Little Stories Tucked Between Pages
I’ve been having the best time making these handmade bookmarks. My creative process for making mini bookmark collages begins with me looking through my collection of vintage magazines and books. I carefully cut out each element I want to use and arrange my selections into thoughtfully composed scenes. All collages are glued down with UHU glue sticks on a 6" x 2" card stock bases. I use archival ink to stamp and sign the backs of each piece. No two bookmarks are alike — which, in my opinion, kind of makes them feel like found poetry.
After a collage is set and the glue has fully dried, I coat both sides of the bookmark with a few layers of matte medium for an archival finish —this preserves textures + details while ensuring the collage holds up for everyday use and long-term keeping. Then, after the matte medium dries, I use a non-yellowing clear sealer as a final coat to make sure the bookmarks aren’t tacky and are safe to slip into any beloved book. Each one is finished with a ribbon (heat-sealed to prevent fraying) to make them easy to spot in your book.
Here’s why I love them (and think you might too):
They’re one-of-a-kind, tiny original art pieces for your books — each one is unique and no two are exactly alike.
They’re not mass-printed or digitally reproduced — each collage is made by hand with vintage, repurposed materials.
Each piece carries a bit of forgotten history — a word, an image, a moment rescued from the past.
I’ve included some behind-the-scenes photos below so you can see how they come together:
