Now that nearly everyone on the Crochetville Wish List has received the book thongs I made (except one who is away for the holidays, but by now I think she knows there’s one waiting for her back home *wink*), I wanted to share photos of them. Also, many thanks go out to Deneen for graciously organizing the Wish List.
I first saw book thongs at Waldenbooks and then I noticed them at Books-A-Million, too. If you Google book thongs, you’ll find a lot of truly beautiful handmade ones. Intrigued and wanna make your very own book thong? Bead Studio has an excellent and simple tutorial.
I used hemp jewelry cord, glass beads, and silver-colored spacer beads.
BEADED BOOK THONG
This may be the fastest and easiest beaded gift on the planet! Use up those leftover beads and charms to create a beautiful gift. Not only are they great for the reader in your family, you can also hang one from your rear view mirror! Style & Versatility!
You Need
2 feet of Waxed Linen Cord
1 Charm
Assorted Beads – about a dozen with holes that just fit over the linen
Tools Required:
Clear Nail Polish
Scissors
Step 1 – Tie the charm onto one end of the cord, trim and set knot with clear nail polish.
Step 2 – Slide a grouping of beads onto the cord and tie a knot after the last bead. (Use an awl to get the knot close to beads if needed).
Step 3 - Determine the length of cord needed for the type of book (less for paperback more for hardcover) and tie a knot were the beads will start.
Step 4 – Add beads to the tail of the cord and tie a knot after the last bead.
Step 5 – Trim the excess cord and set knot with clear nail polish.
http://www.beadstudio.com/info.php?a=384
Anyone ever seen “Book Thongs” at your local bookstore? No? Well, you’re going to make your own on the cheap, unless you get on eBay and buy 18th century cloisonné beads, in which case I am not responsible.
Here’s what you need:
1) Some kind of string/thread/floss that will go through the beads of your choice and is substantial enough not to tangle. Waxed linen cord is the preferred stuff. Not only can you get it at most craft stores these days, you can also get it here.
2) Beads.
That’s it. Two things. You can revel in visual instructions at Bead Studio’s web site. The two feet of cord (about 61 cm) they specify is a little excessive, in my opinion, unless you’re reading books that are a foot and a half high. Also, they use a charm with a loop on the top. You may not have one of those - just a bunch of beads. So I’m going to give you my own instructions, with a special knot - no nail polish required. It’s the Double Back Knot. If that looks too scary, just tie your own knot. As with all of my projects, this isn’t rocket science - I have a liberal arts education.
For my beady bookmark, I decided to use one of my dragonfly wing beads. I bought two, thinking I’d make earrings. But what the heck - I’ll make this one for Mom, and she and I can have matching bookmarks. (Hi, Mom!) Can you see her waving out there in cyberspace? She’s telling me to get on with this project.
I measured my store-bought Book Thongs, and they’re 11.5 inches (about 30 cm). I’m going to allow an extra four or five inches of cord, for knot-tying ease. Let’s call it 16 inches (40.5 cm). In addition to my dragonfly, I’m going to want something nice for the other end. You need a little weight on both ends of the cord, so it lays nicely between the pages of your book.
Step one: Tie a knot in one end, to keep your beads from sliding off the cord and falling into your lap. Put up to an inch’s worth of beads on. I’m guessing you guys aren’t having too much trouble with this.
Step two: Put another knot on the other side of your bead segment, to keep your beads down at that end of the cord.
Step three: Get a book that’s the largest size of whatever you normally read, and stick the cord between some pages, letting your beaded end dangle out. I like about half an inch of cord showing before I get to the beads. Grab hold of the cord on the other end of the book, about half an inch away from the spine, take the cord out of the book, and put a knot there. If you have trouble keeping hold of your cord, then by all means measure, and hold a tape measure or a marked piece of paper up to the cord as you’re pulling your knot tight.
Step four: After your knot is in place, put another half inch of beady stuff on the other end, knot it off, trim any unsightly ends and stick in a book. Wait… Hold your applause till the end.
Okay, I’m done.
http://www.wetnoodleposse.com/archiv...004/stuff.html