Hand-made, polymer clay garden markers are fun and simple to create and add a pop of unexpected color and whimsy to any garden. This is a great rainy day project to do with children and can be incorporated into a homeschooling science lesson on the effects of heat on polymer clay.
DIY GARDEN MARKERS
SUPPLIES NEEDED
Polymer Clay
Aluminum floral wire (I used copper color)
Clay text embossing set (or a skewer)
craft clay machine (optional)
cookie cutters (optional)
acrylic paint and clear acrylic spray (optional)
parchment paper lined baking sheet
oven preheated to 375° F (follow manufacturer’s temperature recommendation)
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-3.jpg)
LET’S MAKE IT!
Polymer clay needs to be ‘conditioned’ or softened in order to make it easier work with and to align the molecules in the clay in order to create a strong, hard finished product. The clay can be conditioned by hand in the same way bread dough is kneaded or run through a pasta machine on the widest setting. Roll out, fold, repeat at least 20 times (the kids love this part).
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-4.jpg)
Roll out polymer clay to 1/8″-1/4″ thickness. Form the garden marker in any free-form shape or by using a cookie cutter.
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-5.jpg)
Imprint the the name of the herbs/plants on the clay with the embossing letters or the blunt end of a skewer.
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-6.jpg)
I pressed leaves from my herb garden into the clay for a fun effect.
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-7.jpg)
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-7a.jpg)
Make a hole in the top of each garden marker with the florist wire. The hole should be slightly larger than the wire itself.
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-8.jpg)
Place the clay on parchment lined baking sheet and place in preheated oven. *It is very important that the oven temperature not exceed the manufacturer’s recommendation.*
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-10.jpg)
Bake for 15 minutes for thicknesses up to 1/4″. Remove from oven and cool completely.
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-13.jpg)
Painting the letters is optional. I think they look just as pretty with paint as without. Apply acrylic paint with either a brush, pressing the paint into the grooves, or with a finger (another job ideally suited for the kids). Wipe off excess paint with a paper towel and allow to dry. Baking the markers a second time after painting will adhere the acrylic paint permanently to the marker.
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-14.jpg)
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-15.jpg)
Cut an 8-10″ length of aluminum floral wire and insert into hole, twisting into any form desired.
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-16.jpg)
Now they’re ready for use in the garden!
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-20.jpg)
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-27.jpg)
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-21.jpg)
A friendly reminder for the residents of my backyard. ☺
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-25.jpg)
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-1.jpg)
Admiring the garden markers?
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-18.jpg)
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/KM0429-Copy.jpg)
This post was shared with: Adorned from Above, Fluster Buster, The DIY Dreamer, The Dedicated House
Kathy Shea Mormino
Affectionately known internationally as The Chicken Chick®, Kathy Shea Mormino shares a fun-loving, informative style to raising backyard chickens. …Read on
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Hand-made, polymer clay garden markers are fun and simple to create and add a pop of unexpected color and whimsy to any garden. This is a great rainy day project to do with children and can be incorporated into a homeschooling science lesson on the effects of heat on polymer clay.
DIY GARDEN MARKERS
SUPPLIES NEEDED
Polymer Clay
Aluminum floral wire (I used copper color)
Clay text embossing set (or a skewer)
craft clay machine (optional)
cookie cutters (optional)
acrylic paint and clear acrylic spray (optional)
parchment paper lined baking sheet
oven preheated to 375° F (follow manufacturer’s temperature recommendation)
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-3.jpg)
LET’S MAKE IT!
Polymer clay needs to be ‘conditioned’ or softened in order to make it easier work with and to align the molecules in the clay in order to create a strong, hard finished product. The clay can be conditioned by hand in the same way bread dough is kneaded or run through a pasta machine on the widest setting. Roll out, fold, repeat at least 20 times (the kids love this part).
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-4.jpg)
Roll out polymer clay to 1/8″-1/4″ thickness. Form the garden marker in any free-form shape or by using a cookie cutter.
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-5.jpg)
Imprint the the name of the herbs/plants on the clay with the embossing letters or the blunt end of a skewer.
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-6.jpg)
I pressed leaves from my herb garden into the clay for a fun effect.
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-7.jpg)
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-7a.jpg)
Make a hole in the top of each garden marker with the florist wire. The hole should be slightly larger than the wire itself.
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-8.jpg)
Place the clay on parchment lined baking sheet and place in preheated oven. *It is very important that the oven temperature not exceed the manufacturer’s recommendation.*
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-10.jpg)
Bake for 15 minutes for thicknesses up to 1/4″. Remove from oven and cool completely.
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-13.jpg)
Painting the letters is optional. I think they look just as pretty with paint as without. Apply acrylic paint with either a brush, pressing the paint into the grooves, or with a finger (another job ideally suited for the kids). Wipe off excess paint with a paper towel and allow to dry. Baking the markers a second time after painting will adhere the acrylic paint permanently to the marker.
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-14.jpg)
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-15.jpg)
Cut an 8-10″ length of aluminum floral wire and insert into hole, twisting into any form desired.
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-16.jpg)
Now they’re ready for use in the garden!
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-20.jpg)
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-27.jpg)
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-21.jpg)
A friendly reminder for the residents of my backyard. ☺
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-25.jpg)
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-1.jpg)
Admiring the garden markers?
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Garden-Markers-18.jpg)
![](https://the-chicken-chick.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/KM0429-Copy.jpg)
This post was shared with: Adorned from Above, Fluster Buster, The DIY Dreamer, The Dedicated House
Do these hold up well in the rain? Does the sun bleach them? They are adorable! I want to make some for my garden :)
Happy crafting!