Craft: letter holder and colourful key keepers

Cute key rings with a handy little noticeboard and mail box means you’ll never misplace those important items again. Marsha Smith shows you how.

What you’ll need

8 x 10-inch canvas frame set (see note below) 8 x 10-inch linen canvas panel (see note below) Superglue Alphabet lettering Ruler and pencil Metal hooks and eyelets Leather cords in two thicknesses (a thicker one to hold your mail and notes in place, and a thinner one to thread through your beads) 3M adhesive wall strips Resene test pots in different colours Small paintbrush Wooden beads (various shapes) 1 can of matt sealant/varnish (optional) Split rings Small silver beads (optional) Note: I used a canvas frame set from Spotlight, as it has no set-in glass and is a perfect fit for the canvas panel, also from Spotlight. However, this project can be made using any kind of box frame and backing as long as the glass can be removed safely.

Frame

1 Remove the canvas from the box frame. (Set aside for a later project or use your leftover paint to make a work of art.) Replace the box canvas with the linen canvas panel. Superglue the back edges to hold in place. Note: If you want to paint your frame a different colour, do this before putting the canvas panel in the frame. You could also cover your panel with fabric, fixing it with spray adhesive. 2 Take your pre-cut lettering and spell out your chosen words. Rule a light pencil line on the canvas panel to make sure your words are straight before sticking them down. Even if your lettering is selfadhesive it’s a good idea to glue it in place to ensure the letters don’t lift. 3 On the inside edge of the frame’s sides, measure and mark a point 8cm from the base. This is where you will screw in your closed eyelets. Use a small pair of pliers to help screw them in, if necessary. 4 Loop a piece of the thicker leather cord through both eyelets, pull tightly and tie ends together. 5 Evenly space out the hooks along the base of your frame. Measure and screw in place. (When buying hooks, make sure the thread isn’t longer than your frame thickness, or they will poke through.) 6 Adhere frame to the wall using 3M adhesive strips.

Key rings

1 Paint an array of wooden beads in your favourite colours, so you have multiple colour combinations. You may even like to leave some natural. Paint in steps so you can do all the edges carefully. (I threaded each bead onto a wooden skewer, with a bit of Blu-Tack round the skewer to hold it in place, then stood the skewers in a jar for the beads to dry.) Once dry, give them a second coat. Note: To stop the paint from scratching, you could spray on a coat of matt sealant or varnish. 2 Arrange beads in a pattern that you like. Once happy with your design, take your thinner leather cord and double it over, leaving a loop at the top and plenty of cord hanging down to create a knot and tassel at the end. 3 Thread the looped end of the cord through a split ring (this will stop the beads from falling off the end). 4 Now thread the two loose ends through the beads, finishing with a silver bead, if using. Secure in place with a double knot. Tie on more cord to create a tassel. 5 Now attach your keys and store on the hooks on your letter frame.