Carolyn J. Braden • 4 Minute Read
DIY Pony Bead Lizard Keychain Inspired by Blue Lizard Sunscreen
Summer sunshine means outdoor adventures, beach days, farmers markets, and lots of time spent outside. It also means remembering to protect your skin! That's why I was so excited when Blue Lizard sent me a fun package featuring their innovative sunscreen products and their famous color-changing cap technology.
If you've never seen it before, Blue Lizard sunscreen bottles feature a cap that changes color when exposed to harmful UV rays. It's a simple visual reminder that it's time to apply sunscreen and protect your skin. As someone who lives in sunny Southwest Florida, I think this is one of the smartest sunscreen innovations I've seen.
I love this sunscreen and the cute craft they sent me!
Along with their Sensitive mineral sunscreen, Blue Lizard also sent me their After Sun Soothing Lotion for those times when you may not have listened to the color-changing cap's warning. They also included their SPF Lip Balm, which is something I highly recommend. Trust me on this one—after living in South Florida, I've actually sunburned my lips before. It hurts far more than you would think! Your lips need sun protection too.
The Actual Blue Lizard Under My House
After living here for a while, I spotted an elusive Tokay Gecko under our house, which is actually blue with spots. So, this craft is very fitting for me and my life! It comes out at night and calls out to other lizards in a weird “eh oh” noise. I always hear it, but to see it (it hides well) is a fun occurance! See more about the Tokay here.
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Why I Love Blue Lizard Sunscreen
While you absolutely do not need the Blue Lizard kit to make this adorable craft, I do encourage you to check out their sunscreen products.
Some of my favorite features include:
Mineral sunscreen protection
Reef-friendly formulas (Here’s a reef safe guide if you don’t know what this means, but in a nutshell, being reef friendly means the sunscreen is not harming the oceans and animals and plants that live in them)
Water-resistant protection
Fragrance-free options
Great for sensitive skin
Easy-to-see color-changing UV indicator technology
I'm not the only fan either. A mom in my life uses Blue Lizard sunscreen exclusively and actually introduced me to the brand. She loves it so much that she even handed it out as favors at her daughter's party so guests could stay protected while having fun outdoors. That's a pretty strong endorsement!
Easy Summer Craft Using UV Color-Changing Pony Beads
Why Make This Color-Changing Pony Bead Lizard Keychain?
This craft isn't just cute—it's functional too!
Here are a few reasons you'll love making one:
Hang it on your purse, beach bag, backpack, or tote.
The color-changing beads act as a reminder to apply sunscreen.
The beads appear white indoors and transform when exposed to UV light.
It's a fun conversation starter.
Makes a great summer camp craft.
Perfect for farmers market craft booths.
Great activity for kids and families.
Makes an adorable handmade gift.
Helps teach children about sun safety in a fun way.
You can see in my photos that the beads start out white and then dramatically change color when exposed to sunlight. It's honestly a little magical every single time.
I have another craft in which I used UV pony beads and they change to purples and pinks. See my color changing pipe cleaner crown tutorial here or in my YouTube video below via my channel @carolynjbraden:
Supplies Needed
🔗Links go out to either the brand website, Amazon, CVS, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, or Lowe’s where we source our supplies based on discounts, budget and pricing.
👀Check out my 1-minute 📹 video tutorial for this project on my TikTok now or coming soon here to my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden!
To make your own Blue Lizard-inspired pony bead keychain, you'll need:
2 black pony beads (or use whatever color eye beads you want)
Thin microfiber beading cord or leather beading cord with a little stretch
Keychain making kit with rings and hardware
Scissors
How to Make a Color-Changing Beaded Lizard Keychain
How to Make a DIY Pony Bead Lizard Keychain
You can use the Blue Lizard diagram or reference my photos in this post for visual guidance while creating your lizard. There are some tricks that you can see in the diagram and in the video tutorial.
This graphic is via Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen
Attach the String
Fold your cord in half and loop it through a keyring.
Cute DIY Backpack Charm with UV Color-Changing Beads
Create the Head
String two color-changing pony beads, looping both ends of the cord through each bead.
Summer Camp Craft Idea: Pony Bead Lizard Keychain Tutorial
Add the Eyes
Add one black pony bead, one color-changing bead, and one black pony bead to create the lizard's eyes and face.
DIY Color-Changing Lizard Keychain for Beach Bags and Backpacks
Create the Front Legs
Add two color-changing beads on each side for the front feet.
Then add the center body bead to connect the row.
Fun Summer Kids Craft Using UV Reactive Pony Beads
Build the Body
Create three rows using three color-changing beads per row to form the belly and body section.
How to Make a Pony Bead Lizard That Changes Color in Sunlight
Add the Back Legs
Add two color-changing beads on each side to form the back feet.
Easy Farmers Market Craft Idea: Color-Changing Beaded Lizards
Create the Tail
Add two color-changing beads.
Then continue with four single color-changing beads to create the tail.
Finish the Keychain
Tie a secure knot at the bottom three times.
Trim any excess cord.
Your color-changing lizard keychain is complete!
DIY UV Color-Changing Pony Bead Lizard for Summer Fun
One Is Never Enough
Fair warning: once you make one of these adorable lizards, you'll immediately want to make another.
I started with one and quickly found myself thinking about different color combinations, keychains for friends, backpack charms, summer camp activities, and farmers market inventory. They're quick, inexpensive, and incredibly fun to make.
Sun Safety Craft for Kids Featuring Color-Changing Pony Beads
Plus, I love that this little craft serves as a reminder to protect your skin while you're out enjoying summer adventures. Well, if you live in a year round sunny environment, sunscreen is always necessary…even in winter….think SNOW SKIING IN THE SUNNY WINTER! But, UV rays can penetrate clouds on overcast days, so always be sun safe when outdoors.
Whether you're headed to the beach, a local outdoor shopping venue, a summer festival, or just running errands, this cute color-changing pony bead lizard can tag along and remind you when UV rays are strong.
And if you're looking for a sunscreen that's designed with sensitive skin in mind, reef-conscious, fragrance-free, and features that clever color-changing cap technology, definitely check out Blue Lizard. Their products have earned a permanent place in my family's summer routine.
Happy crafting and stay sun-safe!
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If you try any of my ideas, let me know how it turned out—or tag me when you try them because I LOVE seeing your posts💖 If you tag me using @carolynsbloomingcreations or @carolynjbraden, I’ll see it! Or tell me about it in the comments below.
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Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.