint, applied with a dry brush technique, to create a convincing ‘rust’ effect on the key rings. This quick distressing step instantly gives them a more antique, worn-in appearance that perfectly complements the vintage charm of the medallions. Apply sparingly and build up the effect for a natural look.

Your Masterpiece Awaits! Behold Your Chic Vintage Keychains

And there you have it! Your perfectly imperfect, uniquely crafted faux resin medallion keychains, imbued with a super chic vintage vibe, are now complete and ready to be admired. Each one is a testament to your creativity and patience, a small work of art you can carry with you or share as a heartfelt gift.

I genuinely believe these turned out absolutely amazing – I truly adore them and cannot wait to put them to use! They evoke a wonderful sense of nostalgia, reminding me of the cherished pin badges we used to collect and trade on our clothes and school bags as children. Do you remember those days? The joy of trading them with friends was immense. Perhaps now is the perfect opportunity to recreate that joy by gifting these unique, handmade treasures to your cherished friends, both old and new. They are more than just keychains; they are little tokens of friendship and shared memories.

Expert Tips for Flawless Faux Resin Keychains

To ensure your crafting experience is as smooth and successful as possible, here are a few invaluable tips, especially when working with Glossy Accents:

First and foremost, remember that applying Glossy Accents on your medallions is a process that benefits greatly from gradual, controlled application. “Gradually and patiently” are truly the keywords here. It’s essential to apply just enough glue to cover your surface and create that beautiful dome, but never so much that it overflows or drips over the edges. Taking your time with each layer allows the Glossy Accents to self-level beautifully and prevents any compromise to the delicate shape of your medallions. A slow and steady approach ensures a professional and aesthetically pleasing finish every time.

I cannot overstate how delighted I am with the effectiveness of the duct tape technique for sealing paper. This method is a game-changer and has quickly become a favorite trick I’m eager to incorporate into many future projects. Its ease of use and reliable sealing capabilities make it a fantastic addition to any crafter’s toolkit.

Another crucial tip relates to handling the Glossy Accents bottle itself. Always remember to be gentle! Avoid squeezing the bottle too strongly or flipping it over too quickly while you’re in the process of applying the glue. Aggressive handling can introduce unwanted air bubbles into the medium, which you’ll then have to meticulously ‘chase’ and pop. If bubbles do appear, I’ve found it’s often more effective to gently drag larger air bubbles towards the edge of your surface using the tip of the bottle or a toothpick, rather than simply poking them. This technique helps guide them out more efficiently. Take care not to miss any bubbles, as they will dry permanently and detract from the smooth, flawless finish you’re aiming for.

Unleash Your Creativity: Beyond Keychains

While these medallions are undeniably perfect for keychains, their charm and versatility extend far beyond! Imagine using them as unique tags for gift wrapping, decorative elements on scrapbook pages, embellishments for handmade cards, or even as elegant bookmarks. The possibilities are truly endless, limited only by your imagination.

To illustrate just how versatile these designs are, I want to show you how different, yet equally beautiful, a dragonfly medallion can look if left unglazed. The matte finish offers a distinctly different aesthetic, highlighting the intricate paper details in a new light. This demonstrates that you can get as creative as you want, finding unique and charming ways to incorporate these lovely medallions into countless other creative projects, whether glazed or unglazed. Each application allows their vintage allure to shine through.

The Secret to Success: Proper Sealing

In conclusion, if there’s one singular, most important takeaway for creating this medallion keychain project, it is this: properly seal the paper before you even think about adding the Glossy Accents glaze on top! A meticulously sealed surface will make your entire crafting experience incredibly smoother and significantly increase your chances of a perfect outcome. It prevents the glue from seeping into the paper, preserves the vibrancy of your printed designs, and provides a robust foundation for the faux resin finish.

So, take your time with the sealing steps. Double-check your duct tape application, ensure all edges are firmly pressed, and confirm that every inch of paper is protected. This extra effort at the beginning will pay dividends in the end. The final results – these stunning, durable, and uniquely personal vintage beauties – will make all your careful work undeniably worth it. You’ll be able to proudly create these exquisite keychains for your family members and friends, knowing they’ll be cherished. They truly make the perfect gift for any occasion, as everyone will undoubtedly appreciate the thoughtful effort and heartfelt care you poured into crafting them yourself!

For more inspiring handmade gift ideas and creative projects, be sure to check out my DIY Fall Coasters HERE.

Happy crafting,
Diana | Dreams Factory