Easy, quick, usable art project

Let's make some hidden paper clip embellishments! Perfect for your planners or junk journals or...

I just made a few hidden paper clip bookmarks for my planner, and thought this would make for an easy and quick art project to share with you. So I whipped out my phone and shot a quick little tutorial for you.

Plus, it’s perfect for this time of the year — it’s quick, which makes it the perfect art project to help you unwind from all the end-of-the-year busyness. It’s also a cute little embellishment that you can use in your 2024 planners, though these hidden paper clips these can be used in many different ways!

• As a bookmark

• In your junk journals or art journals

• As a money clip

• To clip some paper ephemera together so you can journal on the go

• To secure wrapping paper rolls

• To hang up photographs

Hidden paper clip bookmarks: Supply list

Here’s what you need to make these paper clip bookmarks:

Paper clips {of course!}

Cardstock — don’t make it too thick. I used a stiff paper bag.

Decorative paper or collage paper — I used some black and white collage paper that I had lying around

Matt medium or PVA glue

Brown paper bag and glue stick {optional}

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How to make hidden paper clip bookmarks

It’s super easy to make these paper clip bookmarks.

Fold your cardstock in half and then cut it into the size that you want for your paper clip. The paper clip I demonstrate in the video below is about 3.4 cm by 4.5 cm. So the cardstock, when I started, would have been a bit bigger — about 3.6 cm by 9 cm {9 cm folded in half is about 4.5 cm}.

Slide the paper clip on the fold and in the center of your piece of cardstock.

Cut a piece of decorative paper or collage paper to the same size as your cardstock.

The paper clip I used had a slightly upward curving edge, so I backed my collage paper on some brown wrapping paper with a glue stick to give it a bit more strength and body.

Next, fold the decorative paper in half. Generously coat with matt medium or white PVA glue {e.g. Elmer’s} and stick it firmly on the cardstock.

Trim off any unsightly edges, let the glue dry, and it’s done!

Here’s a short video of the entire process.

And there you have it! Use these in your planners, junk journals, or as bookmarks! I hope you enjoy this little project in the midst of all your end of the year shenanigans!

Wish you and yours a very happy holiday season and a lovely new year. I’ll see you back here next year!

xx

Shinjini

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