Great for Teacher Gifts and Unique Stocking Stuffers!
A really simple and quick gift idea is to make a beaded book mark with beading wire and handmade polymer clay beads! I have been making these for my kids’ teachers for quite a few years now, because they are so pretty and teachers really appreciate them.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Use a flexible but tough nylon coated stainless steel wire like the 7 strand Beadalon Bead Stringing Wire. You can go to higher strand count, but it really isn’t necessary for this project.
String a length of wire 8″-10″ long, with the smallest glass seed beads you have, usually a size 10-0. This is the part that goes inside the book, so if the beads are too big, the book won’t close nicely.
Use a wire guardian at each end of the wire and the appropriate sized crimp for durability. A wire guardian is a horseshoe shaped finding that the wire goes through to protect it from wear. Since you will be hanging dangles off each end of this wire, the guardian is a good idea.
You can make these bookmarks longer or shorter if you want, depending on whether the person reads more paperbacks or hard covers.
Using wire headpins, make up dangles and charms with some of your polymer clay beads. Adding a few glass beads as well can enhance the look. These can be any sized bead you like, since the dangles will hang outside the book. Make the charms interesting by varying the lengths.
Attach the dangles to each end of your beaded bookmark. I like to use wrapped loops because they won’t come off with use. But you can also use a regular eye loop if you like.
Both ends do not need to be the same either. Just have fun with the design! The person using this beaded bookmark, doesn’t have to wear it, so you can be more playful than you normally would with this type of gift.
If you need a last minute gift for a teacher, a colleague, or a friend… make a beaded bookmark for them! Every time they sit down to their favorite book, they’ll be reminded of you!
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For other last minute gift ideas, click here:
Handmade Gift Ideas for Christmas Using Your Polymer Clay Beads
What a cool idea, Cindy! I’ve never seen a bookmark quite like this…and I really like it! Thank you. Last minute Christmas gift ideas are just what I need!
Hugs to you, Cindy E. :)
Thanks Cindy! I have given these as gifts several times and they have always been a hit!
Great idea!!! Great stocking stuffers or teachers gift!!! Hmmmmm……I am done shopping for this year…but perhaps a couple of these would be a nice addition to some of my family’s presents!!!
Cool Idea!!! Love it. You are so creative. I am certainly going to give that a try.
I was trying to practice my Mokume gane cane for an upcoming class and wasn’t sure what to try it on, so I covered a small stainless steel utility pocket knife (only on one side) and wow…it really dressed up the knife. I gave them to my nephews and brother-in-laws for Christmas…and they also make great stocking stuffers as well. This is why I just love polymer clay!
@Kam: Thanks! They are really quick little gifts to make! The cool thing is that the person getting it uses is for hours! Now that’s an excellent return on your investment!
@Lupe: It is like we are wired with the same brain!! I just wrote a post (see link by my name above), about fixing a broken pocket knife with faux wood polymer clay… and now here is your comment! Great minds do think alike! Have a great Christmas Lupe! Thank you for all your great comments and participation at this blog… I love it!
Well, I like to think it was all my idea but I did have a fellow guild member who covered part of her pocket knife and I thought, why not cover the whole side of the pocket knife and practice my cane at the same time. I liked the idea of covering one whole side rather than both sides because I like the look of steel and the two compliment each other. I have some pictures if you would like to see them. It was my first attempt at the Mokume gane cane, but since I am taking a class with Julie Picarello, I thought I better get comfortable doing the cane.
Have a very Merry Christmas, Cindy.
What guild are you part of Lupe? I have never heard of anyone covering their pocketknives with polymer clay and now I hear everyones is doing it! How funny is that!
The steel on one side and clay on the other sound really nice. Bet it looks great!
Lucky girl to get to go to Julie’s class. Have a wonderful time!
Merry Christmas to you too Lupe! It has been my pleasure getting to know you!
I belong to the Arizona Polymer Clay Guild (AZPCG). I emailed you some pictures. Hope you get them.
It’s been great getting to know you too. I just love this site!
Wow. Lupe, these are gorgeous!!! Beautiful!!!
:) Cindy E.
Thanks Cindy L. for posting them on your website. I means a great deal to me that you thought they were worthy to be displayed here. And thank you Cindy E. for your comments as well…I am smiling right now!
@Cindy E.: They are great aren’t they!
@Lupe: My pleasure! Everyone should have the pleasure as well! Thanks for sharing the pictures with us!
I see that you are using wire. I bought a thong bookmark at a bazaar last year and the person made it using an (Jewellery Essentials Stringing) elastic cord. I’m looking to make some for family and have starting buying certain things then I saw your website. Can you still use the wire guardians with the elastic cord?
@Karen L: I’ve never used that kind of cord, but it seems to me that it would be even MORE important to use a wire guardian on the cord because friction will wear through it much more quickly than it would wear out beading wire.
@Karen L: Yeah, I think Linda may be right. I haven’t used a wire guardian with elastic cord before either, but it may very well be an asset to the design. All I can say to something like this, is to try it and see how it works.
Maybe someone else has some advice for you?
Thanks ladies, as soon as I can find some I will. I’ll be checking our other Michaels store tomorrow or order them off eBay…..I appreciate the advice