Home » Home Organizing

How-To Make French Enamel Number Tags

ByDiane Henkler Updated:

How to make vintage French number tags to help you label and organize boxes, baskets and more.

Make your own French enameled metal tags
Enameled Numbered Wind Tags
My inspiration
Make enameled tags with numbers
True Value Hardware Store Brass Discs

I bought the tags at Ace Hardware Store. That is the only place I found them. Lowe’s and Home Depot do not have them.  If you have an old-fashioned hardware store in your town they may carry them also.

Stamping Supplies needed to make French enamel tags

I used clear stamps for perfect placement of the numbers on the tags.  You also need a  Black StazOn stamp pad and clear embossing powder. I found these at Michael’s.

I thought these tags would be the perfect detail to hang on a set of baskets I have in my kitchen.  You can see more about them in a post about my kitchen make-over. You can also see how I organize drawers and more with baskets.

 My Baskets Before Ideas for decorating baskets

 And with the added detail of the enameled tags:

AfterHow to make enameled tags for organizing

I think details really do make a difference -that added special little touch that gives more character and interest.

Make enameled metal tags
DIY French Enameled Tags

You will find step-by-step tutorial, here on You Tube.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


35 Comments

  1. Love these Diane. I pinned them when I first started following you way back when and totally forgot they were made with embossing powder! As an ex stamper, I already have all the tools. I must make some!! Sue x

    Reply
    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Sue – Isn’t it nice when you see a project you want to make and realize you already have all the supplies needed to make it? It is like it was meant to be. Have fun making the tags.

      Reply
  2. Vanessa Hooper says:

    I was wondering if you could post a tutorial on these enameled tags? The original tutorial has been removed, and I am totally unfamiliar with the powder that you mentioned. Thanks so much for posting!

    Reply
    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Vanessa – Thanks for telling me that the blog where I linked to about how to make the enameled tags was removed. You can see how to make them in this short video I found on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvsbCVGsolw

      Reply

  3. This is so adorable!! Can you tell me how wide the tags are? They look to be about 2″? I’m looking for tags on Amazon and they are all in mm (I’m not good with metrics) so I want to make sure I get the right size. Thanks.

    Reply
    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Karen –

      They are 1-3/8 inches in diameter or 3 1/2 cm in diameter.

      Reply

      1. Thank you, Diane. I ordered some key tags from keyring.com. They have free shipping on that little order! They were 9.50 for I think 25. I found the ink, embossing powder and some stamps at Michaels but was having a hard time finding clear ones that were small enough to fit on the rings. I finally found some called Inkydinks but they are sticky on one side so you have to buy a separate clear acrylic block to stick them on to use them (a racket). I did not buy the block ($10) and thought I could find some type of clear plastic box or container to stick them to to use them. Do you remember what brand of stamps you have? If I can find them, I may return these, as they really aren’t clear but green. Thanks again for your help.

        Reply
        1. Diane Henkler says:

          Hi Karen – I bought them at Michaels. They are from Recollections. You can see a photo of the package in my post to help you get a visual so you know what to look for.

          Reply

          1. Oops I missed that! Thanks.

  4. Niki Entertains says:

    So adorable! I have always loved these…but didn’t want to pay so much for them…who knew I could make them at home. Thanks so much for sharing. Your baskets are adorable!!!

    Reply

  5. I’ll dream of these baskets tonight. [smile]

    Reply

  6. Where did you get those fabulous baskets?

    Reply

    1. At TJ Maxx and Marshalls. It took me awhile to find 6.

      Diane

      Reply

  7. I have a couple questions: did you spray paint both sides, and did you use flat or gloss spray paint? I tried with glossy finish spray paint, and the ink didn’t look really “sharp”. I wondered if flat would have been a better choice?

    Reply

    1. Hi Michelle-

      Thanks for asking a good question. I used what I had on hand which was Rust o–leoum Glossy White. I don’t think it should matter though if you use a flat as the embossing powder leaves a laquered sort of finish – masking any glossiness anyway. The ink from the stamp pad may work with some brands of paint better than others. I did spray the back and front of each of my tags. I did one side, letting it dry overnight, turned them over and sprayed the other side.

      I did have one tag mess up as my hand was not too steady when I was stamping a #3. I sanded it and resprayed it. Second time it came out perfectly.
      Another important tip is when you are embosiing the tages do just one at a time. Apply the powder evenly and as soon as you see the powder disappear – remove it from the heat. If they stay on too long, they may get a slight yellow cast – which looks ok still, but I like them- whiter.

      Hope you have a good weekend and success with your tags.

      My best- Diane

      Reply
  8. Liz Latham says:

    Love the idea!
    Thanks for linking up!
    ~Liz

    Reply

  9. What a cool idea! I never would have thought of that. I might have to try it out with some baskets we have in our house.

    Reply
  10. Rebekah {All Thingz Related} says:

    These look great on your baskets! We appreciate you joining us this week at Anything Related!
    {Rebekah}

    Reply
  11. Tammy @ Not Just Paper and Glue says:

    This is such a beautiful idea and I love how it really jazzed up the baskets.It is amazing what those little “extras” do for things.

    Reply

  12. I adore these…and i must make some. I am spending a lot of time at the hardware store these days…yikes! I have some great images to try with this too. Have you heard of waterslide transfer – awesome project! Would be fab on this!

    Reply

  13. OHHH I LOVE THESE! I MUST go check that out, they look FAB on your baskets!

    Reply
  14. Kaysi @ Keeping It Simple says:

    Those are so cute!!! What a fun idea!

    Reply
  16. Mandy [Mandy's Yellow Corner] says:

    What a great idea! I LOVE it! Thanks for sharing :]

    Reply

  17. I love the ribbon and the way that the tags go with the whole effect! So pretty.

    Reply

  18. Another amazing project. They look like the real thing. Thanks again.

    Reply
  19. Michelle @ Sweet Something says:

    That looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing the info!

    Reply
  20. simpledaisy says:

    SO cute!!!
    Thanks for sharing:)

    Reply

  21. I’m so glad you like my french enameled number tags. I love the way you’ve used them and the post. Bravo! I also really like your blog. The projects are wonderful, the photos are beautiful and the instructions are easy to follow. Bravo, again.

    Reply
    1. Diane @ InMyOwnStyle says:

      Hi Gail-
      I love Rachels site, One Pretty Thing as I find so many gret blogs I probably would never find on my own. I am sitting in my kitchen typing this and admiring my baskets. The tags really make them pop. I am looking forward to your next post.
      My best- Diane

      Reply

  22. Sooo cute! I love these, too. Thanks for linking to this tutorial, and thank you for visiting my blog today. I’m glad you liked the tutorial on making a no-sew cardigan. (Felting sweaters really isn’t exact, but I hope the guidelines I gave will help you get the result you want.)

    You have a lovely blog here. I’m your newest follower.

    Barbara

    Reply
    1. Diane @ InMyOwnStyle says:

      Hi Barbara-

      Thanks for stopping by. My sister felted a sweater that came out better than mine. It is an unexact process, but your tutorial helped me understand the process so much better. I am sure I will have success now.
      Thanks
      My best- Diane

      Reply
  23. Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says:

    HI, Diane, thanks for stopping by my porch. I just love this little project you’ve done. Those baskets look great & the tags are perfect. Cute, cute! And I love your glass float in the previous post, I would love to have a few of those too. Something I’ve been wanting to add to my seashells too.

    Reply

    1. hi Rhoda-

      I wish I could really stop by your porch. It would be nice to be able to sit in one of your pretty chairs, enjoying a glass of sweet tea and your company.
      My best- Diane

      Reply
  24. beachhouseliving says:

    Great look. I will head on over and check the tutorial. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply