Key Chain?

[Roseanne]

I have a custom order for a key chain. My major concern is breakage. Has anyone had any success with them holding up?

I'm going to make a test key chain for the customer & "see".

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks

[InsanityBeader]

I have made keychains for myself out of large wonky beads. I haven't tried one with any outer detail or apendages. Mostly smooth beads or encased florals. They hold up surprisingly well. When they drop (and I drop them all the time) I sometimes notice a small smooth divot at the spot of impact. I have yet to end up with a sharp edge. My biggest problem was finding a set up that was flexible enough to last as a keychain. Most of my wire wrappings broke so I started making the keychain out of C-lon cord and doing macrame. The first one I tried lasted about a year and a half before it frayed through at the edge of the bead. Working on a new macrame idea to see if it will be sturdier using more cord for the core. Only downside to macarme is that it gets dirty after a while.

[Roseanne]

Thanks for the reply, Susan! I figured I would macrame because I friend of mine keeps having me repair one that is strung with wire & those are wood beads. What is C-lon cord? I have waxed linen & thought I would use that... would love to hear your thoughts

[tgslampwork]

I've made several keychains - and wire-wraped them with 12g fine silver headpins. Kind of overkill to use fine silver on a keychain, I know - but it lasts!

[Roseanne]

12g, really? I believe I only have 14g.

[bclogan]

I've done keychains 2 different ways.
1. Wire wrap with heavy (don't know the gauge) steel headpins. I haven't had one returned yet.
2. Stainless steel pendant thingies (like the "change-a-bead" things, only stainless steel, Howaco has them). I glue on the ends so they don't un-screw.

I tried using SoftFlex wire but that only lasted a year.

[tgslampwork]

14g might work just as well. It's also pretty hefty as well. I used fine silver when I used the 12 because I feared I would never be able to wrap sterling (fine is softer)!

[Roseanne]

I do use dead soft sterling so it really isn't that hard to wrap. Thanks for the tips ladies!

[tgslampwork]

Ahh, Roseanne, even in dead soft - 12g is a bear to wrap, but 14g should be easy

[Hothead Beads]

I have a key chain that is probably 4 years old and has held up perfectly. I strung the beads on leather cord though, they weren't wire-wrapped.

[Roseanne]

I really LIKE Teri's idea of the leather cord, less expensive Thank you!!

[Hothead Beads]

Originally Posted by Roseanne

I really LIKE Teri's idea of the leather cord, less expensive Thank you!!

Hey, we aim to please on LE! LOL

[Roseanne]

Okay, so I couldn't feed the leather cord thru the 1/16th holes. I opted for 14g Sterling Silver wire... what do you think I should price it at? Only 3 blk & wht beads, simple. ANY suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[DreamMuse]

I generally use stainless steel wire for the loop, myself. But I can attest that an annealed bead should hold up in a keychain.

My studio used to be on the fourth floor, and one day I was too lazy to go all the way down to let someone in, so I dropped my keys down to them from the fire escape. They bounced on the blacktop. (can't figure out why they didn't catch that missile flying at their head LOL) The bead didn't break! All it had was a small rough spot on one side from the abrasion.

[Ro]

bead key chains should hold up, pendant style with a loop dont, even in boro. i experimented a few months ago.
ro

[Hothead Beads]

Originally Posted by Roseanne

Okay, so I couldn't feed the leather cord thru the 1/16th holes. I opted for 14g Sterling Silver wire... what do you think I should price it at? Only 3 blk & wht beads, simple. ANY suggestions would be greatly appreciated

I have no idea on pricing, it's always a difficult decision to make. If you do make more use 3/32nds mandrels and the leather will thread through easily.