| For
some years now I have been making bookmarks
between other things of course, but because they give a great deal of
pleasure to the recipient, and satisfaction to me to give them, Alan (one
of our web sites' editorial team) has asked me to put a few words together
describing the techniques required for making them.
I usually start each bookmark project with three pieces of
horse-chestnut, or other light veneer, each one being about 19cms long by
4cms wide (that's roughly 7½ x 1¾" inches in
imperial measurements).
You will want two pieces with the grain running
vertically and one piece, the grain running horizontally. These sizes
allow for trimming.
Leaving a space of about 2. 5cms (that's about 1¼" inches) from the top of
one piece with vertical grain I put a decorative initial and beneath this
I usually put flowers.
My first bookmark was a "P" for Poppy with a spray
of Poppies below.
The second piece of veneer (with the grain running horizontally) is glued
to the back of the first and then sanded.
The third piece, at the base of which I put my initials in Old English
style in black, is glued to the back of the bookmark to make it three
veneers thick.
The front and back of the bookmark can then be sanded down until the
finished item is quite thin. I then round the top off and make a slot
about 5mm by 2mm (approx ¼ x ⅛"
of an inch) and loop a narrow ribbon through. I usually make the finished
article 17cms long x 3. 5cms wide (that's approx 6¾
x 1½" inches) and finish with a couple of coats of sealer rubbed down to
seal the grain. |
One of Chas's famous Bookmarks
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Chas's "Jotter Box" which is a
note paper dispenser |
The bookmark is
something personal which is quite unique and always well received.
I have made them for special birthdays, eg, with '60' added.
Another version was using horse-chestnut for the centre veneer with "I
love you" cut in black so that it showed when held to the light, this
being for a Valentine gift.I made the first one
of these bookmarks in 1996 and just for fun entered it in our group
competition in the 'applied class' and was surprised to be awarded third
place and then again repeat the surprise in an inter group competition.
Chas Baker.
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Thanks for
the article Chas, as you said, that's a unique piece of marquetry work!
I have seen these bookmarks of Chas's for real and they are very clever
marquetry curios.
I especially like the ones where you can hold them up to the light and
read a message through the bookmark - very inventive Chas, well done!
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