Swag the book

TG often takes me to the store and I cannot tell you how many times he waited patiently while I selected spools of grosgrain and velvet, packets of o-rings and crimps, and cards of trinkets.
Every lady on my gift list received at least one bookmark.
I got the idea from Pinterest, in a pin about beautiful gifts to make for less than five dollars.
That there is a craft even I can do, I thought to my bad non-crafty self.
I was particularly drawn to the idea of deconstructing old costume jewelry and repurposing the elements into bookmarks.
Since I rarely throw anything away, I had scads of earrings, necklaces, and bracelets that I hadn't worn in years and would never wear again.
It was fun making them into bookmarks and giving them to my girls, who remember me wearing the earrings and other baubles when they were children.
Then, inspired by a gift from darling Donna of Cottage Days and Journeys, I bought some waxed linen and a bunch of beads, and started in on the beaded variety of bookmark.
So far I've given away everything I've made, but pretty soon I plan to add a page to this web site and begin selling them.
I call them collectively "Book Swag" because, well, pirates love swag.
These bookmarks are fun to use and they make unique, affordable gifts. They can be custom made to any theme or preference, even using objects you cannot part with but don't use anymore.
Since I "sip" at books rather than reading one to the end before starting another, I may need to mark six or seven volumes at a time.
Many of my dear friends tell me they do the same.
These are prettier than scraps of paper and you know we never want to turn down a page corner.
So stay tuned for more ways to swag your books than you ever dreamed of!
Because as my daughter Audrey rightly says: You can never have too many bookmarks.
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Happy Wednesday!


Reader Comments (10)
I've always known you were Multi-Talented and Unique and you keep proving it every day. Right now I have four books going including my OLD, OLD copy of Gone With The Wind. So, if you want to craft one for GWTW I'll order one for that dear one!! Entreprenaur now added to that list, along with a lot of other special ones!! G.
@G ... girl you have given me a great idea! Bookmarks tailored to the book they'll keep the place in! For your copy of GWTW I think we need bottle-green velvet ribbon with a magnolia charm at one end and a hunk of cornbread at the other!! LOLOL seriously, that is a cool idea. Especially for those who love to give and receive books. I hope you're enjoying the book swag I sent you for Christmas and the new one last week! ~J.
How funny, cornbread at the other end. Don't mention foods that I LOVE. I visited the car dealership to have oil changed this morning and I've told you what delicacies they have there. BAD.....but getting back to the GWTW swag, yes Mam that sounds beautiful, and I just thought it would be unique to the book!! And these book swags of mine have been being used and ENJOYED!!!! ~~G.
@G ... I know, right? CORNBREAD? Like red meat to a wild dog to put that stuff in front of me. ~J.
You have been busy! I love what I see and I love mine! Using old jewelry is a wonderful idea. I'll be waiting for that link to go up!
@Mari ... Girl I have given away at least 40-50 of these but I don't regret it at all. They're easy to tuck inside a card and give someone a bit of encouragement. I'm excited about future designs. ~J.
They are beautiful! Thank you so much for the mention and I am thrilled that my little bookmarks inspired you! ~squeal!~
@Donna ... I'll never forget when I saw the ones you made for me, how taken I was by them. I've always loved beads. So now I'm very enamored of both kinds -- the ribbon/charm kind and the linen/bead kind. It's all about the books, baby!!! ~J.
These are very pretty! I read all the time but sometimes I just put a scrap of paper to mark my place! These would be lots better! I'm visiting from Donna's! It's nice to meet you! ♥♥♥
@ld ... It's very nice to meet you too! I hope someday to be able to make a bookmark for you. Please stop by again! ~J.
It looks like you need to delete some of my comments! It kept giving me a Try again button...so I kept trying! heehee! Sorry! ♥
@ld ... no worries! I'm sorry it gave you fits. Don't know what that's about. ~J.
Love the Book Swags, let us know when you get the link up to purchase. They will make a great present.
I especially like the one with the green velvet ribbon and Fleur de Lis.
Anything made by hand with love and care is something to treasure. I used to be crafty but have not done much lately.
I don't know where you find the time.
I hope you have been enjoying the latest pictures from our vacation, I knew you would like the Pirate Code.
http://righttruth.typepad.com/right_truth/2012/02/shipwrecks-salvage-gold-silver-emeralds-pirates.html
http://righttruth.typepad.com/right_truth/2012/02/key-lime-high.html
@Debbie ... I have enjoyed your pictures and I plan to look at them again! I'm glad you like your bookmark and I'm so jealous you had your picture made with the pirate. ~J.
Okay, miss smarty-pants, that slide-show thing freaked me out when the page was loading; I thought something was wrong with it! And I see you also have clever new things with the comments section. All that and craftiness too! There will be no stopping you now.
I spend too much time on the computer these days and my reading has suffered. While I was in Haiti I read four books, two if which were not a waste of time. I feel a visit to the library in my near future.
@Hobbit ... uh-oh, sorry for the slideshow scare. It's a new thing. Hey, I am working on your prezzie so be patient. I want to make a certain design for you and I'm still shopping for a few components. Get your books stacked up and soon they'll have some bling to wear!!!! ~J.
No, you should NEVER bend the page of a book!! I think it's considered a crime here in Texas!!Hahaaa
Love your work sweetie!! Gorgeous!
This answering each comment is so cool! I can't figure out how to do it...
Love 'ya Girl!!
hughugs
@Donna ... girl you have to be the editor to put a comment in here after the fact, haha, don't try this at home LOLOL!!! Glad you like your swag and thanks again for the PRECIOUS gift you sent to me!!! ~J.
I am so impressed, great work my dearest friend. This is a good thing. I'll be watching for your creations.
@Irene ... you are too kind my dear! I hope you'll like what you see. ~J.