Home » So Crafty

Please sign in: Will you be repurposing a book soon?

From the lens Repurpose-Recycle-Upcycle Old Books.

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.

  • UKGhostwriter May 29, 2012 @ 2:59 am | delete
    Great resource, pinned too!
    http://pinterest.com/pin/85286986663724655
  • DianeStafford May 22, 2012 @ 8:00 am | delete
    Excellent lens, not ready to turn any 'real' books into craft items, but loved many of the examples shown here :-)
  • sheezie77 May 19, 2012 @ 4:17 am | delete
    Great lens! Well done, squidlikes!
  • S Prescott May 17, 2012 @ 10:27 pm | delete
    I just bought 100 old leather bound law books. Got some great ideas, thanks.
  • piarejuden May 13, 2012 @ 6:51 am | delete
    Oh, gosh! These ideas are awesome.. thanks for al the info! Yep.. i will try out a couple of these ideas on old telephone directories!
  • aesta1 May 13, 2012 @ 4:04 am | delete
    I have given away most of my books and now have my new collection in my Kindle. You have given me many ideas in your lens.
  • MSchindel May 7, 2012 @ 5:14 pm | delete
    These are some wonderful, imaginative ways to repurpose damaged books that aren't valuable and give them a new life! Thank you so much for sharing and congratulations on the well-deserved purple star award!
  • flinnie May 6, 2012 @ 10:03 am | delete
    Hi I love these great ideals .the trees are great.Thanks for sharing.
  • mytortoisemind May 5, 2012 @ 12:54 pm | delete
    I like this lens a lot (so do other people obviously looking at all of your likes etc). Even the simple Christmas tree stack looks really cool. Thanks for sharing on this lens.
  • Hypersapien Apr 30, 2012 @ 7:36 pm | delete
    The Christmas trees are pretty cool! Thanks for this lens!
  • juliavm Apr 29, 2012 @ 11:35 am | delete
    Wonderful ideas here....i have so many old books here, that I've no idea what to do with them. These are some great suggestions.
  • Spokanewebdesign Apr 29, 2012 @ 10:01 am | delete
    the book purse is too cool!
  • LizLilith Apr 29, 2012 @ 1:23 am | delete
    Some great suggestions here! I especially like the idea of converting books into furniture.
  • Alchemilla Mollis Apr 28, 2012 @ 4:02 pm | delete
    Kindles would look great set in blocks of concrete and used as foundations for multi-storey car parks.
  • jballs6 Apr 28, 2012 @ 8:52 am | delete
    Great ideas! I either sell on or give my books to friends. But I do have two books cases full of books that I love and cherish
  • jenn-barrett Apr 27, 2012 @ 11:01 pm | delete
    fantastic suggestions for old books! :) I still have some books from college that no one wants, maybe I will make some art.
  • TheCandle Apr 27, 2012 @ 8:50 pm | delete
    I think paper books will eventually become a thing of the past, but I do love curling up with one. I have a Nook and didn't think I would like it, but I love it as well.
  • squidoopets Apr 27, 2012 @ 7:27 pm | delete
    What delightful ways to reuse books :)
  • J-Ellen Apr 27, 2012 @ 9:51 am | delete
    Awesome lens. But I have no books to repurpose at the moment. I love the angel idea. Very cute.
  • blue22d Apr 26, 2012 @ 3:18 pm | delete
    Very impressive. I am having trouble deciding as to if I like the trees made from books or a purse more (saw one at the fair). As I mentioned before, some take time, but if you have made one of these, one should be proud!
  • SheilaMilne Apr 26, 2012 @ 4:12 am | delete
    A friend of mine makes books into postcard albums. The books have to be the right size to take two per page with some room to spare. She carefully cuts slits in the paper to make it like an old fashioned album. the great thing is, she can fit any size or shape card into it because she is cutting the slits herself.
  • PaulRyan Apr 26, 2012 @ 1:03 am | delete
    Love it! One of the best lenses ever. Some creative ideas. Shall see what I can do with my old books.
  • magictricksdotcom Apr 25, 2012 @ 10:38 pm | delete
    You've found some really creative ideas here. My wife does a lot of altered book art, and I've always been fascinated by it. Great lens!
  • AbandonGames Apr 25, 2012 @ 8:24 pm | delete
    omg i didn't know you can make such amazing things out of old books ... (for sure only the worthless) .. amazing lense!
  • Prescriptiondrugrehab Apr 24, 2012 @ 11:27 pm | delete
    I would like to do this in the future. I have many books that I was thinking to give away. Now I see that there are different ways to reuse them.
  • LizaSandler Apr 24, 2012 @ 8:50 pm | delete
    awesome lens! I really like it, it's an amazing idea, having this decoration made of books. I really can't imagine how do you came up with this idea. I will really try this one. But as piece of advice, I hope you don't use books that are still capable of giving knowledge and ideas.
  • Atreyusmommy Apr 24, 2012 @ 4:35 pm | delete
    Wow I really like this lens! I'm a book lover and there are some great tips on what to do with old books. Great job and thanks for sharing!
  • Deadicated Apr 24, 2012 @ 1:24 pm | delete
    I may do so now that I've been given some truly wonderful ideas on your exceptional Lens. Kudos!
  • RInneVolle Apr 24, 2012 @ 3:13 am | delete
    so cool ^O^
  • InspirationbyDmarie Apr 23, 2012 @ 4:15 pm | delete
    I love your lens!!! and I love to read!
  • JoyfulReviewer Apr 23, 2012 @ 3:24 pm | delete
    Lots of clever and unique ideas. Thanks for the helpful info. Blessed by a joyful angel.
  • RainDefence Apr 23, 2012 @ 12:14 pm | delete
    Is giving a book to a friend after you've enjoyed and having them enjoy it too not the done thing any more? I like the idea of someone else enjoying what I've read and talking about it after, rather than shredding them and turning them into a novelty flower or a bag or something.
  • dann7trdro Apr 23, 2012 @ 9:07 am | delete
    Ironically, I'm reading this while pulling labels off a pile of old books! (we're donating them)
  • DecoratingMom411 Apr 23, 2012 @ 6:34 am | delete
    There are a lot of great ideas here. It's quite nice what you can do with old books such as making them into a purse or those cute lamps.
  • riki_writing4u Apr 23, 2012 @ 6:31 am | delete
    Wonderful.. Simply wow.. I've bookmarked it.. :)
  • ILoveNature Apr 23, 2012 @ 3:36 am | delete
    Wow! Who knew there were so many ways to use old books. I really hate to throw away books and this Lens has helped me realize the potential in all of those pages.
  • CraftaholicVeteran1 Apr 21, 2012 @ 6:57 pm | delete
    Wonderful ideas! I would have never thought that old books would have been used in so many crafts. Thanks for sharing. Great job!
  • bikerministry Apr 21, 2012 @ 6:47 am | delete
    Really great ideas here. I was in a restaurant yesterday that had amazing artwork on the walls, the background layer of the framed artwork was pages from books, and the them then was painted onto the pages. Beautiful. I love to upcycle.
  • cynthia-ann-leighton Apr 21, 2012 @ 1:56 am | delete
    I like having books still!
  • pinkelephantpod Apr 20, 2012 @ 10:38 pm | delete
    Read your lens a few days back and am inspired by the many inspiring ideas shared here. A BIG "High Five"
  • gradientcat Apr 20, 2012 @ 6:44 pm | delete
    I think my kids would like the secret box made from a book
  • i-Dia- Apr 20, 2012 @ 6:02 pm | delete
    How interesting. I never would have thought of using books this way. Great ways to recycle.
  • MysticTurtle Apr 20, 2012 @ 12:29 pm | delete
    I'm going to keep my eyes open for some old books just so I can do some of these!
  • AnnieMoril Apr 19, 2012 @ 2:44 pm | delete
    "High Five" I love books and hate the idea of throwing any away. So I love all the ideas for recycling them in your lens.
  • malzeke Apr 18, 2012 @ 3:52 pm | delete
    I love all your ideas but I would have to have a book with no purpose to do any one of these ideas. I love all my books and I revisit them often.
  • tnabooks Apr 17, 2012 @ 10:30 am | delete
    I love these ideas. The book purse is particularly creative and tempting to make. :)
  • grinagallery Apr 17, 2012 @ 7:19 am | delete
    Some awesome ideas here! I love the Christmas Tree made out of books. Putting the paper back in the tree. Very clever. Thanks for sharing. :-)
  • Carreira Apr 15, 2012 @ 6:48 pm | delete
    I won't, I know my limitations, and although I like to see artistic things, I'm not an artist and I don't know nor have the patience to do them myself :p
  • KateHon Apr 15, 2012 @ 6:25 pm | delete
    I remember doing some of your art projects shown above! They brought back great memories! Thanks for a wonderful lens!
  • kiwinana71 Apr 15, 2012 @ 5:00 pm | delete
    Great lens, enjoyed it. Yes it makes you wonder what is the future of books.
    Nice lens for Earth day. Thanks for sharing all these ideas. Blessed
  • ShirlW Apr 14, 2012 @ 10:49 pm | delete
    I don't know if I will, but I am tempted. We were just at an antique mall yesterday and I saw a wreath made out of beautiful yellowed pages of an old book....it make my think of this lens! Angel blessed today!
  • bloomingrose Apr 14, 2012 @ 7:13 pm | delete
    Back to pin this great lens. Ecological and pretty.
  • rnhealthinfo Apr 14, 2012 @ 12:31 am | delete
    My favorite local book store closed, they just weren't busy enough and I miss them, it's happening to more and more of even the larger book stores. I would love to make the purse book, bookmarked! So many great ideas here, love them all. I'd like to link this to my How to Celebrate Earth Day if you give the ok to do so.
  • Mickie_G Apr 14, 2012 @ 7:48 am | delete
    Thank you for the offer of a link for this recycling page of mine. If you do not have the time to make the book purse, you can buy one on Etsy using the link above to the artisan whose photo I used. (I do not get a commission, btw.)
  • Flynn_the_Cat Apr 13, 2012 @ 9:55 pm | delete
    Ironically, I'm reading this while pulling labels off a pile of old books! (we're donating them)
  • ny2nashville Apr 13, 2012 @ 9:02 am | delete
    LOVE this lens!! I just opened an Etsy store with my book page wreaths- I'd love some feedback from you fellow bibliophiles:)
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/NYtoNashville
  • Timsmansmall Apr 13, 2012 @ 1:57 am | delete
    Congratulations on being on the front page of Squidoo.
  • GypsyWhim Apr 12, 2012 @ 3:53 pm | delete
    Simply a stunning, highly original, and refreshing site. I enjoyed the many visual references as well. I'm going to link somehow to this lens on my Elaborate Gift List for Writers and Poets lens. Beautiful, terrific job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did I mention I was impressed to the hilt? Oh yeah, I think I did. I'll shut up now.
  • LooLooBird Apr 12, 2012 @ 3:01 pm | delete
    All these ideas are fabulous! So happy to see other "upcycling" articles! Check out mine on making a lap quilt from flannel shirts if you'd like! :)
  • MyraReid Apr 12, 2012 @ 4:13 am | delete
    great lens about recycling things such as books. I will apply some of your tips and thanks for sharing wonderful lens..
  • miaponzo Apr 12, 2012 @ 2:00 am | delete
    I absolutely LOVE books... and I love that tree made out of books :) Blessed!
  • BusinessSarah Apr 11, 2012 @ 5:37 pm | delete
    I love these ideas! I'm planning my wedding, and since I'm an editor and my fiance is a musician, most of the decor is made from old dictionary paper and sheet music. Your lens gave me a few ideas for some finishing touches -- thanks! blessed!
  • nancymaggielee Apr 11, 2012 @ 10:42 am | delete
    Going to try that wreath one of these days with some old books I have laying around the house. What a nice idea for a lens, thanks!
  • suzy-t Apr 11, 2012 @ 9:20 am | delete
    I am very fond of old books. I collect and donate a lot of books to our local library but do come across some that are so damaged they are not saveable...and next time I come across one, I want to try the "lamp base" project. I have the perfect spot picked out already. Wonderful lens. Blessed.
  • DecoratingforEvents Apr 11, 2012 @ 9:17 am | delete
    Bookmarked, saved and thrilled to have these references for making something from old books! Thanks for all the research and putting this together! *Blessed
  • Tipi Apr 10, 2012 @ 10:53 pm | delete
    Congratulations on a a well deserved front page feature...delightfully blessed!...*
  • SophiaStar Apr 10, 2012 @ 9:56 pm | delete
    These are some great pieces of art. There is something very nostalgic, beautiful and quite clever of turning an already piece of an art (the written word or book) into another one. I really like the book trees.
  • GrowWear Apr 10, 2012 @ 5:21 pm | delete
    You do great work, lady. ...I have a Nook. It's on top of a book in my biggest bookcase full of books -- art in itself to me. :) Sad, but books will go the way of scrolls...
  • teriann Apr 10, 2012 @ 8:09 am | delete
    Very nicely done and creative ideas. Thx for such great inspiration!.
  • allenwebstarme Apr 10, 2012 @ 7:57 am | delete
    Brilliant idea!
  • dumutu Apr 10, 2012 @ 6:00 am | delete
    I hope I can make something like this...:(
    But very nice lens, thank you.
  • mamabush Apr 10, 2012 @ 12:33 am | delete
    Mickie_G, I just noticed your comment on my RocketSquids article from last week. You should definitely submit this to So Crafty for Earth Day...it's really great! You'll find a link for submissions on the homepage. :) SquidAngel Blessed!
  • MelonyVaughan Apr 9, 2012 @ 9:27 pm | delete
    I just can't part with my books so easily! That being said, the projects shown in this lens are beautiful and some are spectacular! I really enjoyed reading this lens.
  • bloomingrose Apr 9, 2012 @ 7:03 pm | delete
    Great lens, back to sprinkle angel dust! I loved the book trees and the furniture made of books. Cool! Oh, and social bookmarked which I hope more people do. These ideas are ecological as well as fun.
  • Lauriej1 Apr 9, 2012 @ 5:45 pm | delete
    I love some of these ideas! Great lens!! :)
  • snazzify Apr 9, 2012 @ 4:11 pm | delete
    blessed by a squid angel :) <3
  • nightcats Apr 9, 2012 @ 2:42 pm | delete
    I do book altering from time to time. These sculptures are amazing. Thanks so much.
  • emackey61 Apr 9, 2012 @ 12:31 pm | delete
    I'd like to use old books to make bookmarks or refrigerator magnets. Does anyone know of a site for those?
  • cffutah Apr 9, 2012 @ 7:13 am | delete
    Returning reader but this time I *blessed* this!
  • Stazjia Apr 9, 2012 @ 7:05 am | delete
    I love the examples of re-using old books in craft projects. I'm not sure if I've got any books I can bear to use, though.
  • intermarks Apr 9, 2012 @ 6:05 am | delete
    Books will definitely last for a long long time, no other way can really replace paper books.
  • aesta1 Apr 9, 2012 @ 4:16 am | delete
    The various paper art from books are really impressive especially now with so much paper lying around. There is indeed no limit to creative imagination.
  • peggygallyot Apr 9, 2012 @ 1:34 am | delete
    going to try making a christmas tree
  • peggygallyot Apr 9, 2012 @ 1:33 am | delete
    going to try the christmas and yes i recycle old books by passing them to my grand children and also donateing them
  • MarcoG Apr 8, 2012 @ 5:01 pm | delete
    I love this as a craft, like book origami!
  • Steve_Kaye Apr 8, 2012 @ 2:54 pm | delete
    This is absolutely fascinating. I especially like the book trees. Thank you for publishing this lens.
  • Beetlemania Mar 30, 2012 @ 8:57 pm | delete
    Love this!
  • elsahc Mar 30, 2012 @ 12:09 pm | delete
    As a collage artist, I am a fan of any paper art...this is one of the most intriguing lenses I have seen on Squidoo.
  • YellowHammer Mar 24, 2012 @ 11:21 am | delete
    I know that I can often find free books at the library they are just giving away. If a person can figure out a way to make a piece of art from them to sell? Wait, that's what this lens is about. Thanks.
  • klaird Mar 7, 2012 @ 12:39 pm | delete
    I love books and have a hard time parting with them, even when my bookshelves are overflowing. Great ideas for repurposing old books. I've featured this lens in a new section about crafts from old books on my "101 Craft Ideas for Adults" lens. Great job. And I love the photo of the Christmas book tree!
  • peachplanet Mar 5, 2012 @ 11:40 am | delete
    love the Christmas trees! thanks for sharing!
  • DANCINGCOWGIRLDESIGN Mar 1, 2012 @ 12:18 pm | delete
    I love the purse made from a book. There are some really great ideas here for using old books. Some of them remind me of when we used to fold the Houston,Tx telephone book into Christmas trees. That was a BIG phone book.
  • greenearthy Feb 29, 2012 @ 12:23 pm | delete
    wonderul lens love all that you can do to recycle old books I want to make the purse soon and I like the Christmas trees made from books that are so neat.
  • Upon-Request Feb 24, 2012 @ 11:39 am | delete
    Great lens - adding to my Recycling at Home lens (pinned it too!)
  • im1337mi Feb 21, 2012 @ 3:12 pm | delete
    Lovely ideas! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
  • WhiteSockGirl Feb 8, 2012 @ 2:17 pm | delete
    Interesting! But I love my books and prefer to keep them intact. Love the handbag though.
  • ItayasDesigns Feb 8, 2012 @ 12:59 am | delete
    Great article! I love books! I don't ever want them to go away. :)
  • naheedahsan Feb 5, 2012 @ 1:35 pm | delete
    it was all beautiful and very creative.
  • kathysart Jan 22, 2012 @ 1:07 pm | delete
    I love REAL books, I think it would feel so sad not to have them all around my house. Angel blessed lens!!
  • GrammaLinda Jan 10, 2012 @ 6:49 pm | delete
    Hmmm, I have some old computer books that are useless. Maybe those would work as art?
  • Papier Jan 3, 2012 @ 1:55 pm | delete
    Before long I intend to do so, to create another kind of treasure.
  • nyclittleitaly Jan 1, 2012 @ 2:33 pm | delete
    great idea
  • Mistel Dec 30, 2011 @ 5:50 pm | delete
    Very creative, I love all the ideas of repurposing books here although I don't think I could ever get myself to hurt any of my books :D
  • mihgasper Dec 26, 2011 @ 6:04 am | delete
    Seeing old book thrown in recycle bin is one of saddest views possible. I love the alternatives you presented. Long live the books!
  • bloomingrose Dec 14, 2011 @ 3:38 am | delete
    Lovely lens - very cool! Of course I am a bibliophile that is tripping over books.
  • ideadesigns Dec 10, 2011 @ 11:00 am | delete
    Thank you so much for the link to my recycle magazine tree. There are so many great ideas here. I love the book art especially all the Christmas tree ideas. :)
  • totalhealth Dec 8, 2011 @ 3:45 pm | delete
    it was all beautiful and very creative. graet ways to re purpose those old books.
  • goo2eyes Dec 5, 2011 @ 5:15 pm | delete
    now i know what i have to do with those old encyclopedia britannica and encyclopedia americana....make a christmas tree.
  • seedplanter Dec 5, 2011 @ 9:18 am | delete
    I am head-over-heels in love with this lens! I've seen repurposed books on Etsy and thought they were so cool, but your lens lays it all out with lots of good info and instructions. I LOVE the Christmas trees! The huge tree in the library is amazing. Another super Mickie G lens! :)
    I'm off to tweet it...
  • fugeecat Nov 26, 2011 @ 9:34 am | delete
    I use the pages from old books for painting etc. The pages look great after you paint them and the paper is awesome for watercolor.
  • amieljaven Nov 25, 2011 @ 9:45 am | delete
    Awesome! Super love it. Thanks for sharing. Squid-liked!
  • AFridayInApril Nov 23, 2011 @ 3:24 pm | delete
    Very creative thanks for sharing!
  • wordstock Nov 16, 2011 @ 9:54 am | delete
    I have some books that were damaged by the rain but can't make myself throw them away. One is a hymnal that I bought from our church many years ago. The angel is the perfect use and I still get to keep it. Thanks! Angel blessed.
  • MorningShine Nov 12, 2011 @ 5:29 pm | delete
    You have some really neat ideas. I never would have thought of some of these things. Good job.
  • cwstocks Nov 4, 2011 @ 10:37 am | delete
    I love physical books. I hope there will be continued interest in them. I enjoy collecting 1st edition and signed 1st edition books and I think collectors will continue to be a market for paper books.
  • ErHawkns7100 Nov 2, 2011 @ 7:06 pm | delete
    Great stuff!
  • PaulOnBooks Oct 31, 2011 @ 5:07 pm | delete
    My books tend to stay with me, on sheklves, floors, dining table ...

    Some great ideas on recycling - Angel Blessed.
  • NicholasBW Oct 31, 2011 @ 6:58 am | delete
    Well done, this is an excellent lens with great ideas, it's featured on my lens for upcycling ideas :)
  • Mickie_G Nov 20, 2011 @ 2:00 pm | delete
    Thanks for the feature.
  • MintySea Oct 29, 2011 @ 5:43 pm | delete
    very creative ways to recycle damgaged books
  • Tia2 Oct 28, 2011 @ 5:24 pm | delete
    I love these repurposed book ideas, and the purse is super cute, Where a repurposed Kindle is concerned however, I'm sure I wouldn't mind if someone gave me a Stacked Kindle Christmas Tree :-)
  • Mickie_G Nov 20, 2011 @ 2:01 pm | delete
    If you get a stacked Kindle or Nook tree, remember where you got this idea and share the wealth. :)
  • Mia-Mia Oct 24, 2011 @ 9:23 pm | delete
    A really neat lens with some great ideas. I love the book-purse idea.
  • JodiFromFlorida Oct 10, 2011 @ 3:49 pm | delete
    Awesome lens! I love the literary lamp.
  • ana_nimoss Oct 9, 2011 @ 4:29 pm | delete
    This was a very unique lens. I have never seen anything quite like this. Some cool ideas...
  • Mickie_G Oct 20, 2011 @ 7:42 pm | delete
    Actually another lensmaster has created a lens about unusual uses for books. The url is
    http://www.squidoo.com/book_oddities
  • mysterrio Oct 9, 2011 @ 2:02 pm | delete
    I love the idea of recycling a book. If I have any that need to go to the ole book grave yeard - now I know what to do with them.
  • LotusLandry Oct 9, 2011 @ 9:52 am | delete
    Our neighborhood recycles books into a clubhouse library where we are free to take other books out. Volunteers cull extra books out periodically. Many people still use the clubhouse even if they have Kindles (and wrote a Kindle book). This facility has served us well for over 30 years as the local public libraries are inadequate. Obviously, pop up books and other coffee table books will not be recycled. I still retain poetry books and some textbooks. I am grateful for both the clubhouse library AND the Kindle because of limited shelf space.
  • RF153541 Oct 7, 2011 @ 11:24 pm | delete
    Great idea for recycling those old books that i got.. thanks for posting...
  • TapIn2U Oct 7, 2011 @ 10:07 pm | delete
    These are brilliant crafty ideas! Thanks for sharing them. It always feels great to recycle and re-use. Saves me a lot of money and the planet, too! Fantastic lens! Sundae ;-)
  • cffutah Oct 7, 2011 @ 4:54 pm | delete
    glad I browsed upon this, did like this indeed. Probably best to go to kindle instead of paper back, good reading. I gave you a 'thumbs up' too!
  • Frankster Oct 7, 2011 @ 11:22 am | delete
    Excellent lens. I'm so glad to see the ways an old book can be used. I take extra good care of my books so they never end up being torn apart. But the library here and other people sell old books and some just need to be used in the various ways you've described. Thanks. Blessed. Bear hugs, Frankster
  • Oct 7, 2011 @ 3:33 am | delete
    I applaud this lens as it would be a real waste simply to throw books out.
  • henrylayla Oct 6, 2011 @ 11:52 pm | delete
    Very much interesting and unique ideas
  • scarlettohairy Oct 6, 2011 @ 12:00 pm | delete
    I love this lens!
  • ce2consulting Oct 6, 2011 @ 9:41 am | delete
    really great ideas and resources for recycling old books!
  • greatlegs Oct 6, 2011 @ 8:46 am | delete
    Wow, what a great idea. This is a great lens.
  • writer_villa Oct 6, 2011 @ 7:01 am | delete
    It is so nice to see those stack of books! Gorgeous!
  • myfairladyah Oct 5, 2011 @ 9:14 pm | delete
    As I don't like things going to waste
    Re-purposing books is an interesting notion
    Though I wouldn't rip up the pages in haste
    Lest my friends, the books, stir a commotion
  • Ramkitten Oct 5, 2011 @ 7:31 pm | delete
    What cool ideas. Love the table! And that Christmas tree ... hm, I think I might make a small version of that this holiday. I have a box of hardcover gardening books that would work.
  • lasertek Oct 5, 2011 @ 7:07 pm | delete
    Definitely. The ideas on this lens are very unique.
  • Oct 5, 2011 @ 6:45 pm | delete
    I love this page...so interesting and unique!
  • prosperity66 Oct 5, 2011 @ 1:03 pm | delete
    Amazing recycling ideas for books ! I particularly like the lamp idea as well as the pumpkin in the kitchen. The Christmas tree is awesome. Fantastic lens!
  • falldown2007 Oct 5, 2011 @ 9:14 am | delete
    Wow awesome lense, great ideas!
  • Fignewton37 Oct 5, 2011 @ 8:45 am | delete
    What a great idea for a lens! I really like the craft ideas for books. I once saw an article about old library books that had been re-purposed into a full size desk. They used the books as a base and a nice wooden top for the desk portion. I thought that was a pretty neat idea. Thanks for you hard work on this lens.
  • aussieremovals Oct 5, 2011 @ 6:57 am | delete
    Great lend and it's providing different idea about recycle or up cycle old Books. Nice lens.
  • Deeksha Oct 5, 2011 @ 4:52 am | delete
    Impressive lens... Making use of unused items in an effective way is very good.
  • emmalarkins Oct 4, 2011 @ 8:47 pm | delete
    Great suggestions! I've often had the problem of having way too many books on hand. I love books, but sometimes too many of them weigh down your life!
  • bosie Oct 4, 2011 @ 5:18 pm | delete
    Awesome lens, I am going to read some more. This is a great example of how it should be done! Thanks.
  • 333ideas Oct 4, 2011 @ 1:24 pm | delete
    Wow! I would have never thought of using old books to make these items with. I didn't realize that just an old (even torn) book could be used in such a neat way. Thanks for sharing this! From 333ideas @ www.squidoo.com/anything-to-save-a-buck
  • Prom-Dress-Ideas Oct 4, 2011 @ 4:33 am | delete
    Wow! Some really cool ideas here, thanks! I will bookmark this lens and have a go at making some stuff out of old books next time I'm at a lose end
  • ModernChakra Oct 4, 2011 @ 4:16 am | delete
    Your understanding of the role of books in every aspect of our future is quite obvious from all your lenses and great writing. I recommend others check out some more of your lenses to understand a very important part of society and communication. Thanks for your hard work!
  • Mickie_G Oct 4, 2011 @ 12:03 pm | delete
    Thank you for the compliments. I am honored that you recommend my other pages about books here on Squidoo.
  • Silwen Oct 4, 2011 @ 2:10 am | delete
    I do not like the idea of re-purposing old book. I would never let anybody to do that if I could. Off course the ideas are great. But I prefer using old newspapers instead of books.
  • Mickie_G Oct 4, 2011 @ 12:06 pm | delete
    I use newspapers, too. Sometimes books are unfortunately beyond repair and need a new purpose in life. The dictionary that I used to cover a lampshade was definitely beyond repair and I am quite sure that plenty of libraries have a dictionary from that era for linguists to study. Thanks for your point of view. It is much appreciated.
  • alyssa87 Oct 4, 2011 @ 12:30 am | delete
    OMG!!! fantastic ideas,,, i love the pinky purse :)
  • Mickie_G Oct 4, 2011 @ 12:07 pm | delete
    Thanks! :)
  • HSSchulte Oct 3, 2011 @ 10:13 pm | delete
    Beautiful ideas for recycling old books.
  • NaturalVamp Oct 3, 2011 @ 5:40 pm | delete
    The very special ones will remain.
  • Mickie_G Oct 4, 2011 @ 12:12 pm | delete
    Yes, I have many of those very special books on my shelves! Most of them belong to my now grown children--they were much loved by them when they were tiny persons who loved to have stories read to them.
  • lilymom24 Oct 3, 2011 @ 4:14 pm | delete
    There are some great ideas here. I really like the wreath and the holiday decorations.
  • Mickie_G Oct 4, 2011 @ 12:13 pm | delete
    I plan on making the wreath, myself.
  • LiteraryMind Oct 3, 2011 @ 2:03 pm | delete
    Very different and very nice!
  • JanTUB Sep 30, 2011 @ 5:02 pm | delete
    Great ideas here
  • adamfrench Sep 28, 2011 @ 8:53 am | delete
    Impressive lens, thumbs up
  • GonnaFly Sep 24, 2011 @ 11:40 pm | delete
    Love the lamp base! This lens has been blessed on the "I Love That Word" quest and added to my Upcycling Ideas lens.
  • Mickie_G Oct 4, 2011 @ 12:14 pm | delete
    Thanks for the blessing. Here is the url for your upcycling ideas lens: http://www.squidoo.com/UpcyclingIdeas
  • agoofyidea Sep 8, 2011 @ 8:14 am | delete
    You have the best craft ideas. I will definitely be using these ideas. Awesome lens.
  • dotpattern Sep 6, 2011 @ 6:21 pm | delete
    Reused books are the ultimate in recycling. These great projects raise the craft to true book arts.
  • gottaloveit Aug 30, 2011 @ 4:44 pm | delete
    What a cute lens! I love the paper wreath; great idea. So many fun things. So many books, so little time...
  • vallain Aug 20, 2011 @ 7:59 pm | delete
    Our minds seem to run along the same channels. I have a lens called, Book Oddities: Unusual Uses for Books.
  • mellex Aug 17, 2011 @ 12:48 am | delete
    Fantastic lens - Thanks for all the great ideas!
  • annmackiemiller Aug 16, 2011 @ 3:52 pm | delete
    I loved the wreath and the pumpkin! great lens
  • NoobWriter Aug 13, 2011 @ 3:38 am | delete
    Nice lens :)
  • daria369 Aug 11, 2011 @ 2:26 pm | delete
    I am not sure about repurposing any of my books. But I sure enjoyed your lens. Blessed! :)
  • Heather426 Aug 4, 2011 @ 9:29 pm | delete
    I absolutely love this lens! Some really fantastic ideas to use old books.
  • FunkyJewelleryUK May 15, 2011 @ 1:02 pm | delete
    Brilliant lens. Really interesting and eco-friendly! I make my own jewellery out of recycled products, so I salute you! :)
  • sorana Apr 22, 2011 @ 10:48 pm | delete
    Excellent lens. I love the Christmas tree. What a creative idea.
  • WordCustard Feb 18, 2011 @ 11:10 am | delete
    That library Christmas tree is a clever idea! I think in future we are going to see a lot more books used in art and craft projects like those featured here.
  • MeltedRachel Feb 13, 2011 @ 6:53 am | delete
    Ww! I love this lens. I've been collecting breakfast cereal boxes so I can make myself a junky little doodle book. I love the idea of altered books too. I got into writing morning pages every morning - just getting all my junky thoughts out of my head - now of course I don't have any use for the notebooks I've filled and I don't want to reread all that junk so I thought it might be cool to paint and collage over the paper and reuse them :)
  • jptanabe Feb 12, 2011 @ 4:13 pm | delete
    I love this great collection of ideas on how to reuse books! Of course, I prefer to re-read my books, but some might just be ready for some repurposing.

This So Crafty page written by

Mickie_G

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

Create something new! Show off your work! Time to get So Crafty!

Connect with So Crafty

This author recommends...