The problem with a lot of keychain figurines that that they can't stand on their own. They don't come with stands and trying to get them straight on their feet never really works. Those disproportionately huge chibi heads are just too top-heavy. ^_^ To display them properly, they have to be hanged. So, with a cylindrical display case and some simple supplies, you too can make a display pillar of your keychain figurines. ^o^
First thing you'll need is a display case to keep out the dust. I used a tall cylindrical gift "box" from a crafting and décor store. Gift boxes tend to be cheaper than display cases; thinner plastic, but they get the job done. But you can actually use any shape or size display case, or clear, enclosed container. Even clear packaging for other things. The taller the display case, the higher the pillar can go. Square display cases are just as good, but those corners may obscure the figurines at some angles.
Next, get some cardboard tubes. Bathroom tissue rolls, paper towel rolls, wrapping paper rolls,...whatever you have lying around. I used bathroom tissue rolls, so they needed to be taped together to match the height of my display case. If your tubes are too long, cut them to match your display case's height.
To make it all pretty, wrap the cardboard tube in paper. If anyone tries decorative wrapping papers, I'd love to see it. ^.^
It is important to note, that if you plan to hang the figurines on the paper (as will be described below) as opposed to using thumbtacks, wrap the paper at least twice around the cardboard tube. The flimsier the paper, the more times it should be wrapped around the tube. Again, this is only necessary if you choose not to use thumbtacks, as will be described below.
There are 2 ways to hang your figurines.
1) Paper tabs.
2) Thumbtacks.
Hanging method 1: Paper tabs.
Take an crafting knife and cut tabs out of the paper. Since the figurine's weight will be hanging from this paper, it is important that the paper be sturdy. If the paper is flimsy, then cut more deeply into successive layers of paper to make the tab thicker. This is the reason why wrapping the cardboard tube multiple times, would be a wise move. Still, only time will tell if paper alone will be strong enough to continue holding the weight of the figurines. Of course, you can always cut straight through to the cardboard tube itself. But personally, to prepare for future collecting/configurations, I didn't want to do anything too irreversible. It may be easier for me to replace the paper around the tube, than to gather up enough cardboard tubes again.
...But then, method 2 may be easier than both of those possibilities.
Hanging method 2: Thumbtacks.
It is not necessary to only use thumbtacks. You can use pushpins, sewing pins, small nails (if that's what you've got a lot of), etc. Go ahead and pierce that cardboard tube! If your pin doesn't have a head to stop your figurine strap from slipping off, remember to angle the needle (45 degrees or so), into the tube, to prevent the figurine from eventually slipping.
Of course, you can use both methods, or any combination of hanging materials.
Before you start pinning and hanging, you may want to organize your keychain figurines by the lengths of their straps or chains. (You may even want to replace some chains with string instead.) Organizing them by their lengths makes it easier to arrange them into levels on the pillar. This will give the pillar a more organized look and help prevent figurines from overlapping each other.
Now, while you're push-pinning, hanging, and figuring out your arrangement on the pillar, you'll probably need both your hands. So, place the bottom of the tube inside a small container, then fill it with some weights. Here, I've used glass décor marbles. That should hold the tube while you work.
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