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Clean & Organize· Crafts· Projects

DIY Numbered Tags

June 24, 2013

I’ve wanted to make numbered clay tags for a good while now. It seems like everywhere I look, they keep popping up. They’re just that cute.

So, this weekend I set out to make my own.

DIY Numbered Tags by The Wood Grain Cottage

First, I tried to use the ever popular salt clay recipe, but I didn’t like the outcome and ended up buying my own polymer clay at the craft store.

Because I tried both methods, I thought you might like to see the outcome of  both… and to see the better choice if you want to make your own!

To start, I used my Silhouette to cut out the numbers on card stock.

step 1 | The Wood Grain Cottage

Then I made the salt dough recipe. The directions said to mix 1/4 cup of flour, 1/8 cup of salt and about 1/4 cup of water, or until it was consistent and play- dohy in texture.

IMG_1017

Then, I rolled it out onto a lightly floured surface and used a round cookie cutter to cut the dough. Everything about this reminded me of sugar cookies. The dough felt & looked just like it. Made me want to eat the dough really bad…

IMG_1018

With enough cut out, I used a straw to punch a hole in the top of each one, and used a toothpick to trace around my numbers. This was quite frustrating because the dough wanted to keep pulling and sticking up… I didn’t even finish tracing all of them. I figured it would be easier to trace the shape on once they were baked.

Then, just like the instructions said, I baked them at 250 degrees for 2 hours.

When they came out, a few of them looked okay, but the rest of them had puffed up in the middle. They just looked plain bad. Even Anthony said they were a flop….

tag fail 1

tag fail 2

Frustrated with the outcome, I decided to visit our local craft store to pick up the proper clay. I was determined to have those cute clay tags.

step 3 | The Wood Grain Cottage

Let me just tell ya, this was the way to go!

After rolling the clay around in my hands for a few seconds, I grabbed my rolling pin and started rolling it flat to about 1/4″.

step 4 | The Wood Grain Cottage

I used my cookie cutter to cut the shapes…

step 5 | The Wood Grain Cottage

Then, I used a razor blade to lift them up and place them on a cookie tray with a parchment paper lining.

step 6 | The Wood Grain Cottage

With a straw, I cut out a small circle for the tag.

step 7 | The Wood Grain Cottage

Then, I placed the numbers on the clay. But, instead of using the toothpick to trace each number, I decided to lightly roll the number into the clay.

step 8 | The Wood Grain Cottage

This left the perfect number outline!

step 9 | The Wood Grain Cottage

Then, I baked them at 275 degrees for 15 minutes.

They looked so much better then the first batch, but there are a few little bubbles here and there.

Once they had cooled off, I used some metallic paint to paint inside the number outlines.

step 10 | The Wood Grain Cottage

I let them dry, then grabbed my hemp string for the the tag.

I think they turned out great. And it was quite the interesting project since I ended up trying both popular methods.

DIY Numbered Tags by The Wood Grain Cottage

They’re just so darn cute!

DIY Numbered Tags by The Wood Grain Cottage

The hemp string is so simple, but perfect for the tags.

DIY Numbered Tags by The Wood Grain Cottage

The tags really shine!

DIY Numbered Tags by The Wood Grain Cottage

And, they look fabulous with just about anything!

DIY Numbered Tags by The Wood Grain Cottage

Especially baskets.

DIY Numbered Tags by The Wood Grain Cottage

So, there you have it! The easiest way that produces the best results is without a doubt the polymer clay method.

DIY Numbered Tags by The Wood Grain Cottage

Now, I’m thinking that I need to make a few more… only bigger this time and with a few words! I’m thinking an organization project is in order!

Shayna | The Wood Grain Cottage

P.S. I guest posted on I Heart Nap Time this weekend for Jamieyln’s Hello Summer Series! Stop by to see our latest addition to the patio!

Linking up to:

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I’m Shayna… The small town Colorado girl who’s obsessed with home and everything that entails! I’m a creative, a decorator, a day dreamer, a huge fan of scones and I’m passionate about loving where I live and making a home.

31 Comments

Comments

  1. Vickie says

    June 24, 2013 at 12:12 PM

    Great Job! I think I need to make some!!!

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      June 24, 2013 at 5:49 PM

      THANK YOU so very much Vickie! You do need to make some— they’re a lovely little DIY! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
  2. Cheryl says

    June 24, 2013 at 4:35 PM

    Hi Shayna,
    New followerer to your blog, but don’t think I have ever commented.
    I love the clay tags as well. I love that you shared about both your experiences and which one worked best for you. They do look great on baskets!
    I made some a while back except I used stamps and a different kind of clay that air dries. I had great results. LOL, I can’t remember if I blogged about it though.

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      June 24, 2013 at 5:57 PM

      Hi Cheryl! Welcome to the WGC! So happy to have you! 🙂
      I’m so happy you love the clay tags too! I bet yours turned out perfect… a stamp would be wonderful! And if you haven’t, you should totally blog about them!:)
      -Shayna

      Reply
  3. Tania says

    June 24, 2013 at 8:39 PM

    I love these! It’s very nice that you showed both the dough and clay versions. I’m with you, the clay looks MUCH better!

    Tania

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      June 25, 2013 at 7:30 AM

      THANK YOU so much Tania! I’m happy you love them too! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
  4. ingrid@nowathomemom says

    June 25, 2013 at 4:47 PM

    these are very pretty Shayna, glad you showed us how to and the difference between them! 🙂
    I like that you used metallic paint for the numbers; very nice! 🙂
    hope you are having a great week too!

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      June 25, 2013 at 5:18 PM

      THANK YOU Ingrid! There’s a big difference, isn’t there?
      Have a great week! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
  5. karen says

    June 25, 2013 at 5:59 PM

    Hay Just a thought for your wonderful tags . roll em cut um and stamp the numbers on um let them dry right on the wax paper till hard then paint them and let them dry some more and then remove the wax paper from the backs ! they would be perfectly smooth and round .

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      June 25, 2013 at 6:57 PM

      Hi Karen! Thank you so much for the comment! I love your idea… you’re brilliant! The next time I make them, I’m totally doing everything on the wax paper, that way I don’t have to move them!
      THANK YOU! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
      • karen says

        June 26, 2013 at 5:58 AM

        good morning dont forget to share. I look forward to seeing your tags again ! Happy day !

        Reply
        • kAREN says

          June 28, 2013 at 9:50 AM

          I thought if you rolled the numbers in and then cut them out. Is there a place where I can buy cutout numbers . I dont have a machine that does that ? If anyone has stamps that would work too . Have a GOD day .

          Reply
          • Shayna says

            July 1, 2013 at 7:32 AM

            Hi Karen! I think craft stores have both the letters & numbers in the scrap booking section!
            If you can’t find any, let me know and I would be happy to send you a cutout of both! 🙂
            Happy Crafting!
            -Shayna

          • Karen says

            July 1, 2013 at 7:25 PM

            Ok thanks I will try looking there fist ! Have a great 4th og JULY !

  6. Shawna @DakotaCreekChic says

    June 25, 2013 at 6:22 PM

    They are cute!! I definitley like the polymer clay best as well.

    Reply
    • karen says

      June 25, 2013 at 6:33 PM

      PS. I forgot to tell you wax paper is safe in the oven up to 350 because I have baked cookies on it ! I cant wait to make some of them tags LOL

      Reply
      • Shayna says

        June 25, 2013 at 6:57 PM

        Love it! You’re brilliant! 🙂
        -Shayna

        Reply
        • Karen says

          June 26, 2013 at 3:20 PM

          Shayna ,
          I dont have the ability to cut those numbers out like you . Would you consider sending me a set of numbers and A B C s . I really would love to make some of them there tags ! lol I am really not from the south . Thanks in advace for your consideration. I could pay you if you want . Just in case I am giving you my address .

          Best Regards Karen Powell
          2584 Chelsea st.
          Trenton MI 48183

          Reply
  7. Angela says

    June 26, 2013 at 3:20 PM

    Oh I love these! Will definitely try this!! Thanks!!~~Angela

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      June 26, 2013 at 4:53 PM

      Thank you Angela! They’re so. much. fun! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
  8. Lisa Taylor Whitley says

    June 27, 2013 at 8:19 PM

    These are really cute! How did you “roll” the numbers into the clay?

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      June 28, 2013 at 7:26 AM

      THANK YOU so much, Lisa! To roll the numbers into the clay, I used my rolling pin to lightly roll them in, being careful not to flatten or “roll out” my circle shapes.
      Hope that helps! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
  9. Susan says

    June 30, 2013 at 5:16 AM

    They came out great! The Sculpy was the way to go !
    Susan

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      June 30, 2013 at 6:47 AM

      THANK YOU so much, Susan! Sculpty was definitely the way to go! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
  10. M says

    July 2, 2013 at 6:30 PM

    Just the sweetest little pieces of eye candy, that I ever did see…must try these babies!!!
    Blessings,
    M

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      July 3, 2013 at 6:01 PM

      THANK YOU, M! I love them! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
  11. Tina says

    July 3, 2013 at 5:20 PM

    Those turned out great! I would use air dry clay. It’s super light and easy to work with. The salt dough works best if it air dries no air bubbles. I can’t wait to try these too:) Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      July 3, 2013 at 6:07 PM

      THANK YOU so very much Tina! I am definitely going to try the air dry clay next time! Thanks for helping me make that decision! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Summer Kitchen Shelves | The Wood Grain Cottage says:
    June 26, 2013 at 12:00 PM

    […] Like, blue glass and DIY Numbered Tags… […]

    Reply
  2. Mason Jar Soap Pump | The Wood Grain Cottage says:
    July 17, 2013 at 12:01 PM

    […] Just when I thought it couldn’t get any cuter, I remembered those lovely numbered tags… […]

    Reply
  3. DIY Jingle Bell Strap - The Wood Grain Cottage says:
    April 20, 2014 at 6:10 PM

    […] attach the jingle bells, I used a piece of hemp string, the same that I used for my DIY clay tags, and just wrapped it around the bell […]

    Reply

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I’m Shayna… The small town Colorado girl who’s obsessed with home and everything that entails! I’m a creative, a decorator, a day dreamer, a huge fan of scones and I’m passionate about loving where I live and making a home.

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