I’ve always been someone who looks after their books. I don’t bend pages, I don’t crack spines, and I always need something to mark my place, even if that’s just an old receipt. But I’ve also always loved a proper bookmark.
Not just any bookmark, one that feels right for the book.
I read a lot of fantasy, along with the occasional BookTok recommendation (some better than others!), and I also dip into romance and horror. And I think that’s where this comes from really. Reading isn’t just reading. You spend hours with characters, you get attached, you go through things with them. So for me, a bookmark isn’t just there to hold your place. It ends up being part of the whole experience.
Finding the “right” one
I’ve always liked bookmarks that feel a bit different. Metal ones, fantasy inspired ones, dragons, anything with a slightly mythical feel. I also like simple ones made from card with a nice quote on them.
And honestly, I still think using something random like a postcard works just as well. But there’s something about picking a bookmark that matches the vibe of a book. It sounds a bit over the top, but it almost feels like it fits the story better. Like it belongs there.
How mine come about
When I started making my own bookmarks, it wasn’t really a case of wanting to make any random bookmark. Ideas come from things around me. My garden, my pets, something I’m reading, or just a vibe I like at the time. That then turns into an image, and then into something a 3D printer can actually make.
There are quite a few steps involved, which I think is why I enjoy making them. You start with something vague and end up with something you can actually hold.
Not just a flat bit of paper
One of the main things I wanted was for them to feel a bit different. They’re raised and textured, so you can actually feel the design rather than it just being printed on. It’s a small thing, but it changes how it feels to use. It’s not just something you shove in a book and forget about.
Different moods for different reads
I don’t think one style and genre of art works for everyone.
Some people might want something light and positive. Some might want something a bit bolder. Some might even want something a bit darker.
I like the idea of having a mix of all of that, so people can pick something that suits them, or even suits the book they’re reading at the time.
A small extra
At the end of the day, it is a small thing.
But it’s something many of us like use every time we pick up our book.
So while it’s practical, I do think a bookmark can also be a small piece of art, something that adds a bit more to your journey.