For instructions, watch “Easy Origami Bookmark Corner – How to Make a Corner Bookmark DIY” on the Red Ted Art (Maggy Woodley) YouTube channel, and “How to Wrap Books with Pockets for Unique Gifts” for wrapping mystery book bundles, by @foliage_and_fiction on TikTok.
By Amanda Pompilii
Looking for something fun to do this March Break? Consider a mystery book exchange! Invite the book lovers in your life to wrap a book, hiding its title and author, and let everyone choose a surprise bundle. You can also write out clues about the plot or genre and let everyone take a guess.
Materials:
– Kraft paper roll
– Book
– Tape
– Scissors
– Ruler
– Optional: Bone folder
– Decorations (twine, tags, pens, stickers, dried flowers, photographs, etc.)
Directions:
1. Unroll the kraft paper. Cut the paper to about four books wide.
2. Place the book onto the centre of the paper, with the front cover face-up. Position the book so that the top of the paper reaches about halfway down the cover when folded. Cut the bottom of the paper to leave about 3 cm below the book.
3. Fold the top of the paper over the book to about halfway down the cover.
4. Fold the top right flap of the paper down diagonally along the right outer edge of the book until it touches the bottom right corner of the book. This forms two half triangles: one on the surface to the right of the book, and one sticking up from the right outer edge of the book.
5. Fold the triangle sticking up diagonally across the cover, forming the bundle’s first pocket.
6. Fold the top left flap of the paper down diagonally along the book’s spine until it touches the bottom left corner of the spine. This forms two half triangles. Fold the triangle sticking up diagonally across the cover, forming the second pocket.
7. Fold the triangle lying to the right side of the book diagonally across the cover of the book. Position it below the first pocket, forming the third pocket.
8. Repeat step 7 with the triangle lying to the left side of the book, and fold it down diagonally across the cover. Position it below the third pocket, forming the final pocket.
9. Fold the bottom right corner of the final pocket around the back of the bundle and tape it down.
10. Cut off the excess paper at the bottom of the bundle and tape the remaining up onto the back of the bundle.
11. Decorate!
Consider including an origami corner bookmark to go with your personalized book bundle!
Materials:
– Scissors
– Ruler
– 15 x 15 cm patterned paper
– Optional: Bone folder
1. Place the paper flat. If using one-sided patterned paper, place the blank side face-up.
2. Fold the paper in half diagonally into a triangle.
3. Fold the bottom right corner of the triangle up diagonally to meet the top point of the triangle. Repeat with the bottom left corner.
4. Unfold both bottom corners.
5. Take the top point of the triangle. Fold the top layer down to meet the bottom midpoint of the triangle. This forms the bookmark’s pocket.
6. Refold the bottom right corner of the triangle diagonally, tucking it into the pocket. Repeat with the bottom left corner.
This craft is great for trying a genre you haven’t read before, and for sparking your next book discussion