Making DIY Personalised Keyrings & Fridge Magnets from Upcycling Offcuts

That pile of wood offcuts in your garden shed can become beautiful personalised keyrings and fridge magnets without extra cost. Instead of buying expensive craft materials, use leftover pieces from your latest DIY project to start a rewarding hobby or even earn some pocket money.

You can transform simple wood scraps into professional-looking personalised gifts using basic tools and techniques. The options are endless, from rustic oak keyrings that show off natural wood grain to smooth birch blanks ready for custom engraving.

This guide shows you how to turn your garden building offcuts into crafts. Learn which wood types work best, master hand-assembly techniques, and create gift sets that stand out. Whether you want to make presents for family or try selling crafts, your shed already holds the materials you need.

Why Your Garden Building Offcuts Are Goldmines

Every garden shed build leaves valuable leftover materials that many people throw away. These scraps have real potential for small craft projects and can save you money.

The Problem Most DIY Builders Face

After building your garden shed, you see a pile of leftover wood. Most people see waste and get rid of it.

The real cost of throwing away offcuts:

Small wood pieces cost £3-8 per board at retail
Craft wood sells for £10-15 per square foot
Hardware stores charge premium prices for small cuts

You already paid for this material. Throwing it away means buying new wood for future projects at higher prices.

Your leftover pieces are often the perfect size for keyrings and fridge magnets. A single 6-inch offcut can make 10-15 small items. That same amount of wood costs £5-12 at craft shops.

The wood from your shed project is already seasoned and ready to use. You don’t need to wait or do extra preparation.

Why Scrap Wood Matters for Makers

Your garden building scraps offer advantages that store-bought craft wood can’t match. You know exactly where this wood came from and how it was stored.

Key benefits of using your own offcuts:

Matched grain patterns create professional-looking sets
Pre-weathered pieces add character without extra treatments
No additional cost for materials you already own
Perfect thickness for keyring and magnet projects

The wood texture from outdoor building projects works well for rustic crafts. Garden shed timber often has natural weathering that craft stores try to replicate with expensive treatments.

Your offcuts are usually 18mm-25mm thick, which is ideal for keyrings and magnets.

Pine and treated softwood from shed builds are easy to cut and shape with basic tools. You can drill, sand, and finish these pieces without special equipment.

Which Wood Offcuts Work Best?

The wood you choose affects how easy your keyrings and magnets are to make and how long they last. Hardwoods last longer, while softwoods are easier to work with using basic tools.

Sizing & Preparation Tips

Ideal thickness for keyrings is 6-12mm. Thinner pieces break easily, while thicker ones feel bulky.

Magnets work best at 3-8mm thick. This keeps them light but sturdy.

Length and width should stay under 50mm for keyrings. Larger sizes aren’t practical for everyday use.

Remove any nails, screws, or metal before starting. Check for cracks that could split during cutting or drilling.

Moisture content matters for longevity. Let fresh offcuts dry in your shed for several weeks before use.

Sand all surfaces with 120-grit paper first, then finish with 240-grit for smooth results. This removes splinters and prepares the wood for paint or stain.

Store prepared offcuts in a dry place to prevent warping before your crafting session.

Project 1: Hand-Assembled Wooden Keyrings

Wooden keyrings have a natural, rustic look that makes great gifts. Choose quality blanks and add finishing touches to make each piece look handcrafted.

Materials You’ll Need

Start with pre-cut wooden blanks in shapes like circles, rectangles, or hearts. MDF and birch plywood are easy to personalise.

Gather basic hardware such as split rings, jump rings, and small eye screws or pre-drilled holes. Most blanks come ready to use.

Essential supplies:

Wooden keyring blanks (various shapes)
Split rings (6mm or 8mm diameter)
Jump rings (4mm works well)
Fine sandpaper (220 grit)
Wood stain or paint
Clear protective coating
Small drill bits if adding holes

Keep hot glue handy for attaching decorations. It bonds quickly and holds well on keyrings.

Step-By-Step Build

Sand each blank to remove rough edges, focusing on areas people will handle.

Apply your chosen finish in thin, even coats. Stain shows the wood grain, while paint offers more colour options.

Drill pilot holes if needed, then attach eye screws or use existing holes. Make sure the connection feels secure when you test it.

Connect the split ring through your attachment point. Add a jump ring if you want extra movement.

Test each keyring by pulling firmly on both the wood and the ring. Nothing should feel loose.

Finishing & Personalisation

Apply two coats of clear finish to protect the wood. Polyurethane dries quickly between coats.

Personalisation options:

Wood burning for names or designs
Vinyl lettering
Small printed labels under the clear coat
Hand-painted details with acrylic paint

Let each coat dry completely before handling.

Some makers add small magnets to create dual-purpose items. This works best with thicker blanks that can hide the magnet.

Where to Source Bulk Blanks at Trade Prices

Craft wholesalers offer the best prices when buying 50 or more pieces. Look for suppliers that specialise in wholesale blanks.

Budget breakdown per unit:

Basic wooden blank: £0.15-0.30
Hardware (rings): £0.05-0.10
Finishing materials: £0.08-0.15

For premium wholesale keyrings in all types of finishes, specialist suppliers offer good alternatives when wood doesn’t suit your project.

Compare minimum order quantities. Some suppliers offer better unit prices but require larger orders than you may need.

Project 2: Laser-Ready Wood Inserts

Wood inserts are an affordable way to make premium keyrings and fridge magnets with laser cutting. You can design custom pieces in bulk and buy blank hardware from wholesale suppliers to maximise your profits.

Designing for the Laser Cutter

Create your design file in vector format for clean laser cutting. Use software like Inkscape (free) or Adobe Illustrator to make SVG files.

Keep keyring dimensions between 38mm to 50mm for standard blank inserts. Text should be at least 2mm high for easy reading. Leave 1-2mm borders around your design.

Set your laser cutter for 3mm birch plywood or basswood. Start with these settings:

Power: 80-90%
Speed: 8-12mm/second
Passes: 1-2 depending on thickness

Test cut a small piece first. Adjust power if edges are charred or speed if cuts aren’t complete.

Create templates with several designs per sheet to reduce waste. A standard 300mm x 200mm sheet fits 12-15 keyrings, depending on size and spacing.

Sand lightly with 220-grit sandpaper after cutting. Apply clear varnish or wood stain for a professional finish that protects against wear.

Bulk Keyring Suppliers for Retail Resellers

My Accessories offers blank acrylic keyrings with removable paper inserts. Their 38mm round blanks cost £0.28 each for quantities over 500 units.

Consider these factors when choosing suppliers:

Minimum order quantities (usually 100-500 pieces)
Delivery timeframes (typically 3-7 working days)
Return policies for damaged goods
Bulk discount tiers for larger orders

Order sample packs before committing to large quantities. Check that your laser-cut inserts fit properly and that the acrylic quality meets your standards.

Other Wholesale Options for Scale

For commercial production, source magnets reliably. Strong fridge magnets in bulk quantities offer better unit costs and consistent quality.

Purchase magnets in standard sizes to simplify your drilling setup. Common wholesale quantities start at 100 pieces, with significant savings at 500+ piece orders.

Create drilling templates from scrap material to ensure consistent hole sizes when producing multiple pieces.

Store bulk magnets by size and keep them in dry conditions. Neodymium magnets can chip if they snap together forcefully.

Test every completed piece for proper magnetic hold and inspect for finish defects before packaging.

Quick Wins: Selling Your Creations

Your garden shed keyrings and fridge magnets can generate income through craft retailers, online platforms with built-in customer bases, and businesses seeking branded promotional items.

Direct to Craft Retailers

Local craft shops and gift stores need fresh inventory regularly. They prefer suppliers who deliver consistent quality and meet deadlines.

Visit shops that already sell similar handmade items. Bring 3-5 sample pieces that show your best work. Ask to speak with the buyer or manager.

Key selling points to mention:

Unique designs made locally
Competitive wholesale prices (typically 50% of retail)
Reliable delivery schedules
Custom orders available

Prepare a simple wholesale price list. Include minimum order quantities and delivery times. Most small retailers order 10-20 pieces per design.

Start with one or two local shops. Build your reputation before approaching larger retailers. Good reviews from shop owners help you secure more accounts.

Garden centres often sell gift items too. Your nature-themed designs work well in these locations.

Etsy & Online Marketplaces

Etsy connects you with customers worldwide who look for handmade items. Your workshop story attracts buyers seeking authentic, personal products.

Take clear photos of your keyrings and magnets from different angles. Show close-ups of details and textures. Use natural lighting for best results.

Write descriptions with keywords buyers search for:

“Handmade in garden workshop”
“Personalised keyring”
“Custom fridge magnet”
“Gift for gardener”

Research similar items to set competitive prices. Include materials, time, packaging, and Etsy fees (6.5% transaction fee plus payment processing) in your calculations.

Successful listing elements:

Multiple high-quality photos
Detailed size measurements
Clear delivery timeframes
Personal story about your workshop

Bundle items to increase order value. Offer keyrings and matching magnets as sets.

Corporate Gift Opportunities

Businesses look for promotional items and employee gifts all year. Your personalised products meet this need at competitive prices.

Contact local businesses during planning periods:

January for annual events
March for summer promotions
September for Christmas orders

Create sample packs with logos on different backgrounds. Provide pricing for various quantities (25, 50, 100, 250 pieces).

Business customers often need:

Company logo keyrings for trade shows
Branded magnets for client gifts
Employee recognition items
Event giveaways

Schools and charities also buy promotional items. They usually have smaller budgets but order regularly for fundraising events.

Offer design services as part of your package. Many businesses have logos but need help adapting them for small formats.

Scaling From Hobby to Side Income

To earn consistent income, make smart purchasing decisions and set proper prices. Buy materials in bulk when needed and set realistic profit margins to help you succeed.

When to Invest in Bulk Blank Sourcing

Start buying blank keyrings and magnets in bulk once you make 20-30 items per month consistently. This shows steady demand and justifies the upfront investment.

Calculate your monthly material costs. If you spend more than £50 monthly on blanks, bulk purchasing will likely save you money.

Find suppliers with 50-100 piece minimum orders. These quantities offer savings without straining your storage or cash flow.

Switch to wholesale blank keyrings when your monthly sales exceed £200. The wholesale price difference can double your profit margins.

Make sure you have enough storage space to protect your blank inventory from damage.

Track your usage for three months before placing large orders. This helps you see which sizes and styles sell best.

Margin Expectations & Wholesale Pricing

Aim for 60-70% gross profit margins on personalised items. This margin covers materials, time, and business expenses while keeping prices competitive.

Set keyring prices between £3-8, based on complexity and personalisation. Basic name keyrings sell well at £3-4, and photo keyrings can reach £6-8.

For magnets, charge £2-5 each. Use lower prices for simple designs and higher prices for complex custom work.

Wholesale pricing structure: