How to Make Mini Book Charms

Harry Potter Mini Book Charms

I still have a hangover from the release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's stone: The Illustrated Edition and after rereading the whole series for the nth time, I got inspired to make this project, mini Harry Potter books.

Of course you can choose any book you want. I showed my finished work to my sister and niece and they right away requested for the mini versions of their favorite books.

To make this literally small project, you have to prepare your book cover for printing, any book you like or you can just make a book design of your own. For me, it's the Harry Potter series, starting off with the first book. I found some book covers online that are ready to be printed but I wasn't satisfied with them, some were just illustrations used in the dust jacket without the other details like the small texts, barcode, etc. so I just scanned the dust jacket from my book to make a better version. 

***This step, scanning the dust jacket of the book, was done because my OCD kicked in and I got worked up with such small insignificant details that wouldn't even be obvious on such cute versions, haha. Skip this if you're happy with those book covers of your choice that you can find online.

If you already have your book cover, print it according to your desired size. I just used a regular copy paper.

Cut the print out and fold it on the right places. This now looks like a mini version of the dust jacket

Get a cardboard, I used a cereal box, and cut it according to the size of the print out. To form the spine, cut on the surface lightly, not all the way through, just so you can fold it neatly

Cover it with colored paper that will match the dust jacket. This will serve as the mini hardcover for the book.

Adhere the dust jacket carefully and smooth out any lumps. I used Mod Podge on this. Now the cover is ready.

Prepare the inside of the book, the book pages. I used these pages from the project I did a while back, a hollow book safe.

Based on the size of the book cover, cut out pages enough to fill the thickness of the book. As this is going to be a book charm, I left a space where I can put an eye or a head pin in. To do this, a few pages in the middle should have a width 1mm narrower than the others.

Use binder clips to make the pages stay in place, brush glue around the edges, and let it dry.

When the inside of the book is already dry and all the pages are stuck together, put in the pin in the space provided for it, make necessary adjustments on the pin using your pliers or wire cutter.

Apply glue on all sides.

Place the cover and press tightly. Let it dry, put objects on top as weights.

Coat with glaze or decoupage sealant for a nicer finish. 

Ta-da! A mini book charm.

Well, continuing with my Harry Potter fix, I did all the other books in the series.

A keychain I made using the mini book charm and also a mini Gryffindor scarf with the Deathly Hallows wire pin.

And, another way to show that you are a proud Potterhead, a bracelet with all the books in the series. Cute, eh?

This would be a great gift, don't you think? Specially for your bookworm friends. You can also use this as a pendant, a fancy bookmark charm, or just anything you can think of. 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and feel free to ask questions or share your ideas. Thank you so much for reading. Gotta go...  Accio Firebolt!

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An Early Christmas Gift for Potterheads - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: The Illustrated Edition

After a long wait, it's finally here. The Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Illustrated Edition was released last week, October 6. This is the first book in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling and the illustrations in this edition were done by Jim Kay. Of course, a Potterhead like me has to get a copy, so I did. 

I got mine from a local bookstore here, National Bookstore, for Php 1,679.00 (roughly $37). I wasn't able to pre-order so I called before going to the bookstore to check out if they have copies available, the first four branches I called said that they were already out since each store only received limited number of copies and it was already October 8 when I remembered, yeah, I should get a Remembrall. Those that I called first are the stores nearby, just 25-30-minute drive away, luckily, the fifth one I called which is just one hour away from us had one copy left and they agreed to hold it for me until the next day . Yup, I had to wait another day because my husband already needed to go to work that time and I wouldn't commute just to get the book, what's one more day right? (See, Honey, I'm not that hardcore of a fan like you always say I am.)

Anyway, I'm just glad I didn't travel far to get a copy. Now, I have this to read to my daughter, she's not interested in books without pictures, at least now I can read her one of my favorite books hoping she'll like it, too.

Most book readers have probably read this one, even those who are not fans of Rowling's works because this is her first book and usually, we read the first book of an author to check out his or her style specially if it's a series with great reviews, well, except for those who don't really wanna try because the genre or the book itself doesn't appeal to them at all. So there's really no need for me to say anything about the story, but if you insist, well, all I can say is - It's amazing!!!

Okay, so I'm just going to show you what's up with this book's newest edition. I haven't counted them but it's said that there are more than a hundred illustrations in this book and I took photos of some of my favorites.

This is the front cover with the gold texts and that magical Harry Potter font and with Harry and Hedwig beside the Hogwarts Express.

The spine, still with the golden texts.

The back cover with J.K. Rowling's note.

This nice red book cover will show when the dust jacket is removed.

The endpapers are also illustrated, with the Hogwarts castle.

It has these beautiful title pages and table of contents.

This spread deserves to be the first spread indeed, this is how I imagine Dudley as a baby, haha. The framed pictures are so funny.

I would love to have a larger version of this image, this is poster material.

Hagrid, The Keeper of the Keys!

This version of Diagon Alley looks messy to me but what do I know, I'm just a Muggle.

Draco Malfoy at Madam Malkin's. He's the first Hogwarts student Harry met but it's different in the film adaptation as this scene at Madam Malkin's was not included, it's the Weasley kids in the movie.

Harry's first time at Platform 9 3/4, enjoying the beauty of the Hogwarts Express and the magical chaos surrounding him.

Ron and Scabbers aboard the Hogwarts Express.

Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, the greatest headmaster Hogwarts has ever had.

Interesting but I like the version of the sorting hat in the movie better.

Professor Quirrell and his infamous turban.

Snape, I mean Professor Snape, the Potions Master. This picture is quite scary.

Look closer....

Closer... his right hand seems to be disconnected, haha.

Harry vs. the troll. 

I love this informative illustration about trolls. See how tiny the troll's brain is? 

The golden snitch.

Hermione Granger with her bushy hair and bluebell flame in a jar.

Gryffindors, with Hagrid, supporting their house during the first Quidditch match of the year.

Harry and Dumbledore talking about the Mirror of Erised. 

Professor Minerva McGonagall, one of my favorite characters.

"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" under Quirrell's turban, urgh, creepy! 

Gryffindors celebrating after winning the House Cup!

The book pages are colorful, those without illustrations have what appear to be blotches of paint.

I'm off to rereading the whole Harry Potter series, I've noticed that I do this every year, sometimes through audio books. So now, my schedule to reread would be everytime the illustrated version of a book in the series is published which was announced to be every year. Exciting, isn't it?

Thank you for dropping by. Bye for now my Muggle friends!

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