Summer vacation is here — and when I was growing up, that meant one thing: crafting! My mom used to give my brother and I the option of going to various camps and activities … or instead, spending that money at the craft store for a summer’s worth of art supplies. We almost always chose the latter.
So when you find you need a break from your TBR list this summer, why not turn your attentions to one of these awesome book-ish crafts:
1. Homemade Bookmarks
Bookmarks (Left) via Silhouette Blog
Bookmarks (Right) via Here & Home
If you’re like me, folding down the corner of a book page is unthinkable. Craft one of these stylish bookmarks instead to mark your place!
2. Book Clutch
Book Clutch Tutorial via See Kate Sew
Turn a beautiful used book into the cutest little handbag the literary world has ever seen.
3. Book Bling
Via PaperSnake
How adorable are these tiny books? You could create a whole series of jewelry with these guys – necklaces, earrings, charm bracelets. Here are some DIY posts with tips for making your own mini books for jewelry.
4. Christmas in July
Ornaments (Right) via Pinterest
Ornaments (Left) via Pinterest
Get a jump start on the holidays by fashioning one of these literary Christmas ornaments. Bonus points if you can find a used copy of A Christmas Carol for this craft project.
5. Garden Bricks
Book Bricks via HomeJelly
How adorable are these bricks painted to look like books? And what a perfect summer craft, since you can easily set up a crafting station outside to enjoy the beautiful weather while you work. Then use the book bricks to decorate your outdoor space.
6. Home Decor
Candle Holder via Think Crafts
Picture Frame via Wohler’s World
Decoupage is the best when it comes to book crafts. Use Mod Podge (or similar product) + old book pages to give a literary makeover to your favorite home decor pieces: candle holders, vases, picture frames, bowls, etc.
7. Fancy Feet
Comic Shoes via IronSpy
Harry Potter Shoes via Pinterest
Whether you go for a colorful comic book or stick with basic text, how cool would it be to wear some of your favorite literature?
8. Book Totes
Tote Bag via Quirk Books
It’s no secret that the literary world loves tote bags, especially tote bags with clever sayings on them. You can re-create these bags with a blank tote and some fabric paint.
9. Book Jewelry, Part 2
Bracelets via BuzzFeed
Necklace via Mandipidy
These ideas use old book pages to create pendants and beads for your book-ish jewelry.
10. Book Stash
Book Crate via No Time for Flash Cards
Craft a crate to hold some of your favorite books, or maybe use it to store the titles currently on your TBR list.
11. TBR Jar
Via Alex in Leeds
Not sure what book from your TBR pile to read next? Let the TBR jar help you out. Write the names of all your TBR books onto little scraps of paper, and mix them up in the jar. When it’s time to read a new book, pick on at random.
12. Pages of Light
Chandelier (Left) via Pinterest
Chanedelier (Right) via Oh So Beautiful Paper
These are just two clever ways to turn old book pages into a fashionable and literary chandelier.
13. Skirt the Issue
How adorable is this skirt? The instructions above are for a child, but it could easily be adapted to fit us big kids, too. Or use the same idea to make a quilt, instead.
* If, like me, you are not entirely comfortable with the idea of cutting up an old book to complete some of the above craft projects, fear not! I suggest scanning the book pages you want to use, then print those pages. If you don’t like the stark white paper, use tea to age it.
For the comments: Any other book-ish craft ideas? Tell us below!
Novel Novice 
Love that book bricks idea!
LOOK AT THOSE CHANDELIERS.
Aww, I love these ideas! The Garden Bricks especially ❤
I will be doing the necklaces and the TBR jar 🙂