504 Main by Holly Lefevre: DIY! French-Inspired Enameled Number Tags
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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

DIY! French-Inspired Enameled Number Tags

On Tuesday I posted my Family Chalkboard Command Center and Calendar. Truly the eye-catcher of this project was the French-Inspired enameled tags I made to use for the dates and to make the calendar customizable.

I so wish I could tell you I was the creator of this project...but I was not.
I first saw the enameled tags on In My Own Style, where she was using a tutorial from Can't Stop Making Things (the original tutorial is here)


Tags Supplies
  • Brass Key Tags, 1.5"
  • Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Spray Paint, Dover White, Gloss
  • Rockler, Norton Sanding Bug
  • Newspaper or covering to protect surface
  • Clear number stamps and mounting block
  • StazOn Solvent Ink Pad, black
  • P.K. Glitz Ultra Thick Emboss Powder, clear ( you can use the embossing powder found at craft stores too...I happen to like PK Glitz products)
  • Electric Griddle( I suppose you could try this on a flat pan on the stove over low hear..BUT I have not tried it)
  • Old spatula or knife
  • Sheet of plain paper
DIY IT!
  • Scuff one side of the brass key tag with the Norton Sanding Bug (or sand paper) - Prepare more tags than you will need just in case of messes.
I had a very good helper!
Scuff 'em up!
  • Wipe clean
  • Protect your surface and prepare to spray paint
  • Layout the tags so that they are not touching
  • Using long smooth strokes, use the Krylon Dover White to paint the tags. I did multiple coats of paint.

  • Let dry completely.
  • Using the clear stamps, clear mounting block and StazOn Solvent Ink in black, begin stamping the number on your tags.
  • I centered the single numbers and eyeballed  where the numbers should go for the 2-digit numbers. For the 2-digit numbers, I would stamp the first number, and let it dry before stamping the second.
  • Let the ink dry.
  • Prepare your electric griddle by placing parchment paper on the surface to protect it. 
  • Preheat to 350 F.
  • I did 3 tags at a time - that seemed to be what I could manage without getting behind.
  • Place 3 tags on griddle and let them heat up for about 20 seconds.
  • Remove from griddle and sprinkle embossing powder all over the tag  - do this liberally. Let the powder just start to melt. 
  • Use the knife of spatula to CAREFULLY lift tag up. Shake off excess powder and replace on the griddle (on top of the parchment).
  • The powder begins to melt almost immediately. Once melted removed from the griddle and place on parchment paper to let dry. Continue until finished.
You may notice a nick here and there or smudge on some of the tags - this happened when tried to go too fast. This craft is not hard, you just need to be patient. The imperfections don't actually bother me so much - makes the tags look older and possibly more authentic.
    So, yeah...I LOVE my chalkboard command center. Check out that tutorial!
    Now I am making tags for some special packaging and gifts! I'll show you these soon.
    I LOVE these tags!

    Signature

    42 comments:

    1. Anonymous7:47 PM

      A great project, so many ways to go with it. Thanks for a super tutorial.

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    2. Holly, it came out great!!! I can't wait to see it in person!

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    3. That is AWESOME! Thank you for showing the steps! I am going to do one for our office.

      The blog looks great!

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    4. those are awesome! what a fantastic idea!

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    5. Great tutorial, Holly! These turned out great. LOVE the embossing powder.

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    6. This is a very cool project Holly! Thanks for the details. I really want to give it a try!

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    7. Ah-Dorable! I love it.

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    8. Wow - these look great. Thanks for the tutorial.
      ~Sam

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    9. Holly, I love this and how it is stylish as well as functional. I have scheduled a feature of it for this evening at Extreme Personal Measures.

      Denise
      Extreme Personal Measures

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    10. Your tags turned out great! My mind is racing with all the great applications for this technique.

      Once the weather gets warmer, I'd like to get back into working on projects like this. It's nice to be able work outdoors, but not when it's in the low 20's!

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    11. I was going to do something similar to spell out a name and had been thinking through how to do it--so glad you did this -- no more thinking-I can follow your tutorial.

      Thanks
      Cheri

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    12. I love this idea! Thanks for sharing! I am sure there are so many other ways these tags could be used around the house. Hmmm...I'm thinkin...

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    13. Wow Holly!! Those look so great! I haven't ever done anything like that - but now I'd love to try. The tags are so great!

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    14. Love those! Definitely hanging onto this for a rainy day! Thanks! ~ osc

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    15. Cute!

      I have an addiction to chalkboard paint. Just got a neat old (giant) frame with a chalkboard and magnetic paint insert hung up in the kitchen.

      This idea would be good for my office1 LOVE!

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    16. This is an absolutely adorable idea! Wonderful!

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    17. Well done my friend!

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    18. This project is soooo up my alley! I think I have everything but the tags and spray paint--thanks Holly!

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    19. I just love this project, Holly! I need, I mean really need to make these tags!

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    20. LOVE these, Holly! I don't have an electric griddle, though. Have you tried it yet using a skillet on the stove....?? Thanks for the great tutorial!

      xoxo laurie

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    21. Hi Holly-

      What a clever way to use the tags. I love it!!! It gives the chalkboard a whole new dimension.

      Thanks for the link.:)

      My best- Diane

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    22. What a thrill to see someone use my tutorial of enameled tags. I'm so inspired by others that it warms my heart to see that others are inspired by my crafts. You did a great job!

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    23. Holly...I am so glad that you did a tutorial on how to make these. I am a fan of enamel and didn't think about making it! Great job!
      Jenn

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    24. FABULOUS! I love the tags and they are great for so many differnt projects, thats for sharing ;)

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    25. Anonymous5:45 PM

      I love this project...what a fun thing to do - I will need to find out if there is a coupon for patience though!

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    26. Anonymous5:45 PM

      I love this project...what a fun thing to do - I will need to find out if there is a coupon for patience though!

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    27. Way cool! Love the chalkboard calender!

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    28. What a fabulous project - I just love the tags. Thank you for such a great tutorial!

      Chelsea

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    29. I am in love with this idea! SOOO fantastic! Visiting from Tatertots and Jello and I am a new follower!!
      Hope you are having a great weekend!
      Michelle
      www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com

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    30. I love these little tags too! They really kick up the charm :)

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    31. I can probably get away with cool stuff like this once the kids leave, otherwise it'll all disappear.
      Strange how that happens ;)

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    32. Love your tags! I featured them as one of my fav's from TT&J's Weekend Wrap Up Party.

      I would love for you to check it out!

      Amanda

      frillsandfrolic.blogspot.com

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    33. These are so lovely, Holly. And I love your tutorials. They're extremely clear.

      I guess you could use this idea for all sort of things - a bit like clay tags.

      Sarahx

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    34. i saw metal letters at the swap meet on sunday and thought how great they would be with enameling...and then i couldn't come up with anything to write! good news, i know where to get them if i ever figure out something to say :)

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    35. This is an awesome project and you did a fantastic job on it!

      Stopping by for the first time and have really enjoyed my visit!

      Kindly, Lorraine

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    36. Oh wow to think I have those metal tags, will try this thanks for the tut.
      would luv for you to add it to our linking party this week.
      http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/03/orange-blossoms-with-linking-party.html
      Thanks
      Maggie

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    37. That is so stinking cute !!!!! I want to make that!

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    38. Anonymous9:37 AM

      Awesome project! I just wanted to let you know that I featured it yesterday on "You Sew Rock Me Fridays" at my blog Sew Rockin'. Here's the link: http://www.sewrockin.com/2011/12/16/you-sew-rock-me-fridays-9.

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    39. Stopping over from Hating Martha today and snooping around here. Love these little tags, so I pinned 'em.

      ~Bliss~

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    40. Brittney C8:56 PM

      I love this! I went out to get everything for it and had a hard time finding the brass key tags, any suggestions on where to find them?

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    41. Brittney C. - I tried to email you but it was a no-reply-blogger email...so I hope you see this...
      I bought my key tags at Ace hardware...in the key section. They were 70 cents each the last time I bought them. A key store or another hardware store should carry them. You can buy them in bulk, which turns out to cost less money, but you get a lot on amazon. Search brass key tags on amazon and you will see some options. Let me know if you have more questions.

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    Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation! I sure hope you come back for more!

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