Hand Made "Ceramic" Labels

For each label, you will need:

*Indicates an item available at craft shops about 2 ounces, oven-bake clay* (about 2 X 5 X 5/8 inches) [color of your choice]
2 plastic food storage bags, OR 2 sheets, waxed paper
rolling pin
cookie cutter � about 2 1/2-3 inches in diameter [oval, or shape of your choice]
toothpicks
lettering brush for use on ceramic surfaces*
acrylic paint*
10 inches of ribbon, raffia or silk cord (or length as needed depending on size of bottle or decanter)

Preheat oven to 250-265 degrees, according to clay manufacturer�s directions. Knead each strip of clay with clean hands for about 2 minutes until malleable. Roll out the clay between the two plastic bags or sheets of waxed paper to a thickness of about 3/16 inch. [NOTE: This rolling out can also be done by flattening the clay by hand and then putting it through the thickest setting on a pasta machine (between the pasta rollers). No plastic bags or wax paper is needed if using a pasta machine.]

Cut the clay into an oval (or other shape) with the cookie cutter. Make a hole at each end of the clay label shape with a toothpick, for the ribbon to go through later. Place the clay piece(s) on a baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until hard and shiny.

Remove the baked clay from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 hours. It must be completely cooled!

Using a ceramic lettering brush, write the name of the bottle�s contents onto the label, using acrylic paint. Allow the paint to dry for about 2 hours � or until completely dry.

Knot one end of the ribbon or cord and thread the cord from the back through the front of one of the holes on the label (so that the knot catches on the back of the label). Then, pass the cord through the front side of the hole on the other end of the label, and knot it in the back. Suspend the label from the neck of the bottle or decanter.