DIY Agate Table Numbers
Some of you may have noticed (and it's okay if you haven't!) that I've been doing a few things agate-related lately! (If you missed it, check out our article on DIY Candy Agate Slices too!) There is actually a reason for that - one of my best friends in the entire world just got married this past weekend and I was her Matron of Honor! That meant I got a lot of fun projects to work on - including these awesome agate table numbers!
So let's get right down to it.
What You WILL Need:
What You MIGHT Need:
There are a few ways to do this. If you are comfortable with free-hand painting, then it's so simple you don't even need instructions! However, if you are like me and you kind of hate your handwriting, you have a couple different options.
Option 1:
Stencils
If you really don't want to take chances, then the best thing to do is to print out the numbers on sheets of paper, cut them out and make stencils! I recommend printing on card stock so the paint doesn't bleed through at all. You can download a FREE stencil template here with 1" 1.5" and 2" numbers on it so no matter how big the agate slices you buy, this template will work great. If you decide not to use the template, make sure you use a font that is thick enough that it will be easy to cut out your stencils!
Step 1: Print your stencils. Download a FREE stencil template here. Make sure you have it set to 100% NOT "Fit to Page," in order for them to print the correct size.
Step 2: Cut them out. This part can be a little tricky because you aren't cutting around the numbers, you are cutting the numbers out. So, make a small incision with your scissors within the number and then cut it.
Step 3: Tape the stencils to the agate slices. I recommend using masking tape or painters tape so it's easy to remove and won't leave any residue.
Step 4: Use the gold paint to paint inside the stencils very carefully. I highly recommend using a good quality gold paint like this one, it really does make a difference in the shine, staying power, visibility and ease of use.
Step 5: Let dry, then remove the stencil.
Step 6: If you want to paint around the edges of the slices, you can, but you don't have to. Be sure to do that after the numbers have dried. Congratulations - you're done!
Option 2:
Practice
If you think your handwriting will be good enough (or you just don't have the patience for the stencils) you can always keep practicing. This is actually what I did for this tutorial. I highly recommend getting these paint pens (or water-based paint pens that come off fairly easily. Do NOT use dry-erase pens or anything like that because those come off way TOO easily!)
Step 1: Practice writing your numbers on the agate slices. If it doesn't look great, wipe it away with a damp cloth, dry it with another cloth and continue until you get all the numbers perfect.
Step 2: Because these pens wipe off so easily, you do not want to use them as the final product. You will want to trace over them with a paintbrush and gold paint. I highly recommend using a good quality gold paint like this one. It really does make a difference in the shine, staying power, visibility and ease of use. (The reason I don't recommend using a super-stay paint pen is because if you mess up it's too difficult to remove!)
Step 3: Let them dry
Step 4: If you want to paint around the edges of the slices, do it after the numbers have dried. Congratulations - you're done!
