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How To Make A Cool Map Rock Keychain

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I got the idea for this map rock keychain after sorting out my kitchen drawer. You know the one that you stuff full of things you don’t know where else to put, but you think it will be useful.

The one drawer in the kitchen you can hardly shut. As it’s full to the brim of loose batteries, old keys, plugs, elastic bands, etc…

One of the many odd things I did come across in the drawer was a set of pebble tablecloth weights. They had never been used and were still in the original packaging.

Why I had them I don’t know as I never use a tablecloth. The weights did look kind of cool as they were simply smooth flat pebbles with a clip. That’s probably why I bought them in the first place.

Printing Maps Onto Rocks To Make A Unique Keychain

I decided to keep them but not as tablecloth weights but to revamp them into a unique map rock keychain. They look even cooler now as I printed maps onto them.

A map rock keychain would make a lovely gift especially as you can print any kind of map on them. You can use a street map of where you live or a map of your favourite holiday destination. They are so simple and easy to make.

I’ve printed maps on to wood before to make a printed map picture frame and an IKEA hacked Mapbox map table. This time I thought I would use the same method to print maps onto a rock keychain.

Did you know you can print maps onto rocks with Mod Podge? I repurposed some pebble table weights to make a unique map rock keychain. They make a cool gift.

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What You Need To Make A Map Rock Key Chain

  • Flat pebble tablecloth weights – The ones I used were from FlyingTiger stores. But you should be able to find them in your local discount store or even on Amazon.

    You can of course just find some flattish pebbles at the beach or river. Then use a rotary tool, such as a Dremel with a diamond-tipped drill bit to drill a hole.

Tiger pebble tablecloth weights.

How to Make a Map Rock Keychain

1.. The first time I tried to print a map onto the pebbles it wasn’t very successful. The maps came off too easily. The second time I used a primer first and the map stayed on.

Therefore what you need to do first is to spray the rocks/pebbles with a universal primer.

Spraying pebbles with universal primer.

2. The maps that are to be printed onto the rocks need to be a mirror image. Also just print them onto normal copy paper with laser ink.

Simply scan in any map you want to use. Maps can also be printed from the internet. There is a great selection of free antique maps on Pictureboxblue.

I don’t have a laser printer. I got my local copy shop, to print my maps for me on to a sheet of A4 paper for a very small cost.

Mirror image printed maps

3. Next, cut out 2 pieces of map one for each side of the stone. If using table weights remove the metal clip from the pebble and then cover liberally with Mod Podge and stick the maps to it, face down.

Map covered stones printing.

4. Next, leave the paper covered pebbles until the glue has dried thourghly.

Once dry, wet the pebble either under a running tap or in a tub of water and rub away the white paper. As you rub away the paper, you will see that the map has printed onto the stone. Carry on rubbing until all the paper residue has been removed.

Did you know you can print maps onto rocks to make a really cool map rock keychain. This would make a lovely personalised gift.

5. Finally, to finish off the map rock keychain, spray with a protective varnish and then add a metal keyring.

Did you know you can print maps onto pebbles and stones. Use this technique to create a map rock keychain. These make for a lovely personalised gift as you can use a map of any town or city.

I just love anything with a map on it so I made a few of these keychains. One with a road map of Bedford where I currently live. The other one with a map of Cardiff for my son who is currently studying there.

Print street maps onto stones and pebbles using Mod Podge to create a unique map rock keychain. Makes for a lovely personalized gift.

Homemade Gift Ideas

A made a cute personalized wall key holder of my street for my map rock keychains.

Print street maps onto stones and pebbles using Mod Podge to create a unique map rock keychain. Makes for a lovely personalized gift.

These map rock keychains would make a lovely housewarming gift or even for Father’s day. You could try printing other images on the rocks. Such as photos or even the logo of your favourite sports teams.

Since making this map rock keychain, I’ve had another clear out of my kitchen drawers. Where I found some old eyeglasses. This time I turned them into a world map necklace.

Map rock keychain fathers day gift

I have some other Father’s day homemade gift ideas on Pillarboxblue. If you like the map theme, check out the map decoupage glass trinket dish. Or the handy nightstand caddy.

For non-map themed but still personalized gift ideas, you could make a lego photo frame. Or even something for the den-like a personalized lightbox sign and denim storage ottoman.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachel

    These are gorgeous! I’m seeing Christmas gifts in the future for some of these. 😀 Question: when you put the map on the rock does it need to be face down in order to transfer the image? Thanks!

    Reply

  2. Tina

    I found your site from Hometalk. I like the key chain idea, but what I really want to know about is the wooden round with the blue dots next to your sink? Did you make this? If so, do you have a link to the tutorial? Thanks~

    Reply

  4. Hannah

    Hi Claire,
    I love this idea!! I’m having a hard time finding the rock tablecloth weights, though. Do you have any other suggestions of where to find them?

    Thanks,
    Hannah

    Reply

  5. Lillian

    Love all your projects.. You’re an inspiration to get started on Christmas crafts!! Love the many ideas with Denim…
    I’m in love with this font!! Can you tell me what it is & where to find it?

    Reply

  21. Lins @ Boo & Maddie

    Claire there is literally no end to your talents and ideas! I wish I was half as inspired as you. These look great and I think are such a good idea for little stocking filler pressies too. Thank you for linking up to #HomeEtc

    Reply

  25. Jill

    Your rock keychains are fab, such a clever idea 🙂
    I referenced your blog in mine this evening, another map craft, where you made paper roses 🙂

    Jillxo

    Reply

Trackbacks

  3. […] Always loosing your keys? Not no more!This transfer paper projects is simple and so cute in the end to give these shabby rocks new life! Other cool ideas with rocks are:– The traveler: mod podge some land marks onto small stones– The gardener: transfer pictures of family onto large stepping stones all the way down to some garden markers – The office: Put some photos or paper lace on a large rock as a paper weight. Read more […]

    Reply

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