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DIY Leather Herb Labels

June 19, 2013

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A couple months back, we added some herbs to the kitchen window sill–oregano, chives and a leaning tower or thai basil. They were planted in the ever-popular, minimalist clay pots from Ikea and I was itching to dress them up a smidge.
Enter one of Chris’s old leather belts, some “craft lace”–which is really just leather twine I had on hand and a white paint fine marker that I picked up for around $2 at Walmart.
First I cut three, four-inch strips off of the belt to make my tags.  I drilled holes on either side, using a scrap piece of wood underneath.
And then I just wrote the names of each herb on the leather tags without thinking twice about it. I love the organic, non-fussy, imperfect feel that comes with rushed script. Try it–I think you’ll be pleased, too.
To attach the leather tags to the pots (rocket science, here) I threaded a loop of twine through each drilled hole and then pulled the ends through the loop and tied them on the clay pots and voila–
The result is warm, sophisticated, but not too stuffy. It took me 20 minutes and just $2 for the paint pen to amp up our pots. (You could tack on another couple dollars for the twine and a thrifted leather belt if you don’t have those around your casa.)
Do you keep fresh herbs in your kitchen?  We use them so much more now that they are right there.  And now I look at them a lot more, too, because handsome herb pots!
Ps. Another happy pot makeover.

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What do you think?

  1. […] getting your potted herbs confused? Label them in style! This project from Chris Loves Julia turns old leather goods into a one-of-a-kind labels that will spruce up your herb garden. Sure, you […]

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  5. Alison says:

    That’s clever, functional, and super stylish. Great job.

  6. Shared this on NewlyWoodwards this morning! Happy Thursday!

  7. I LOVE this! It looks so simple and chic. Very botique!

  8. So great! Although mine wouldn’t look nearly as nice with my {lack of} penmanship.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Awesome! This is totally my style…I’ve got a great plan for these, I’ll have to share it with you when I’m finally able to use it!!

  10. emily says:

    darling, darling idea! love the gray cement color next to the leather.

  11. That’s such a neat idea!!!

    I might just try it, I love it.

  12. Nick says:

    Cool idea but working on a nice table in your house seems like a potential for disaster if the drill slips. Check out this easy to make work bench.(link below) You could make it nice by staining it or using a higher grade wood to make it.

    http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/woodworking/4219723

    • Haha. I was in a complete catch 22! I would normally work out in the garage where we have a work zone, but Greta needs constant supervision (I’ve learned my lesson too many times) and the garage isn’t the safest place for her–so I did a make-shift here and it worked out.

  13. Anonymous says:

    LOVE. Seriously! No fuss, no frills! Thanks for the inspiration!

  14. This is awesome! I love that this over a stake in it, which always gets lost in the leaves. Thanks for the inspiration!

  15. Brilliant! The worn leather looks so warm against those planters. And your writing should really be a font. Just sayin’.

  16. Val says:

    That came out way cuter than I expected…I would have way over-thought it and jacked it up completely. Nice! And I always love a good “use-whatcha-got” project.

    I can’t seem to grow anything in those Ikea pots…what’s up with the lack of drainage holes? Boo.

  17. So cute, and resourceful! Love it.

  18. Great idea! I love those types of “manly” touches.

  19. Callie says:

    gorgeous! such a great idea! I love the leather rather than some of the more ‘frilly’ versions of herb labels I’ve seen on pinterest :)

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