Bookmarks...Who'd have thought?

HEADSCARVES, HEADWRAPS & MORE
​and book mark making

I never would have thought that writing a book would lead me to another creative outlet, but I'm happy that it has. 
The hospital where I volunteer has a few items for sale at the Day Oncology front desk, where patients register before going inside for treatment. Having had my book approved for sale there, (the hospital gets 50% of the profits), I wanted to give a bit of added value to the customers, and help them to keep track of a favourite style without having to fold the corner of a page. 
There are scarves and bracelets for sale, cards and necklaces, and pink ribbon earrings - but not bookmarks. So I thought I'd have a go at making some of my own.  
Now I'm hooked!
Instead of my long suffering husband groaning at the sound of the word 'Headscarves' whenever we  pass by 'Op' or '2 dollar' shop, he now groans at the sound of the word 'Beads' and even 'Findings'!
I'm learning so many things:
Where, on eBay, I can get the cheapest trinkets to add to the ends. This is often China, so patience is needed for the postal side - however, it is often FREE, the choice is outstanding, and the cost per item is often in cents rather than than dollars. 
How to take apart bracelets and necklaces and re-purpose the beads - making sure they have large enough central holes to take a thong or pin!
Which ribbons are the best width/strongest material to hold the sharp toothed grips (crimps) from which the trinkets dangle.
What items and colours go together to make an attractive and strong bookmark.
And so much more!
Shopping has taken on a new meaning as I assess what odds and ends might be suitable for this new hobby of mine - oh and don't forget the little storage containers/jars and the big felt box with handles which store the accouterments to Bookmark making. I try not to over-capitalize on the cost of making these enticing little beasts, hence eBay is now my latest browsing site.
Many evenings a week you'll find me sitting in the arm chair, TV often tuned to either the football, River Cottage Australia, or a good thriller (well, I like to let my patient husband choose sometimes!) whilst I manipulate suede thongs, glass beads and brass dragons into unique items that I hope will entice readers to use them.
I've now added a Pinterest Page called 'Book-Marks:- making them, collecting them or just enjoying them' to my Pinterest Pages, and I'm thinking of selling some of my more unusual attempts. I'll have to figure out how to do that.
​I'd love to know if anyone else makes these... Do You?
Send me a picture if you have one!
You can check out all of my Pinterest pages at https://au.pinterest.com/kn23writer/
Enjoy!