These elastic bookmarks are very simple to make, very inexpensive, and very effective.  (They don’t fall out of your book like regular bookmarks do.)  Make them for yourself, as stocking stuffers, as additions to gift books, or as tie-ons to gift packages.

You will need:

• a very narrow elastic hairband, or elastic cord
• a jump ring
• a charm or similar embellishment
• jeweler’s or needle-nose pliers to open and close the jump ring

Here’s what you do:

STEP 1: You can just use elastic cord (available at the sewing store or in the jewelry section of the craft store – or use a long piece from shoe packaging).  In this case, measure out a piece about twice as long as the height of your book (go a little shorter rather than a little longer), cut it off, and tie the ends together.  I usually just use these narrow elastic hairbands purchased from the dollar store.   (This particular package has fifteen hairbands, so they’re about .06 each.)

OPTIONAL STEP 1a: If you want to, you can knot the cord again near the bottom.  This is largely aesthetic; it helps the bookmark maintain a narrow profile rather than rounding back out.  It can also help hold the jump ring at the bottom of the bookmark.  You can skip this step, though, if you like.

STEP 2: Open the jump ring.

STEP 3: Slide the charm on.  What you use for your charm is up to you.  You can bead something, you can use a purchased charm, or you can even make a shrink-film charm.

STEP 4: Fit the jump ring over the cord and close it up.

Enjoy using your new bookmark!

(Note: I used this image from Clker.com to create packaging that would make it clear to the recipient what this is.  I glued it to a piece of cardboard, then cut slits at the top and bottom to hold the bookmark in place.  The excess is just taped at the back.)