You can make your own tags fast and easy. I make a bunch at a time then I add embellishments as I need them. The tags I use are called shipping tags and you can get a whole pack of them at Staples or Office Depot for just a few dollars. Make sure you ask for shipping tags and not just large tags. If you ask for just tags, they will show you price tags. You know how I know…yes, I did it and after 10 min and frustration on both our sides the gentleman showed me where the shipping labels were. They come in different sizes, jut choose what fits your needs. I like my tags grungy looking and here is how I do it.
Step 1 – You will need an old cookie sheet. Place some parchment paper on the cookie
sheet. Cut or fold the paper so it fits the sheet. Set aside. Turn your oven on and set it at 200 degrees. When you are cooking your tags DO NOT LEAVE
THE KITCHEN. REMEMBER THIS IS PAPER IN YOUR OVEN. It is safe at 200 degrees for
10 min, but I would hate for you to walk away from them and leave them in for
too long.
Step 2 – To get an old paper look you need to darken your
tag. I use Walnut Ink Crystals. You can buy this online, etsy or ebay. A little
of this goes a long way. Put a cup of hot water into a paper cup. Now add a few
sprinkles of Walnut Ink Crystals. Mix it up so all the crystals are dissolved.
Now take a paint brush and brush the solution on the tag covering both sides. Place
the tag on the cookie sheet and place in the oven for 10 min turning the tag
over half way through. It will curl up a
bit don’t worry you can flatten it back out. When you take it out it should be
dry. If you like the way it looks and how dark it is do an entire sheet full. If
you want them darker add some more crystals to your water, if you want them
lighter add more water to the mixture you already have and do another test tag.
Once you have it just the way you want do an entire sheet of them at one time. The picture below is a before and after shot.
Step 3 – After you are done with step 2 you are ready to embellish
your tags any way you want. For me it all depends what I want to use them for.
Some I will put some dried sweet annie on and a bit of fabric. Others I will just
stamp with a date. Others I will add a printed picture, the list goes on and
on.
Step 4 – Some tips – For your gluing needs use Tacky Glue in
the gold bottle. It dries clear and holds well. If you are gluing fabric to the
tag make sure you use just a touch of glue if the fabric has an open weave, or
the glue will ooze through the fabric.
You can age your tags even more by running the sides along
an ink pad, the kind you use for stamping. Do this on all 4 sides and then over
the edge just a touch. You can also put a bit of ink on the tag by touching it
to the pad very lightly. If you are stamping your tag do it before you add the
extra ageing.
If you are adding a printed picture you may want to tear
around the edges and then run a little walnut ink over it. The torn edges will
be darker than the rest and look aged.
These are just a few suggestions, let you creative mind run
wild. These tags also make great book marks with some pretty robin tied onto
them. You can make them as a gift with a personal message on them for the avid
reader in your life. They also look
great tucked in the bottom corner of a favorite picture or painting or on a
prim magnet board. Make some or the holidays and tuck them into a bowl of
greenery or tie one on the stem of an autumn pumpkin. They make great place
cards that people can take home with them. Take a ribbon and attach them to
make a message or picture garland. The more I type the more I can think of
things to use them for.
Here are 3 tags I made in just a few minutes and where I used one of them.
Thanks for
reading and as always if you have any questions please give me a shout. Enjoy,
Faith.
Those turn out really nice. Thanks for showing us how to do them. :)
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