Butterfly Bookmarks

The weekend tutorials for the last two weeks seem to be pretty popular.  Last week I showed you an easy sewing technique to add Fluttering Butterflies to a top.  And the week before that we made some pretty Book Jewellery .  So I wondered....hmmm, what would happen if I put the two ideas together???

That means today we're going to make Butterfly Bookmarks!!

Here are the supplies you'll need:

Round nose pliers are optional.

Steps:
Body
1) Cut 1 piece of wire approximately 5" (13cm) long and gently bend it in half.

2) Thread two medium size beads onto the wire, meeting at the bend.  Now create a loop in the bent end by twisting the wire.

This is the head of the butterfly.


3) Thread 6-10 medium size beads onto both wires to create the body.

4) Twist the wire at the bottom of the beads, creating another larger loop.  Secure the wire by twisting and winding.

Wings
1) To make the wings of your butterfly cut 1 piece of wire approximately 12.5" (32cm) long.  Gently bend it in half and secure onto the butterfly body approximately 1/3 down the body.

2) On one side, thread approximately 40-50 small seed beads onto your wire.

3) Gently bend the wired (with the beads) to make the top wing.  Twist the bottom of the wing near the body to secure the beads.

4) Now thread 30-40 more small seed beads onto the remaining wire to create the bottom wing.

5) Again, gently bend, twisting at the bottom to secure the beads.  Make sure to leave a small bit of wire as a tail to secure the two wings together.

6) Repeat these steps on the other side.

7) Twist and wind the tails of wire together until you feel like everything is secure.  Make sure to flatten out any sharp wire edges with your pliers.  Cut off any excess.

Bookmark
1) Cut some ribbon approximately 25"-30" (65cm-76cm) long.

2) Thread your ribbon through the bottom wire loop of the butterfly and knot at the halfway mark.

2) You can stop here, but if you want to add a little extra pizazz, add one or two large beads and knot.

Make sure your beads have a large enough hole to accommodate your ribbon.  If you have problems you can try twisting the ends of your ribbon together so it will fit through.  Or, wrap the end with tape and cut it into a sharp point.  If that doesn't work, you'll probably need to find larger beads.

3)Near the bottom of your ribbon tie another knot, add another bead, and then knot again.

And voila!  You now have a very pretty Butterfly Bookmark!

It looks like alot of steps, but in reality it's very easy and goes by quickly.

You can get super creative and try different combinations of beads and ribbons.  If you're a super perfectionist or true lepidopterist (someone who studies moths and butterflies), you may feel the need to get alot more symmetrical and colour accurate than I have.

Here are some other ones I've made:

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So pretty, don't you think?  They're a great handmade gift for book lovers.  Leave a comment and let me know what colours you would make, or how you would add to this fun craft.

(   For the record...next week we will not make anything with butterflies or bookmarks  ;)    )

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