DIY Garden: Hand-Stamped Metal Markers

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DIY hand stamped metal

Who needs expensive, mass-produced markers, when you can make your own with this DIY garden project? For a fraction of the cost, you can add a whole-lot-a-charm to your herb, veggie, or flower beds.

These herb markers were made by metal-stamping stainless-steel utensils. I used a combination of our old cutlery and some pieces I picked up at the thrift shop. The most I paid, per piece, was 25 cents (and it never hurts to ask for a deal, when buying in bulk.)

Warning: This is an addicting hobby!

DIY hand stamped garden markers

Supplies:

• Metal Stamps – Alphabet
• Sledge Hammer
• Hammer
• Sharpie Marker
• Steel Block
• Metal Blanks or Utensils
• Patina
• Paper Towels
• Steel Wool

Frugal Tips: If you purchase a metal-stamping alphabet font from a large craft supply store, use your smartphone to pull up an online coupon to save 40-50% off the full price. Borrow a sledge hammer if you do not own one.

1. To flatten forks and spoons, I wrapped a fork or spoon in an old towel, and pounded with a sledge hammer, on the concrete sidewalk.

2. Once flat, count the letters in your desired word, and place a Sharpie dot where each letter will be stamped. This helps you stay centered and maintain a straight line. But remember, imperfections in metal-stamping only adds to the charm.

DIY hand stamped metal

3. Next, place your utensil on the steel block, place letter stamp on your mark, and hit on the head with a hammer, while holding still, very hard, approximately 10 times.

Practice is recommended. It is loud, don’t be alarmed. Proceed with each letter.
DIY garden markers

4. Once you have finished, dab some black patina in a line on top of your word.

hand stamped metal

5. Wipe the patina away with a paper towel. The indented letters will stay black.

hand stamped metal

6. You can now buff any residual patina, or imperfections away with your steel wool.

DIY garden markers

DIY garden markers

Bonus Project: Hanging dog-tag marker
1. Take a wire metal hanger, and cut it in the middle of the bottom bar. Make a second cut 4 inches above the bend.

2. Take your pliers and bend the shorter end in an upward swirl.

3. Place hanger through the hole in the dog-tag (that you stamped yourself, of course!)

Note: After some time, the metal may oxidize, leaving an aged finish.

metal garden markers

we heartsters – Get Creative! Don’t limit yourself to Garden Markers. Look around the house, what else do you have that is begging to be stamped?

All photos: Rachel for we heart this

Rachel is a stay-at-home Mom that never seems to be home. She’s a military wife, mother to The Danger Boys and a self-proclaimed craftaholic that enjoys photography, knitting, baking and all things handmade.

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12 Comments

  1. I love these. Unfortunately I think that I am too cheap to buy them on etsy and too lazy/busy to make them on my own. I need motivation or more money!! Great project!

  2. This is such a clever project, @rachelshay ! These would make me smile every time I looked at my garden (which is a big mystery because I don’t have markers!).

  3. This is so cute! They make great gifts too. Now all I need is a garden…

  4. I would need a gazillon of these for my garden.. I think this is just adorable too!!! I like that they would last for many seasons too!

  5. SO INCREDIBLY CUTE! I want a stamping set.. I’d probably stamp anything that I could get my hands on!

  6. Mary Feeney says:

    Having trouble logging in, but I just had to say this is such a clever idea!!! A very cool way of recycling old utensils as well~! Love this Rachel!!!

  7. I say this with nearly every one of your tutorials, but PINNED! :-)

  8. So much classier than my current plastic plant stakes! I’m going to the craft store to get a metal stamp set this weekend.

  9. I love this!! What size metal stamps did you use for the forks? Thanks!!

    1. Natalie – I used 2 different size metal stamps, and 3 different fonts. The red box with stamps, (shown in the supplies photo), is 3mm (1/8″), the larger set is in the black box, which is 6mm, (1/4″). CHIVES was the only herb I used the 6mm, larger size, for this post. It depends on the size of your utensils, which size would look best!

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