The school year may be over, but summer reading is on! And I created these fun, colorful bookmarks that are perfect for all those books that we – and the kids – will be reading. They’re also a great craft that kids can do to keep busy on these long summer days.
How to make a tassel and beaded bookmark
Tassels are everywhere – necklaces, sandals, purses, key chains, pillows, curtains, napkin rings and even made into banners. So these bookmarks are right on trend, pretty, and useful.
You’ll need the following supplies:
- Embroidery thread – I used 1 pack per tassel but you can add or subtract the amount depending on how full your want your tassel.
- White hemp fine cord
- Thin metallic string – I found this at Michael’s but it’s similar to this.
- Paper clips – I used the 2″ long size
- Various beads
- Good, sharp scissors
Instructions:
Cut your hemp cord to about 12″. This is the cord that will hold the all the pieces together.
Fold your cord in half and loop the folded end through the top of the paper clip. Be sure the paper clip clamps are on the bottom so they can hold onto the book pages. Tuck the ends of the cord through the loop and pull until it’s tight.
Next, thread the beads through the hemp cord as you’d like them.
I used 3-5 beads per bookmark.
Take your embroidery thread and simply slide the wrapper off. They’re already wrapped in a 6″ loop so just place the middle of the threads between the two pieces of hemp cord.
Tie the ends of the hemp cord tightly around the center of the threads. You can use more than 1 package of the thread if you want your tassel to be more full. Trim the leftover hemp cord.
Fold the two ends of the embroidery thread down over the hemp knot and tie another piece of hemp cord around the folded thread – about 1/2″ down. Tie 2 knots and trim off any excess hemp cord. This gives a nice ball shape at the top of the thread and just under the beads.
To hide the hemp cord, I used the metallic string. Wrap the metallic string around the white hemp cord until you cover it completely. I tied the end of my metallic string to the beginning piece of string. Trim off any excess string.
Your tassel is almost done. You’ll need to cut the folded ends of the thread with sharp scissors. Trim the ends of your tassel so it’s neat and even.
Now you have a fun beaded tassel bookmark!
Use different colored threads and beads to change up the look.
These sweet bookmarks make great gifts and can be used all year round. Or they’re a great DIY project you can do with your kids. Who knows, they might even end up reading more!
And they really make great, durable and pretty bookmarks.
And if you’re looking for some good summer reading, these books are on my list:
To Kill a Mockingbird – I read it a few years ago and re-reading it now. I really want to read Go Set a Watchman – the only other book also written by Harper Lee and was just published in 2015. It claims to be the sequel.
Eleanor Olifant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
**disclosure: I also just started binge watching season 2 of The Handmaid’s Tale so the reading might be a little slower than usual. Enjoy!
Having fun making these with my daughter!
Awesome!! Send pics if you can!