The short answer: build a long strip, three to five beads wide, with a wider decorative top. Iron both sides, let it cool flat, and add a tassel or ribbon through a top hole.
Bookmarks are one of the most useful small projects in beading. They use a fraction of the beads of a coaster, take one sitting, and make perfect teacher or hostess gifts.
Design tips
- Keep the strip 3-5 beads wide and about 20-30 beads long, so it fits inside a book.
- Make the top wider than the strip, like a small tag, so it sticks out of the book and looks like a real bookmark.
- Simple color gradients, initials, and tiny hearts work best at this size.
- Fuse both sides fully so the strip stays straight and never curls.
Finishing touches
- Thread a ribbon or tassel through a hole at the top of the tag.
- Knot the ribbon and trim the ends.
- Add a bead charm to the ribbon for a little weight and color.
- Gift a set of three in a small card or envelope.
Reading gifts pair nicely with a bookmark set. Find slim patterns in our pattern library and ribbons in our shop.