Okay, real talk: how many times have you grabbed a random scrap of paper, a receipt, or—heaven forbid—folded the corner of a page down just to save your spot? I’m guilty of the receipt trick, and honestly, it’s a tragedy. We put so much effort into finding the perfect book, but then we mark our progress with a crumpled up CVS receipt? It’s a crime against literature, IMO.
So, I decided it was high time we gave our pages the respect they deserve. I’ve rounded up eight of the cutest, easiest DIY bookmarks that you can probably make with stuff you already have lying around. They’re fun, they’re functional, and they’ll make you look way more put together than you actually are. 😉
Let’s get crafty, shall we?
1. The Pressed Flower Fairy Lights Bookmark
Ever wonder what to do with that pretty flower you pressed in a heavy textbook and then forgot about for six months? No? Just me? Well, this is its moment to shine.
This is less of a “craft” and more of an “assembly,” which is my favorite kind of project.
What you’ll need:
- Clear contact paper or self-laminating sheets: You can find these at any office supply store.
- Dried and pressed flowers/leaves: The flatter, the better.
- A hole punch
- Some pretty ribbon or twine
Start by cutting your contact paper into two identical rectangles—think classic bookmark size, so maybe 2 inches by 6 inches. Peel the backing off one piece and carefully arrange your pressed flowers on the sticky side. This is where you can get all artsy. I’m terrible at this part and usually just toss a few petals on and hope for the best, but I’m sure you’ll be more precise.
Once you’re happy with your mini-garden, peel the backing off the second piece of contact paper and carefully lay it on top, sticky side down. Smooth it out from the center to avoid air bubbles! Nothing ruins a good bookmark faster than a big ugly bubble. Trim the edges if they’re uneven, punch a hole at the top, and thread your ribbon through. Boom. Instant elegance.
2. The Wasabi Tape Corner Bookmark
Corner bookmarks are genius because they hug the page and don’t slip out. Plus, they look like little monsters are nibbling the corners of your book, which is a vibe I can totally get behind.
Here’s the deal:
- Cut a square from some cardstock or thick scrapbook paper. Make it about 3×3 inches.
- Cut that square in half diagonally, so you have two triangles.
- Take one triangle and fold the two sharp corners down to meet the middle of the longest side. You’re basically forming a pocket.
- Now, here’s where the magic happens. Grab your washi tape. It comes in a million patterns—neon pink, little cats, space ships, you name it. Use it to tape the folded flaps down and decorate the front.
The wasabi tape acts as both glue and decoration. It’s the ultimate lazy crafter’s dream. I’ve got a roll with little sushi pieces on it, so I made one that looks like a salmon roll is chomping down on my page. Stupid? Yes. Does it make me smile every time I open my book? Also yes.
3. The Tassel-Tastic Leather Cord Bookmark
Ever felt like your bookmark needs a little more drama? Enter the tassel. It’s fancy, it’s tactile, and it hangs out of your book like a little flag that says, “Yeah, I’m classy.”
Materials:
- A small scrap of leather or faux leather: You can often find remnants at craft stores or even cut up an old pair of leather-look leggings that met an unfortunate end.
- Embroidery floss or thin yarn
- A bead (optional, but recommended)
This one’s got two parts. First, cut a long, thin strip of leather for the actual bookmark part—think 8-10 inches long. Then, cut a slightly shorter and thinner strip for the tassel top.
To make the tassel, wrap your embroidery floss around two fingers (or a piece of cardboard) about 20-30 times. Tie a piece of floss tightly around the top, then cut the loops at the bottom. Wrap and tie another piece of floss around the top third of the tassel to form the head, hiding the knot.
Now, sandwich the top of the tassel between the ends of that smaller leather strip, and glue or stitch it closed. Slide a bead on for extra flair, and then attach the whole tassel assembly to the end of your long leather bookmark strip. I used a keychain ring for mine so I could swap tassels if I get bored.
4. The “I Darnwell Did It” Embroidery Hoop Bookmark
Okay, this one sounds way harder than it is. It’s essentially a tiny piece of fabric art, but framed by the book itself. It makes you look incredibly sophisticated, even if your stitching is a hot mess.
You’ll need:
- A small embroidery hoop (the 3-inch ones are perfect)
- A piece of fabric (linen or cotton works best)
- Embroidery floss and a needle
- A hot glue gun
Stretch your fabric tight in the embroidery hoop, just like you’re making a tiny wall hanging. Now, here’s the fun part. You can stitch literally anything. Your initials. A little heart. A flower. Or, in my case, a wonky-looking bee that I’m pretty sure looks more like a fly. The point isn’t perfection, it’s the effort.
Once you’re done stitching, trim the excess fabric from the back, leaving about half an inch. Use your hot glue gun to glue the raw edges to the back of the inner hoop, creating a clean finish. The whole hoop becomes the top of the bookmark, with the fabric tail acting as the marker. It’s so unique and people will definitely ask you where you bought it.
5. The Comic Strip Slider Bookmark
Remember those old-school bookmarks where you pull a tab and the image changes? We’re making a super simple version using your favorite comic strips.
What you need:
- Two comic strips from the Sunday paper (or any two similar-sized images)
- Cardstock
- A glue stick
- An X-Acto knife
- A ruler
This requires a tiny bit of precision, but it’s worth it. Glue one comic strip onto a piece of cardstock. This is your base. Cut two parallel slits in the base, about an inch apart, right in the middle of the strip.
Cut your second comic strip into a strip that’s slightly narrower than the slits. This is your slider. Thread it through the slits from the back so it appears on top of the base image. Now, when you pull the tab up and down, you get a fun little animation! Pull it to make Garfield lift his lasagna fork, or to make Snoopy dance. It’s interactive reading!
6. The Painted Watercolor Quote Bookmark
I am not a painter. My watercolor “art” usually looks like a preschooler got into the art supplies after a sugar rush. But watercolor is actually super forgiving for this project, especially when you add words over it.
The process:
- Cut some watercolor paper into bookmark sizes. It’s thicker and handles the water better.
- Get your palette wet and just… play. Create a wash of color. Splatter some paint on it. Make stripes. The more abstract, the better.
- Let it dry completely. This is crucial. Wet paper + pen = a smudgy disaster.
- Now, take a fine-tipped permanent marker (a Faber-Castell or Micron pen is perfect) and write your favorite bookish quote on top.
- “Not all those who wander are lost.”
- “So it goes.”
- “I am haunted by humans.”
- Or a snarky one: “Do not disturb, I’m probably at the best part.”
The messy, unpredictable watercolor background makes even my shaky handwriting look intentional and artsy. It’s a great way to use up those tubes of paint you bought on a whim and never opened.
7. The Repurposed Greeting Card Bookmark
We all have that drawer. You know the one. The “Sentimental Garbage” drawer where we keep birthday cards from 2008, ticket stubs, and photos of ex-boyfriends. It’s time to raid it for good.
Find a card with a pretty design on the front. Cut the front off, and then cut it down to a standard bookmark size. The key here is to keep the most interesting part of the image.
Pro-tip: If it’s a thick, glossy card, it’s already perfectly durable. If it’s thinner cardstock, you can glue it to a piece of cardboard from a cereal box before you cut it. Just sandwich that bad boy in there and trim the edges. It gives it a nice, sturdy, professional feel. Plus, it’s a way to keep a little piece of that memory or that person with you while you read. (Or, you know, you can finally throw the card away but keep the pretty part.)
8. The Character Corner Bookmarks (Origami Style)
We’re circling back to corner bookmarks, but with a twist. Instead of washi tape, we’re going full origami to make them look like characters peeking out.
Here’s how you level up:
- Start with the same square of paper and fold it into the basic corner bookmark pocket (steps 1-3 from #2).
- Now, instead of just taping it, you’re going to build on it.
- Cut out small shapes from colored paper to create a specific character.
- For a monster: Add googly eyes (yes, you can glue them on paper), fangs, and little horns.
- For a penguin: Use a black base, add a white belly, and tiny orange feet that stick out from the bottom.
- For a cat: Add triangle ears, little whiskers drawn with a pen, and a tiny pink nose.
Glue all the features onto your folded base. When you put it on the corner of your page, it looks like a tiny creature is peeking over the top. I made a whole set of these for a friend’s birthday based on her favorite characters from The Office. She almost cried. It was either from joy or the realization that she has a friend with way too much time on her hands.
So, there you have it! Eight ways to make sure you never have to resort to using a sticky note as a bookmark ever again. They make fantastic little gifts, they’re a great way to use up craft scraps, and honestly, they just make the act of reading feel a little more special.
Now stop doom-scrolling and go make something! Your books are waiting, and they’re begging you not to dog-ear their pages. Happy crafting (and reading)! 🙂
