Beaded bookmarks are one of my all-time favorite things to make, they are easy, sturdy, and beautiful. I am excited to share another three techniques for you to try out! If you haven’t already read my first post on how to make beaded bookmarks, click here. The link will take you to the original post.
I have been doing a deep dive into the different beaded bookmark styles, and there are many. As always everything below is for inspiration. There are pictures of my work below mixed in, like the red heart two strand bookmark. You can take inspiration from them. I have a love of fantasy so there are a lot of fairytale bookmarks.
I found three fun styles while expanding my own techniques. These styles are the multi-strand style, the Full Beaded Style, and the Ribbon style. There are many variations of these styles and I have personally attempted all three. They are all three unique they each look different in the book itself.
The Multi-Strand Style
The first style we are going to investigate is called the multi-strand style. It is as the name states, a style with more than one strand. You can choose how you want those strands post style or chain link style, for the examples below I made chain link style. To recap: chain link style is made from linking small, beaded
groups together to make a chain. Once your chain is made you attach your charm. Essentially for this style you just follow that process and do it as many times as you would like.
I like to make each strand a little different from each other, that way it adds more personality.
Here are the things you need to make this style:
A metal bookmark hook of your choice, they come in multiple shapes, sizes, and colors.
Your beads of choice, I like glass and gemstone.
Any charms you want to add.
O-rings.
Wire, I also like to use eye pins as they are already cut in small sizes making them easier to use.
Need some pliers, or a wire looper.
Once you have all your supplies, and a general design in your head of what you want to make, its time to start crafting.
Grab your wire, add a loop to the end of the wire, or use a premade earring hook that already has the loop on it. Once you have your loop add your beads and seal it with another loop at the other end of the wire strand.
2. Complete this step as many times as you want, with a variation in size and style of your strands.
3. Take your O-rings and use them to connect your small little chains together, until you get to your desired length.
4. Repeat this step for each strand you are adding to your bookmark.
5. Connect your strands to your metal bookmark hook using O-rings.
6. Lastly attach your charms!
Once this is completed you will have a finished bookmark with multiple strands. I like to make my strands different lengths to give them dimension. I mainly make double strand bookmarks; however, you can add as many as you would like. I have seen them made with up to five strands.
The Fully Beaded Style
This style is a little different as it does not use a metal bookmark but instead a long strand of fully beaded cord. Most styles use smaller beads for the bulk of the design with larger ones at the bottom. It settles into the book like a rosary. You just lay it down the spine inside the book on the page you are holding, some of the beads overflow across the top and the rest from the bottom.
When it comes to choosing beads for this style, I recommend using small seed beads in the color of your choice. These will fit in your book nicer than larger beads. I like to add unique statement beads towards the bottom of both sides so the bookmark does not slip out easily.
Here are the things you need to make this style:
Your beads of choice.
Any charms you want to add.
O-rings. (Only if you want to add charms)
Pliers
Cord ends or bails
Stretch cord or fabric cord.
Charms if you want them
Alot of the tools needed can be used for all of these different styles. So once you have what you need for one you have it for them all! As you saw in the picture above you will need beads of different sizes. Here is how we make this style:
Cut your wire/cord to your desired length. I always suggest making it longer than the length of your book so beads can dangle out the top and bottom of the book.
Add your cord end finding, so your beads do not fall off.
Start adding your beads, add them until you reach the end of your cord.
Seal it with another cord ending.
Add your charms!
You have a bookmark!
The Ribbon Style
The ribbon style is very similar to the Fully Beaded style, in the overall design. Its a long cord of ribbon with beads on the end of it. Its a lot simpler to make the only materials you will need are ribbon and beads. Charms if you want to add additional personality to the piece.
Heres how to make it:
Cut your Ribbon to your desired length.
tie a knot at the end, you can use a cord end if you would like as well.
String as many beads as you want then tie another knot to seal them in place. I recomment all knots be double.
At the other end you can additional beads the same way if you want. And charms as well! Once it is completed you have a ribbon bookmark.
Beaded bookmarks are fun unique ways to hold your place in your favorite books and a way to add extra sparkle to your life. I hope you enjoyed the beaded bookmark tutorials. They make perfect gifts for those avid readers in your life. They fit into both hardcover and paperback novels and add a unique touch to them. Plus you can match the bookmarks to the book. The bookmarks attached to this post are all my designs except the last stretch cord ones. The artist no longer has them listed.
Please comment any questions or requests below, and do not forget to sign up for the emails so you can get notified of our future blog posts, deals, and tutorials!
I do make and sell my own crafts, if you would like to come share your support, the link is below, stop by! Plus any blog subscriber gets a bonus promo code to get 15% off my shop. Thank you so much, and see you next time crafters!
Comments