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I have made jewellery for many years now, and I also enjoy binding books in my spare time...so I thought I would combine the two to make miniature leather-bound book charms!

They're rather cute, and depending on how big you make them, they make great jewellery and keyring charms in particular. A unique gift idea too.

The process of making the books involves hand binding using the simple 'kettle stitch' technique, which makes the book durable and usable.

This project works as a quick and easy introduction to bookbinding techniques, which you could then build on to make larger, more complex books and begin a whole new hobby.

My tutorial also includes instructions for adding a simple leather cover.

Tools & Materials you will need:

Pen
Ruler
Bulldog clip

Could instead use something like a flower press, but a bulldog clip is perfect for the job. Heavy books may also come in handy when glueing the cover onto the book

Drawing pin/pushpin
Beading needle
A couple of cocktail sticks
Beading thread

I'm using NYMO nylon beading thread in brown

Scrap cardboard

Corrugated card packaging to work on when putting holes in the paper

All-purpose glue

Such as Aleene’s tacky glue or PVA glue

Superglue

I'm using UHU (needed for glueing leather, wire and paper together)

Sharp Scissors

You could instead use a craft knife/rotary cutter and cutting mat for most of the cutting tasks if you wish, and a guillotine would really speed up the paper cutting stage if you have access to one.

Leather

You can get creative with the cover and use other materials like felt, but to follow my instructions you will need a small scrap of leather. I bought my leather cheaply off Ebay as part of a small job lot of leather offcuts.

Paper

Regular printer/copier paper is best, at least to begin with.

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A few optional extras you may want/need are:

Bone folders

These help you to make paper folds sharp and crisp. They are best for using with thicker paper when you are trying to get the folios and signatures to lie flat.

Faux headbands

An extra little embellishment you can add to either end of the spine of the book. Usually striped in appearance and are supplied in the form of a long fabric tape. Probably not worth buying unless you plan on making quite a few of these books, because you only need a tiny section of the faux headband for this project. I bought mine off Etsy.com

Cord/ribbon

If you'd like to add a 'tie' around your book to keep it neatly closed, you can use some kind of cord or ribbon. I use narrow satin ribbon in my instructions, and I also can recommend suede cord.

Jewellery tools

If you’re making a charm, you will require pliers and most likely a wire cutter to add a jump ring, which will allow you to connect the book to a necklace chain or whatever else you like.

Jewellery findings

Depending on what you are planning to turn your book into, you may need more items such as chains and clasps. To make a charm from the book you will at least need a wire eyepin or flat metal charm, plus a jump ring. I demonstrate how to add an eyepin in my class.

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I really hope you think this looks like an interesting class and decide to join me for some crafty fun!

Sharlene Vagg

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