Gifting and Crafting with Garden Markers | Family Economics

By Cathe

Aluminum identification markers can be used to label many things, but are primarily known for marking plants in the garden. The markers I like best are 1-by-3 inch tags made from a strip of cardboard wrapped with a heavy aluminum sheet, making them easy to emboss with a pen or pencil.

They come packaged with thin wire ties that can be used for attaching the tags to various items. These aluminum ID tags can be found at most garden centers and online at great prices.

I have several boxes that I found at thrift stores and garage sales. I like to use them on presents, which saves money on store-bought gift tags, or in craft projects to add custom wording to a piece. I try to use my best handwriting on them or try to make them extra nice by tracing pre-typed script or standard lettering. This tracing technique usually saves on handwriting mistakes!

Here’s how you can make traceable lettering for aluminum tags using your computer:

•    Open a new file and create a box that is the same dimensions of the writable area of the tags, be sure to use a ruler to measure the tags if needed. Note that there may be top and bottom margins on your tags from the crimping closed on the aluminum wrap.

•    Type within the box the name or wording you want in a font that can be easily traced, avoiding tiny lettering or designs. Make as many boxed words or names needed on one page.

•    Print the page of words or names onto plain paper.

•    Trim out each individual box and tape one end to the end of the aluminum marker.

•    Trace over lettering with a ballpoint pen. Lift the paper to check accuracy before removing altogether.

•    Tie the tag to a gift box or canned food jar. You can also use them for markers in collage crafts, as book marks or small baggage tags.

What would you label with these fun little garden markers? Do you have any creative ideas for unique gift tags?