This is the second in a series of tutorials about tag art.  There is no right way to do this, but I hope that this will help you find the best way for YOU to make a tag.  I am by no means an expert when it comes to making tags, rubber stamping, or anything else, as a matter of fact.  These are the basic steps that I go through when I sit down to make a tag.  I'm just trying to share my love for art and making tags! :-)

The second project will be a tag decorated only with rubber stamps with a sponged background.  If you read my first tutorial, you will notice that the steps are basically the same, we are just using a different technique to decorate the tag.  If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail me.

I saw the postcard stamp first and decided on a travel-type theme and I went from there.  Travel means voyage and journey so I put the Voyage Slab next to the postcard stamp, I think of maps when it comes to traveling, and coins that you could have collected from other countries.  That's how I decided on the stamps to use for this tag.  And, I always use my speckle stamp by Stampin' Up!. I love the look that it adds and makes the tag look like it's been around for awhile and not freshly made.

Step 2: Decide on Colors-  Look at the stamps that you chose and think about the theme.  What colors come to mind when you think about the theme?  Did you choose Victorian stamps?  I think of rich colors when I think about Victorian things.  Or, are the stamps all an Asian theme?  Definitely red, black and gold come to my mind then.  How about flowers?  Greens, yellows, pinks, purples.... and so on.  Listen to what your stamps are telling you!  And the colors should come to your mind.  The stamps that I chose are in a travel theme and I want my tag to look like it's been around for awhile, so I'm going to pick 3 shades of brown and stamp the images in black.

Step 3: Assemble Supplies- Okay, now that you have decided on a theme and your colors, get everything ready.  Look at your stamps and decide what size of a tag you will need. Will you be using a mailing tag or cutting your own?  We're going to use a mail tag that measures 4 1/4" X 2 1/2 ".  If you don't have a tag, make you own. Get all of your ink pads out and ready to use.  You will also need a sponge of some type to apply ink to the tag to make the background.  Remove the string from the tag before starting.

Step 4: Create a Background-  Choose 3 or 4 colors of ink.  Lay the tag on top of a piece of scrap paper. 
 

I always start with the lightest color of ink.  Tap the sponge on the ink pad to pick up some ink.  Then, tap the sponge on to the tag.  The more you tap, the darker the ink will become.  I start in the corners first and then add a spot or two of color closer inside the tag.
Repeat the step above, but with the next shade of ink.
Repeat the step above, but with the final shade of ink.  That's it! A sponged background. :-)

Step 5: Stamp Images- Using the black ink, randomly stamp the images on the tag.  Sometimes, I lay the stamps (un-inked) on top of the tag, so that I can kind of get a general idea of where I am going to place them.  Here are the steps I took to stamp my tag:
 

I stamp the largest image first and usually off to one side of the tag.
Now, stamp the next image that is smaller in size than the first.  Be sure to tilt the images, go off of the sides and so on.  You don't want everything on there nice and straight.
I am going to stamp the word on next, because I want to make sure that I have room for it.
Use the smallest stamps to fill in where needed.  In this case, I used the coin stamp.

Step 6: Add Fibers and Beads-  Look at your tag and decide what colors of fibers, ribbons, etc. would look nice on your tag.   Stay with your theme.  Is your tag Victorian and needs pretty fibers or is it more rustic and some raffia would work better?  Pick beads in colors that coordinate with the tag and fibers.  Cut fibers in 8-12 inch lengths and have each fiber a different length, so that the ends of them will not be even.
 

I am going to use brown ribbon, yellow-brown ribbon, ecru DMC pearl cotton and brown and black beads.
Cut the fibers to your desired length.  Cut fibers in 8-12 inch lengths and have each fiber a different length, so that the ends of them will not be even. Lay the fibers on your work table and then fold in half.
Hold the fibers in your hand at the bottom of the "U" shape. Hold the fibers closer to the end than what is shown in the picture. You will need to hold them all closely together, so that you can push them all through the hole and not leave any behind. (Please note that the fibers in this photo are from a previous project, but it's the same technique.)
Push the fibers through the hole of the tag.  Push it through the top of the tag, so that when you pull the fibers through, it will have a nice looking loop on top of your tag.
While holding the tag face-up, put your thumb and index finger in the loop of fibers that you just pushed through.  Grab the tails of the fibers and pull them through the loop. (Please note that the fibers and tag in this photo are from a previous project, but it's the same technique.)
Pull the fibers until a nice, tight "knot" forms, making sure that all of the fibers are pulled through the hole and that the "knot" is smooth on top. You might have to fiddle with them a bit to get them to look the way you want them to.
Now you can add the beads!  If the hole of the bead is big enough to thread the fibers through, then you can use the thicker fibers.  If the holes are small (like on the beads I'm using) then you have to put them on the DMC floss with a needle.  After you get the bead on the fiber, tie it in a knot a couple of times, to make sure it stays put. (Please note that the fibers and beads in this photo are from a previous project, but it's the same technique.)
To add even more interest to the fibers, you can tie knots in them.

Step 7: Sign Your Artwork-  Always remember to sign your artwork!  Put your name and the date that you made it.  You can also put a short note on the back, if the tag is a gift. Some people even have names for their tags.  I'll call this one "Voyage".

Step 8: The Finished Tag-  Here it is!  The finished rubber stamped tag with a sponged background:

Step 9: Other Options-  You might want your tag to look a little more "antique" or maybe you want some gold.  For my tag, I am going to use my splatter-looking stamp and stamp on a couple of shades of brown to make the tag look like it has traveled around the world on someone's suitcase. It would also look neat to use the speckle stamp and emboss with gold embossing powder.

Congratulations!  You just made a rubber stamped tag!  Wasn't that easy and so much fun?  I hope that you enjoyed this tutorial.  If you have any questions, please e-mail me.  I am having a lot of fun doing these tutorials and I am planning on having some more about tag art, so be sure to check back often to see if there is anything new.  Better yet, join my mailing list and you will receive an e-mail whenever I up-date my pages.  Thanks so much for coming and I hope that you enjoyed your stay. :-)

Di~

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 This page was last updated on:
8 April 2002