Welcome!
I used to manage a used book store. People would drop off books to be given store credit. Sometimes the books were in such bad shape, we had to recycle them. Sometimes the spine would be ripped, or pages missing or falling out.
I ‘rescued’ a few of these as I saw potential in the bits & pieces. This has left me with a tidy stack of books ready to be used for crafts.
Note: I would NEVER use a good, useable, readable book for crafts. That’s just wrong!
There are so many wonderful ideas for crafting with books I wanted to share a few with you.
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So why craft with books?
1. They are readily available.2. It’s very inexpensive.3. They are very versatile.4. It provides interest over plain.5. There’s a large variety of styles.6. It makes good ecological sense.7. It encourages recycling.8. It teaches upcycling.9. They are easy to work with.
How many more reasons can you come up with?
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Here is a unique piece of furniture. This coffee or side table base is one of a kind.
Bobvila, Pinterest
Worried about stability? You can always drill holes and place rebar inside to keep it steady. Too industrial for your tools? Try thick wood dowels, cut to fit at the lumber store. This table was created with Reader’s Digest Condensed books. A great place to find them is at thrift stores and garage sales.
I think out of date encyclopedias would work well also. Top with a round of wood. Finish with a clear coat of varnish.
Another, similar idea -
DIY Furniture Ideas
I love the large clock face as the top on that one!
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Here are a few ideas to do with mostly just the spines of old books. You can easily remove these with a sharp knife. Some are best if you leave 1-2” of the book itself attached; look at the photos. For those, a small saw will work best.
Scully and Scully
First, buy a cheap trash can or use a smooth sided bucket container you already have. You can hot glue the spines all around the outside.
It’s best to use books all the same height for this craft. You can decoupage the inside with a matching paper first, if desired. Be sure to spray with an acrylic sealer.
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This next project uses spines with 1-2” of the book attached in varying heights. Attach to one side of a sturdy wood box. I think wood glue would work here. When placed on a shelf, higher up next to ‘real’ books, you have just created a hidden treasure spot.
You can use the same technique with just book spines and cover a straight sided flower pot.
This photo shows a container actually inside a group of books.
Here is a good photo showing you how to cut a circle in one book, or a stack of books, and insert a plastic container with a bottom. Add a succulent or cactus and you are set!
You might end up with some smaller pieces of book spines, or have shorter books. Covering light switch plates is perfect.
Still have some extra book spines? They make fun bookmarks. Punch a hole in the top, and use a grommet or eyelet if desired. Tie on a tassel and you are done! Do they have a musty smell, or are in danger of falling apart even more? Coat them with a few coats of matte Mod Podge.
Pinterest
You can use the same idea, and upcycle the back of Little Golden books too.
notbyamber, Pinterest
Let’s look at some more creative ideas that use an entire book. These are perfect for books that are missing some pages, but are otherwise in good condition.
Don’t forget to glue your pages so the book doesn’t fall open! Using a binder clip to hold the book closed while the glue is drying works great.
Ideas2Live4
With the next project you do need to do some sawing. Measure twice, cut once for the proper angle for the bottom book supports. Glue everything together securely before mounting.
You can insert a flat metal wall support for extra strength.
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For these sorting wall folders you want to remove all the pages from a book - perfect for an intact book cover, but the pages are falling out. Cut from sturdy cardboard a modified triangle, x2, one for each end of the open book cover. Refer to the photo.
Cover the ‘triangle’ with pages from the book. Line the inside of the empty book with book pages also. Hot glue the triangle into place, one at each end of the book cover. Hang with a hook attached to the back.
In the sample photo Reader’s Digest Condensed books were used for uniform size.
This recycled book purse uses similar techniques, only uses fabric instead of the cardboard triangle used above. Add some handles (found at many craft stores) or recycle some from an old purse. Attach a fastener - could be a loop and button, pre-made closure or Velcro.
DIY Enthusiasts Blog
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The next project is super simple! Purchase some metal bookends. Fold a book around them and you have easy, super cute bookends! If you want to keep the book intact simply tie some decorative ribbon or twine around the book to keep it closed.
You can make a hidden treasure book by cutting out the insides of many pages. I find this to be rather tedious, but haven’t found a better way yet.
When you have your hole deep enough, glue your pages together. To make it extra nice, line the inside with book pages. These make very unique and desirable gifts.
By adding a few accessories like gluing an envelope to the inside top, you have a special place for your stationery and stamps.
You can take a hollowed out book and make an enchanting fairy spot with a little bit of dried moss and some fairy-sized furniture and accessories.
…and another hollowed out book idea -
A tissue box cover!
You may have to do a little searching for just the right size book for a tissue box to fit, but well worth the effort I think!
Here is another hollowed out book project. For a pleasing view, take a plate and draw an arch at the top. Continue cutting pages with an arch top until it is deep enough for you.
Now you have some choices. If you want to use it as a display for items to sell, cover an insert (piece of cardboard) with a layer of batting and a scrap of velvet. You can use T-pins to hang items from, such as key rings or bracelets. Safety pins also work well, if you don’t want customers to be able to easily remove items. If you want to use this idea for a personal decorative display, think about hand sewing your items to the velvet backing with just a few stitches. Either choice you will have a unique and attractive display.
If you have a larger book, why not turn it into a shadow box?
You can cut individual boxes, but then you have a lot of pages to glue. Or you can cut a large opening. Remove part of the cover of the book, as seen in the photo. Purchase inexpensive wood rods at your local craft or home helper store. Cut to size as many ‘boxes’ as you want. Cover with a few of the pages you have cut out. Glue together, then fit into opening and glue in place. Clever, and quite a bit cheaper than the shadow boxes you might purchase.
Finish with a picture hanger on the back.
Hint: if you bring exact dimensions, many home stores will cut wood for you for free or a very small fee.
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Are you ready to go find some beat up books yet? Check with your local library. Many times they get donated books that they cannot use and you can have for free. Ask at your local thrift store when their shipment of books comes in each week. Request to be there to take off their hands any books they cannot sell. (A small donation or offer to volunteer goes a long way for both places).
Visit your local second hand bookstore. They always have extra books they need to sell/give away for pennies.
School libraries are another option. They have limited space and need to make room every year for new books. They also sort out books that are in less than ideal condition every year.
I was originally going to make this blog about upcycled books and book page crafts, but I found too many good book crafts. If I had added in all the great page crafts additionally, this blog would definitely qualify as its’ own book! Recycled book page crafting will have to wait for its’ very own blog in the future.
Looking forward to sharing with you!
‘Til next time,
inkspired
Many of the photos I have used had no one to give credit to, or were posted and re-posted so many times on Pinterest it was impossible to determine who the rightful owner was.
If you know of anyone who deserves credit, please let me know.
Some websites I checked out while researching this blog, in no particular order:
lightandlayer.com
Peanutblossom.com
Catchmyparty.com
willtiptip.com
Pinterest
