How to Make Book Jewels or Beaded Bookmarks

Beaded bookmarks or "book jewels" look beautiful tucked inside a gift volume or dangling from inside your own favorite edition. Simple to make and beautiful to see, these bookmarks will ensure no more dog-eared pages in your books.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 roll lightweight black craft cord (waxed)
• 1 pair scissors
• beads (your choice)
• ruler

1. 
   A few materials you'll need ...

   Measure the length of your book's spine to determine how long you want your bookmark to be; or choose a measurement that will fit most of your favorites.

2. Add 2-3" to that measurement, then measure and cut your cord (this will ensure plenty of room for your ornaments and the knot-tying step)

3. Tie a knot in one end of the cord; a double-knot pulled tight will make it less likely that your beads will slip off.

4. 

   Choose the beads you like best. A tapered effect with small and large beads is traditional, but you can choose any shapes, size or colors that you prefer.

5. Slip the beads on and push them snug against the knot. Make sure you like the colors and the arrangement you've chosen (just imagine it dangling from your book's closed pages).

6. Tie a knot as close as possible to the last bead.

7. Tie a double knot app. 1 1/2" from the opposite end of your book mark (tie it further away if you plan to use large beads or several).

8. 

   Slip the second set of beads on, pushing them as close to the knot as possible; then tie a second double knot at the end to hold them in place.

9. 
   The finished product

   Trim the ends as close to the knots as possible. Test to make sure the beads won't slip off, then slide your new bookmark between the pages.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to leave enough cord to easily tie a knot after adding the beads--cutting the cord extra long should help.
• Be careful when working with glass beads, to make sure they don't shatter.