DIY Network

Book Plaques Turn a book into a 3-D collage. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-203

Your creativity is an open book with this easy collage sculpture.

A hardback book nobody wants to read—or one that’s been damaged by water or other hazards—still has some life in it thanks to Michele Beschen. The B. Original host turns hardbacks from the toss pile into works of art, including these striking book plaques.

Fake "open book" sculptures are a common sight in home accessory shops, but this project uses a real book and gives you a chance to B. Original and include your own words and images. It’s a fun combination of collage and sculpture; scroll down to get started.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Book Plaques

Materials:

hardbound books
water
spray bottle
paintbrushes
Elmer’s School Glue
primer
paint
Rub ‘N’ Buff metallic finish (optional)
polyurethane sealer or varnish
rope or decorative cord

Note: Michele Beschen recommends hitting the thrift stores to get hardbound books inexpensively.

• Open the book to the center and wet the pages with some water, using a brush or spray bottle.

• Begin gluing some of the pages together with Elmer’s School Glue, starting at the back of the book. Also brush some glue along the page edges (figure A).

• Begin shaping the pages, curling up the edges and fanning them out (figure B). Bunch up the inside as well, but be sure to leave the crease in the center.

• Once you have the book shaped to your liking, add an extra coat of glue around all the page edges (figure C). Allow the glue to dry completely.

• Once the glue is dry, brush household primer over the entire book and allow to dry.

• Paint the entire book with a neutral color of acrylic paint (figure D). Use as many coats of paint as you like.

• When the paint has dried, you can also paint the back, using a different color.

• Now it’s time to add the decorative touches (figure E). Add a poem, saying or quote on one side, and matching artwork on the other. Book and magazine clippings work great, because you can simply glue them in place. You can make all kinds of collages; let your imagination go.

• Give the piece some highlights with metallic paint, regular paint or Rub ‘N’ Buff metallic finish (figure F). Rub 'N'Buff is available at art supply stores.

• Once all paint and glues are dry, seal with either water-based polyurethane or oil-based varnish.

• To finish, glue a piece of rope or decorative cord down the center crease of the book so that it extends beyond the book by a couple of inches at either end. You may want to fray the ends of the rope or cord.

• Display your masterpiece on a small book easel or decorative cookbook stand.