7 “Novel” Ways to Use Old Books in Your Artwork
I’ll make a confession — I love to cut up books. It may sound barbaric, but there is something immensely satisfying about cutting up a book that you were forced to read in school, or a book that you totally hated. These books find new life in mixed-media canvas, card making projects, and art journal pages. No scrap goes to waste and beautiful artwork is created in the process.
Best Places to Find Old Books:
- Thrift Shops
- Library Sales
- Flea Markets
- Estate Sales
- Your Bookshelf!
I know what you’re thinking — a true book lover can never destroy a book! These books all had a long life before they were repurposed and they were frayed, tattered, and ready for the trash heap. There are some books that are off limits (Jane Austen will never meet her end like this), but these mangled books are finding a new way to share beauty with the world, and I think that excuses the desecration of a few novels. Here are some amazing ways that Stampington artists have transformed books into extraordinary pieces of artwork.
Altered Book Art Journals
If you have a book with only minor shelf wear and are looking for a way to breathe new life into it, an altered book art journal may be the perfect place to start. For these pages, the text peeks through the paint just a bit to add texture and interest to the page.
That Look of Otherness Art Journal Page Project by Sarah Donawerth
Backgrounds
Book pages and text can provide an excellent backdrop for your artwork. White-wash the page with a little gesso or leave the beautiful antique look of the page out on display.
Enjoy the Little Things Project
Artwork by Lynne Moncrieff
Inside Somerset Apprentice Autumn 2016
Artwork by Autumn Simmons Clark
Inside The Stampers’ Sampler Spring 2016
Artwork by Cheryl Dossey
Inside Somerset Studio Sep/Oct 2016
Finding Roots and Wings Project
Leave a Little Sparkle Project by Sarah Donawerth
Embellishments and Cut Shapes
Book text can provide instant texture and pattern to your artwork. Use a paper punch or die cut machine to create beautiful patterned shapes that will accent the work, or tear, rip, and shred book text to provide a mixed-media touch to your next project.
Artwork by Kasia Krzyminska
Inside Art Journaling Summer 2015
Artwork by Darlene Maciuba-Koppel
Inside Somerset Life Winter 2017
Resin Paper Jewelry
Resin paper is addictive to make and easy to use in jewelry making. Simply mix resin according to the instructions and paint it over the paper to create this durable, semi-translucent paper that can for all projects, from mixed-media to jewelry making.
Artwork by Lynne Moncrieff
Inside GreenCraft Magazine Spring 2017
Book Clutches
Once you’ve gutted a few books, repurpose the covers into a book clutch that’s big enough to house your wallet, or even your tablet. Install a zipper so that you can zip it up and take it anywhere.
Artwork by Paige Kline
Inside Haute Handbags Autumn 2016
Wallpaper
Feeling extra adventurous? Don’t save your book pages just for little projects — use it as wallpaper! Use a wallpaper paste and a clear acrylic sealer to preserve your favorite stories on your walls forever.
Carol Darilek papered the side of her island with book pages for her home studio.
Inside Where Women Create Spring 2017
Book Sculptures
Paper doesn’t have to be flat. These artists created assemblage art sculptures using the pages of a book.
Artwork by Su Blackwell
Inside Somerset Studio Jul/Aug 2016
Artwork by Elizabeth Howard
Inside Art Doll Quarterly Spring 2016
What’s your favorite way to use books in your artwork? Leave a comment below!
Posted: Friday, February 10th, 2017 @ 11:58 am
Categories: Art Journaling, How-To Project Tutorials, Jewelry Making, Mixed-Media Art, Stamping.
Tags: Art Doll Quarterly, book, book page art, book text, card making, mixed-media art inspiration, mixed-media artwork, mixed-media projects, repurposed books.
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Such an inspirational post, so lovely projects! I use old books always in my projects, altering them , inside and outside, or using the pages to stamp on.
Collage is one of my favorite ways to use book pages. You have lovely and inspiring projects, TFS.
I have always been afraid to use books in my artwork, but now that I have seen what your artists have created, I have changed my mind. I want to try my version of The Princess and the Pea. Think of all the other fairy tales that would lend themselves to this treatment. The Little Match Girl. The Snow Queen. Anything by Hans Christian Andersen, actually. I may never finish…….
I’m looking for a way to re-energize myself and came here looking for inspiration. Using books in my artwork was always a fascinating concept that I’ve never really tried. I think it’s time!
I love, love, love all the clever examples on ways to use book pages. I’m going to start using some of these ideas in my art projects.
Great ideas! I love old books!
What an awesome collection of ideas! Thanks.
Love these ideas! I have used book pages to create wreaths. I’ve also used the illustrations in my ATCs and have made multiple copies of images to cut up and layer into 3D greeting cards and paper theaters. The latter idea is a good way to use an image without having to destroy a book.
I am very inspired by this post. Thank you.!!!!!
I am very inspired by this collection.
I make them into secret boxes and paint, collage the covers. ❤❤❤
I love to use books in making dolls, I have done several.
Wow is all I can say these are all fabulous and I think of them as great inspiration, I use them as backgrounds usually with layers of gesso or paint and collage. They also look great masked and spritzed with inks. Thanks for sharing and the inspiration.
Just love this addition on books and pages. Absolutely beautiful ♥
Thank you
I collect old books and use the pages for collages, some I cut into bit that look like fur and create pet portraits!
I collect old books and use pages in my collages, backgrounds in my art journals and I even cut the pages into bits that look like fur and make pet portraits. I love having the books in my studio.
I truly would like to see ” Lynne’s Affirmations stamp sets” in your studio for us to purchase. She (Lynne Moncrieff )has an abundance of articles in your publications and it would be nice to be able to purchase her great products here in the USA
Thanks for the lead, Sylvia! I’ve reached out to Lynne to see if it would be possible for us to get these in the U.S., so we could offer them at The Shoppe at Somerset.
Best,
Jordan
The Stampington & Company Team
As lovely, carefree junk journals – fodder for my every creative whim!I hate throwing away ANY book and willingly extend its life by gluing several pages together, shoring up a worn binding with glue, slathering gesso on the pages, careful to leave key words uncovered as a take off point for my page’s them. Scattering pencil, pen and chalk marks across the page, adding magazine images, or torn paper, paint, sparkles. The best for last: Using modeling paste to stencil the outside covers, painting with metallic paints and adding precious ‘finds’ to make it truly art in one’s hand.
Hi,
Thanks very much for the share.
As for repurposing old books, I have ripped through an old Webster’s Dictionary to make a book pot. That’s it!
I just can’t get myself to rip up a book. The furthest I have gone is to give the covers and spine a make over so as to make it look vintage and leave the body of the book intact.
When I need to have the printed look of old books in my collages, I print it out and use the print outs. This way I can preserve the book.
I also like to paste up prints that matter to me so they hold a secret. I seldom paste up something I dislike.
I simply love to make books, ever since I was a child! It is always inspiring to see how other people ‘see and change’ things. Loved it!