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You are here: Home / Maps / How To Make A Cool Map Rock Keychain

How To Make A Cool Map Rock Keychain

4th October 2017 by Claire Armstrong 59 Comments

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Printed map rock keychains
How to print on rocks

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.
  • Montana Gold Universal Primer
  • Matte Mod Podge
  • Sponge and water
  • Acrylic Spray Varnish
  • Keychain rings
  • Maps – Mirror printed with a laser printer.

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.


Filed Under: Crafts, Maps Tagged With: key rack, key ring, keychain, keyring, map, map key chain, maps, mod podge, pebble, printing, rock, stone

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachel

    19th June 2019 at 1:39 am

    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
    • Claire Armstrong

      19th June 2019 at 3:28 pm

      Thank you. Yes, that is why you print a mirror image.

      Reply
  2. Tina

    7th March 2018 at 8:05 am

    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
    • Claire Armstrong

      7th March 2018 at 10:45 am

      Thank you, Tina. The think you are talking about is actually a tray from IKEA.

      Reply
  3. Lydia

    4th March 2018 at 2:39 pm

    What did you use to drill the hole

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      4th March 2018 at 2:54 pm

      I used table weights that had pre drilled holes. But you can easily drill holes into pebbles with a rotary drill like a dremel with a diamond tip drill bit.

      Reply
  4. Hannah

    29th November 2017 at 7:25 pm

    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
    • Claire Armstrong

      29th November 2017 at 7:45 pm

      Not sure if you are in the US or UK, I got mine from Tiger in the UK. Amazon.com has some heart shaped ones at the moment http://amzn.to/2hZjIeO. You can however just get some flat pebbles and using a diamond tipped drill, drill a hole into them. Hope that helps.

      Reply
  5. Lillian

    31st October 2017 at 8:16 pm

    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
    • Claire Armstrong

      31st October 2017 at 10:47 pm

      Thank you, Lillian. Pleased to hear you like my projects and have had a look around. The font is called Pompiere and I think it’s readily available.

      Reply
  6. gigi

    20th October 2017 at 3:02 pm

    I absolutely love your map keychains! I’ve been putting off trying to transfer images on to objects, but you have inspired me! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      21st October 2017 at 6:56 am

      Thank you Gigi, map transfer is a simple fun technique you should give it ago.

      Reply
  7. IOANNA

    15th October 2017 at 9:17 pm

    Ι love it!!!!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      16th October 2017 at 6:25 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  8. Mia

    15th October 2017 at 7:39 pm

    What a clever and beautiful creation, Claire! I love these map keyrings! Kisses!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      16th October 2017 at 6:25 am

      Thank you so much Mia.

      Reply
  9. Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

    13th October 2017 at 2:13 am

    These are so clever! I’ll be featuring your fabulous key chains tomorrow night at Best of the Weekend!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      13th October 2017 at 5:24 am

      Thank you, I can’t wait to see them.

      Reply
  10. Laurie

    12th October 2017 at 1:40 am

    Claire, These are awesome! I would love to have one of these hanging from my keychain 🙂 Pinning to share!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      12th October 2017 at 1:43 pm

      Thank you and thanks for the share.

      Reply
  11. Sandra L Garth

    10th October 2017 at 11:33 am

    You hold the title for most unique maps and denim projects. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story and we hope you will join us again next week.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      10th October 2017 at 1:42 pm

      Thank you Sandra, and thanks for hosting see you next week.

      Reply
  12. Amber Harrop

    9th October 2017 at 8:05 pm

    I love these Claire they are so clever

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      10th October 2017 at 6:14 am

      Ah thank you Amber.

      Reply
  13. Julie

    9th October 2017 at 8:31 am

    These are ridiculously cute! They would make such great presents for those hard to buy for people. Everyone has keys to something!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      9th October 2017 at 12:15 pm

      Thank you, Julie. I’ve already had a few requests from family to make them as gifts.

      Reply
  14. Cecilia

    8th October 2017 at 4:30 am

    So fun, Claire! Thanks for sharing @ Vintage Charm!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      8th October 2017 at 7:08 am

      Thank you ?

      Reply
  15. Michelle

    7th October 2017 at 5:40 am

    Your creativity always inspires me Claire. I love how these “mapped” keychains turned out. Such a neat idea

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      7th October 2017 at 6:20 am

      Thank you, Michelle. The feelings mutual I love your creative makes too!

      Reply
  16. Debrashoppeno5

    6th October 2017 at 10:44 pm

    This is a fabulous idea. They are so cute.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      7th October 2017 at 6:20 am

      Thank you so much ?

      Reply
  17. m(i)e

    6th October 2017 at 4:30 pm

    Nice idea!!!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      6th October 2017 at 8:04 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  18. Medina

    6th October 2017 at 1:57 pm

    Love these claire!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      6th October 2017 at 8:08 pm

      Cheers Medina.

      Reply
  19. Kim

    5th October 2017 at 4:29 pm

    These are adorable! I have a new driver who has been looking for a unique keychain. I think I just found it. 😉

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      5th October 2017 at 7:41 pm

      Sounds like a plan to me.

      Reply
  20. Carolann

    5th October 2017 at 3:42 pm

    Super cute idea! I love the maps details. What fun!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      5th October 2017 at 7:40 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  21. Lins @ Boo & Maddie

    5th October 2017 at 9:10 am

    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
    • Claire Armstrong

      5th October 2017 at 12:51 pm

      Ahh thank you Lins. Yes I’ll be making a few as stocking fillers.

      Reply
  22. Sarah | A Few Favourite Things

    5th October 2017 at 8:53 am

    What a great idea, would make a fun home warming gift too

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      5th October 2017 at 12:52 pm

      Thank you Sarah, housewarming gifts are a great idea.

      Reply
  23. Ivory

    4th October 2017 at 11:03 pm

    Wow, I love these. You did an excellent job here. I can’t wait to make this project for my family.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      5th October 2017 at 6:31 am

      Thank you, Ivory they will make a lovely gift.

      Reply
  24. Trish

    4th October 2017 at 8:23 pm

    I’ve never been to your blog before, but I love it! These are so clever and so easy to customize. Thanks for the great ideas!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      4th October 2017 at 8:31 pm

      Thank you, Trish and hello! It’s lovely to get a new visitor.

      Reply
  25. Jill

    4th October 2017 at 7:50 pm

    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
    • Claire Armstrong

      4th October 2017 at 8:29 pm

      Thank you Jill. I’ve just visited your blog and the flowers are gorgeous!

      Reply

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