How to Make Paperclip Bookmarks

For a quick but adorable way to mark your page in your favorite novel, fashion together a paperclip bookmark. Sure, you can just slide a large paperclip to save your page but that’s no fun. You can make your paperclip bookmark fun and purposeful all in about 10 minutes.

Plan Your Design

1. Consider who will receive the paperclip bookmarks. Are they for a teacher or a friend, or are you making them for yourself? Who will receive the paperclips may dictate the design.
2. Evaluate your supplies. If you need to make them on the fly, check your craft drawer or surroundings for supplies you have on hand to make the bookmark. Items like ribbon, buttons, photos and even small toys will do the trick.
   
   
3. Determine your time. Do you want to devote hours toward an extra special design and embroider (for example) something to be slid along the top of the paperclip? Or are you looking to mass produce these bookmarks and want something chic but quick and easy?
   
   

Get Supplies

1. Pick up large sized paper clips. Consider going for the clips that are covered with colored plastic instead of the straight metal clips. Not only are the colored clips cuter, the metal paper clips may possibly rip pages as you slide them on and off. Also, choose the large clips so you have a more substantial bookmark.
   
   
2. Choose your adornment. This will be the personality of the paperclip so choose well.
   • Select colorful, patterned ribbon. Consider heavier fabric ribbon instead of something flimsy or satiny. You want the fabric to stand out on its own so keep this in mind when selecting.
     
     
   • Pick up vintage (or new) buttons. Buttons that either belong on clothing or buttons with “sayings” or pictures can be used.
   • Find old toys. Old Barbie doll heads or accessories can be used. Even small cars and trucks can be affixed to the end of a paperclip.
     
     
   • Laminate photos, prayer cards or newspaper text. As long as you protect and laminate the paper you can use this to top your paperclip. Make sure the photo is in proportion with the paperclip size.
     
     
3. Find supportive supplies. You’ll need something adhere the adornment to the paperclip and what you choose will determine what kind of support is necessary.
   • Grab your handy electric glue gun or a tube of Super Glue. If you can glue the item be sure you hold it steady and allow dry time before use.
     
     
   • Find sharp scissors for cutting ribbon or photos.
     
     

Make Paperclip Bookmarks

1. Create a bookmark with a button. Use heavy duty glue to affix the button to the top of the paperclip.
   
   
   • Completely cover the top of the paperclip with the button. Re-thinking using overly large buttons that may be too bulky.
     
     
   • Consider using two buttons so you have a decoration on both sides of the paperclip.
     
     
   • Make sure you affix the button to the area opposite of where you will need to mark the page.
     
     
   • Remove the stickpin on the back of a button you might pin to clothing. You don’t want the recipient to get stuck!
     
     
2. Design a bookmark with ribbon. This is one of the easiest and quickest bookmarks to create.
   
   
   • Cut approximately 2 inches of ribbon. The ribbon will be attached to the end of the paperclip and provide quick page retrieval access.
     
     
   • Slide the ribbon through the bottom of one paperclip. Make sure the paperclip ends are on the opposite side from where it will be slid onto the page.
     
     
   • Place one or two small dabs of glue on the inside of the ribbon and fold ribbon together. Hold the ribbon for a few minutes until the glue has dried.
     
     
3. Make a bookmark using a laminate photo or text. Like with the button, you may want to use two photos, back to back to create a balanced design.
   
   
   • Line up the photos with the top portion of the paperclip. Be sure the photos are the exact same size and not too big where they overwhelm the paperclip.
     
     
   • Add a small amount of glue to the back of each photo and place over the top of the paperclip. Press and hold together until the adhered.
     
     
4. Finished.
   
   

• Consider making a set of bookmarks and giving them out as gifts. Purchase a wide variety of colors and give one or two bookmarks in each color.
• Use a thick fabric for your ribbon so the glue doesn’t bleed through to the other side.
• Before you use any original artwork, buttons or photos, make sure it’s o.k. with the owner (for example, you don’t want to use the last mass card from your grandmother’s funeral without your mother’s permission).