Clay Leaf DIY Plant Markers
Updated: Apr. 24, 2020
This garden craft creates DIY plant markers using clay and letter stamps that are perfect for seed starting time.
Starting seeds indoors is a great way to get a jump-start on spring. Spend an afternoon with this garden craft idea and create DIY plant markers for your newly planted seeds that will keep them identified in style!
Materials:
- Green polymer clay
- 2-in. leaf cookie cutter
- ¼-in. letter stamp set
- Plastic mat or waxed paper
- Clay roller
- Oven or toaster oven
- Foil-lined baking tray
- Brown acrylic paint
- Sponge brush
- Rags or paper towels
- Small bamboo skewers or sticks
- Tacky glue
Step-By-Step Instructions:
Step 1
Condition clay before beginning by kneading with your hands until it’s soft and easy to work with. With clay roller, roll clay into a 1/4-in. thickness on plastic mat or waxed paper. Use cookie cutter to cut out desired number of plant marker leaves from clay.
Step 2
Using letter stamp set, make letter indentations for plant names centered on each leaf.  With bamboo skewer or stick, make a ½-in.-deep hole at the base of each leaf. Remove skewer, which you will reuse in Step 9.
Step 3
Place stamped leaves face up on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake following manufacturer’s instructions. Let cool.
Step 4
With sponge brush, coat the front of each leaf with a layer of brown acrylic paint. Use a rag or paper towel to immediately wipe excess paint off surface. Leave paint only in the letter indentations to color them. If necessary, repeat process until all letter indentations are coated with paint. Let dry.
Step 5
Following manufacturer’s temperature recommendation, put leaves back into the oven for 5-10 minutes to set the paint. Let cool. Wipe off surface to buff.
Step 6
Put a dab of tacky glue inside the hole at the base of each leaf. Insert a bamboo skewer. Wipe away excess glue at base and let dry.
Tip: Make extra plant markers and use them to personalize seed-starting gifts for your friends!
