Easy DIY Bead and Ribbon Bookmarks

Last updated on July 19th, 2020 at 11:44 pm

Are you looking for an easy holiday craft or gift? I have just the answer — ribbon and bead bookmarks. These would also make good end-of-year gifts for teachers–maybe along with a book.

What I love about these is that you can make them in any color for any occasion–or even a cause. For example, make them pink with pink beads for breast cancer awareness, use the colors of autism awareness (I usually see blue, red, yellow, and turquoise), or make them pink, white, and red for Valentine’s Day, or green and white for St. Patrick’s Day. You can even find beads like pink ribbons, Christmas trees, or other objects that will go with your theme.

These are super easy and inexpensive to make. Just choose your beads, and then buy some organza ribbon from any craft store. Mine was 3/8″ wide and cost just $1.99 a spool.

Of course the fun part is picking out the beads. It’s hard not to buy way too many! One important thing to remember is that your ribbon needs to fit through the hole in the center of the bead, so check that out before buying.

Directions:

Cut your ribbon to length. (I decided on length by pulling the “tallest” book from my bookshelf using it as a guide to measure the ribbon. I then cut the ribbon about 1 ½ times the height of the book.

Next, knot the ribbon at the end, string your beads, and make another knot to make sure the beads stay in place at the end of the ribbon.

Then add some beads at the other end. I make one end of the bookmark with larger beads that I call the “top.”

  

• If you singe the ends of your cut ribbon with a match or lighter, they won’t fray.
• Be sure to tie knots at either end of the ribbon bookmark where you want your beads to stay. If you don’t, the beads may make their way toward the center of the ribbon.
• Make sure you allow enough ribbon to knot at each end of the group of beads. Measure using a large book as a guide, and then added at least one half that length again. 
• Use a large needle to thread the ribbon through your beads if you’re having trouble. Again, your beads need to have large enough holes to allow the ribbon to fit through.

These bookmarks are perfect to give with the gift of a book!

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