In business since 1985. Online since 1994. We sincerely thank you for supporting family owned, family operated businesses!
Give us a call from 8am to 6pm Mon-Fri. We are available to answer questions or to take your order.
(361) 645-3325
Get udderly creative with this delightful cow keychain made with pony beads and cord. Forget sophisticated artistry. This is pure, unadulterated fun, a project that summons a smile with every clunky bead threaded onto the cord. The image of the cow is already imprinted in my mind: a plump, friendly face, speckled with mismatched spots, and ears that perk up with a hint of mischievous curiosity.
This little cow is incredibly practical too. Attach it to your keys for an instant pop of personality, adorn a backpack to make it uniquely yours, or use it as a cheerful zipper pull or fan pull. Make one as a thoughtful handmade gift for a cow lover, use it for summer camp or group crafts, or make several for farm-themed events, giveaways and fundraisers.
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.
Some patterns in our collection date back far enough that a material originally called for may no longer be available. That can become an opportunity: modern beads, trims, cords and finishes can bring an older project forward without losing the idea that made it appealing in the first place.
You will need one connector such as a 
Lanyard hook,
or any type of 
Key Ring.
Cord:
You will need about
2 yards of cord for your cow.
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 dragonfly 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 cow 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
or
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 1mm leather cord.
Helpful Hint: If your cord end frays easily try dipping it into a little melted wax and smoothing it out with your fingers. This will help prevent fraying and also create a stiffer end for threading into your beads.
Beads needed:
43 - White Pony Beads
Note: these are the colors we used. Use these colors or make your cow a solid color, or whatever color or colors are perfect for you.
Other Things Needed:
GlueOptional: For a stiffer cow you can include a little wire or a pipe cleaner with your cord to help keep it's shape
Beading Wire
OR
Pipe Cleaners
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) Weave your wire or pipe cleaner through one of the widest rows in the middle of your beaded cow keychain to make it stiffer and hold it's shape. Three or four beads can be strung onto the end of the cord as a finishing touch.
(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. 
27 - Black Pony Beads
2 - Pink Pony Beads
