If you, like me, are a big reader, you may have between one and five books going at once, on various subject matters, both fiction and non-fiction, both paper and e-book. Even if you don't love reading, you probably have to read paper books or magazines from time to time.
Therefore, you know the value of good bookmarks, and I have even bought leather book weights in the past. These are great for holding books open while your hands are occupied. But they are bulky, and if you close a book with one inside and place any weight on top of the book, the binding can break.
So I was excited to hear about the penny bookmark as described by Amy Sedaris in an interview when she was promoting her book Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People. The concept was simple: sandwich pennies between layers of packing tape, and you have an instant book weight and bookmark!
I immediately made one for myself, and it quickly became my favorite reading tool. However, packing tape, even though it is pretty good quality, is not very durable, and before long, the pennies started wearing through. Plus the tape was slippery enough that if I picked the book up, the bookmark would slide right out. It was time for an upgrade.
Having discovered the wonders of duct tape, I realized I could make a beautiful, functional book weight using the same concept. Not only that, but it serves these other purposes:
Therefore, you know the value of good bookmarks, and I have even bought leather book weights in the past. These are great for holding books open while your hands are occupied. But they are bulky, and if you close a book with one inside and place any weight on top of the book, the binding can break.
So I was excited to hear about the penny bookmark as described by Amy Sedaris in an interview when she was promoting her book Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People. The concept was simple: sandwich pennies between layers of packing tape, and you have an instant book weight and bookmark!
I immediately made one for myself, and it quickly became my favorite reading tool. However, packing tape, even though it is pretty good quality, is not very durable, and before long, the pennies started wearing through. Plus the tape was slippery enough that if I picked the book up, the bookmark would slide right out. It was time for an upgrade.
Having discovered the wonders of duct tape, I realized I could make a beautiful, functional book weight using the same concept. Not only that, but it serves these other purposes:
- What to do with those gazillion pennies you have lying around. You know, the ones where the metal is worth more than the coins themselves.
- It's an easy craft to do with the kiddos, either at home or in the classroom.
- Your Christmas/birthday/whatever gift needs have answered. These are awesome, and you can make them really pretty and cool looking. A recession-proof gift!
- Security. It's a great way to hide your stash of gold bullion from prying eyes if you need to.
*Cost is approximate and is based on 28 cents in pennies, and about 7 cents in everything else.
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You will need:
- Pennies (I raided my broken bookmark and my old bank for some)
- Duct tape
- Scissors
- Paint (optional)
- Other decorative stuff (optional)
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Clear Duct Tape Duck® brand, found with a quick Google.
I'll take this idea down to Baja next month. The kids will really enjoy it! (and I'll make a few for myself, too.;-)