The Wonderful Word for Wednesday is ‘Tag’
As many of you already know, I have been having a love affair with Art Journaling for the last few months. Don’t worry, it’s not a secret and my husband knows about my art journal (wink).
Ever since the beginning of my art journal journey, I’ve noticed that people ‘in the know’ make beautiful tags to put in their art journals. Often, those who make these beautiful tags also make unique pockets for which to place their tags in their journals.
I even watched a few free tutorials on different ways to make these tags, as they have always intrigued me.
Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm
My mind wondered at these odd little creations:
These seem way too big to be a gift tag, hmmmm….
Nobody leaves a spot for ‘To & From’ on these tags, hmmmmm…..
If they stay in your journal, then they are clearly not for use otherwise, hmmmm…..
Turns Out, Tags are Super Fun to Make!
I finally gave up trying to figure out the purpose of these little nuggets and just got to work making some.
Let me tell you, it is FUN to make tags!
Why?
Well, for starters, I like working small.
Secondly, you get to play art on the front AND the back, so that’s fun!
Third, you must use ribbon or something of the sort, which is super fun!
Here are three I made recently:
And here is one I put in a pocket!
Back to the Question:
My friend and I were discussing this question of mine the other day. I wondered aloud why we make these tags in art journals. Her answer was wise! She said it was for pure delight. She and I both have children and love books so she referenced how children’s books with any kind of interactive elements are delightful. “That’s true!” I exclaimed.
Could it be that simple? Art they really created simply for the delight of pulling them out of their cute little pocket and gazing at their splendor? How decadent!
As I’m writing this I’m a bit embarrassed about how I was searching for their purpose, like they had to fulfill a task if they existed. Nope! I’m pretty sure they exist purely for our own enjoyment, just like anything else in an art journal.
BUT, if you want to enjoy them even more, then use them as a bookmark! It doesn’t matter that this one is almost as big as my book, it still works!
The Answer I’ve decided Upon
I have determined that tags gives us a little different canvas on which to create and allows a little surprise to be hidden in the pages of an art journal for pure delight.
TAG! You’re it!
Are YOU interested in making a tag for pure Delight?
Here are some ideas:
Use a piece of card stock and cut out a tag shape (basically it’s a long rectangle with the top corners cut off and a hole for a ribbon). Don’t have any cardstock? Well, use part of a cereal box! Don’t have a cereal box? Well, use a ____________ (you fill in the blank)!
Want to just buy tags ready for adornments? Here is a great choice: Ranger Mixed Media Tags Pack of 20
I adorned the three tags I made with the following: a gelli print I made, an old book page, a fun stamp, a floral image, fabric scraps, a black marker for ‘mark making’, and some yarn / ribbon. I applied everything with my favorite glue stick from Tombow except for the little floret that I sewed on. You can use ANYTHING you have laying around to adorn these sweet little tags. Then glue a piece of pretty paper on the back and Viola – a tag!
Last, make a cute pocket for it in your art journal and tuck it in there for your own delight.
If you don’t have an art journal to hold your tag, use it for a bookmark!
Seriously, make one. It’s a quick way to play art without a huge time commitment, and you will be DELIGHTED!
Kimberly Snider, Virtuoso, signing off
Play Art With Kim : for all the things, click here