Sunday, November 13, 2011

Finding Just the Right Words - Vintage Book Bundles



My church friend Marilou recently gave me several boxes of books from her garage sale. Many were a bit water-damaged, and covers were coming off. I had stopped by her garage sale and had gathered a box of goodies to purchase when she offered them to me. I knew immediately what I would do with them! 



I have admired book bundles on other blogs, and I know they sold for $29 at Restoration Hardware. I LOVE all my old books, and didn't want to harm them to make a book bundle. 






Yes, they appeal to my love for texture and yes, they are another way to use a different "white" element. But my constructive nature was at odds with the deconstruction of a perfectly good old book!




Marilou's offer of already self-deconstructing books was the answer! I set to work ripping off covers and searching Google to see what methods of binding appealed the most.




I purchased a spool of twine, unwrapped some vintage seam-binding tape from my stash of sewing supplies and set to work. Some of the contents pages were highly decorative, offering a little color to the predominately white and tan constructions. That opened up another possibility; embellishing the strings with found objects!




I decided to let the books dictate what might be attached, and took cues from the wording or the colors found on the cover pages.




It was fun digging through my boxes of old buttons, rusty washers, keys, seashells and beads! 





Some were left plain. Plain is always good. Basic is always right, especially when the book is really special.




During this process, I couldn't help but wonder who had purchased these books. How did they end up at Marilou's garage sale? Some had cryptic notations penned inside.




I focused on mixing a variety of textures and values on the spines, since that is what might be seen on a bookcase. I also tried to use a charming top page, in case they were used in a table top vignette.




These bundles only cost a couple of bucks for a spool of twine. I already had the other items.


I plan to post these bundles on etsy and ebay - a new venture for me. If any of you have any words of wisdom, I am all ears! (or eyes, since this is a blog. You get the idea!)


In my Google research, I also found book covers and spines used in collage-paintings. So, I rummaged back through the garbage bag of these, and found several that might work in some work of this sort. I've begun a couple of them, but they're not yet ready to show. 


Word for the Day:


Ecclesiastes 12:9-10


 9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.


May all your words be right and appropriate. May they bring hope, joy and healing to those you spend time with today!


-Revi



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13 comments:

farmhouse-story said...

these look awesome, revi:) i've not done etsy or ebay, but i wish you great success with your new adventure:)

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Hi Revi! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your sweet comments! (You could relate to the pepper sauce...LOL!!) I think these book bundles are great! Love how you embellished them to coincide with the pages...AWESOME idea!! Isn't it great that we can repurpose all of these things without spending much, if any, money?? Thanks for sharing!

Anita at Cedar Hill said...

I love these books!!

Maggie Lamarre said...

this is so cute.
Would luv for my readers to discover your blog, will you please join our weekly party at
http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-showcase-tutorial-with.html
have a great crafting week!
Maggie
http://passionatelyartistic.com

Cathy said...

This is a very interesting form of creative recycling and preservation. Especially considering the possible future demise of large scale bookbinding. I would never have believed that my very own parents, avid readers and book collectors for decades, would themselves become Kindle owners! And yet now they each have their own. Children seem much more drawn to electronic devices than to good old-fashioned toys and books ...... hey, wait a minute!! I'm crazy about toys (I have for example a FABULOUS if not world class collection of vintage character squirt guns), so those squeaky wheels just got to turning in my head again. Funny how one great idea leads to another! Crazy about your combinations of found objects ("Mmmmm; Candy!") with the bundles. Thanks again for the inspiration, My Dear! And please know that I'm hooked on your blog - I wait for each new post with cheerful anticipation!

Heaven's Walk said...

Did you find that ripping the covers off those books was deliciously wonderful, Revi....?? lol! Being the daughter of a librarian, making my first book bundle was a hurdle for me as I was always taught to revere books. But once I took the leap....I ended up making a bunch of them and selling them, too! :) Love the little trinkets you put on yours!

xoxo laurie

Kameel huise tussen spore said...

Revi
Thanks for your "word for the Day". Love your freedom to change the books.

Town and Country Gals said...

Revi,
I'm with you, would not normally be able to rip up a book! One coming apart maybe a different story! Your bundles look fabulous and embellishing them, fabulous idea! They look amazing!
Rebecca

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Great idea to match your trinkets with the colors on the pages!

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Really cute book bundle ideas. Love your word of the day.

Blessed Serendipity said...

Hi Revi,
Your bundled books came out amazing. Thanks for your visit and signing up to follow me. I am following you now. Happy weekend!

xo,
Danielle

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

Beautiful! Love your scripture and words of wisdom.

Acquired Objects said...

Hi Revi...what a great idea for an inexpensive accessory for your home, I like the added trinkets. Thank you for stopping over at my blog and hope we can share many more ideas!

Happy weekend to you!
Debra