Five Minutes Peace

Let's talk about bookplates

I just saw this thoughtful tutorial by Andy English on how to use bookplates (via Craftzine) and it set me thinking... Does anybody use bookplates still? And if not, why not? Are they too close to scribbling in your books (sacrilege!) or do you find the notion of a personal library antiquated and dull ?

As a regular lender of books I often think I should keep better track of my precious bundles. Plus, it doesn't take much to convince me that I need new stationery in my life.

There are loads of beautiful ready-made bookplates available. This puffin design makes me feel wonderfully nostalgic and costs just £2.99 for a pack of 25 from The Literary Gift Company.

Literary tea towels by Kitchen Sink Dramas

There is nothing that's going to make washing up fun for me, but these literary tea towels by Kitchen Sink Dramas may help just a little.  

Pictured is Tea by Carol Ann Duffy, but you could also have an extract from an Edwardian novel, like The Escape by Katherine Mansfield or get the kids involved with something from a children's book - Alice in Wonderland or The Secret Garden. 

They're silk-screened by hand on 100% cotton and as likely to be framed as used, I would imagine. 

[via SwissMiss]

Read Me book locket necklace

Could this be the perfect book-lover's necklace?

An antique brass photo locket in the shape of a book along with a pair of silver reading glasses, strung on a 24 inch brass chain. 

It's available from Etsy for $24 (approximately £16) and the maker will adjust the length of the chain (longer or shorter) if required.

Hand-crafted owl brooch

Designer Ellymental uses vintage ephemera such as 1950s books and Victorian newspaper to make jewellery.

This owl brooch is sweet without being too cutesy and is varnished to make it hard-wearing.

£14 from The Literary Gift Company.

Harry Potter Themed Poster

Now with a teething child, a hard working husband, a child off school for half term plus trying to have a career of my own, I do let things get to me a little. I've been tempted to buy a Keep Calm and Carry On poster for some time to remind me not to get so strung out but I'm glad I put it off. Because I have to have this poster.

It makes me smile every time I look at it. From Etsy.

[via Domestic Sluttery]

A library around your neck

Last night I found myself perusing Etsy (because I had a deadline and I am an excellent procrastinator). I typed in "books" and came face to chest with these little beauties. At first, I thought it was too much - eleven miniature books hanging around your neck? - but the more I looked at them, the more I liked them.

By TheBlackSpotBooks, they certainly make quite a statement and they're not cheap at $325, but they're rather fabulous, don't you think?

Peter Rabbit Necklace

"Oh," was all I could say when I saw this. I need it, really really need it. (Good job my birthday is coming up.)

It is only £10 from a gorgeous website called Pretty by Pistachio.

There's More To Life Than Books print

This beautiful print is by Emily Martin. I love the sentiment, the quote and the illustration... Shame my birthday is months and months away!

Check out Emily's Etsy shop for more lovely images.

Mark My Words Bookmark

Not only do I adore reading (natch) but I also adore books as physical objects.

As I sincerely believe that books are items of supreme beauty, to be loved and held and cherished, it goes without saying that only the most delicate and lovely bookmarks should be used inside them... Which is why it's a little odd that I'm currently using a tea-stained coaster instead of this beautiful pearl bookmark from Anthropologie.

How would you like to star in a novel?

When I was a teenager with too much time on my hands, I took commissions from friends to write a story featuring them and the heartthrob of their choice. I was quite good at it, by all accounts (My most frequent requests featured an appropriately sensitive Matt Goss, a deeply sexy - but in touch with his feminine side - George Michael, and New Kids on the Block's Donnie Wahlberg for a bit of rough.)

Given my, um, history, I'm surprised I didn't come up with idea to offer this skill to a wider audience, but I didn't. And U Star Novels did. You go to their website and provide personal details (such as characters' names, where they live, where they work, eye colour, hair colour, etc.) which will then be woven into your choice of novel, from a selection "ranging in sauciness". And if you're boyfriend/girlfriendless, you can have your fictional way with a celebrity instead.

I'll have Amsterdam Lessons with Russell Brand please. Actually, I might just go away and write that one myself...