Making Pixelhobby Keychains: What You Need and How It's Done
A Pixelhobby keychain is the smallest finished project we offer. It fits into an evening, requires little material, and in the end, it hangs visibly on your keyring. That's precisely why it's an entry point for many.
Here's how such a keychain is constructed, how much material you really need, and what mistakes can cost you money the first time around.
Keychain or Medallion: Same Part, Two Names
In the shop, you'll find these parts under both terms. We call the small plate itself a medallion. Colloquially, the finished piece is called a keychain. Both refer to the same thing.
The spelling also varies. Some search for "Medallion", "Medaillion", or "Medalion", others write Pixelhobby separately as "Pixel Hobby". You'll find it with all variants. The brand name is correctly written as one word.
Important for ordering: The medallion is the base plate. You don't put an additional plate into it. An raised rim runs all around, holding the pixels better in place than an open base plate.
How Big a Keychain Is
The pixel area holds 11 by 14 pixels. That's 154 pixels for a complete motif.
The finished medallion measures 3 centimeters wide and 4.2 centimeters high, including the arch with the hole. The arch itself is not pixeled; it is in addition to the pixel area.
This area is too small for your own photo. 154 pixels are enough for a symbol, a letter, an animal, or a pattern, but not for a recognizable face. If you want to pixel a photo, you need a normal base plate.
Clear, Transparent, or Solid Colored
The standard medallion is clear transparent, just like the normal base plate. There are also 25 medallion colors. Nine of them are transparent, namely eight brightly colored ones and the clear one. The remaining 16 are solid colored and thus opaque.
With a transparent medallion, you can place the template underneath. But you don't have to. Most people place the template next to them and count the squares, because the medallion is so small and light that it constantly slips on the template.
With base plates, it's the other way around. A small base plate holds 576 classic pixels, a normal one 40 by 50 pixels, so exactly 2000. Counting becomes too uncertain there, so the template really belongs underneath. This is only not possible with the Bio Base Plate, because it is white and not transparent.
For the medallion, this means: choose the color based on the motif, not on the working method.
New: The Heart Medallion
Heart-shaped medallions have recently become available. They hold 151 pixels and measure 4.8 centimeters wide and 4 centimeters high. Here, too, an elevated rim runs all around, cut stair-like at the corners to create the heart shape.
You should be aware of two differences from the rectangular medallion. Only a key band fits through the hole, not a ball chain or a ring. And the hearts are not available individually, but only in a set of four with key bands, without colors. All four are clear transparent.
Because the area is larger and the rim is stepped, placing the template underneath is the better choice here. The glue tip from above also helps.
The Trick Against Slipping
The medallion slides across the table while working. A dab of regular craft glue on the back of the medallion helps against this.
Important: The dab must dry completely before you start. After that, it acts like an anti-slip coating and the medallion stays where you put it. If you don't want it later, it can be easily rubbed off.
How Many Pixel Squares You Need
A pixel square measures about 6.1 by 6.1 centimeters, equally in both lines. The pixels hang on a grid and are removed individually. However, the number of pixels on it varies: for Classic, there are 140 pixels per pixel square, for XL, there are 60.
A keychain needs 154 pixels. This leads to two rules, and the second is more often overlooked.
At least two pixel squares. A single Classic square is never enough for 154 pixels mathematically.
At least as many pixel squares as colors in the motif. A pixel square has exactly one color. A motif with five colors therefore needs five squares, even if the amount of pixels would fit into two. Those who order only by quantity will get a motif that they cannot complete.
In our Classic sets, we calculate with 135 instead of 140 usable pixels per square. This is a buffer from the early days that we have retained because even we sometimes drop a pixel from the square during assembly. This means you tend to have a little more material than too little.
What's Included in a Set
A keychain set typically includes a medallion, a hanger, the appropriate pixel squares for the design, and a template. The template is always included and always in color.
Tweezers are not included in medallion sets. If you don't have any yet, add them separately. It's possible without them, but much faster with them.
In the small starter set, keyrings are included instead of chains or straps.
Age recommendation: Medallion sets are for ages 6 and up according to the manufacturer. This also applies to sets containing XL pixels, because the stricter age limit always applies. For younger children, an XL set on a normal base plate is a more suitable choice.
The Hanging: Chain, Strap, or Ring
The key chain is a ball chain. It's the simplest solution and is included in many sets. It is available individually and in color.
The key strap is a short band with a carabiner, often also called a loop carabiner. This allows you to hang the pendant on a bag or backpack without having to unthread it. Available individually and in a set.
The keyring is the classic metal ring, available individually.
All three fit through the hole in the arch. So you can change the hanging at any time.
Classic or XL: Here, Calculation Decides, Not Taste
Pixelhobby is available in two sizes. Classic, often called Mini, measures 2.5 by 2.5 millimeters per pixel. XL, also called Midi, measures 5 by 5 millimeters. An XL pixel therefore covers exactly four Classic pins, namely two by two.
And that's precisely why XL fails as a sole size on the keychain. The pixel area is 11 pins wide. 11 is odd. After five XL pixels, a row of one pin remains that no XL pixel can fill.
A keychain cannot therefore be pixeled purely with XL, but it can be mixed. And that's not a makeshift solution, but a design tool. For example, you can insert a flower in Classic and place the center of the flower with a single XL pixel.
The appeal lies in the height. A Classic pixel is 3 millimeters high, an XL pixel is 4 millimeters. The accent therefore stands one millimeter above the surface and can be felt with a finger. We consciously use this in some medallion sets.
The color numbers are identical in both lines. Color 100 in Classic is the same white as in XL, 441 is the same black. So you can combine without conversion. However, there is a clear difference in selection: Classic is available in 314 colors, XL in 36.
What Sets Are Available
The range extends from single pieces to collections. There are sets with one medallion and sets with two medallions. There are sets with Classic and XL pixels and one or two medallions. There are themed sets with five medallions and sets with six medallions. In addition, there are Easter egg sets with medallions and Easter egg sets with medallions and small base plates.
For beginners, a set with one medallion is sufficient. If you want to give gifts, the themed sets are a more economical choice per piece.
How to Proceed
- Choose motif and count colors. The number of colors determines how many pixel squares you need.
- Place the template next to you and count off as you work. For a transparent medallion, you can also place the template underneath if you prefer.
- Start with one color and set all fields of that color before moving on to the next. This is faster and you're less likely to miscount.
- Before the last step, check that all fields are filled.
- Thread the chain, strap, or ring through the arch.
Nothing is glued or ironed. The pixels hold by themselves, that's the point of the whole system.
And another practical tip: work on a smooth surface. Then a lost pixel won't roll under the cabinet.
Medallions and accessories can be found here: Transparent Medallion · Medallions and Keychains · Keychain Sets · Classic Colors · Accessories · Heart and Keychain Strap Sets · Heart Theme Box