Stamped & Beaded Plant Marker Tutorial
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Supplies Needed for Your DIY Plant Markers
- 10" Zinc Garden Markers (or I found some at our local Bachman's garden center)
- 18-gauge wire (or thickness to fit your beads)
- Assorted glass seed beads (size 6/0 "E")
- Decorative Silver-toned beads (Butterfly and Dragonfly found at my local Michaels)
- Metal Alphabet Stamps (I used 1/4" stamps for the markers in the photo.)
- Hammer, small pliers/wire cutter, pencil, tape, and ruler.
- Acrylic sealer - optional
How to Make Stamped & Beaded Garden Markers
Start by stamping your labels. You'll need a hard durable work surface. If you have a steel bench block, great. Otherwise find another durable work surface. Masking tape works well as a guide for letter placement. These metal markers are pretty soft, so it wasn't difficult to get a good impression.I usually find the middle of my word and stamp this letters first working out from the center. (And apparently it's harder to spell words backwards, go figure! Take your time.) I found that 10 letters (maybe 11) was about all that fit on these zinc markers without moving to smaller stamps. (I'll be looking for a smaller alphabet set before tackling "Strawberries.")
After you've stamped your marker, string assorted beads on the wire to a beaded length of 5 1/2 to 6 inches. I worked with my full wire roll rather than cutting it. I had less trouble with beads sliding off the other end that way. To shape the beaded wire, wrap around a pencil 3 or 4 times. Carefully slide the coil off the pencil.
Attach the cut end of the wire to one corner of the marker. (See photo below.) Loop once around the wire frame then wrap the wire around itself 2 or 3 times. Cut.
Now cut the wire from the roll leaving a long enough tail to fasten to the opposite corner of the marker. Repeat the loop and wrap process to finish. Shape the wire coil as desired.
Depending on the type of beads you used, a coat or two of acrylic sealer might give some added protection against the elements.
These stamped and beaded garden markers went together very quickly, but the time to make a whole set will depend on the size of your garden:) You could also use these to label specimen plants in your landscaping. Or, wouldn't one make an adorable miniature Welcome sign for a Fairy garden?
If you make some of your own, tag me on Instagram or share on Facebook. I'd love to see your creations!
Thanks for stopping by today!
I first shared this Garden Marker DIY project with Landeelu readers on June 18, 2015.
Oh Laura. These are absolutely adorable. You are so talented and creative.
ReplyDeleteMeegan, thank you for your sweet comments:)
DeleteLovely! These might just outshine the flowers in the garden.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!!
DeleteLove these!!!! Now I know what to do with all my beads! Thanks for such a beautiful idea!
ReplyDeleteIf you make some, please share. I'd love to see!
DeleteI just love these!! I'll be sharing on my FB page. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carolyn!!
DeleteI am in love with this! Great idea to make the garden stand out! Very unique.So you on BLoggy Fifty
ReplyDeleteMaria
Thank you Maria! Glad you stopped by:)
DeleteLaura, My sweetheart and I like to garden. I'm going to share this post with her.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by Charlie! I hope you get a chance to make some for your garden:)
DeleteLove everything about these! I have to see if I can find some of those markers since we don't have that store. My garden really needs these :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you find some Kati! They were a fun project and they look so cute in the garden:)
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