Decorative Bookends

These Bookends make a great gift. They can add a touch of color to an area of the room or they can dress up a desk. These bookends are quick and easy to make and your children will love helping make them.

Things You’ll Need:
Two spaghetti jars (empty and clean with all paper and glue removed)
Material or Tulle
Craft glue
Ribbon
Acrylic paint (optional)
Glass rocks or marbles

Step 1
The first step for making bookends is to clean inside the jars really good and get the label and glue off the outside. Once the jars are cleaned on the inside and outside, Allow them to dry completely. Now it’s time to decorate them.

Step 2
First, if you plan to do the lid, lay the lid on a piece of material that you plan to use for the bookends. Cut a square about an inch wider than the lid (you want the material to hang over the lid all the way around). Glue the entire topside of the lid.

Step 3
Put the lid in the center of the cut piece of material and press down. Flip the lid over and press down along the whole lid (securing it to the material). Lay aside until it dries.

Step 4
Cut a square out of material or Tulle. The square needs to be large enough to cover the jar with some extra so it comes above the jar lid. Paint some glue around the edge of the jar below where the lid screws on. You can also paint a design on it or paint the jar a solid color (light colors work well if you want to the rocks to show through). Once you’ve decided what you want your bookends to look like and you’ve covered or painted them, set them aside to dry.

Step 5
Spread a thin layer of glue around the rim of the lid. Then pull your material up and gather it around the lid.

Step 6
Now take your ribbon and cut a piece to tie around the lid. Once you’ve cut a piece of ribbon, tie the ribbon tightly around the lid.

Step 7
Now that your jars and lids are dry, fill the jars with the glass rocks or marbles. This will give you enough weight to hold the books in place. You can use one color or multi-colors of rocks (just keep them in the color scheme of your theme). Once the rocks are in place, put the lid on the jar. Once the glue is dry, you’re done.

Tips & Warnings

1. If you don’t want to paint the jar, you can use the material around the jar. Do the basic steps for the lid on the jar except don’t have the material go up any farther than the lower part of the rim. Then do the lid the same as the above directions. Don’t forget the ribbon.
2. Remember, you can make them fancy, elegant or fun. Determine the room you want them in, then color scheme and be creative! I used Tulle because I thought it looked more “Princess-like” for my daughter’s room.
3. Be very careful with the jars if they are glass. If dropped, they can break.
If you are using a hot glue gun, be careful not to burn yourself or break the glass.

* Don’t forget you need two to make Bookends.