Original DIY Wooden Home Key Holder

Step 1

I'm sure many people lose their keys from time to time (somehow I like to believe I'm not alone in this 🙂). Over time, they turn up in the pockets of winter jackets, in long-forgotten bags, backpacks, somewhere behind a table, or batted behind the couch by the cat. In short, my husband's love for woodworking and my desire to make our family nest cozier and more comfortable came together in this charming little thing—a key holder! I won't lie: making it isn't easy, but if you have the necessary tools and a strong pair of hands nearby, you can definitely handle it. 😉

So, prepare:
• an electric or manual jigsaw;
• a drill;
• a paper template for the key holder;
• a piece of wood (2-4 cm in width);
• paintbrushes;
• acrylic paint;
• sandpaper;
• any tape (preferably painter's tape);
• varnish;
• disappearing ink markers or a graphite pencil;
• four screw hooks.

Tutorial
Draw a template by hand. I drew a row of houses—they reminded me of a trip to Amsterdam. 🙂
Transfer the outline of the drawing onto the wood using a marker or a pencil. You can buy a piece of wood like this at any home improvement store; it's called an edge-glued panel, if my memory serves me right.
Cut out the key holder using the jigsaw.
Since I couldn't avoid chipping myself, I recommend that you also clean up the shape of the key holder with sandpaper: smooth out all irregularities first with a coarse abrasive, and then with a fine sanding abrasive. Choose the smoothest side for the front. 😉
Mix the acrylic paint with a little water and apply a single coat of the design; let it dry completely.
Next, using undiluted acrylic paints, apply them over the base coat and let it dry. I used painter's tape to create straight lines—super handy!
On the dried key holder, drill holes for the hooks.
**Draw the windows with a pencil and fill them in with paint.
Screw the hooks** into the holes.
Varnish the finished key holder on both the front and back, preferably in two coats. **Leave it for a full day so the varnish can dry completely.
The key holder is ready!**