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The Stake

I started out deciding how far above the soil I wanted my stake to sit. Then doubled that length. I unrolled the wire and used the wire cutters to cut a length of wire. Because my wire is in spool it has a bit of a bend to it. I used my pliers and fingers to straighten the wire until it looked straight. Then using my bottle I wrapped one end to shape. Removed it from the bottle and using the pliers I curled the end of the now curve under or over (your preference; I decided for this project I preferred them curling under).

The Tag Prep

If you are making your own tags; choose material and cut out. If you use pre-cut material decide if you need to prep them or change them for your design.

I choose pre-cut wooden tags I found at a craft store. However they did not have a hole to hang from. So I used a heavy duty hole punch (also available at a craft store in the leather section) you have other option to make the hole depending on the material you have choose. After creating my holes I was ready to base paint. Originally I planned to spray paint them however I was on a time restraint and it was raining and dark out at the time I created this project. So I used plain latex craft paint. I did three coats on each side. Because I know these will be in the plants when watering and misting they will be exposed to water. Although mine are not likely to be used outside (these where placed in plants I divided and gave to my daughter; along with a care sheet. Since she lived in NY they will be house plants; If I had given to my sister they could be outside plants since she lives in Florida)

The Letters

I had some ABC stickers in my craft room so I decided to see how I liked them. Partially being lazy. But in the end decide I wasn’t to crazy about that look. So I ended up cutting my letters out of adhesive vinyl using my cricut. If you do not have this option the craft stores have great options. I believe my stickers may have been dollar store ones but I honestly don’t remember. When my tag was dry the next day I started laying my letters out. My 1st attempt resulted in a big mess and my letters sticking together. I believe this was because I tried to weed the extra vinyl out of the way. And since the letters are thin/small they didn’t stay put on the backing. 2nd attempt worked out better, I left the vinyl sheet in tacked and removed each letter as I wanted it. Plucking it up carefully with tweezers. I used a large penny nail to keep part of the letter in place as I laid the rest down. This also was helpful in trying to keep them straight and smooth (rather than bunching up). At this stage you can rearrange your letters or decide if you want them on an ark or spiral or whatever. I wanted most of mine straight but a few words where to long and I arched them. If you need a line guide you can lightly draw on in pencil. Use a ruler or anything solid to draw you guide. Mechanical pencils tend to draw lighter, remember you will most likely not erase this line.

 

Finishing Up

After I was happy with my letter placement and color combo (daughter’s choice). I used clear nail polish to seal the whole thing. I chose this method because it acts as a medium to no only help waterproof but to keep my stickers from peeling off and I have it handy around the house. You can also you any clear top coat sealer from a craft store or hardware store (material appropriate; clearly you wouldn’t want to use cement sealer on wood or vise versa). I put 3 layers on, maybe over kill but……After you sealer has dried you can place you metal stake in the dirt and hang your tag.