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Repurpose, Recycle or Upcycle Old Books

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Up-cycle your "useless" old book!

Are you here to find ways to re-purpose or recycle your broken books? Good! I hope I can provide you with some crafty ideas to save your beloved (or not) old broken books.

Before you proceed, make sure that your book is not valuable (as in rare and antique): Is your book valuable? (click and link will open a new page)

Make sure that you really want to re-purpose this book by reading this page: Deciding if your book can be saved. (will open a new page). It is NOT my goal to have readable books torn apart to create a craft.

Image: Wreath using re-purposed sheet music paper. I took it at a craft fair that featured "green" art. Here is a page that will show you how to create a wreath that is similar to this one: click Paper Wreath from Recycled Paper (will open a new page called "Librarians, Please Avert Your Eyes") to go and find a new recycling craft project. Here is another page that uses a phone book: Phone Book Wreath

The picture of the book page wreath was taken by me with an iPhone.
Stacked Books Christmas Tree in UNC Library

Stacked Christmas Tree in UNC Library--made with books, naturally! 

Festive uses for old books:

Just in time for the holidays!

Need to refresh your holiday decorations? I am positive that you will find a green (combined with red?) recycling project that your can use to bring cheer to your holiday season. I am constantly amazed by the creativity of the human race!

Make sure you check out how to make an angel from an old hymnal! It would take a lot of time, but the results could be spectacular!

Bookish Christmas trees


Image from "macinate" on Flickr



Thanks, Vallain for "pining this tree:

Source: blog.blurb.com via Virginia on Pinterest

New Uses for a Book--Festive Book Tree for the Holidays
Clever ways to repurpose an everyday item.

Source: img4.realsimple.com via Mickie on Pinterest

Hardback book christmas tree
How to turn an old, unwanted hardback into a small Xmas tree.Can work as a table display, in lieu of an Xmas card (plenty of space on the inside cov...

Source: Uploaded by user via Mickie on Pinterest

Magazine Christmas Trees - Martha Stewart Holidays
Magazine Christmas Trees article.

Source: marthastewart.com via Mickie on Pinterest

Recycled Magazine Christmas Tree
Probably the best instructions for making a Christmas Tree out of a magazine--ever!

Source: squidoo.com via Mickie on Pinterest

Paperback Pumpkin from Cheeky Magpie
A restyled book that is perfect for Autumn and Halloween!

Source: squidoo.com via Mickie on Pinterest

Happy October!

Source: scrumdillydo.blogspot.com via Mickie on Pinterest

Fall Pumpkin Decorations Made from Recycled Books
Make fall pumpkin decorations using old books
Hymnals to Angel Centerpieces
Hymnals to Angel Centerpieces
From the Open Files of: Northwest Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center
Contributed by: Lois Jensen, Long Lake Lutheran Church

Source: synodresourcecenter.org via Mickie on Pinterest

Instead of tags, make names from old maps or papers

Source: google.com via papier et on Pinterest

How to make a hymnal angel:
Another version of a repurposed book being made into an angel.

angel made from a hymnal

Recycle a book into a purse--

Save a book and money!

Book Bag image used with permission of Caitlin Phillips Re-purpose a useless book and make a darlin' book bag purse! The link to the instructions here are offered to the home crafter and should be used for personal use only--not for resale.

If you would like to do that, visit Make a Purse from an old book! written by BevsPaper and find out how. This is an excellent article (lens) and was a Lens of the Day selection.

I have seen some really beautiful purses made from the covers of old books. Use your imagination and go wild. Make sure, I know I am repeating myself, that the book is not valuable!

Image of the book purse is used with permission from rebounddesigns at etsy.com artist Caitlin Phillips. She creates professional quality purses and states: "Great care is taken to find books that are unwanted, obsolete, or damaged." Ms. Phillips told me that hers are the original book purses; I am honored to have received permission to use her image as inspiration for amateur crafters like myself.

Books About Repurposing Books:

Remake, Restyle, Recycle, Renew!

The first book below is full of ideas for repurposing books. The other two are about how to make books using recycled items. Be sure to notice the reviews of these interesting books on upcycling!

You can buy them now on Amazon.com.
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Real or Digital Books?

Will our future generations even know what a real "book" is?

With the increased popularity of the Nook and the Kindle, it seems that the real, touchable printed paper book will go the way of the 8 track tape. What is your opinion?

Source: flickr.com via Denise on PinterestSee the original at Book of Art.This artist also has a shop on Etsy.

Will there still be paper books in the future?

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Yes, it is the only way to preserve the written word and beautiful print images.

Megan says:

Books will never be lost. They may become relics or keepsakes, but the printed word will always endure. If nothing else, electronics don't have the same smell.

Posted January 23, 2012

kathysart says:

I sure hope so.

Posted January 22, 2012

siempoor says:

paperless is some kind of utopic idea..i think less paper is more realistic..and im enjoying book as available today,printed in paper

Posted January 17, 2012

whitneywpanetta says:

I love this! I recently made a wreath with old books and I loved the way it turned out! You can also use old books for visual journals, I'm on my third and love it! lookbetweenthelines.com

Posted January 17, 2012

ionee_25 says:

Real book smells good, especially the older ones. It's my habit to go to some bookstores every Sunday and there's always lots of new published books.

Posted January 12, 2012

No, Digital will be the only mode for books in the future.

guardianstar77 says:

No, unfortunately, I think the future holds only electronic books for us. Makes me wonder what happens if we have some kind of phenomenon that does away with electricity, doesn't it you? Very sad; I love "touchable" books.

Posted December 14, 2011

goo2eyes says:

i think that paper books will be a thing of the past. kindle and iPads will take over.

Posted December 05, 2011

flycatcher says:

Nothing is quite the same as a real, printed-on-paper book, and I've dedicated much of my life to books, working in both libraries and publishing... but I am very much afraid that the paper book is an endangered species. The costs of printing, storage, shipping, handling, more storage, risk of fire and flood damage - digital is simply more cost-effective and, oddly, more durable in the long run. I doubt it will be the *only* mode for books in the future, but I do think the real paper book will become increasingly rare as the years go by.

Posted December 03, 2011

Fignewton37 says:

I love books. I love the way they look on a shelf. I love the feel of a book in my hands and they make a home feel lived in. But as each generation becomes more and more used to reading electronic readers like Kindle and others electronic devices where you can carry a library in your palm, I am afraid books will eventually only be found in museums, under glass, where they can be protected from decay. It's really sad.

Posted October 05, 2011

Heather426 says:

While I think we will preserve the books we have, I think a day will come when all publishing is electronic.

Posted August 04, 2011

 
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Recycle Books into Furniture:

Novel ideas for your home decor!

Reader's Table from thisintothat.comFind great ideas on this blog: Recycle Books Into Furniture. You can find ideas to make a bookshelf or a table out of old books on this page. Is your imagination getting sparked yet?

You can also find ideas for making bookshelves on this website: Weburbanist-Brilliant Bookcase and Book Shelf Designs

Don't know what to do with that set of outdated encyclopedias! Click A use for old encylopedias! Even charitable organizations will not let you donate old encyclopedias any more!

Here are instructions for making an end table with old books AND old clothing accessories: Bookstrap Side Table

Make Tables Out of Books! Click Tables Made Out of Books to find inspiration. I found a few of the the above websites on THIS resourceful blog entry, Frugral Furniture Made from Books.

This Into That is an online store where an artist (Jim Rosenau) explains how his upcycling, repurposing craft is born: "The journey to market begins here, in our carefully tended orchards. Here, a fully ripened book is harvested from the Tree of Knowledge." (That is his "Reader's Table" pictured up and to right).

Please feel free to bookmark this page about recycling old books

--or do you perfer calling them "vintage" books?

Thanks! And do not forget to give me a "Squid-Like" by clicking the "Facebook Like" button or the "thumbs up" at the top of the page.

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How to make a Hollow Book

from WikiHow

Printable Version

Fold Books to make a Lamp base!

Technique similar to the folded Christmas Trees above

Literary Lamp made from recycled books- Image from ReadyMade.comFind instructions to making a wonderful lamp base by clicking Make a Literary Lamp! Simple and easy to follow instructions. I have not tried this book-crafty project, yet, but I am sure I will find the time soon. Will update you with my own pictures.

This idea was found on "ReadyMade". There are so very many ways to up-cycle books. I hope you enjoy this enlightening one! ReadyMade.com also gave me permission to use the image of this "Literary Lamp" shown here.

Check out another idea for a book lamp base by Aidan Gray Stacked Books Table Lamp with Half Shademake books into a lamp base on Amazon. I am sure I can find instructions for making a lamp base like this one. Basically, I imagine this project would only need a stack of old, useless books with a single hole drilled through it.

There is another interesting article where you can find instructions for making a vase or lamp base from used books; just click Book Vases by Laura Cahill on Dezeen. this designer used a jigsaw to upcycle used books into classic curves.

Blogging about old books--

Repurposing Books

Did you know that you can use the paper pages from a book to make your own paper? Sound redundant or confusing? Well check out this "How To" article on Wiki on How to Make Paper (with a video, too!). Your old book will live again!

There are a multitude of ideas on the web for recycling books. Below find the blog entries using the search terms "recycled books".
Can I recycle books?
In an ideal world, books would be read and passed along for years. But that isn't always the case. Some books get damaged and are unreadable. Los Angeles residents can recycle hardcover and softcover books, with or without jackets, as mixed paper in ...
CMU looks to step up recycling in nationwide competition
China graduate student Rui Zhang stacks books that he's collected for this year's RecycleMania contest Monday morning at the Recycling Center of Isabella County, 4208 E. River Road. "It's important to educate people about recycling," Zhang said.
'Food for Fines' a great way to donate to DCO
New Teen Non-Fiction Books ? Vegetarianism edited by Jill Hamilton; Water And Ice by Noah Berlatsky; 101 Ways To Save The Planet by Deborah Underwood; 101 Ways To Be A Great Role Model by Charlotte Guillain; Balancing Work And Play by Camilla de la ...
Wee-cycle saves parents money, helps them recycle
Shoppers can buy all types of children's clothing and accessories including strollers, clothing, high chairs, cribs, and books at the event. An estimated 30000 items will be available at 50 to 90 percent off the retail price. The presale begins today, ...
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Books about Altered Books:

The first book is for young adults and children. The second one is for grown-ups, but a creative child will enjoy the ideas and images.
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Miss any book craft projects?

Repurposing a beat up old book

Go back and find that creative way to up-cycle your old books for Home Decor, greeting cards, holiday decorations, etc....

(clickable index of what was covered here)

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  1. Stacked Christmas Tree in UNC Library--made with books, naturally!
  2. Festive uses for old books:
  3. Recycle a book into a purse--
  4. Books About Repurposing Books:
  5. Real or Digital Books?
  6. Recycle Books into Furniture:
  7. Please feel free to bookmark this page about recycling old books
  8. How to make a Hollow Book
  9. Fold Books to make a Lamp base!
  10. Blogging about old books--
  11. Books about Altered Books:
  12. Love this lens about repurposing or recycling old books?
  13. Please sign in: Will you be repurposing a book soon?
  14. Repurposing Lenses of Note:
  15. Read more about caring for your beloved books:
  16. About Mickie_G

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What do you think about the future of the real paper book? Will books end up being repurposed, restyled, recycled or renewed? What project might you attempt?

I am sure that we will find some way to turn a Kindle or Nook into an object of art one day, too.

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Repurposing Lenses of Note:

These lenses are masterful ones. See how others are re-purposing items that they find. Creative, imaginative and magical stuff will be found below.
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Read more about caring for your beloved books:

By Mickie_G!

If you liked this article, then you might find these interesting as well. That is me, saving the world one book at a time!
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About Mickie_G

who cares about real books!

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Mickie_G

Welcome! Have an old torn up book that you can't bear to part with? Then make something from it, why don't you?
I am a wife, mother, & grandmother who... more »

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More Uses for old books! 

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Even more ideas for reusing books: 

The Repurposed Library: 33 Craft Projects That Give Old Books New Life

The Repurposed Library: 33 Craft Projects That Give Old Books New Life

by: Lisa Occhipinti

Amazon Price: $15.36 (as of 02/23/2012)Buy Now

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