Can you ever have enough bookmarks? Store several in baskets in your bookcases to pop into a book before reading it. When the supply runs low, you can always make some more.
Collage bookmarks are easy to make. Incidentally, a bookmark session is a wonderful activity for a multigenerational group.
Supplies
- scraps of paper -- for example, gift wrapping paper, aluminum foil, used paper doilies, cancelled stamps, paint samples from the hardware store, candy wrappers, and colored dots from the paper punch
- poster board (or heavy water color paper from an art supply store)
- Elmer's glue or a similar adhesive
- ruler
- pencil
- hole punch
- craft knife or paper cutter
- sharp scissors
- embroidery thread
The following supplies are optional. We used them to create a speckled texture on uncut paper before starting the collages
- three different colors of acrylic paint (a metallic color is optional) and a separate mixing dish for each color (for example, a cleaned tuna fish can)
- paintbrush (either bristle or foam, flat or pointed)
- large grocery carton
- newspaper
To prepare paper:
Place a carton on a table or floor which has been partly covered with newspaper. This is just used as a sort of table to put your poster board onto while you paint it and to help minimize the spatter of paint. You can simply do this project on a table covered with newspaper as well. Place poster board in the bottom of the open carton or on table. Thin your acrylic paint with water to the consistency of a raw egg white. Dip your brush into the paint but don't overload it. Holding the brush above the paper, flick your wrist so the paint spatters. When that is dry, add additional colors sparingly. Try to leave a great deal of white space between the drips. Allow the poster board to dry.
Place a carton on a table or floor which has been partly covered with newspaper. This is just used as a sort of table to put your poster board onto while you paint it and to help minimize the spatter of paint. You can simply do this project on a table covered with newspaper as well. Place poster board in the bottom of the open carton or on table. Thin your acrylic paint with water to the consistency of a raw egg white. Dip your brush into the paint but don't overload it. Holding the brush above the paper, flick your wrist so the paint spatters. When that is dry, add additional colors sparingly. Try to leave a great deal of white space between the drips. Allow the poster board to dry.
Poster board may curve during this process. Straighten it out by placing it under several heavy books for one-half hour or until straight before beginning the collage.
To make the bookmarks:
Once dry, turn the paper board right side down. Measure the size of your bookmarks (a good size is 2-1/2" x 7") and cut them out. Paint a border on the front of your bookmark before beginning the collage (optional -- you don't have to have a border). Cut or tear scrap paper into interesting shapes and move them around on the poster board pieces you just cut. When you find a pleasing design, paste it down. Punch a hole in the top of the bookmark. Take four pieces of embroidery thread cut into 9 inch lengths. Place them together so the ends line up and then fold them in half so the top ends meet the bottom ends. Place one inch of folded thread through the hole so that it comes up the back of the bookmark and pull the long tail of the thread remaining on the front through the loop. Then tie an overhand knot one inch below the cut ends of the thread.
Once dry, turn the paper board right side down. Measure the size of your bookmarks (a good size is 2-1/2" x 7") and cut them out. Paint a border on the front of your bookmark before beginning the collage (optional -- you don't have to have a border). Cut or tear scrap paper into interesting shapes and move them around on the poster board pieces you just cut. When you find a pleasing design, paste it down. Punch a hole in the top of the bookmark. Take four pieces of embroidery thread cut into 9 inch lengths. Place them together so the ends line up and then fold them in half so the top ends meet the bottom ends. Place one inch of folded thread through the hole so that it comes up the back of the bookmark and pull the long tail of the thread remaining on the front through the loop. Then tie an overhand knot one inch below the cut ends of the thread.
Enjoy this fun craft!
Warm regards and love -
Erin
