by Mollie Mcdoodles Mom

Created on: September 19, 2008   Last Updated: May 05, 2012

How to make a bookmark is an easy and fun craft to do. This project doesn't cost much money and your children can even make some for fellow students, friends, or relatives. Parents or a responsible person should supervise while using a glue gun. Keep all materials and small pieces out of reach of young children.

To begin, gather all your materials. You can use leftover scraps from sewing projects, weddings or bridal showers, baby showers or anything else that is laying around. The basic bookmark can be made with wooden popsicle sticks, pom-poms, squiggly eyes, feathers, fabric paint and craft markers. You will need a glue gun and glue sticks. Be very careful! The glue or glue gun can cause damage to skin. Low temp glue sticks are available. Work on a surface that the glue won't stick to, like a plate.

The basic bookmark can be made this way: Determine how many bookmarks you want to create. Plug the glue gun in so that it can begin to heat. Before gluing anything in place, lay out how you want your bookmark to look. When you have chosen your pieces, put a small dab of glue on one end of the popsicle stick and attach a pom pom. Gently press to hold. Next, glue two squiggly eyes onto the pom pom. Each bookmark can look different by setting the eyes closer or off center. The pom pom can be left bare with eyes only or use fabric paint to make lips or a mouth. This is a basic bookmark. You can dress it up more by gluing feathers on the stick before gluing on the pom pom. Add " jewels " for a sparkle.

To make it more personal, write the name of each student or person on the lower part of the stick with craft markers. This makes a unique gift and it encourages reading. Grandparents love these too, because it is something useful and doesn't take up much space.

Another version of this bookmark is to put a large pom pom on the end followed by two or three smaller pom poms. This looks like a " Willy Worm ." You can cut out felt "ears" to make a cat, a dog, or a pig. Let your imagination run wild!

To make a fragrant bookmark, go no further that your kitchen. Glue whole cloves or cinnamon sticks onto the popsicle stick and gently hold to secure. Add some ribbon and wrap up to give to as a scented bookmark for a cookbook. How about using small dried rose buds or dried lavendar sprigs for the romance reader in the family? For the outdoor rugged type, a clean scent can be made from dried mint.

However you decide to create you bookmark, make it a fun time for your children and be crafty!

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