Ballard Designs Knock Off Numbered Tags

This was first published on The CSI Project...but in case y'all missed it...here ya go!!  I made faux metal tags out of clay and paper!!  How??  Read on for a full tutorial!
One of my favorite things to do is to knock off the latest home decor catalog looks!  So when the latest Ballard Designs catalog came I combed it cover to cover for ideas.  And yep I came up with some knock offs!  One of those was knocking off the Ballard numbered tags!  I feel in love with the galvanized metal beauties!  I can't wait to teach you how to make your own!!  Here is my version...

The original numbered tags can be found here....

Lets get to crafting!!  The original Ballard versions are cut from metal.  But I had a whole other plan.  For my version I used clay!!  Yep!  Get the kind you oven bake...

The color doesn't really matter.  Something neutral will be best.  I did this light tan.  Roll it out thin.  I would say 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick...

Then I already had this stencil.  I would use whatever you have on hand.  Or make your own with the silhouette, cricut, or an exacto knife and card stock.

My pack of clay had tools with it.  I laid my stencil on top and then cut around it with the tools provided.  A knife would work just fine I am sure.  Be sure to leave plenty of room around your number for the "tag" portion.

This is what it looks like all cut away...

Then cut your "tag" shape around the outside edge of your number.

I just free handed the tag shape.  The Ballard original had angles on the top corners so I added those...

Use a straw to make a hole in the top of your tag.

Now bake your tag according to the package directions...

When we are through, only the edges of the clay will show.  So I painted my edges in gray to help them blend in...

Now how are we going to make this look like metal??  Well if y'all have not already seen it, you really need to read Carolyn's Homework faux rust can tutorial.  It is brilliant!!  You print images of metal from here and mod podge them on...brilliant right??  I picked an image I felt would be similar to the Ballard original and printed it in color.

Then set your tag on top of the printed sheet and trace around it with a pencil. 

Use an exacto knife to cut out around your lines...

You will need to make a cut out for the front and the back.  We don't want our hang tag to look like clay on the back!  Then break out your mod podge...

Mod podge the metal images to both sides and let dry.  Insert your cord just like the original and you are ready to display!

The metal images work so well it is truely amazing!

I chose a "5" for mine because there are "5" members of our family.  You can choose whatever number or combo of numbers are meaningful to you...

And don't forget the back so you can fool people from both sides...

And the reason to put a little paint on the edges is that they are left uncovered...

The image I chose was just slightly rusty looking...you can of course choose from the dozens of image to get the look you desire...

How about we end with another comparison??

Ballard Original....

The Country Chic Cottage version...

Are you ready to print your metal on paper yet??  :)

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~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~

Posted in: budget friendly, knock offs, paper crafts, tutorials, wedding