These days I would be surprised if you did not know what an Emoji was.  They’re pretty much everywhere! Some of them I can do without, but I have my favorites.  I thought it would be fun to create my own cute Emoji key chains with some of the ones I use the most. I decided to use Polymer clay to make these. Polymer clay is so easy to use, you don’t need any special tools or equipment to use it, and it dries hard, and is durable when fully cooked.  It’s also very easy to find. You can find it in your local craft stores, online in stores like Amazon, even our local Walmart sells it.   These turned out so fun, and they are so easy to make. I hope you like them!

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Here’s what you’ll need to make your own Polymer Emoji Key chains:

• Polymer clay (I like the Sculpey brand multipack)
• Split Key ring with chain
• 8 mm Jump rings
• Polymer glossy glaze
• Oven
• Silicone mat (optional, but helpful!)

I use a silicone baking mat for crafting a lot. It’s great for hot glue projects because the glue doesn’t stick to them, but they’re also really great for clay projects. You don’t need a silicone mat, but it’s certainly helpful.  If you don’t have a mat to work on, just use the table surface with a sheet of wax paper over it.

The first step is to take a chunk of your yellow clay roughly the size of a grape and roll it into a ball.

Then you will flatten the ball.  I use an old round lid to flatten my circles. Now you have your emoji base! Super simple, right?

Next you will want to add the jump ring. If you add it before the clay is baked, then it will be attached to the key chain permanently and you don’t have to mess with sticky glues afterwords.  Close the jump ring and slide the side with the opening down into the clay.  Smoosh (technical term) the clay down around the ring to close the hold you just made. Smooth it out so it looks nice and you have a nice sturdy jump ring ready to go!

Now you can add the details! Pick a favorite emoji, there are tons to work with. Or, create your own custom one!  For eyes, and mouths I mostly used black.  Roll it thin, cut or tear it to size, and press it in place on the yellow circle base.

This little guy is my very favorite Emoji.  I use it all the time, probably too much haha. He’s just so fun!  After I had his eyes on, I made a mouth,and then put the tongue on last.

*A little polymer tip for you:  If your clay has lots of big noticeable finger prints in it, you can smooth them out with rubbing alcohol and a paint brush. Dip your brush in the rubbing alcohol and run it over the fingerprints. It will smooth most of them out, and it dries fast enough without harming your clay. Do this before baking the clay.

When all of the details have been pressed onto the yellow base, it’s time to bake them.  Use an old pan, or put tin foil over your baking pans.  Bake the clay according to the package directions.  From the Sculpey package it says: “Bake at 275 °F (130 °C) for 15 minutes per 1/4 in (6 mm) thickness.”  I baked my circles for about 30 minutes at a slightly lower 250 °F before they were completely hard.  It’s tough to over bake the clay, but if you under bake it they will not be durable. You don’t want the clay to be soft when you remove it from the oven.

Let them cool completely, and then use the polyform Sculpey glaze to give them a glossy look.

Attach the key rings and you’re done!  Easy, and adorable.  Start to finish, including bake time, cool time and dry time, these cute key chains take less than 2 hours.  They are a perfect afternoon project that the kids will love to help with too.

*linking up here.*