This bookmark uses a technique popular in altered books and a favorite of artists like Austin Kleon: found poetry. In found poetry you pick out the words you want and cover everything else, leaving only your message behind. Check it out!
Step 1.
Glue a magazine column to the center of your bookmark backing, using glue that will stand up to wet materials and heat.
Step 2.
Trim some skinny washi tape into strips the same height as your type. Starting about an inch from the top (to leave room to add your tassel), choose your words and cover them with the washi tape.
Step 3.
Cover the entire tag with Imagine Crafts Creative Medium in Metallic Silver with a palette knife. You need the layer of medium thin enough to see your washi tape edges but not so thin that you can read the text you’re covering.
Step 4.
Remove the washi tape, carefully, with fine-point tweezers (a toothpick might also work). If your text is vintage or lifts a bit with the washi removal, just grab a fine-tip pen and fill in any sketchy letters. Allow the medium to air dry or grab a heat gun to help it along.
Step 5.
Apply some Creative Medium in Metallic Gold to the edges of the bookmark. I like the uneven look, akin to solder, it gives it a very industrial feel . Air dry or use a heat gun, you can even carefully heat the medium to a point it begins to bubble to add more texture.
Step 6.
Embellish the bookmark with elements that make sense for your found poetry. Since mine starts out with “machinery drooping through barracks,” it makes sense to play up the industrial feel with punchinella and metal gears. Make sure it stays put with a strong adhesive—I used Helmar 450 Quick Dry.
Step 7.
Punch a hole in the top of the tag and loop through some fibers for a tassel. Highlighting the words with a metallic marker is also a nice touch.
Imagine Crafts featuring Tsukineko:
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