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!