Eeeee! I’ve been saving bread tags (those little plastic clips that keep your bread bag closed) for months just waiting for Halloween to get close. I’ve had this craft idea for these little monsters in my head for a while and finally got the chance to make them today. You could probably make them in much simpler fashion, but I love adding little details, embellishing, etc. So here’s how I made these recycled bread tag monsters if you are interested :)
UPDATED 12/21/10 – Just a quick update to add in here that I have posted a how-to for recycled bread tag snowmen if you are interested in seeing those. Below is a pic. :) Great for Christmas gift bags!
Recycled bread tag snowmen |
Now on with the monster tutorial!
First I painted them with acrylic paint. I didn’t even put paint into the palette because only a small amount of each color is needed. I just shook the bottle and removed the lid, then stuck my paintbrush into the lid to get some paint. Most of my bread tags were white, but I did have a red one and left that one as is.
While the paint was drying, I sketched out some monster faces.
Then I started embellishing. I used a toothpick for some of the small lines, like this monster’s mouth…
and for the marks on this monster’s sides.
I dipped the handle end of a paintbrush into the paint to make the eyes and any polka dots. For really tiny polka dots and some of the pupils I used a toothpick.
On this one I used a Sharpie marker to draw on toes, then used a toothpick to fill in the toes with paint. A monster manicure!
I did finish them off with some sealer spray too, to keep the paint from rubbing or peeling off.
I’ve heard these make decent rubber band holders.. hmmm.
Is it just me, or does that yellow one remind you of Spongebob??
You like? I like! Fun!! :) Thanks for looking!
I actually am updating this post to include this fun treat bag! See that little guy in the bag? He’s one of many monster brownies I made on my cooking blog. Fun!
Recycled Bread Tag Monsters
Supplies
- bread tags
- toothpick
- paint
Instructions
- First I painted them with acrylic paint. I didn’t even put paint into the palette because only a small amount of each color is needed. I just shook the bottle and removed the lid, then stuck my paintbrush into the lid to get some paint. Most of my bread tags were white, but I did have a red one and left that one as is.
- While the paint was drying, I sketched out some monster faces.
- Then I started embellishing. I used a toothpick for some of the small lines, like this monster’s mouth…
- and for the marks on this monster’s sides.
- I dipped the handle end of a paintbrush into the paint to make the eyes and any polka dots. For really tiny polka dots and some of the pupils I used a toothpick.
- On this one I used a Sharpie marker to draw on toes, then used a toothpick to fill in the toes with paint. A monster manicure!
- I did finish them off with some sealer spray too, to keep the paint from rubbing or peeling off.
Here’s some more colorful Halloween crafts from me:
Halloween Painted Jar Luminaries
Monster Treat Bags
Juice Box Monsters
Halloween Felt Ghouls
Monster Brownies
More fun projects around the internet:
Bread Tag Jazzy Jewelry from FaveCrafts
Bread Tag Pendant on Flickr
Craft Ideas using old bread tags – from Thrifty Fun
Did you enjoy this post? Why not subscribe to my feed, or better yet, to my free newsletter – Foodie in the Craftroom, which provides not only crafts but recipes from my other blog, Amanda’s Cookin’ as well!
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Linda# Jung says
I THINK THEY ARE GASSLY SPOOKTACULAR ! THANK YOU AMANDA, I LOVE THEM!!!
katie says
What if i cant find bread tags anywhere?
Amanda Formaro says
There are still baked items that use bread tags. Most commonly found on English muffins, bagels, produce bags (like potatoes, apples, oranges, etc) and hamburger and hot dog buns.
JBS says
Then you are out of luck.
Sherry says
Mine came off of bags of potatoes. So, you might want to look in the produce aisle too.
Cody says
I make monsters for a living so I think this is just positively adorable! Love it!
Michelle says
I finally got around to making these. I loved them so much when I saw them featured on Someday Crafts a long time ago. Thanks for the clever idea!
Amanda says
Thanks so much Michelle!
Dolores Q. says
I’ll be saving my tags from now on-love them!
Lindsay says
Just made a garland of monsters with this cute idea.
Thought you might like to check it out.
Thanks for the fun idea!
Lindsay
http://craftyladylindsay.blogspot.com/2012/09/bread-clip-monster-garland.html
Amanda says
I love it Lindsay!
Debi Bickel says
I’ve been saving these for a few years now. I would have parents from my class collect them and try to fill a jar by the sign in sheet. They always asked me what I was going to do with them. I said I’d figure something out. We used them for mosaic collages, but now I have something even better! Thanks for sharing this!
Amanda says
Thanks Debi! I would love to see them when you are done!
Anna M. says
Totally love these.
Melissa @The Chocolate Muffin Tree says
These are such a great idea!
I noticed this post word for word on this site:
http://craft-craft.net/halloween-crafts-for-kids-recycled-bread-tag-monsters.html
taradara says
How clever are those!!! Oh my goodness! I’m your newest follower!!! I can’t wait to see what else you have on your site. Coming over from Roadkill Rescue….
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Tara!
Kristy says
Oh! My! Goodness! This takes cute to a whoooole nother level!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! (yes, I will be finding me some bread tags… SOON!). ;)
sofie says
I really love this idea, I'll start saving some bread tags from now on and use them as a craft activity with my kids soon. Thanks for this great idea.
Rebecca says
This is such a an adorable project! I think it will get kids to concentrate and also let parents work with their kids! I posted this on my FB page!
Amanda says
Yours are totally adorable Heidi!!!
Heidi@TheCraftMonkey says
Just wanted to let you know I made some of these after seeing them here! My son is having a costume playdate next week, and I thought these would be PERFECT for the goodie bags! LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM! I can't get over how stinki cute they are!
Amanda says
Thank you Cristie!
Cristie says
Just darling! Anyone would be thrilled to have that apprear on their doorstep :)
Amanda says
Thank you so much Mary!
Mary J says
Love your taggies!! But I left with some yummy recipes. Signed the Recipe Monster :)
Amanda says
Thanks so much you guys!
TeaLady says
ADORABLE!!!
Anonymous says
Hi, we don't have bread tags in the UK, we used to a long time ago, but then Health and Safety got involved… Pity, because these are really great!
For The Luv Of Boys says
These are absolutely adorable! I was saving my bread tags to do something similar, thinking I was so original. lol You did awesome!
I'm your newest follower from http://fortheluvofboys.blogspot.com
Amanda says
Thanks so much!
I♥naptime w/ Chocolate Sundaes says
Oh these are SO cute! love them!
Amanda says
Thanks you guys! :) :)
PinkBlingCrafter says
OMG such cute projects!!! I'm a follower now for sure thanks for sharing!!!
Kool Crafts and Arts says
Wonderful
The Beading Gem says
Wonderful idea! They are so well done. I think they will make great charms for jewelry. I will link in a future blog post so others can come and check this out. Pearl
http://www.beadinggem.com
Amanda says
Thanks you guys!
LMcBurney says
Those are hilarious! Love it!
Deanna Jane (cullenkidsmum) says
Super cute idea!!! Found you at the Sunday Showcase party!
Come check out my blog~
http://haileylanedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/10/puzzle-piece-wreath-and-christmas.html
The Bonjour Four says
those are amazing!!! how creative are you?! wow!
libby-bonjour.blogspot.com
Amanda says
Thanks so much jenn! :)
Jenn says
These are adorable!!! Such a cute idea!
Amanda says
Hi Lynn, thanks! It's weird how many places don't have bread tags on their bread anymore. Glad you like these!
Lynn from For Love or Funny says
Just found you, and I'm hooked! By the way, my bread still has bread tags! Perhaps it varies around the country, but we always have tons of bread tags floating around the house.
Amanda says
Thanks Melissa! *blush*
On another note in case anyone is subscribed to the comments, or for those reading this later, bread tags usually aren't on bread anymore. However, they are on many other things like English muffins, bagels, hamburger buns, hot dog buns, etc :)
Melissa says
Wow!! Seriously, there is nothing you can't turn cute!
Amanda says
Thank you everyone for the kind comments!
Jenny @ Embellishing Life says
Been looking around your blog some more…you are too crafty!! I so love this!
Rachel @ Mr.Onesock says
So cute!
Amy says
the details you put into these are amazing! what talent you have! thanks for sharing.
Hi! says
These are so cute! This is very creative! Thanks! I linked you to my blog: http://aworldofcrafts.blogspot.com/
JoeyfromSC says
WOW so impressive and cute!! I would've NEVER thought of that lol
Love!
Kristy says
I made some!!! http://textiles4you.blogspot.com/2010/09/monster-bread-tags.html Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recycling craft!
Heidi@TheCraftMonkey says
oh my gosh, these are hysterical! these would be so fun to use for halloween goodie bags!
Ecolicious says
looking at all your crafts…you are so creative. now following you.
The Craft-Arty Kid says
What a wonderful idea. Those tags make great monsters
M says
SOOOOOOOO stinkin' adorable!!! :) LOVE IT! I'm so on the lookout for some of these now. Sadly, all the bread we have in the cupboards right now have twist ties to close them.
Sandy Ang says
How original and what a great use of bread tags !
Wendy Piersall says
These. Are. AWESOME.
melonybradley says
http://mel-designs.typepad.com/my-blog/2010/09/super-simple-halloween-luminaries-.html
melonybradley says
Super super cute! Love ALL of your halloween crafts!
http://mel-designs.typepad.com/my-blog/2010/09/super-simple-halloween-luminaries-.html.html
ANKH says
OMG That is like a Sponge Bob Frankenpants! LOL
If you are interested, this craft meets the requirements for my Recycled Halloween Craft Challenge! (You can enter up to 3 entries!) You should totally check it out!
http://henthornehandmade.blogspot.com/2010/08/recycled-halloween-challenge-will-you.html
Amanda says
Thank you all so much for the wonderful comments! I'm so happy everyone thinks they are as fun as I did! :):)
Alison says
Hi Amanda! I featured these today on my blog. Thanks for the inspiration! Here is the link:
http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/2010/09/wednesdays-wowzers-new-favorites.html
~Alison
Amy says
So cute! I would have never thought to do this! Thanks for sharing such a cute idea. ;)
Kenzie says
So cute! What a great idea!
Christie @ A Lemon Squeezy Home says
Those are ADORABLE! How creative.
Michelle L. says
Wow wow wow! These are the coolest things I've seen in ages! Instant new follower here!
Katie says
OMG! Love these tags! So unique!!! Love your blog… found you via Craft Gawker. Would love if you stop by SewWoodsy.blogspot.com
malia says
amanda! genius idea. i am always feeling badly when i recycle those bread tags. i hope you link these cuties up at a crafty soiree on thursday (-:
C.R.A.F.T. says
these are SO cute… come on over and link up to MMM!
Nikoli says
These are great!! Now where did I put that bag o' googly eyes!!?
scrapcraft says
Adorable!
Bella says
These are tooo cute, how very creative. ALthough I noticed so many of your projects are way awesome. Im so happy to have found you, and look forward to spending some time checking out your blog in more detail. If you are interested in adding one more party to your list, I would LOVE to have you link up to mine, and share your talent. Hope to see you soon!! Bella :)
meyamo says
These are absolutely adorable….now, just need to find some bread tags-all mine have come with twisty ties lately. Great project!
Something Wilde says
WOW – so adorable! And to think I just mindlessly throw these away!
creativejewishmom/Sara says
simple and Brilliant as usual Amanda! Thanks so much for all the great links on this week's Craft Schooling Sunday!
Heather - Dollarstorecrafts.com says
These are so fun & cute, Amanda! You always have the greatest ideas.
Catch A Falling Star says
Oh.my.gosh.
I didn't even know what they were till a couple of pictures down.
How stinkin' cute!!
I love them!!
Not Just A Mommy! says
OMG! I so have monsters on the brain for our Halloween Monster Bash, and who would have thunk those annoying tags (ours are always getting lost once they come off the bag) could be so cute!! Maybe we won't lose them now….
Michelle @ Sweet Something says
Very cute! I love this idea!
Tami says
Love them, Amanda!
[email protected] says
These are SO CREATIVE! I love them! Thanks so much, I'll be linking.
Design Love says
Wow, so clever!!! I just love them!
Cindy
Beth says
Thats adorable, love it!!! Saw you at Sunday Showcase, thanks for sharing!
Issa says
this is just toooo cute!!! :) Thank you for the idea. Now I'll be saving those bread tags. :P
Moogie says
I'm your newest happy follower. http://moogieland.blogspot.com/
Lyndsey says
So cute, I love them! I always save mine for re-use with frozen veggie bags, but now you've got me thinking! These might make cute magnets too. I'm a new follower from SNS.
Christina says
Hahaha, they're TOO CUTE! I love that idea…never would have thought of that!! :)
Visiting from "Sunday Showcase…"
Megan says
Those are so cute!
Love and Lollipops says
Silly me…just noticed that you used bigger and smaller ones!
Love and Lollipops says
These are so so so cute and ingenious!!! I have lots of bread tags saved, but ours over here look a bit smaller than yours…might still work though!
linda @ CraftaholicsAnonymous says
Awesome! I love them! Thanks for sending me a link. You should link these up with my fall frenzy linky party going on. (link is on my sidebar) my readers would love them!
Happy crafting!
Linda
Amanda says
Thank you all soooo much for the kind comments! I really appreciate it :) been meaning to make these for a while now.
Katie – good idea to use paint pens. I don't use them that often, have always used paint, but I'm sure that would work great!
Alison – Thanks! Halloween is my favorite crafting holiday of all time. Sooo fun to get creative with monsters, ghosts, pumpkins, etc!
Michelle – Thank you! More monster ideas to come before Halloween gets here :)
Kristy – yes cute magnets, good idea!
Andi @ Jane of all crafts says
Found you by way of tatertots and jello and just had to check these out. SOOOOO clever and adorable! I can't wait to try to make my own. Thanks for sharing!
Beansieleigh says
Oh my gosh.. Are these the funniest, and yet the CUTEST little monsters I've ever seen?!! I LOVE these!!!… Have a great weekend! ~tina
Kristy says
I LOVE these!!!!!! I save mine and rarely ever re-used them. I am sooooo going to make some. They would also make really cute magnets.
Roslyn says
Hysterical I love it!
michelle@somedaycrafts says
I never, never, NEVER would have thought to do those! They are so cute, I mean, Manly!!!! Totally fun idea. I'm loving all your monster ideas lately!
Alison says
Amanda, these are SO adorable!!! I love that you don't have to pay a dime. Recycled projects are the best!! But checking out your sidebar, you have a TON of cute Halloween projects!! Man o man, I am craft coveting!!
~Alison
Jessica says
They are super cute! Nice job! :)
Anji* says
I love your little monsters a lot! I wish I had some of those tags kicking around so we could make some!
.. via SNS
Christine says
Those are hilariously clever! Nice…
Nana's Fun Stuff says
Very creative and SO cute!! Wouldn't have thought of that ever. Now I will look at them differently when I open bread :)
Sue says
So cute! You do have such a creative eye!
Lisa's Creative Home says
Oh what a great idea! I never would have come up with that! This would be a fun Halloween project to do with my daughter:)
Erin says
Okay, how stinkin' cute are those!!!
http://www.makingmemorieswithyourkids.blogspot.com
Annie Rose says
so cute! I never save bread tags – Im going to start now lol
Katie's Nesting Spot says
What a fun idea! I have a stash of bread tags because I like to thread them on ribbon and use rub-ons to turn them into scrapbook embellishements. Yours have so much detail and are a lot more work than I originally thought they might be. I thought you used paint pens which I find easier for detail work so brushes would make it a lot tougher for me to control and get the job done. Would love you to join me at A Crafty Soiree, every Thursday.
Kristi Flanagan says
Amanda – absolutely adORable!!!!! Soooo creative – love, love, love it!
Thanks so much for planting your creative seeds at Plant a Punkin Seed Party.
Hugs,
Kristi
Punkin Seed Productions
staci @ lizard n ladybug says
so cute! I wish I would have saved my tags all this time :)