Ideas for Bookmarks
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How to Make Bookmarks as Gifts
Making bookmarks is probably the easiest homemade craft for gift-giving. It requires only some paper, scissors (or craft knife) and some ingenuity for a design.
Pre-designed bookmarks can be printed from the internet, but if you are giving bookmarks as gifts why not make them extra special by personalizing them in some way? Add a name, poem, favorite quote or photograph and the bookmarks will be appreciated and cherished.
I'm sharing some of my favorite bookmark ideas here for any occasion and especially for giving them as Christmas gifts. I'm also linking to other crafter's sites who have a thing for bookmarks. Use any or all of these ideas and manage that Christmas list!
Contents at a Glance
Materials
What do you need? Not much at all.
You probably already have all the supplies
Here's all you need to make bookmarks.Papers
Think out of the box on this. I use any sort of paper. Scrapbook paper is my paper of choice because it is available in so many colors. But I also use food packaging (you'll see that later), old calendars, wrapping paper, post cards, and old maps. Use anything you want!
Scissors (or craft knife) and ruler
I've always preferred craft knives over scissors. If you are using a craft knife to cut your papers, you will need a cutting mat and a metal straight edge (ruler).
Stickers
I've purchased some stickers, but believe it or not, many stickers I use have come free in the mail for one reason or another.
Printer
I use my printer to add names and famous quotes, but if you don't have a printer you can always just hand write everything.
Lamination
Not totally necessary, but recommended. Lamination is cheap these days and will give your bookmark a finished look. In a pinch I've also used shipping tape for sealing bookmarks.
Making the bookmarks
It's simple - dive right in!
Easy peasy
Once you've gathered your supplies, Here's all you do:1.Cut your papers to size*
2. Add stickers, wording and any embellishments
3. Laminate the bookmark
*Tip #1: When cutting and layering papers, decrease the paper size by 1/2" each direction, length and width. This will give a nice 1/4" border around each layer - like a frame. You can see an example of this to the right. Leanne's bookmark starts with green paper, then the multi-colored paper has a 1/4" border all the way around, then the middle piece of paper has a 1/4" border all the way around as well.
*Tip #2: Add the recipients name to the bookmark for a special touch.
Making the bookmark is the easy part. Coming up with ideas in the beginning is a little more challenging. That's why I'm sharing some of my ideas here with you.
Ideas for Bookmarks
Here are some ideas I've come up with. Feel free to copy them. Enjoy!
Oooooh - A chocolate themed bookmark
My daughter claimed this one before I even finished it so I added her name to it. You can see below exactly where the chocolate artwork came from - a chocolate bar wrapper! I think this proves that nothing is off limits when it comes to paper. One note: I didn't have any dark brown paper for the bookmark, so I painted some tan colored paper with dark brown paint. It took 2 coats and worked great. I also asked my daughter to come up with a short chocolate comment for the back of the bookmark. She said, "Happiness is a warm truffle," so that's the wording I used on the back.
There is no Frigate like a book to take us lands away nor any coursers like a page of prancing Poetry.
- Emily Dickinson
Bookmarks for Men
This bookmark is for my hubby. Yes, you can even make bookmarks for men as long as you make it "manly". Fishing is my husband's favorite hobby so I used fishing as the theme of the bookmark. Again, I added his name to make it special. Also, I found a really neat quote about saltwater so I added that quote to the back of the bookmark (see below). There's no reason to leave the back of the bookmark blank - spice it up!
Cookbook Bookmarks
Baking themed bookmark for Aunt Joy
I decided to go with the wording "Aunt Joy" instead of "Recipes" (see below) because using the name was much more personal than using "Recipes". I did save the "Recipes" words and made another bookmark with it. Aunt Joy always bakes the most wonderful goodies and this was a personal way to show appreciation to her. Hopefully she can use it to mark her favorite recipes in cookbooks. Those cute baking themed stickers came from the Dollar Store.
Making a bookmark for a friend
This bookmark is for my friend Arlene. She taught me seventh-grade science many years ago!
Arlene is a nature lover so I kept that in mind while I made her bookmark. I've chosen some "nature" colors and I'm using some pieces of scrapbooking paper with a nature theme. I'm also personalizing the bookmark with her name. I think she'll love it and use it often. I can't wait to mail it to her.
A girl themed bookmark
Girls like bright colors. I was going to make this bookmark for my daughter, but I didn't plan ahead well enough and the paper was too short for her name. So we picked a good friend whose name had only 6 characters. It fit perfect and now we have a special gift for the friend. The green paper I chose for the overall size was white on the back so I cut out another piece of the multi-colored paper and glued it on the back. It's much more interesting that plain white don't you think? I bet Leanne will love the bright colors and girly-ness of the bookmark.
I made this bookmark just for me!
I admit it, this one is all mine. I am an avid birdwatcher and I made this bookmark for myself. These stickers were free in a packet from Audubon and I kept them for a project such as this. I also printed my name in a typeface I like and I added that to the bookmark. Like everyone, I like it when my name is on bookmarks and other items. I added one more bird sticker to the back for interest.
Quick note about laminating
I hope you can see the full lamination sheet in the picture to the right. I took the picture before I cut the bookmarks apart. The laminating sheets at the office supply store are about 9"x12" and I fit 3 bookmarks in one lamination sleeve. The clerk actually let me position the bookmarks in the sleeve, which I appreciated because I shifted them around to get in as many as possible. I also didn't want them to touch each other so they'd be easy to cut apart. The cost? Only $1 per sheet.There was a thicker option of lamination which was a little more expensive, but this $1 per sheet option was the perfect thickness for my bookmarks.
Laminating Machine for Home Use
I've always wanted one
Scotch Thermal Laminator 15.5 Inches x 6.75 Inches x 3.75 Inches, 2 Roller System (TL901)
Amazon Price: $22.99 (as of 05/27/2012)
I have always wanted my own laminating machine.
This looks like a good option.There are currently 82 reviews with a solid 4.5 star rating.
15.5 in x 6.75 in x 3.75 in 2 roller system
Laminating Pouches
Laminate your own bookmarks
Scotch(TM) Thermal Laminating Pouches, 8.9 Inches x 11.4 Inches, 50 Pouches (TP3854-50)
Amazon Price: $6.98 (as of 05/26/2012)
Available in 20 or 50 pack.
3 mil thick for items up to 8.5 x 11
My favorite websites for famous quotes
Adding a quote to a bookmark is an excellent way to make it memorable. Be sneaky and ask someone their favorite quote, then add it to their bookmark.
- BrainyQuote
- This is my favorite website to search for pithy quotes for bookmarks. Use the Google custom search bar or search by topic or author.
- Famous Quotes and Authors
- Lots of ways to search with this one.
- Great Quotes
- This one even has a section for famous movie quotes.
Three new ideas - I bet I won't lose these!
Why pay a dollar for a bookmark? Why not use the dollar for a bookmark?
- Steven Spielberg
Or better yet, make your own.
More incredible bookmark ideas
Other crafters share their ideas & projects
I've searched and found lots and lots of people making bookmarks. Here are the very coolest of the bunch.
- Skip to my Lou
- This is a very neat idea! Cut shapes out of paper and sandwich beautiful fabrics in-between. Looks awesome.
- Another from Skip to my Lou
- A quick bookmark made from Paint Chips (like you would get from a hardware store).
- Photo Bookmarks
- Here's a cool idea for you photographers.
- Kid at Art
- Take a look at the picture on the right, they are showing a bookmark made from a comic strip - now that's an original idea!
- Corner Bookmark Tutorial from Crafting Happens
- I haven't tried these corner bookmarks, but they look really nice. Here's one version.
- Makes and Takes
- I only wish I would have thought of this. A bookmark for Mom. Lots of typefaces and lots of languages for the name "Mom". Also photos are added. Any mom would love to receive this.
- Handmade Gifts - Bookmarks
- More fabric bookmark ideas.
- Frugal Village
- Never thought of this - bookmarks from playing cards and seed packets.
- from Tiny Prints Blog
- Bookmarks made from cereal boxes. Talk about recycling!
- Corner bookmark - made from an envelope corner - must see
- The phrase on this book mark "you fell asleep here" reminds me of myself. Not a fancy bookmark, but one that will make you smile every time.
- This is a great idea for seasonal bookmarks
- Use simple shape punch-outs for your design. This sample is of snowflakes on a medium blue cardstock. I can imagine all sorts of ideas with this.
*Craft Alert - Homemade Valentines
10 Ideas for Easy Fun Cards
Please visit my other craft articles
Lots more ideas for homemade gifts
I'm a homemade gifts junkie. Enjoy these other ideas for an inexpensive homemade Christmas.
Do you plan on making any bookmarks as gifts this year?
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Hannah
Feb 17, 2012 @ 6:40 am | delete
- I love making my own bookmarks, I cut a piece of card and cover with tissue paper, then cut another piece of card the same size and stick on the back. To decorate, I use mulberry paper, on one of my bookmarks I used banana fibre paper and mulberry paper flowers and leaves ( handmade leaves! ) the effect was gorgeous!!! On the back of the bookmark I write a name, phrase or just simply bookmark in calligraphy writing. The effect is simple, but very elegant!!!
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Man Wong
Feb 4, 2012 @ 11:24 am | delete
- i plan to make for myself !! thanks your guidelines and ideas. I used to collect bookmarks for many years and want to make for myself . Of course, when I learn, i could give to my closest friends.
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jimmyworldstar
Feb 3, 2012 @ 1:48 pm | delete
- Custom bookmarks are great, you can have them for certain books too!
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klaird
Jan 4, 2012 @ 6:45 pm | delete
- Cute and Easy! Loved the bookmark you made for your daughter (my daughter shares the same name!) I've featured your lens on my "50 Craft Ideas for Adults" page, although this is a great craft idea for kids too! Great job!
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sherridan
Jan 3, 2012 @ 5:10 pm | delete
- Great idea for a rainy day - I already have the laminator and even my teens should find this fun!
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Puzzlemaker - That's Me
by puzzlemaker
I'm working toward a Homemade Christmas this year. The times are demanding it from me. So I'm putting together ideas like these bookmarks. Enjoy! more »
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Another idea is to add the meaning of someone's name to their bookmark
Click for more information
The Name Book: Over 10,000 Names, Their Meanings, Origins, and Spritual Significance
Amazon Price: $49.89 (as of 05/26/2012)
Here's another book about names
The Secret Meaning of Names
Amazon Price: $34.64 (as of 05/26/2012)
