I have been slammed with the holiday rush (hooray!), but I took a few minutes yesterday to photograph some of the clay tags I made the other night. I had so much fun! It was easier than I anticipated as I have never used clay in a project before and wasn’t sure what to expect. I tried a few different ideas I had been toying with using the Besotted Brand stamps. One was creating a faux wax seal, I think it came out better than I envisioned (disclosure, I actually didn’t think it would turn out at all). I also used the banner stamp that I customized; it reads ‘handmade with love’. This was an easy one, I just stamped it on a rolled out piece of clay and cut out with a sharp Exacto knife using the stamp border as my guide. Last one I made was using the vintage postmark stamp, I love how much detail I got out of it. I used air dry clay, mini cookie cutters for the circles and a nail to create the holes for stringing. It took me about 20 minutes start to finish + clean-up. I let the tags dry overnight and then used an Emory board (for your nails) to smooth out rough spots (easier for me to use than sand paper on these small objects). I was really happy with the results and have been thinking of a ton of other ideas. The clay dries hard, but not as hard as a kiln fired object, so it is still relatively delicate in my opinion, but it does have a nice raw ceramic feel to it. Below is my supply list and clay tutorial resources.
::SUPPLIES USED::
Exacto knife (you could use a disposable butter knife)
Nail
There are a plethora of great clay tutorials/resources but these are the ones that I felt explained the process well enough so I was able to have a modicum of success.
::CLAY TUTORIALS::
Post Road Vintage D.I.Y. Clay Tags Tutorial (she even makes her own clay!)
You also don’t need to stamp on them prior if you don’t want, just make any shape flat surface (circle, square, oval, etc.), let dry and then ink + stamp on the smooth surface, the clay takes the stamp impression very well. Let me know if you have any questions!
these are gorgeous!
you never fail to impress me with your goodies. i just love your fresh, natural and classy style.
thanks for sharing x
i love how these turned out! totally inspired.
do you sell those little wooden boxes in your shop? i’d love to package up some gifts with them this holiday.
love, lindsay
gorgeous…thanks for the tut!
My grandmother use to make clay tags for her baskets–it never crossed my mind to make them for a package. I love it!
these are absolutely beautiful!
well done! yet another talent to add to your ever-growing portfolio ….
xx
Tristan, Your “B” is for brilliant! I love how the Faux wax seal stamp translated into clay art!
I saw your feature in Souvenir!
Congratulations!
~Lynne
w/L.
Love it! Has me thinking about which of my lovely stamps might be good for this…..thanks for all the information. Your clay tags are awesome!
Thank you everyone! It really was easy, trust me; I fail all the time at my D.I.Y.’s and this was easy peasy.
See, I think I need to stop reading your blog because it always makes me go out and buy new supplies….
Oh, Kathy make sure you check Michael’s or A.C.Moore on line (I don’t know what is close to you), but they almost always give out a 50% off coupon on line on an item so I got my clay for $4.00!
I have been thinking about your ‘handmade with love’ clay tag all day – it is just perfect!
Chiara, you are SO creative you could make this in your sleep it would be so easy for you:) But I do take that as a very high compliment coming from you!
I want to make some of these as gifts but Im running out of time. Your versions are giving me some inspiration.
Just found your blog from “Greige” – what lovely products you have! I have a daughter who loves all things paper, so you have some great gift ideas for her. Hard to choose just one!
I’ve been meaning to do this for a while – your post reminded me. I’m trying to make something a little more durable, though, since it will be used for branding. I seem to remember something from a craft book…But, of course, can’t remember which one. Dur.
Let me know if you ever figure it out, I would love something more durable:)
These are absolutely beautiful! I always feel like crafting with clay around this time of year (ornamnets, gift tags), and your version has me very inspired! Your stamps translate perfectly to this craft!
These are really gorgeous! Just found your site and now going to Facebook to Like it!! Thanks for the inspiration.. I love boxes
Thank you for this! I LOVE them. I may have to use them for my attendants gifts!
I love these ideas! Where can I find a plain wooden box like that?
Thanks Thu, I got the box at a craft store over the holidays:)