The Prim Tag Workshop is being provided by ZNE Member Denise Davis of Sassafras Hill Primitives. ZNE thanks Denise for her generous time and creative inspiration!
Grungy stained tags are among the simplest and least expensive primitive crafts to create, and they’re a perfect accent for any old time project.
Not only are they suitable for packages, baskets, garlands, and dolls, and to label supplies, but they are also a stand alone project when used as bookmarks or ornaments, or simply framed against a calico backing.
Prim tags can be done in any number of ways, ranging from a very simple prim style to more elaborate tags with multiple embellishments.
Supplies may include, but not be limited to:
·Tags- prestrung store bought tags in various sizes, unlined index cards cut to shape, or 110 lb. ivory cardstock, cut to shape.
·Adhesive- white all purpose glue, modge podge (matte finish), burnt umber acrylic
·Artwork and Embellishments- rubber stamps and inkpad, stickers, wrapping paper, vintage sheet music, old maps, buttons, bottlecaps, pressed dried flowers, whimsical sentiments printed from your computer, or surf the www for images (search victorian, folkart, postcards) and save several in a document and print them yourself.The possibilities are limitless!
·General Supplies- kraft paper bags for the work surface, scissors, sponge brush, soft bristle brush, holepunch, edging scissors, empty margarine containers, paper towels.
Be sure to wear your work clothes!
Staining solution recipes are as follows and tag results will vary, depending on whether you use more or less of the staining agent.Practice until you’ve discovered results to your liking.Leftover staining agent can be stored in sealed container, preferably in the refrigerator.
Mix well in a glass or stainless steel container large enough to hold your tags.
Immerse the tags, and let the stain soak in for a few minutes, but not too long or the gummed reinforcements may loosen.
Remove the tags to paper towels and blot them a bit.
Place them on a cookie sheet and bake about 7 or 8 minutes in a 250 degree oven, until dry. [They may curl a bit, which is generally not an issue once you start adding artwork.You may place them in a book to straighten them if necessary.]
If creating tags with simple printed lettering, etc., age the artwork in the same manner as the tags, but using a lighter solution for contrast.Tattered edges are a nice touch…. Just rip around your art to remove it from the paper.You may also wrinkle the piece abundantly to give it prim character.
Decide what type of tags you’d like, maybe several styles at once.This will be a day’s work, but will save on time and supplies later…
Spread some kraft paper or plastic to protect your work surface.Gather your artwork and see how it fits together on your tags, rearranging as necessary.
Adhesive will depend on the type of tags you’re making.If simply stamping or scripting by hand, adhesive is not necessary.If not using a sealer, you may prefer to simply use Mod Podge.
Mix ingredients together in an empty margarine container.
Using a soft brush, apply the solution to the back of your artwork.Press in place as you wish.
When dry, add more embellishments or artwork as needed, or leave as is.
Tags can be left unsealed, but sealing them gives them a finished appearance.
Apply a thin layer of sealer to the surface of your tag. Remove any excess, and let dry.If using this solution, it should level out to a nice smooth finish, with no brush strokes showing.
The following are some samples of what you can do with your tags:
~A simple metal rimmed circular tag purchased at the local office supply store, coffee stained, and rubber stamped with a whimsical sentiment.
~a business card tag printed on heavy cardstock, aged, holepunched, and tied with homespun.
~A simple Easter postcard print, adhered to tag, and sealed.
~A circular tag with punched out center hole, framing a Lady Liberty postcard print.
~A tattered sheet music print, torn out from paper, aged, wrinkled, and lightly adhered to tag.
~A vintage photo print, adhered to tag and sealed.
~A metal rimmed tag with rubber stamped sentiment
~ Easter themed collage tags, done with old postcard prints, scanned dates from autograph albums, and sentiments from Easter cards, put together in a simple collage. (These are very sweet when framed against a matching calico background.)
Enjoy!~Denise
Please note, all text, patterns and images in this tutorial are
