Bibliophiles and bookworms, English majors and lovers of literature: is it possible to have too many books? They accumulate so quickly! Every member of your family getting you the same three books you requested for Christmas. Seeing Don DeLillo marked half-off, knowing you dumped a half-caff latte on your copy of Underworld, and – even though only the first three pages are illegible – justifying its purchase. 15+ years of required reading lists stored in boxes in your basement, even though you can bet your bippy you will never willingly read the poetry of Robert Burns again.
We are up to our waists in books, some of which we hate (really Master Burns? Scottish dialect? A mouse?!) yet we will never give them away. Because they just might come in handy some day. Like a day when you decide you want to transform your old books into awesome works of art. Like today.
Update: Do to the overwhelming support (HA!) of these ideas, I have compiled an equally fabulous display of incredible bookmarks – the exact opposite of book arts and crafts. Hear, hear!
9 Ways to Turn Old Books Into Something Cool
1. Hollow out an old hardback to create a nifty iPod case, a unique display case, or a fun hiding place for your treasures.
It brings a whole new meaning to “audio book.”
Use your old books to showcase your artistic side.
Good for hiding passwords and codes, the key to your safe, and family jewels.
2. Use the pages to create a book wreath.
Your choice of ribbon can transform this wreath so it is suitable for every holiday – or every day!
3. Use them to build invisible, floating bookshelves.
If you think floating books are mesmerizing, check out some other wacky bookshelves that will make your head spin (and your walls upgrade to awesome).
4. Choose a book with a great cover and turn it into a clock.
Book clocks are for everyone, young and old.
5. Turn your book into a lamp shade.
We recommend using a low-watt bulb, like 10 or 15 maximum. Or your book lamp shade might turn into a fire lamp shade.
6. Transform a beautiful hardcover into a book purse.
For the fashionable bookworm in all of us.
7. Cut out bits of your favorite passages and make a glass pendant necklace.
Great for expressing your individuality and having a tiny cheat sheet hanging around your neck come finals week.
You could also use the pages to make paper beads.
I have heard this is a great activity for little girls at slumber parties and summer camp, but cannot vouch for it.
8. Insert blank pages into a favorite tome to make a journal or scrapbook.
For those who find the Moleskin a little too common and hipster.
9. Use a book cover for a picture frame.
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. This combines a picture AND a thousand words. So really, this book cover picture frame is worth two thousand words.
If you enjoyed this post, check out the rest of our book reviews on the Written Word.
{ 12 trackbacks }
{ 59 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
I think the negative reaction to destroying books evinced by so many here (myself included!) is because of the attendant Orwellian symbolism of destroying knowledge and information. The two words “book burning” conjure in the mind chilling scenes of goose-stepping, jackbooted police exhorting the public to ignorance and servitude and fanatical love of Big Brother.
In history, the destruction of books has always been the province of tyrannical, oppressive or religious regimes, to the extent that many people today, hearing of the destruction of books, instinctively shrink from the symbolic tyranny associated with it.
This is a good sign, because it means we are finally learning the lessons of history, and perhaps those who oppose the destruction of books, even in the name of art, will be those who oppose our governments and fight for freedom, when in the near future the jackbooted police again march down our streets.
I belong to a libray group. We sell used books as a fund raiser. There are some books that nobody wants. You can’t sell them, you can’t give them away. These crafts are neat and a better end for any book than the recycle bin.
Hey there,
I was interested in making a book into a secret treasure chest, but every time I click on the picture you have, it says I “404′d.” I can’t find it anywhere else. Could you help me out? I found the idea on your “9 Cool Things to do with Old Books” article.
Thanks,
Kelsey
@Kelsey – Thanks for catching that. The link is updated, or just click here.
The “great activity for little girls” comment is sexist and not appreciated, but I do really like the creative ideas, thank you.
Can’t do anything without offending someone nowadays…
Anyway, love these projects. I will definite try out some of them.
I work at a library. Guess you all better not look behind the scenes where we toss out books by the dozen every day. The reason? Because people who borrow them don’t take care of them, and they have coffee stains, food stains, water damage, dog/toddler chew marks on them. Every one of them in that condition is considered hazardous, due to potential (or existing) mold growth and germs. We aren’t allowed to resell them or even give them away.
Don’t be so hoity-toity, folks. Books get thrown away. Very few are one-of-a-kind, and many are not ever going to find another home or another reader. It’s not the end of the world, and these crafts are an excellent way to reuse books that no longer have an interest for the owner as reading material. Remember, the person who owns the book gets to do with it as they please.
As a school librarian, I must “weed” books regulary because of damage or often age (information is outdated). I used some of these today to make ornaments and a wreath. The students were appalled at first, but when they saw the condition of the books they thought it was a great project.
I have made book angels from old books that no one wanted. They are beautiful! I have just recently seen a Christmas tree made out of an old paperback book. I will be making that one this Christmas season. You should google those and add to your list.
I also like the idea of the glass pendant necklace. I will use a Bible that was my childs that is not useable anymore to cut out favorite verses for the teen girls in our youth group at church. I think those will be a big hit. Thank you for the wonderful ideas for books that are no longer able to be used as they were intended.
Oh, I have also seen another version of a book wreath that I will be doing for 2 couples where both are involved in music. I am going to get an old hymnal from church and make those for them out of their favorite church songs. I think that is a wonderful way to preserve special books.
← Previous Comments