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How to Make Polymer Clay Garden Markers

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make polymer clay garden markers

How to Make Polymer Clay Garden Markers

This guide is on how to make simple garden markers. They look especially great in herb containers.

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Step 1 of 16
Gather your materials. Any oven bake able polymer clay will work. I am using some sculpey. You will also need a butter knife, a rolling pin and a set of alphabet stamps.

Gather your materials. Any oven bake able polymer clay will work. I am using some sculpey. You will also need a butter knife, a rolling pin and a set of alphabet stamps.

Step 2 of 16
For the alphabet stamps, use either rubber or metal. Just make sure that the letters are somewhat small in size.

For the alphabet stamps, use either rubber or metal. Just make sure that the letters are somewhat small in size.

Step 3 of 16
When you unwrap the clay, it will be in rather rigid blocks. You must really work the clay until it gets soft. This is known as conditioning, and is necessary for two reasons

When you unwrap the clay, it will be in rather rigid blocks. You must really work the clay until it gets soft. This is known as conditioning, and is necessary for two reasons

Step 4 of 16
First, to make it easier to work with. Second, it activates the PVC particles, which strengthens the clay and makes it less likely to crack after baking.

First, to make it easier to work with. Second, it activates the PVC particles, which strengthens the clay and makes it less likely to crack after baking.

Step 5 of 16

To condition the clay, work in small batches. Knead it and manipulate it with your hands. Make sure your hands are very clean, especially if you are using a light colored clay.

Step 6 of 16
Roll the clay into 1.25 inch balls.

Roll the clay into 1.25 inch balls.

Step 7 of 16

Roll each ball into a log, about 6 inches long.

Step 8 of 16

Take the rolling pin, and gently press down. The log will expand to about 6.5 inches.

Step 9 of 16

Smooth out the edges with your fingers.

Step 10 of 16

Using a butter knife, cut one end into a point. This will be the bottom, as it will get staked in the dirt. Transfer to a metal cookie sheet.

Step 11 of 16
Use your stamps to write out the herbs or veggies you want to mark. Use your fingers to smooth out rough edges. Or go for a homemade, rustic look and leave any imperfections as is.

Use your stamps to write out the herbs or veggies you want to mark. Use your fingers to smooth out rough edges. Or go for a homemade, rustic look and leave any imperfections as is.

Step 12 of 16
Make sure to cook your clay based on the package instructions. Each brand is slightly different in its temp and cooking time.

Make sure to cook your clay based on the package instructions. Each brand is slightly different in its temp and cooking time.

Step 13 of 16
For my sculpey, the package instructions were to cook at 275 degrees for 15 minutes per 1/4 inch of clay. However, it took about an hour until it seemed like they were done.

For my sculpey, the package instructions were to cook at 275 degrees for 15 minutes per 1/4 inch of clay. However, it took about an hour until it seemed like they were done.

Step 14 of 16
Turn off the oven, and leave inside until the garden markers are smooth and have firmed up.

Turn off the oven, and leave inside until the garden markers are smooth and have firmed up.

Step 15 of 16
Remove from pan when cool. Be gentle, as this material is strong, but not unbreakable. It will stand up to the rain outside in your garden, but you would not want to drop it on the ground.

Remove from pan when cool. Be gentle, as this material is strong, but not unbreakable. It will stand up to the rain outside in your garden, but you would not want to drop it on the ground.

Step 16 of 16
Place in your garden!

Place in your garden!

Start Over

134
12 Comments
Supplies
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Oven bake polymer clay (like Sculpey or Fimo)

Butter knife

Rolling pin

Alphabet stamps

Cookie sheet

Sandra Mitchell

@Laura you can also paint them with oil paints for more of a stain effect, using a paint on and wipe off technique. This would also bring out the stamped letters. @Sara Great idea and wonderful guide. I'm definitely going to do this - Thank you!

Sandra Mitchell 3 weeks ago

Sara Paul Raffel

@Laura I have never tried painting sculpey, but I have read that you can use water based acrylic paints (after you have baked the clay), and then apply some sort of glaze to seal it. Also, you can purchase sculpey in different colors.

(author) 7 months ago

Laura Shi

Is at all possible to paint them?

Laura Shi 7 months ago

SingO Bird

They look beautiful ! But is it ok for the clay to get wet?

SingO Bird 10 months ago

Eric Breier

Awesome guide! Great videos. Beautiful plant markers. Thanks, Sara!

Eric Breier 10 months ago

Natalie L

Great guide! What clay do you recommend the one you think is the best? 🍓

Natalie L 11 months ago

Edward N Rachelle Deguzman

That's a great idea. Thanks.

Edward N Rachelle Deguzman 11 months ago

Justin Lanier

Wow what a great idea

Justin Lanier last year

Eilidh C

So cute!

Eilidh C last year

Nicola Losito

personally I like the idea but, in home environment, I suppose everyone knows what's in his garden ;-)

Nicola Losito last year

Lisa Broomell Lyons

Very good idea! I've seen some similar to this in clay/ceramics for 12. A pc!thanks for the idea!

Lisa Broomell Lyons last year

Edwin Tofslie

Great idea. They look so much nicer than other methods.

Edwin Tofslie last year

Be first to comment on Step 1.

Erica Kefah Legaux Abdullah

I love them. They look like old typewriter font

Erica Kefah Legaux Abdullah last year

Sara Paul Raffel

Aren't they adorable!! I found them at an art supply store in my neighborhood. I just looked online, and it seems that Paper Source also carries them: http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/item/Cavallini-Lowercase-Alphabet-Rubber-Stamp-Set/2901.027/497007.html

(author) last year

Erica Kefah Legaux Abdullah

Where did you find these cute stamps?

Erica Kefah Legaux Abdullah last year

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Sara Paul Raffel

Awesome! So glad you like it.

(author) 8 months ago

Mohamed Elasri

Thank you for sharing this great idea, as matter of fact, I just made the signs for my garden, and it was so easy, I love them, thank you again.

Mohamed Elasri 8 months ago

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