Make-It Mondays: Match-bookmarks

I'm back with another tutorial, this time by me (buenahelena). For several months I have been using gutted, vintage matchbooks to make mini notepads. Recently though, I got really excited about another solution for my old matchbooks.....magnetic bookmarks! Naming this product however has been a tongue twister. Should it be Matchbook Bookmarks, Book Matches? Match-bookmarks seemed to work the best. Try making some for yourself!

You will need: Matchbooks, Clear heavy duty packing tape, Popsicle stick, Scissors, Adhesive backed magnet strips.

1. Carefully remove matches from the matchbook and lay it flat on the table.

2. Cut off a piece of packing tape and lay it over the flattened matchbook.

3. Flip it over and lay another piece of tape on the other side.

4. Use the Popsicle stick to press the tape onto the matchbook and remove any air bubbles.

5. Cut off the excess packing tape leaving a 1cm margin around the matchbook.

6. Fold the top/front of the matchbook.

7. Add two magnets: 1 on the inside back and 1 behind the front flap.

Now clip it over the page you're ready to read in your favorite book and keep your place with some vintage style!

Jack's Pick: Buenahelena's Radial Sunburst Matchstick Painting

I am sad to say, this will be the final "Jack's Pick" on the blog. Instead I'm going to do more picking over on our Facebook page for RNEST, so look for some more great choice's there! Stay tuned on Friday's though for a new feature article from another RNEST team member.

I am happy to say I'm going to dedicate my last pick to a team member who inspires me with her original work, Carol of Buenahelana. Pictured is one of Buenahelena's eye catching radial matchstick paintings. Carol is a master of "upcycling" and this is a great example. I think in a previous pick, I may have selected here mini matchbook notepads. Well you might wonder what happened to all the matches she ripped out of those matchbooks? Here they are, painted and transformed into a great canvas to adorn a wall.

I like that you wouldn't even know these were matches if you stepped back away from it. It has a classic design and symmetry. So much of the stuff in Buenahelena's shop has that retro/vintage look right now. I feel like I just walked into a little boutique that has been closed since the seventies. If you are looking for originality, look no further than the Buenahelena shop.

Happy shopping!