Beaded Bookmarks
These super easy bookmarks are great fun for children to make. Currently, my children are selling them in a local bookshop and in my Such Treasures Etsy Shop. They’ve already sold several dozen of them for $4 to $5 each. We each have them in our Bibles, the very Best Book of all.
Use a ribbon that is 42 inches long. You’ll want to only use pony beads, and beads with the same size opening, as other beads have openings that are too small for the ribbon to go through.
Needed
- 42 inch long bargain ribbon, 1/4” wide, grosgrain or satin
- Pony beads (6 or 8 for each bookmark)
- Silver or gold more fancy beads having the same size hole as the pony beads
- Charm (1 for each bookmark)
- Darning needle (optional but very helpful)
Directions
Refer to the photo (above) to help visualize the steps described.
1. Thread the charm and put it in the middle.
2. Knot the ribbon at the base of the charm.
3. Put two knots (one on top of the other) at about 1-1/2 inches down from the charm.
4.Thread the pony beads and another big fancy bead onto both ribbon ends. (Using a darning needle helps.)
5. Put two knots (one on top of the other) under the pony beads.
6. Trim the ends of the ribbon cleanly and on the diagonal.
How They Work
Slip the cover of your book between the two ribbons, keeping the charm at the top and the group of beads at the bottom. Slide the group of beads up to fit your book size. You may add another two overlapped knots just under the beads in this new position, to keep them in place. If the bookmark is to stay permanently (such as for a Bible), trim the ribbon ends diagonally about 1/2-inch below the new knots.
Then use the top charm to hold the page you’re reading.
These are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing the instructions for making them, as I have lots of extra ribbon and some beads, too, lying around. I think my kids would like to make these, maybe as Mother’s Day gifts for their grandmas!
I agree, the bookmarks are beautiful. I might make these with my kindergarten students. I am wondering how the beads stay up against the cover of the book and not slide back down to the knot.
I really enjoy your website sooo much, it is a great resource!
Hi, Jessica! You can add another two knots just under the
beads in their new position. For temporary bookmark, though,
the ribbon is thick enough so they stay up there pretty well.
Not as securely as if you added another knot, though.
Enjoy!
Love, Wardeh
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Wonderful Idea!! I’ve been looking for gift idea for my student library volunteers and this is perfect!! I’ve been wanting to create something according to my volunteers favorite colors & hobbies. I can even find a charm to match their reading preferences. For example: sports, animals, hobbies….Thank you so much for sharing!!
Terry
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P.S. I just finished writing a letter to a friend and wanted a fun way to fold her letter. I googled fun letter folding & came across your blog. So glad I did
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