Why You Need Handmade Keychains
- Cienna Knights
- Jul 9
- 4 min read
Whether your looking for a standout accessory for your backpack, work bag or team lanyard, look no further than handmade keychains.
The Nenna Rose History of Keychains
When I was younger and road tripping with my family, we would stop into gas stations and tourists centers for snacks and list minute gifts. I almost always picked up a keychain. From elementary school through middle school I collected keychains everywhere I went. There was one frog keychain I purchased from a gift shop near one of my aunt's house in Maine, and I used it on every backpack from 3rd grade to 6th until it started to fall apart. It is lovingly stored away with my other keychains now.
I don't collect them so much anymore, not being sure what to do with them. However, when I am gift one I make sure it is displayed or stored accordingly. My favorite keychains to receive and use these days are handmade ones.
Why Handmade Keychains
Handmade keychains are great for 3 main reasons: they are unique, exclusive and well-made.
Unique
Keychains are ideal for occasions like back to school because they allow bags and back backs to be accessorized to show the individual's style. With handmade keychains, you have a larger variety due to the dozens of ways a keychain accomplished: crochet, felt, bead work, resin, clay, glass, wood, etc. You can pick the style that best fits you!
Check out sites like Etsy and the fun category from Nenna Rose by Cienna for great handmade keychains.
Exclusive
Probably one of the best parts of having handmade keychains, is the one-of-a-kind nature of them. Not being mass-produced means that you can have the same exclusivity that comes with top-tier name brands without the high end, name-brand prices. To be one of 50, 20, 10 or even 5 people to have a keychain is so special!
When I make keychains, I tend to make no more than 6 per color, per style. The only exception to that rule are the goldfish keychains because I can make them so quickly. The reason I tend not to make more than 6 is because the fiddley nature of small crocheted items, and thin yarn, puts a lot of wear and tear on my hands. The more I make, the longer the recovery time in between projects and the less ability I have to crochet other things.
If you buy one of my keychains, please know that each piece is a labor of love!
Well-Made
You may be wondering just how well-made a handmade keychain can be. After all, giant mass production worthy machinery isn't being used to super enforce the joints in the metal. Handmade keychains are getting the kind of attention that mass-produced keychains, or mass-produced anything for that matter, just does not get. When someone is making a keychain or any item by hand, that product is getting the utmost attention from start to finish. Each item is tested for durability.
Shop Small
When you're buying handmade keychains, you're purchasing directly from local businesses. From neighbors, and downtown shops and people like me working out of a spare bedroom. Buying from small businesses put money directly back into your community.
How to Find Small Businesses
There are likely more small businesses that you know, with just what you're looking for.
Through Search Engines - in your favorite searchable platforms (Google, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Reddit, Bing, etc) search for tags such as:
- handmade gifts
- shop small business
- small businesses near me
- handmade shop near me
- handmade [the item or theme you're looking for] - i.e. "handmade kitchen towels" or "handmade gifts for him". Be specific!
Fairs and Festivals - Almost every town (especially here in Indiana) has fairs and festivals that are town specific. These usually take place in the summer or fall, and around holidays like Christmas. Here are the best ways to find out when and where these events take place:
You can usually search for these on Google or if your town/city and surrounding area has a social media they might be announced there.
Another way to find out about these events is by driving around through town centers. My fiancé and I happened to drive through the town center of Lapel, IN and saw a sign for a town fair they were having the following weekend
Last but not least: Libraries. Your local library will have posters and announcements on anything happening around the town in any given month. Make sure to check out your, and surround town, local library for any of these announcements.
Come see me at the Old Washington Street Festival in Muncie Indiana this September 13-14, 2025!
Take a Walk - Another way to find small businesses it to go to any walkable, downtown area and just see what you can find! You may happen upon the perfect place to get your dad a gift this holiday season, or your new favorite scrunchie.
Buying Handmade Keychains
It may be just an opinion, but handmade keychains are way better than mass produced. With handmade keychains you get something that is unique, exclusive and well-made. When you're friends ask you where you got your amazing handmade accessory, you'll be able to tell them "oh just this little shop downtown" or "at the town festival this past month. I'll take you next time!"
The best places to find handmade keychains and gifts are buy searching tags like "handmade gifts" on your favorite search engine, going to local events like festivals and fairs, and walking around safe downtown areas.
Nenna Rose by Cienna is a great place to start searching for your next handmade gift! Everything on the site is handmade with care and expertise. You can find everything from keychains to home decor.
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