The DIY bookmark is usually overlooked when people are thinking of handmade gifts. That’s a sad thing, because the humble bookmark is a wonderfully versatile gift. You can give a set to anyone, whether the person is an acquaintance or a family member — which is somewhat rare with DIY gifts. Bookmarks are easy to ship, making them ideal for sending to your friends or family who are far away. And, finally, giving away DIY bookmarks says: “I think you are very intelligent, so naturally you’ll be needing more than one of these to keep track of where you are in your literary pursuits.”
Today, I’ll be showing you four different simple designs to use on DIY bookmarks. I have also whipped up a gift label printable that you can wrap around a set of anywhere from 2-7 bookmarks. If the label didn’t say “Handmade” and have your name on it, your recipient would be asking you which chic paperie you picked up their bookmarks at! Yep, they’re that cool.
To make DIY bookmarks, start by cutting out a few pieces of 2″x6″ {~5 cm x 15 cm} paper. A heavy paper is best; I have chosen to use watercolor paper, but you can use any thick-ish card stock you have around. In a pinch, you could get creative and use some chipboard from a cereal box … you’ll just turn it over so you can draw on the side that hasn’t been printed on.
The first bookmark I am going to show you how to make doesn’t require any special tools … just a pen.
First, draw four vertical lines that are exactly 1 cm apart.
Draw various sizes of diamond shapes, using the lines as the center for each diamond.
You’ll end up with something that looks like the photo below.
Next, go through and slice through each diamond with a centered{-ish} horizontal line.
Draw an angled line to cut through the center of the horizontal line.
Then draw another angled line going the opposite direction of the first angled line.
Do this to each diamond, and you’ve got yourself your first fashionable DIY bookmark!
Before we move on to the second design, I want to remind you that these bookmarks are supposed to look handmade {because, well, they are handmade}; so don’t stress about making patterns perfect. Anyone with a computer can achieve perfection in a design these days. Your goal is to show that you sat down with pen and paper and put energy {and creativity!} into making the piece. Your gift recipient — even if your gift recipient is you, yourself — will love knowing that every time he or she uses your bookmark.
For the second bookmark, I’m going to frustrate you and recommend that you use an art supply that I introduced in the Easy Watercolor Art tutorial … masking fluid. You can buy it for $10.00 on Amazon. Hang tight for a couple of paragraphs, and I’ll show you how to use it!
You’ll want to start with a pencil and mark columns of {pencil} dots. The dots in each column should be 1 cm apart; but the columns will start at different points. Basically, your goal is to ensure that all dots in the first column are marked at 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, etc.; then all dots in the second column are marked at 0.5 cm, 1.5 cm, 2.5 cm, 3.5 cm, etc. What I’m trying to say is the dots in columns that are beside each other should not line up.
Use an old paintbrush coated in art masking fluid to paint a straight line down each column. Then, play a game of “connect the dots”. The dots should connect in a zig zag.
Once your art masking fluid is dry {3-5 minutes, give or take}, paint over it. I’m using the Finetec gold palette, but you can use any paint you want. Masking fluid keeps any medium from seeping through!
When you’re finished painting, you’ll be able to see that the art masking fluid has repelled your paint.
Wait for your paint to dry {it’s not long if you’re using watercolor}, and use a small eraser to rub an area with masking fluid on it. The masking fluid will crinkle up a bit, allowing you to grab onto it and experience one of life’s great joys:
{There is nothing better than peeling off masking fluid and seeing the pristine white paper underneath!}
And, lest you wonder why I personally chose to use my Finetec gold, here’s a GIF to show you how beautifully it sparkles in the light.
The next DIY bookmark has a simple design that can be created with any pen. I have chosen to use a Sakura Glaze pen, but that’s because it’s the only colored non-calligraphy pen I have in my desk. Really, use whatever you want! You’ll start by drawing 2-3 hill-looking shapes, like so:
Then draw more hills on top of your hills. Make sure these new hills start and end in the top centers of your bottom hills.
Draw all the way up, staying loyal to the pattern {but, again, not stressing out about perfection}.
Once you’ve created all your shapes, draw lines from the bottom center of each hill shape that fan out across the sides and top of the shape. It’s easier to understand if you look at the photo below!
Keep on going; each hill only takes a few seconds to fill in.
And before you know it, you’ll have a regal-looking bookmark that does not look like the 4-minute doodle that it is!
I saved my favorite DIY bookmark for last. Naturally, it features a floral motif.
For this bookmark, I did intentionally use the Sakura Glaze pens. They make the bookmark really vivid and give it an interesting texture. Of course, if you don’t have any Glaze pens, please feel free to experiment with your own materials!
Begin by drawing several globs resembling circles, then put dots around each glob.
Next, draw loose petals with a relaxed hand. I made two lines for each petal, which gave the flower more delicate appearance.
This step really doesn’t take long at all.
Once the petals are all done, you’ll have something that looks like this. And, at this point, you really could be finished if you want to be.
I wanted to add some red to the situation, though, so I filled in a few flowers with red and left others white. I totally love that filled-in space vs. negative space look!
These are very neat bookmarks, and I do have to admit that I’m considering keeping the set I made today for myself …
However, all the patterns are easy to create, so you could make several of each DIY bookmark design, and wrap them up as little gifts. To this end, I have created a “Handmade Bookmarks” label template that you may download by clicking here. I like to print out the template on kraft paper, but that’s just a personal preference.
Cut out the label on its guidelines {as shown above}, then center it on the front of your bookmarks stack. Fold one side back, then fold the other side back as well.
Tape the back of the label together with some cute washi tape, and you’ve got yourself a thoughtful and impressive gift!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! It’s a fun little how-to before all the big stuff going on! On Saturday afternoon, I will finally be releasing Hand-Lettering for a Latté as well as showing you how to create a family crest. In the very near future, I’m teaming up with Rodger for another calligraphy pen giveaway {I’m shooting for next week, but need to coordinate with him}. I will also be writing another calligraphy-centric tutorial to clear up questions I have received lately regarding ink flow, nibs, etc.
In short: stay tuned! Thanks again, so much, for reading the TPK blog.
Warmly,
Thank you for this bookmark tutorial! I’ve made a set for a friend’s birthday and am starting another set for myself 😉 This was a thoroughly enjoyable project. I loved the simplicity, beauty, and different techniques used in making each one. I am excited to apply these techniques to making a set of notecards as well! My 9-year-old daughter was amazed by these bookmarks and asked me to teach her how to make them, too.
I love these bookmarks! I am currently making a few, and have completed all but the flower one. I actually am just using Crayola fine-tip markers from a 50-pack, and they work fine. Lacking masking fluid, I just drew out the lines on the second with pencil, and used marker to draw in the parallelogram shapes (leaving a small gap). The bookmarks are beautiful and I plan to give away some this coming Christmas. Thanks!
Thank you! What a wonderful technique- I bet your bookmarks will make beautiful Christmas gifts! 🙂
Hi Lindsey, thak you, very, very, very much. You is very good, and i really love that you had done so i can print out “Handmade Bookmarkers”!!
Oh, yay! They’d make for a wonderful holiday gift — I’m giving a few out this Christmas, myself! 🙂 Thanks, Josefine!
Thanks to you, I was just a hit at Boss’s Day in my office — inspired by this post (and several others) I made my boss (who is totally wonderful and deserving of All The Gifts) a set of bookmarks. I did the Glaze pen flowers from this tutorial, two of the roses from the how to draw roses tutorial (the cute little watercolor blob-flowers and the vintage inked roses), a wreath from the 10 Laurel Wreaths post with her initial in it, and the 3-d shadow letters thing from one of your hand lettering tutorials (the word you did is “Color”) with her name.
I learned a lot and got a lot of confidence and she *loves* the bookmarks and has been showing them off to everyone.
Thanks!
Lindsey, you have a serious gift for making complicated things seem easy. Whenever I read your tutorials, I always end up feeling smug (in a good way, lol) like I’m a seasoned artist who can make anything! You are God’s gift to the DIYverse. And I love the idea of these bookmarks! I can send them as little presents along with my snail mail and they almost won’t even add any extra weight. (Cheaper postage, yeay!) I’m so excited to try this. Thank you!
You should feel smug! It’s really cool that the internet gives us that kind of power/potential now … I have learned so much using the internet that I wouldn’t know otherwise, from how to blanch pearl onions to how to speak Spanish! Anyway, the reason you feel like a seasoned artist who can make anything is because you are, and you can. 🙂
I really love these bookmarks! It was really cute: the person I sent them to is an old friend, and I didn’t even think she read my blog. I got a letter back from her saying, “I can’t believe you sent these to me! I saw them on the internet and immediately wanted a set! I feel so special!” Reactions like those are why I think snail mail is pretty much the best thing ever!
Thanks so much for a thoughtful and very fun comment. I hope you enjoy your DIY bookmark-making!
Hi Lindsey,
I am new to your blog, and to calligraphy for the most part, and it’s as if I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole…I’ve ordered several things from your shop and am sooo impressed with absolutely everything you do! Now I wish I could put life on hold and just immerse myself in calligraphic and paper projects.
These bookmarks are precious…I have two granddaughters both of whom I’m proud to say are avid readers, almost always with a book within reach…can’t wait to give them each a set. And my BFF, another reader…and of course a set for myself, and one for my husband. Wish I had seen this tutorial before Valentine’s Day but it’s never too late to give a gift just because.
Have you heard of Melodies Graphiques? It’s a fabulous little calligraphy shop in Paris…when I went a year ago the charming and very friendly proprietor was sitting at his desk making huge ornate wedding invitations. I bought a calligraphic sketch he made of a horse. I could go on and on about this place…I recommend it to anyone who’s headed that way. Anyway, I’m going back again this year and this time I’m going to buy a calligraphy pen, thanks to you! What a wonderful and useful souvenir to bring back!
Sorry this is so long…next time will be shorter, I promise!
Hi Barbara!
It’s a wonderful rabbit hole to be in, isn’t it? Today is a really snowy day here in Colorado, and it has been so nice to just turn up the heater, sit down with some drinking chocolate, and make some calligraphy. 🙂
And I agree: there’s nothing wrong {and everything right} with giving a gift “just because”. Sometimes my friends and I send books to each other … simple paperbacks, you know, through first class mail. It would be cool to give these with a book or two! I’m not sure what age your granddaughters are, but if they’re between 11 and 18, they may love the book Ella Enchanted; it was my favorite when I was that age, and still remains one of my favorites! {Though … I do have to say the cover illustration was prettier on the earlier edition.}
Ah, you’re giving me wanderlust! I had not heard of Melodies Graphiques — but now, of course, I’m very much wanting to go! Hernán gets his PhD in December of this year, so next year we are thinking of doing a little European tour to celebrate his graduation. I lived in Paris for a while on study abroad, but we always had so much homework that I really didn’t get to explore cool places like the little calligraphy shop you are describing. I will most certainly be making a stop at Melodies Graphiques next time I am in France … thank you so much for the recommendation!
And, please, don’t feel like you need to limit yourself on the word count of comments {or any correspondence!}. You’re writing to someone with an English degree … I love lots of wordiness, and I can truly say I have never wished someone would have written less — quite the contrary!
Thanks a million! I’m so glad you liked the tutorial, and also glad you are enjoying the blog!
Gah, I’m such a fan of your work! As I’ve told you once over IG, I LOVE getting your posts in my inbox. They’re like bursts of inspiration in a middle of a hectic work day. I hope you never get tired of sharing your art. <3
Haha! I hope you never get tired of humoring me sharing my art. 🙂 Thank you sooo much for taking the time to comment, and for being so sweet both on here and on IG. {I totally love IG, by the way. I can’t seem to get on the Twitter train, but IG is awesome!}
This is an amazing tutorial and I will use all of these. I did a valentine’s postcard inspired by your chevron pattern:
http://sewingfairytales.blogspot.de/2015/02/happy-valentines-day-and-new-postcard.html
Thank you for your great work!
Oh my gosh! That is *so* cool and creative!! I loooove what you did; great work!
These are beautiful! I especially love the flower one. I can’t wait to try it out. Thank you, Lindsey.
That one is my favorite, too! 🙂 You are so very welcome — thank you!
Hi Lindsay,
I’m a new reader of your blog and I just have to say that I’m so glad I found it. I love the bookmark tutorial and I’m going to channel my creativity and give it a go. Like you, I will most likely keep them for myself as I’ve recently rediscovered the joy of reading by carving out some time for myself from busy family/work life! I’ve dedicated my half an hour commute to and from work on the tube (I live in London, UK) to reading books (instead of the free newspapers they give out to commuters). Thanks for the inspiration and the care and attention that you give to your posts 🙂
I wish I could channel your dedication to carving out time for reading! Once in a while, I’ll read in the evenings; but mostly I defer to browsing Pinterest — which is really sad, because reading is such a wonderful experience. Have you read anything that you really liked lately? I recently read the book I used to model the bookmarks in this post; it’s called Interpreter of Maladies. It was a little melancholy, but I really enjoyed it. Right now, I’m trying to fulfill my goal of getting through the Lord of the Rings books … for some reason, I have the hardest time getting more than halfway through any given LOTR book; but I want to finish all of them!
I’m very glad you found the blog, too! It’s a really fun thing for me to put energy into, so it’s so great to hear that you enjoy it! Thank you!
Might just have to do this for my new kikki k planner! Such a fun tutorial 🙂
I’d love to see an Instagram pic if you do! You always come up with really neat stuff. 🙂
Lindsey ~ You never cease to amaze me! These bookmarks are fabulous, and your instructions are so clear and simple. Thank you, thank you!
You always have the nicest things to say, Josee — thank you! 🙂
Great ideas once again xx
It’s my pleasure to put the ideas together! Thank you very much!
Gawjus, just gawjus! Great idea and great inspiration. Thanks!
I am totally stealing that spelling of “gorgeous” from you — I love it! Thank you!
Ah! I adore receiving your posts in my e-mail! I read them all, and bookmark all of my MUST DO projects from you. This one is definitely a MUST!
Thanks for being awesome!
Thank you for reading the posts — and winning giveaways! 😉 Speaking of which, I hope you are loving both of your calligraphy pens!
thanks, really love making art stuff!!!
I couldn’t agree more! And you’re very welcome — thank you!
Love these! And love your website!! Its been so helpful to me on so many levels! Thank you for what you do!! <3
I’m really happy to hear that, Monica! I love making projects like these bookmarks, so it’s awesome to know that you enjoy reading about them in turn. It’s an awesome win-win! 🙂
I lurrrvvvv this Lindsey! I continuously look for inspirations everyday as I sift through blogs and something so easy like this is awesome and checks off my “yay! i’m inspired” box! THANK YOU! You’re totes wonderful!
Hello, Lindsey!! Thank you for your inspirational blog post. Now that Valentine’s Day is coming near, i do have something to give for my bookish friends. I love it. Thank you so very much! Your blog is awesome and you are wonderful 🙂
Love always, Amie
I’m so glad you like this! I had a couple of friends in particular in mind when I created these; I mean, it’s not a complicated concept — but the end result is really pretty cool, especially when you pair it with the label! 🙂 Thank you, Amie!