Why did I throw away all the metal pendants, but have a special fondness for 2D PVC keychains?

Before going out, I would simply throw the key chain into my bag. I’ve been doing this for nearly ten years. Over these ten years, I’ve changed countless key chains, and I can’t even count them all in one hand. In the past, I always wanted to come up with some new tricks for this little thing, but I ended up getting into quite a few trouble.

I first fell in love with metal pendants because they felt heavy and had a nice texture. But after wearing them for only three days, I gave up. Wearing them in my pocket made my thighs collide with them when I walked. Wearing thin summer pants with them was truly torture. Once I wore a new pair of nine-inch pants, after a long time, I even found that the inner side of the pocket had been worn out. I was so sad that I immediately pulled it off. Later, I followed the trend and bought 3D cartoon-style ones. They were cute in appearance, but their ability to trap dust in the gaps was also remarkable. Even with a cotton swab, it was impossible to clean them thoroughly. As for the acrylic ones, they were transparent, but they were too fragile. When squeezed together with a coin in the same pocket, within two days, the surface was covered with scratches, and the brand-new item instantly became old-looking.

The “unfeeling” and lightness that cures obsessive-compulsive disorder

It wasn’t until one day when I was visiting the market and casually bought a 2D PVC keychain that I never thought I would use it for such a long time. It’s not an extremely eye-catching item, but in life, the most comforting things are often those “unobtrusive” little things.

What I find most difficult to part with is that “weightless” feeling. Before, I was always afraid of summer when wearing heavy metal items. When wearing loose trousers, the keychain with heavy objects hanging from it would make me wobble while walking, not only squeezing my thighs but also distorting the shape of my trouser pockets. However, this 2D PVC is an integrated sheet with just the right thickness, and its weight is almost negligible.

I have a bit of an obsessive-compulsive disorder. I like to hang two or three different patterns in various arrangements. In the past, this would cause the pocket to sag completely. But now, even if I hang three or four of them, the entire string of keys still hangs neatly and won’t bulge and fill up the pocket. I casually put them in the side pocket of the canvas bag, the compartment of the commuter bag, or even the shallow and small front pocket of my jeans. They take up no space at all. The surface is extremely smooth, without any messy protrusions. My several wool scarves and the lining of the canvas bag are most afraid of being scratched by sharp metal edges and losing their fibers. Using this one completely eliminates this concern.

Impress the travel memories and niche aesthetics onto the soft rubber.

When I bought it, I was solely attracted by the ability to print various beautiful 2D flat designs. I wasn’t very fond of 3D shapes, as I thought the fixed style was not easy to match. But the 2D flat design was different. Whether it was a hand-drawn, soothing little illustration, a city silhouette, or a simple short sentence, when printed on the soft rubber surface, they were all extremely clear, with clean and neat edges, and the colors were soft and not dazzling.

I have a friend who runs a creative small shop. She said that many young people prefer this kind of design because it has no restrictions on style. It can feature traditional Chinese elements, the minimalist style of Instagram, or retro and aged styles. There are no rigid molds to limit it. The unique and small-scale original designs can be fully presented, and it’s less likely to have similar designs. Whenever I travel to a new city, I always look for local examples of this distinctive pattern. I buy one and bring it back. It’s just a thin piece that fits in the corner of the drawer and doesn’t take up much space. Occasionally, I take it out to look at it, and the memories of the trip come alive again.

Say goodbye to babyishness, the good news for the “tough parenting” faction

The things we carry with us every day, which ones don’t get dusty or smeared with oil? I have excessive hand sweat, so the key chain in my bag often gets mixed up with lip balm, hand cream, coins. Before, I used fabric embroidered pendants, but if they got coffee stains, they were basically ruined. They were hard to clean and worried about fading when exposed to the sun.

After changing to PVC soft rubber material, it has become much more convenient. The surface is smooth and dense with no pores, and it is not afraid of water. When it gets wet from rain, just shake off the water droplets that fall onto it with a quick movement. If you get tea stains, oil marks or dust on your clothes, just wipe it off with a tissue and it’ll be clean again. There’s no need for special treatment at all.There is no need for special care at all. The soft rubber itself has elasticity， and even if it is squeezed and bent in the bag， it will not crack or turn white. I have one that has been used for nearly two years. It is rubbed and bumped every day， but the pattern is still clear without any peeling or fading. Compared to fabric which is prone to thread breakage and mold， and acrylic which is afraid of dropping and bumping， it is truly a godsend for those who prefer a rough and durable appearance.

It is a portable item, and also a “mobile business card” for walking.

Although it is small in size, it has quite a few practical uses. Students attach it to the zipper or key ring of their schoolbags, and with just a few dollars, they can change their mood; office workers hang it on their car keys or access cards, which is simple, unobtrusive and not childish. When I travel on business, I like to fasten it to the handle of my luggage, not only can I quickly identify my suitcase, but it can also be a fun little prop when taking photos.

It is also particularly suitable as a gift. It is not expensive but very practical. Unlike some cultural and creative items that just gather dust after being received. I have bought several of them and given them as birthday gifts to friends, or as souvenirs at my girlfriends’ gatherings. Everyone thought they were very thoughtful.

For enterprises or small businesses, customizing a batch of products with logos or mascots as promotional gifts is a cost-effective and popular option. My friend who runs a creative store said that this series has the highest customer return rate. Tourists buy these items and hang them on their bags, effectively serving as free mobile advertisements.

Customization for you, actually quite simple

If you want to create a custom style, the process of customization is not complicated either. First, decide on the size and shape. If you prefer a simple design, choose the regular round or square styles. If you want something more lively, opt for an irregular contour. Then, send the pictures, illustrations or logos to the manufacturer. If there are no ready-made patterns available, they usually offer free layout and color adjustment services. After the design draft is confirmed, the machine will perform integrated injection molding, followed by high-definition printing and coloring. Finally, the color difference and edge defects will be checked manually, and then a metal chain will be attached for shipment. Whether you make 20-30 pieces yourself and give them to friends, or place a large order for commercial use, the process is quite smooth.

Looking back, among all these key accessories, the 2D PVC keychain is probably the kind that “you didn’t have high expectations in the first place, but once you use it, you can’t get it back”. It’s not expensive, not fragile, and the pattern can be changed at will. It combines both appearance and practicality. Every day, when you go out, just grab it casually. That sense of security is actually the most simple and ordinary little happiness in life.