Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Recycling into Bookmarks



One of my favorite items to collect are old books. I have a ridiculously huge weak spot for them. Since living in Montreal I have gathered books from thrift stores, the side of the road, and even got a few great oldies from an art installation that was made of them. Sometimes I paint on the old pages, or I use them for collage. Last year I thought up the idea to make bookmarks from them. I made a bunch then, but the project quickly lost priority with school and all the pressing assignments I had to do. A few days ago I decided to give the project another go, and I have to say, I am having loads of fun with it! The first set are from a book about animal ecology, the second from an encyclopedia from the 1950's and the third set (they haven't been laminated yet) are from an old children's book that I found in my friends apartment, which had been left by the previous tenants. I am excited to branch out even further and make bookmarks out of old maps, of medical illustrations, the possibilities are vast.

Now I need to decide what to do with all these little guys. I was thinking of selling some of them on Etsy, or maybe just adding a random one in when people make a purchase. Also thinking about giving them away for Christmas (they'd make great stocking stuffers!). It's going to be difficult parting with them, though. They're so precious and one of a kind.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

These are really nice... so creative and chic.

Claudia said...

Oh, wow, I love the idea! I love old books and maps too. I even made dinky (unfinished - no cork bottom) coasters out of them. I'd definitely buy a couple if you sold them.. which is kind of silly, as I could easily make my own, haha, but whatever, yours are really great :D