keyword / upcycle books:

July 5, 2011

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People sure get creative when it comes to using books to create something new. I came across this book lamp and my search just expanded from there. From simple journals created with actual book covers, to book ipod charging docks - so many fun things. But if you're a book lover, how do you feel about these books being cut out and ripped apart to make a new item?

Upcycled Antique Journal from PigseyArt, $22

Hollow Book Safe - Emma from greenRstudio, $60

For the Birds - book table from tytie, $200

Book tote vintage tall tree from velvetonthepage, $12


Floating Bookshelf from komunications, $45

Book clocks from SteampunksNotDead

Book Planter from MJPorterDesign, $30

Book Charging Dock from inbook, $52

Hardback Book Lamp from typewriterboneyard, $120

This item isn't for sale but I thought it'd be great to include..
Book wedding invitations - love it! via Green Wedding Shoes

and if you are feeling crafty, came across this list:
oh hello

23 hello's:

  1. Katie05 July, 2011 06:12

    I can never manage to cut up a book for anything, but these projects are always so pretty!
    Maybe I'll grab an algebra book (as in the book table, third image down) and use that for something. I could probably handle that.

    Or I could just let someone else do the dirty work and buy something on etsy!

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  2. SImple and Serene Living05 July, 2011 06:38

    these are all fabulous ideas. There are so many books in poor condition that are no longer readable. It is a good way to salvage what is left of them.

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  3. Lindsay @ Delighted Momma05 July, 2011 06:56

    WOW people are so creative!! I love the hollowed out book turned jewelery box. How cool is that?!

    XO Lindsay

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  4. Lillian C05 July, 2011 07:08

    I love the iPod charging dock! And the light too! And the clock! :) I love that there are so many creative uses for old books - they're too beautiful to just throw away! :)

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  5. Adrienne Audrey05 July, 2011 07:42

    Very cool. I have a bunch of old books just waiting to be upcycled!

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  6. sparkling scribbler05 July, 2011 07:44

    I don't know if I could do it myself, but I think these are gorgeous. I especially love the journals and the purse. Thanks for sharing; I didn't know this was so varied!

    http://sparklescribbles.blogspot.com

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  7. ilene @ muchloveilly05 July, 2011 07:45

    love the clock and ipod dock - this is too fun!!!

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  8. Tiffany Kadani05 July, 2011 08:13

    Ha! Yes! Old textbooks would absolutely be something I could cut up. Fabulous find, Danni!

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  9. Anonymous05 July, 2011 08:35

    As a self-confessed bookaholic, it's every aspect of the books that I love. Yes, I adore the words inside but I also love beautiful covers, and I would love to have that shown in my house. Many older books smell awful, to be honest, and the pages inside are not in the best condition, so to use the cover for a project like the ones above would be something I would be happy doing, *unless* the book I found was the last remaining copy. I'd type it all up first and then use the book to make things with!

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  10. teri05 July, 2011 11:54

    love books and love these ideas! especially the lamp! thanks for sharing :)

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  11. Ana Degenaar05 July, 2011 13:23

    I love creativity!!! Yes!

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  12. ThisMamaThing05 July, 2011 16:10

    I love old books, and I always hate seeing stacks of them tossed away once they've outlived their conventional use. Letting them live on as something new and beautiful is perfect. I particularly like the low-tech/high-tech combos like the charging dock and e-reader cover.

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  13. supermac05 July, 2011 16:36

    Oh, I feel conflicted about ripping apart books. I am a book lover and I have never ever thrown or given away any of my books. That said, seeing your post made me think that if a book's pages is already in an "unsaveable" state, as in the case of most of my children's early books, then its cover at least can be resurrected in another form. What a creative mind you have. I am bookmarking this fabulous project. xx

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  14. Stephanie @ henry happened05 July, 2011 16:59

    Hi, just finding your blog (not sure where I've been, under a rock I guess!). These are so clever - I love the planter. But I admit - I ripped pages out of a Madeline book to frame in my daughter's room and it made me sad. I felt so guilty!!

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  15. D05 July, 2011 19:10

    Oh how interesting. I love books. While it may be tragic to see some classics being destroyed, all of those items are very unique and creative.

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  16. jaclyn @ thelateafternoon05 July, 2011 22:08

    these vintage books are so beautiful! its amazing how many different creative uses have become of them!

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  17. Madeline05 July, 2011 23:00

    Those book clocks are unreal! And also, not like he's selling them or anything, but my dad had this idea and then actually made one for my sister for Christmas...iPod speakers cut into/out of a stack of real books: http://www.spidatter.com/2010/12/twas-crafty-craft-christmas.html

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  18. Ellie Hyde06 July, 2011 03:21

    I love, love, love the book planter. Such a brilliant idea, also love the book cover into a bag, SUPER!

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  19. Laura Evans06 July, 2011 06:29

    being that i firmly believe you can't have too many books in your house (although my husband would argue this) ... these are the perfect excuse for more! love them.

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  20. Catherine06 July, 2011 12:01

    These are great! I love the hollow book safe and the evening handbag! Really original ideas

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  21. Naomi Bulger12 July, 2011 06:38

    How clever and lovely! You couldn't do these things with a kindle :-)

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  22. Page Clothier/A Velvet Leaf06 September, 2011 07:07

    Hi Danni-
    I just found this blog post today and want to thank you for including my vintage children's book tote- I love these finds and will start following your blog- thanks, Page from velvetonthepage.etsy.com

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  23. Britt07 May, 2013 19:27

    I think I could only do these things with a brand new book, if, I bought 2 copies.

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Friends, Thank you so much for reading + supporting my blog, and for taking the time to leave me a comment. Your comment support truly means so much to me. Have a lovely day! xo, danni