Recently, I was doing some house cleaning, and realized that I have dozens of old keys stashed here and there. Then as I was driving down the road the following day, inspiration struck. I could take these keys and make a trivet for our kitchen. So here’s a 5-step tutorial that’s extremely easy. Now go reclaim those old keys and make them useful again.
Step 1 – I purchased a round birch disc from Hobby Lobby. It was already sanded and only cost about $14 after tax.
Step 2 – Gather your keys. I found mine in utility drawers and hanging by the door. Be sure to check with all family members first and make sure you don’t use any keys still in service. I suppose you could take time to polish the keys or soak them in a DIY solution to make them look like antiques. I decided not to polish or alter the keys.
Step 3 – Figure out a layout design for the keys, before applying any glue. In the first picture below, I started to orient the keys in straight lines, but this didn’t look right. My awesome daughter suggested the design in the second picture below.
Step 4 – I decided to use a weathered gray stain to make the keys stand out more. I applied just a little bit and immediately wiped it off so some wood grains still show through. Allow the stain to dry for about an hour or two.
Step 5 – I used Gorilla super glue gel to attach the keys to the birch disc. The gel works very well for this type project. I like to wear nitrile gloves when working with super glue. Each key only needs a drop or two, and you can use a toothpick to spread it around. I would allow the glue to cure over night before using the trivet.
Finished Product
What do you think? Are there any other designs you would suggest? How have you used old keys and reclaimed them for a DIY / craft project?
