I'm glad you all like them!! and yes, they are made with slate. If anyone's interested in some tags and you don't want to make them yourself, my wife and I also take orders. Just email me your list and we will have them done in about a week. thanks again for the kudos! It's fun when someone else likes your handywork.

Thank you guys for all of the quick responces! Just as a sidenote incase anyone is interested: I also enclose in each hosta a second cheap plastic label I stick way in the dirt just incase the metal one gets displaced, so I always have the hosta name in a second place. I notice though that even black Sharpie markers do not last forever. And if the sun hits any part of it, forget it. However, if you get their Metallic Silver markers that are meant to write on dark surfaces, these really stay forever. I have had labels out in the sun for years with no fade so far. And, I also just discoved yesterday at Staples for the first time, that Sharpie now has Oil-Based Paint Markers! They are specifally made to be Weather-Water-Fade-Resistant. The pack I got was one Gold and one Silver. But on the back of the package, it says that they also come in other colors, so I am sure you could find black too at some point. They also have them in different points, med,fine, etc. I just thought I would share that while we are on the subject! Christy

we all know they are H. ... so i leave that off.. thats 4 spaces ... including blanks on each side ... then i figured out.. that on my tags.. i can get 14 to 16 characters per line .... then i figured out.. that i can fit two rows of tape per tag ... then i figure out that i could get 3 rows.. if i cut the top and bottom ones at the top of the writing.. and the bottom ... and then i figured out... that if i used no spaces between different names ... i could run out a 12 to 15 inch tape of names and only waste the lead and follow on said tape ... and a small pair of very sharp scissors to cut in between names .. but i do use space inside names that will fit in one row the lakeside names are maddening.. when you add that.. and i use all caps ... to not waste tape on quote marks ... so my tape would look something like this: TOY SOLDIERABBYJUNELAKESIDESURF RIDERLIBERTYVICTORY ... etc until the machine tells me no more spaces available ... make any sense???? i then take the cut piece with the name ... with the backing still on... and center it ... and note which letter is under which hole... so that when i take the backing off.. i can line it up and get it basically centered ... i also polish the zinc tags with a dry wash cloth to insure there are no dust speck prior to sticking the tape on ... then just before i press down the last corner.. i take one last look.. to see just how crooked it is.. lol ... if you look real close at the tag.. you will see lines in the zinc .. part of the manufacturing process ... and those can be used to make the label basically straight ... ken below is a picture of a 15 year old tag .. note the A and D are basically right below the holes ps: if you audience doesnt know they are H. .. or hosta.. get some better friends.. lol .... though i do put full latin on everything else in the yard ....

a better link for the wand below ... i used to do calligraphy ... and had very good handwriting ... or used to anyway ... i found that working with little labels to be very hard .... to hold on ... and yet use good writing... ergo i gave up and went to a brothers p-touch ... all the labels look the same ... perhaps.. a bigger label .. or smaller hands ... would have helped quality control ....who knows.. what ever you like.. and makes you happy ...that is the only thing that is important .. ken Here is a link that might be useful: wand