Recycling Old Books into Purses
Let me tell you how to make a purse out of old books. This new use for old unwanted books really fascinates me. When I first read something about a woman who was selling them...I cringed. Being a collector and seller of old books, my first thought was that they were maiming and dismantling wonderful old books. Precious books that could be read by someone.
Now that I've researched this craft idea, I am feeling better. I am thinking of books that I chose not to purchase because they were in pretty nasty condition. Soiled pages, pages severely marked on with crayons, and generally not in any condition for even a good reading copy. If the covers were decent, they could have been given new life as a purse.
What a wonderful gift idea for that avid book reading friend of yours. A librarian would probably love to carry her personals around in a book purse. Booksellers like me, would feel "too cool for school" with a book purse.
Altered Book Purses
by Make It And Take It
I found this wonderful website offering purses that she/he has already made up for you to purchase.Clever ideas for handles using beads and plastic handles really add to the purse design.
Coordinating fabrics are chosen for the inside of each purse.
I was even intrigued with the choice of book covers used for their designs.
Visit Make It and Take It to see more of their interesting items.
Book Purses Already Made
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
How To Make A Book Purse
King Arthur Book Purse
The Story of King Arthur and his Knights made into a book purse by Make It and Take It.
Supplies Needed to Make a Book Purse
- Old Book
- Coordinating fabric
- Utility Knife
- Sewing Machine or Needle and thread
- Pre-made Handles
- Craft Glue
- Colored Markers
Look for old books at library book sales, garage sales, and flea markets. Newer books can be found in the bargain bins at local stores.
Handles For Your Recycled Book Purse
Here are some clever ideas for the handles on your book purse.
Silver Purse Handle Frame 5-1/2 Inch x3-3/4 Inch
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 12/21/2009) 
List Price: $2.99
Usually ships in 4-5 business days
Rope Purse Handles with Large Triangles - Brown
Amazon Price: (as of 12/21/2009)
List Price: $7.99
Rope Purse Handles with Circles - Dark Brown
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/21/2009)
List Price: $7.99
Usually ships in 2-3 business days
13 Inch Purse Handle Pair-Black
Amazon Price: $7.02 (as of 12/21/2009)
List Price: $7.99
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
JoAnn Fabrics
A place to find many of the supplies you will need
- Tacky Glue
- This glue is extra thick, and extra tacky, perfect for all papers, wood, metal, glass, ceramics, and most plastics. It dries clear and flexible on fabrics.
- X-acto Knife
- X-acto® is known as one of the premier makers of high-quality blades & cutting products. This #1 Knife is idea for light cutting and trimming.
- Handles
- Add style to your handmade totes and bags with these trendy bamboo purse handle pairs.
- Crayola Markers
- Everyone has grown up using Crayola markers. These classic colors in a fine line marker for detail coloring and crafting. 8 classic colors.
- Fabric
- Etchings Dots Pink is one example of a fabric choice
- Cordless Sewing Machine
- Sew with ease all kinds of fabrics like silk, denim, leather, crafts and paper. The handle has been conveniently designed so you can easily carry it to sew, mend or repair all around town! This mini sewing machine features: Pre-threaded and read to use, double stitch, uses standard thread, press release on/off, 4 metal bobbins w/thread, two speeds-high/low, three needles, one threader and one spindle. It's compact and lightweight design makes it great for travel.
Crafting and Recycling
Recycle!: Make Your Own Eco-Friendly and Creative Designs
Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 12/21/2009)
List Price: $16.99
Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item.
Book Choices:
Books that have no collectible value.
Large books that have several hundred pages. (More room for your stuff!)
Sturdy hardcover books for obvious reasons.
Books that still have a decent front cover but the pages are worn, bent, or marked on excessively.
Books with pages missing or falling out.
What bloggers are saying about Recycling Books
- Katydid and Kid: Recycled Book Wreath Tutorial
- Recycled Book Wreath Tutorial. I was hitting the books again today, not reading but crafting with that book I made my Christmas banners with. This time I turned my attention to wreath making. I have probably 300 pages more to use up, ...
- Two weeks left to recycle phone books | Global Plastic Industry ...
- Two weeks left to recycle phone books Saturday, 19 December 2009 11:05 RENO ? Phone book recycling ends on Dec.
- oh, kirby!: Recycled Wrappings
- ... more obscure and recycled route. Most of the presents we have this year are small in size, so I thought it might be rather cute to find some shabby old music books, children's books and maps and use them to wrap our small gifts. ...
- Great Green Goods – Shopping the Eco-friendly Way! - Shopping Blog ...
- Secret Storage in Recycled Books. image2.jpg. These were a huge hit for the holidays last year. A great place to stash your gold coins or a place to hold the remote control on the coffee table. It is fun to personalize them for each ...
Crafts to make and recycle too
Eco Craft: Recycle Recraft Restyle
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 12/21/2009)
List Price: $24.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
Glued Reviews
- Rate this lens:
- Email it
- Favorite it
- Lensroll it
Paste a little note here
Let me know you stopped by. Rate the lens, tell me about your book purse, or just say hi.
-
Reply
- Sylvestermouse Sylvestermouse Dec 3, 2009 @ 10:12 am
- Wonderful! Marvelous idea! I really don't carry a purse very often, but I could definitely use it as a sewing box. I love these kind of unique ideas. I will definitely be "playing with this idea". I will send you pictures (after Christmas and taxes play) of what I create. My mind is going in about 10 different directions on this now. They would also make great video or cd boxes. Thinking of family videos in like a Little Women or Little Men book. Oh, yes, this will be fun!
-
Reply
- spunkyduckling spunkyduckling Nov 24, 2009 @ 6:12 pm
- This is so cute! I love crafts and am always on the lookout for fresh ideas. Why didn't I think of this before? Glad I dropped by and thanks for sharing.
-
Reply
- GramaBarb GramaBarb Nov 20, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
- What a super idea! I had never heard of this before. I spotted this lens on 'SheToldMe"
-
Reply
- spunkyduckling spunkyduckling Nov 24, 2009 @ 6:06 pm
- Hi Gramabarb,
I don't see anything there.
-
Reply
- boutiqueshops boutiqueshops Nov 6, 2009 @ 7:42 pm
- Oh this is a wonderful idea! I love it and hope to be able to try it. A great crafty gift for booklovers, too. awww....
- Load More
My Cover Story
Lensmaster BevsPaper has been a member since June 18 2008, has rated 3,179 lenses, favorited 405, and has created 140 lenses from scratch. Bev Owens donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "He Chose Suicide". See all my lenses
Copyright Notice:
How To Make A Purse From Old Books Copyright: April 21, 2009 by BevsPaper (Beverly Owens)
by BevsPaper
Explore related pages
Polymer Clay Sculpting Tips and Tutorials- Polymer clay is a wonderful medium for sculpture. You can create one of a kind s...
PULL TAB (POP TOP) CROCHET- Crochet with pop tops is a very popular craft in my home country, Brazil. I thin...
Noadi's Art Studio
- Come wander through a tour of my studio. It's small, only a corner of the living...
Cigar Box Purses- Learn about how to make your own unique purse from an old cigar box or buy one f...
Book Arts- Have you dreamed of making your own book from scratch? Are you intrigued by the...
Bead Art- To bead or not to bead...is not a question worth even asking! The real question...
