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Beaded Alligator Key Chain

Add some personality to your keys with this snappy beaded alligator keychain using colorful pony beads and cord. Imagine a miniature gator, its distinctive shape brought to life not by intricate carving, but by the ingenious arrangement of pony beads strung onto a durable cord. These aren't just any beads; the classic, rounded pony beads come in a spectrum of vibrant colors, allowing for endless variations. From the classic swampy greens and browns to whimsical multi-colored versions, each gator keychain boasts its own unique flair. So, whether you're looking for a quirky gift, a fun way to express your individuality, or simply a dose of fun, the alligator keychain offers a bite-sized dose of delight that's hard to resist. It's a small accessory with a big personality, ready to chomp its way into your heart. Share your keys with a special visitor. Easy to make critter key chains are great for keychains, bags, fan pulls, to give as gifts, or bazaar projects but don't forget to keep one for yourself!

If you make this project please share your photos with us. With your permission we'll add it to the page and credit it to you.

Bonus Information You Didn't Ask For
Did You Know?

Your craft scissors may cut jewelry wire or pipe cleaners, but that doesn't mean they should. Wire can nick and dull the cutting edges of ordinary scissors, making them less effective when you go back to cutting paper, ribbon or fabric. Wire cutters are designed to handle metal and are a much better choice for jewelry wire and the wire core inside chenille stems. Save the scissors for the materials they were meant to cut—and they'll stay sharp much longer.

Gather Your Supplies

Note: To help you locate the material required for this project, some of the materials listed may be linked to this or other websites and may contain affiliate links.
    Note: Links to product pages will open in a separate window.

    You will need one connector such as a
    Lanyard Hook Lanyard hook,
    or any type of
    Keyrings Key Ring.

    Cord:
    You will need about
    2 yards of cord for your bumblebee.
    There are lots of different types of cords you can use. We prefer a cord that is 1mm to 2mm thick because it helps your alligator keychain keep it's shape better. Alternatively, you could use a thinner cord and weave a little wire or a pipe cleaner into your keychain alligator to help it keep it's shape that way. Either way works just fine but you can experiment with it to see which method you prefer.

    One good choice is
    Monofilament Cord Monofilament Cord
    or
    2mm Metallic Cord 2mm metallic cording. Other great choices would be jute or hemp cord, leather necklace cord, rattail cord, shoelaces, ribbon, paracord, or a strong jewelry cord like tigertail.

    For ours, we used a 1.5mm nylon cord.

    Hint: If your cord end frays easily try dipping it into hot, melted wax. This will help prevent fraying and also create a stiffer end for threading into your beads.

    Beads needed:
    Green Glitter Pony Beads  84 - Green Glitter Pony Beads.

    Glitter Pony Beads  44 - Crystal Pony Beads with Gold Glitter.

    Note: these are the colors we used. Other colors would work just fine.

    Other Things Needed:

    Glue Glue

    Optional: For a stiffer gator you can include a little wire or a pipe cleaner with your cord to help keep it's shape
    Jewelry Wire  Beading Wire
    OR
    Pipe Cleaners  Pipe Cleaners

How To Make It

Connect your cord to your keyring with a Lark's Head knot.
1. Find the half way point of the cord or wire you are using and attach it onto the keyring using a lark's head knot (shown in photo).

2. Begin threading the beads onto the cord following the pattern below. You can click on the image at the bottom of the page for a larger, better resolution photo.

3. After finishing the pattern tie a double knot or surgeon's knot in the cords at the bottom and apply glue to secure.

(Optional, and probably not needed) 4. Weave your wire or pipe cleaner through one of the widest rows in the middle of your beaded alligator keychain to make it stiffer and hold it's shape.

(Seed beads or E beads can be used in place of pony beads to create smaller characters.)

The illustration below shows you how each cord side is threaded into the beads.
Cord threading pattern for beaded alligator keychain.

https://www.bjcraftsupplies.com - Every Pattern Deserves a Few Beads at the End
 
 
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