Book spine Bookmarks--how to

I eat books whole (translation I read sometimes 2-3 books a week or more) so I need a lot of bookmarks. No more using Kleenex to mark pages for me! (Clean Kleenex though--I swear to you.) Thankfully I have friends who read a lot too, because these make affordable little gifts. This set is made for my significant other. :0)

I got the idea for these from some great links found thanks to the tireless efforts of Alison on her blog Stampin' When I Can:

Coleen's corner bookmarks
Deanne's Bookmarks



SUPPLIES:

Digital Camera
Card stock (I use Naturals white for two reasons: I like the weight it is thicker than whisper white, & the subtle speckles are great for vintage projects.)
Computer & Printer
Background stamp with text (or flourishes, or....) I used Friend by Definition
Versamark ink pad
Embossing Powder (clear)
Heat gun
Eyelets
Wire
Wire cutters (with needle-nose pliers)
Beads (I used clear silver, & silver metallic seed beads.)


HOW TO:

Step 1: Take photos of some books. I chose these books to shoot, because they are: A) my most antiquey looking volumes, B) varied in colour, C) matte finish with some metallic details, so they photograph well, and D) titled aptly.


Step 2: Alter your photo to taste & set print settings. The photo above is the original picture.


Step 2 (cont'd): This second photo above is the one I altered in Microsoft office picture manager. It is rotated & the contrast is heightened. When you print your photo be sure that you print it landscape setting (in page setup) and that you print the full page. (If you are using Microsoft office picture manager be sure to uncheck that box that says fit to frame---or it will cut of some of your image.)


Step 3: Print your photo, and trim around each book. If you want to distress the bottom as I have, (leaves a realistic aged texture for images of well-loved books) just be sure to leave a little extra paper around the image.


Step 4: After you've trimmed & distressed your spines, stamp them with a background stamp that's covered in Versamark. I've used a text background (Friendship by Definition.) Emboss with clear e.p. This leaves an interesting texture but also gives visual interest and physical weight to the bookmark.

Step 5: Put eyelets into the tops of your bookmarks (prevents the wire from tearing through the paper--and looks perty) :0) Then cut a piece of wire (I used 3-4 inch lengths for these.) Loop the wire through the eyelet, twist it together, slide on beads. Crimp & twist wire (finishing the end, so it's not left sharp.) Shape the beaded wire (being careful not to overwork it--or it will snap) and there you have a BOOK bookmark. Here are those wiring directions pictorially (click the pic to read it):


And here's the finished project:



I plan on mounting them (with repositionable adhesive) on a piece of cardstock so that they retain their bookshelfy appearance.

Thanks so much for looking. Happy crafting,
:0) Mel

ETA: P.S. The navy blue one on the far right is actually two cut out so they're together on one piece of paper as a double book bookmark, kinda fun.

ETA: Bookmark Folder here