Cap-tastic

Okay, so I'm one of those evil people that drinks all of their water from a bottle. Yes, it's bad for the environment, and I feel guilty about it, but tap water (even filtered) just doesn't taste good.  And I do recycle. However, I am aware that I create a lot of litter.  Taking that into consideration, I wanted to make something using my discarded bottle caps. They may surface again in a later craft, as I am determined that they can be salvaged into works of art!

Anyway, for this particular project, you will need: bottle cap(s), paint, Mod Podge, paintbrush(es), something sharp, a pair of pliers, jump rings, and key rings.

I personally like acrylic paint, but most any paint will do as long as you seal it.  I chose Mod Podge as my sealant again, but any clear sealant will work.  Begin by painting the top of your bottle caps a solid color. Set them aside to dry.  It will only take about ten minutes if you use acrylic paint.  One of the reasons I love it is that it dries quickly.

Once your paint is dry, you can choose one of two methods for decorating your cap.  You can paint over your base coat, or you can cut out a fun design and glue it on.  A 3/4 inch circle fits perfectly inside the small ridge on the cap.  I made keychains both ways.

If you choose the cut-out method, affix your design to the cap using Mod Podge.  Put another coat over the image once it is affixed to seal the edges.

If you choose to paint the cap, go crazy with the second layer.  Just make sure the base coat is dry and that you choose a color that will contrast well with the base.  Either method you choose, make sure you set the caps aside for another 10 minutes or so to dry.

Caps during the exciting drying phase

Once dry, use your sharp tool to poke a hole through the side of the cap.  Make sure your hole is aligned with what you want to be the top of your keychain image.

Open your jump ring and push it through the hole you created.  Before closing the jump ring, make sure that the jump ring goes around the key ring.  Then close up the jump ring and you're finished!

The black one is hand-painted, the others are made with pics from magazines

Cautionary Note: Please be careful with your something sharp! I made the delightful mistake of trying to catch mine when it leaped off of my craft table. 

Awesome puncture wound...pic doesn't do the bruising justice.

Needless to say, if you'd like to avoid a lovely trip to the doctor's office for a tetanus shot, please be careful with your awl, or whatever sharp tool you use to make the hole for your jump rings!