Hookmark | 70th Birthday Gift Ideas | Faux Stone Beads + Copper
Bookmark Trivia: Hookmarks are also Called Book Hooks… In Case You Were Wondering:
Last weekend our family headed down to Seattle (2 hour drive south of Vancouver) for my Uncle's 70th birthday. It was one of those 'no gifts' kind of things… but I figured I could sneak a little something to my Uncle Glen if it was disguised as part of the card.
The photo above shows the card I made for him using some of the metal scrapbooking supplies I got from Tim Holtz a while back. The same metal embellishments were also used in this number jewelry project. Scrapbook supplies are so versatile!
One thing I'd like to point out on the birthday card is the corrugated cardboard. It's actually the backside of a Starbucks coffee sleeve, trimmed and inked around the edges. I love re-using stuff in creative ways! And the Starbuck's connection is a very subtle play, since most everyone knows that Seattle is the birthplace of this gourmet coffee sub-culture. Talk about attention to detail :)
Slipped into the card, is a hammered copper bookmark (hookmark) similar to the one I made for Mother's Day for my MIL. Only this one uses faux pebble beads for the dangle part.
It was Alan, a reader of this blog and an avid bookmark collector, that informed me this style of metal bookmark is referred to as a hookmark. Upon further investigation, I also learned they are referred to as book hooks.
I figured even a guy like my uncle, who doesn't really need more stuff in his life, would appreciate receiving a cool looking bookmark handmade by his sweet little niece.
The tiny stone pebbles give this bookmark a masculine touch. And for me, rocks symbolized strength, beauty, stability and endurance. Traits I have always admired in my Uncle, especially through his 10 year battle with prostate cancer.
The party was lovely. My cousins did a wonderful job of hosting the event! It was really special to spend time with Glen and all the relatives to help him celebrate. He has done so many amazing things in his life!
My wish is that each time he sits down to read, the bookmark will be a reminder of how much we all love him and admire his strength. Happy Birthday Uncle Glen and many, many more to come!
Filed Under: 11: Bead Projects, 13: Musings-News by Comment. 
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Comments on Hookmark | 70th Birthday Gift Ideas | Faux Stone Beads + Copper
5:51 am
I really like the gift ideas for the older men (and women). Every year at gift-giving time my sister and I rack our brains for something different for our father and step-mother. I think my dad would actually like something like the "hookmark" in this post. Thanks for sharing!
Would love to read more ideas for gift-giving for the older set who have everything.
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8:08 am
Thank you, thank you, for your nice commentary in my blog. Words like yours make me work even hard and learn all about this absoluttely magnific art.
Thank you so much.
Big hug
8:40 am
Joyce
My technique for gift giving got solved the easy way. Cousin made me a gorgeous big basket, and on a trip home to the parents/family, had many events to cover. Ended up throwing all the stuff I was working on into the basket and took it home.
Became a tradition…first in the basket….it was yours! Everyone got what they wanted, and it was great for feedback!
6:07 pm
That was a great idea. Something small yet original and easy to mail. this would also be a great idea for a graduation gift. My family went easy on me this year. I only have one college and one high school graduation to celebrate.
4:54 pm
@Joyce: Thanks! I know gifts for older people can be tricky. Did you see the small clocks I made for my dad and Doug's dad? They made nice gifts too. If you type 'clock' into the search box at the top of the page you will find links to those.
@anamir: It was my pleasure! Thank you so much for writing about me! That was an unexpected delight! Keep up the great work!
@Jocelyn: That is a wonderful way to give gifts! A lot less stressful, since you are just making what ever you want and the person gets what they like! Brilliant! Now to build up my stock a bit so I could do that!
@Catalina: That would make a great grad gift! You could even make a grad cap bead to hang off the hookmark or something that relates to their major.
4:34 pm
**PHOTOS ADDED: Hammered Copper Project Photos have just been added in a Spotlight Feature Showcasing Arlene Harrison. Click on the "Hammered Copper Wire Hookmark" link by my name above to see them now.