I have kitties.
Lots of kitties. Okay four, that’s lots, right?
My fur babies all stay indoors, but I still feel safest if they’re wearing a name tag with our address and phone number on it in addition to their city tags. They’re sneaky, ya know?
After numerous lost collars, a couple of which turned up years later under a pile of boxes in the garage, I started making replacement tags instead of buying. It’s easy and inexpensive.
The first one I made is about two years old now and is still in perfect shape!
**please note: if using a pasta machine, it needs to be used only for polymer clay. DO NOT use the same machine that you’d make pasta with**
1
Knead a small amount of clay, then roll out with a clay roller or pass through pasta machine on the next to thickest setting. On my machine, that’s an 8.
2
Place clay on a small on the parchment paper. Press the cookie cutter straight down, making one blank. If you’re making more than one, now is a great time to cut them all out.
3
Tag blank.
4
If you have alphabet stamps, use them to stamp on your pet’s name by gently pushing the stamp straight down and lifting straight up. Shown are jewelers stamps, which need to be cleaned well if used with polymer clay.
If not using alphabet stamps, use the directions for finishing the back of the tag.
5
Finished front with a fun star stamp added.
6
Take the lid off the Bic pen. It makes a perfect circle cutter for the jump ring hole.
7
Press the pen lid down into the clay, removing gently to avoid distorting the tag shape. Remove the plug from the lid with a toothpick.
8
For the back (and the front if you don’t have stamps), use the toothpick to gently write your address or phone number.
Place parchment paper with tag(s) on cookie sheet and bake according to manufacturer’s directions.
9
Once the tags are cool, rub a small amount of paint onto the front and backs with a paper towel, wiping away the excess. This will make the letters stand out. Allow that paint to dry for a few minutes (it won’t take long) and then coat with glaze. Allow to dry.
Add jump ring.
Because your pet will be wearing this and safety is always first, let the tag dry at least 24 hours before attaching it to his or her collar.
10
Merlin, wearing his custom kitty tag