Are you looking for a bookish project to try or a gift for the book lover in your life? Make a book stack pendant necklace! It’s easy, comes together quickly, and is super cute.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a small commission if you purchase through my link–at no additional cost to you.
I’m a huge book nerd. Apparently, you only need 1000 books to classify as a library so… my small one-bedroom apartment is officially a library.
I’ve been collecting books for as long as I can remember. I grew up surrounded by them. Over the years, I’ve given away hundreds as I’ve tried to prune my collection. But it seems like every time I get rid of one book, I buy another three. But hey, there are worse things I could spend my money on.
I love Bookish Art.
It’s not just actual books though—I’m also all about bookish jewelry, décor, and trinkets. This should come as no great surprise; my first Etsy shop is dedicated to jewelry made from book pages. You should check it out.
The book stack pendant is made with polymer clay. Mine has three books, but you could do a stack of two books, or get crazy and do a stack of four, five, or even six books!
My book stack is pretty simple, but you could decorate the books, add texture, or add other little clay creations onto it. A teacup, perhaps, or flowers?
Because polymer clay is fairly light, depending on the size of the bookstack you make and what you add to it, you might be able to turn these into earrings. You could also make Christmas tree ornaments, charms for a charm bracelet, or turn it into a keychain.
Don’t want to wear your bookstack? Make a bunch and leave them out in libraries for people to find (a cute idea for a Random Acts of Handmade project!) or decorate your desk with them.
There will be more bookish DIYs on the blog in the near future—I have a few ideas in mind already. But for now, let’s focus on this adorable book stack pendant necklace, shall we?
I’m excited to share this tutorial with you, and I hope you’ll make a bookstack pendant of your own!
To make a book stack pendant with polymer clay you’ll need:
- Polymer Clay: The clay I used was Sculpey Premo. If you’re just getting started with clay, this Sculpey premo multipack would be a great buy. You can get it on Amazon (linked), but you can also find it at Michaels and other craft stores.
- Book Cutter: I used a book clay cutter that I had 3D printed. The cutter file was free on Thingaverse, and you can get it by clicking here. If you don’t have access to a 3D printer and want to order a cutter, check out this one on Etsy. Or, if you don’t want to invest in a clay cutter, I’ve made a PDF for you! Print it, cut it out, and trim around it.
- Clay Tools: I used my clay roller, and two thickness guides – one set is 3.5mm and one set is 4mm. The thickness guides I used are from Michaels (check them out here) as was the clay roller (from this set here).
- Findings: I used a package of head pins from Michaels (these are the ones I used), jump rings from Michaels (these ones here), a lobster claw clasp from Michaels (you can get some here), and a bronze jewelry chain. I likely also got my chain from Michaels, but I don’t know exactly which one I have.
- Glue: Super glue or B600 glue would be my recommendation.
- Jewelry Tools: A set of jewelry tools like this (check them out here) works. I also use a one-step looper because I’m terrible at making nice loops with my headpins. (It’s from Michaels and you can get it here!)
- Optional: I like working on parchment paper. It makes it easy to transfer pieces as I work, and I always bake my clay on parchment paper so the bottom doesn’t burn. I also got this awesome glass cutting mat from Michaels (check it out here). You may also want to glaze your book stack. I’m not, but if I were, I’d use Sculpey gloss glaze. (Check it out here.)
No clay cutter? No problem! You can print the pattern I made for you here!
Directions
Step 1
First, let’s gather our materials! There are a few things not pictured here – such as the jewelry chain and tools – so refer to the supply list to ensure you have everything you need before you get started.
If you don’t have book clay cutters, print out the pattern I included above and cut it out.
Step 2
Let’s start with the book “pages”. For this book stack pendant, I am making three books. Therefore I’ll need three “page” pieces. If you’re only making one, you’ll just need one “page” piece. (Although, it’s not much of a stack if there’s just one!) Two will require two pieces, and so forth. You get the picture.
I didn’t want my “book pages” to be white; I was going for more of an off-white/cream color. So, I mixed some white with some tan and kept adding more white until I got the color that I wanted. You can make these whatever color you want. White, tan, gold… why not make some pink or blue pages? Get creative!
If you don’t have the book clay cutters, just lay the “pages” piece down on the clay and trim around it.
I rolled the clay out to 4mm using my 4mm thickness guides for the pages.
Step 3
Now get your clay ready to make the book covers. I wanted to go with three shades of blue. The middle shade is a stock color from Sculpey. It’s one that you can just buy in a package. The lighter color on the left is the middle color with some white mixed in. The darker color on the right is the middle color with some black mixed in. Doing it this way, I got three shades of blue that went really nicely together.
But don’t feel like all your books have to be the same color! Mix it up!
Step 4
Just like you did with your page pieces, it’s time to cut out your cover pieces!
I rolled the clay out to 3.5mm for the covers, using my 3.5mm thickness guides.
Tip: If you’re using cutters and are struggling to keep the clay from getting stuck, you can apply a little cornstarch to the cutters before cutting. That should help with the release. Or you can do what I like to do – lay down a piece of plastic wrap over the clay before pressing the cutter into it. This does make the pieces a little more rounded, but you can flatten them if needed.
If you don’t have the book cutter, just lay the book piece down on the clay and trim around it. Use a clay tool or something long and flat like the edge of a ruler to make the lines.
Now you have your pieces and it’s time to assemble the books!
Step 5
I didn’t take a picture of the actual assembly process but I suspect you can figure it out. Line up the edge of your “page” piece with the spine of the cover. Fold the front and back of the cover over the “page” piece. You have a book!
Now to stack them. I like to stack mine slightly misaligned so they don’t sit straight. A cute and messy little stack. However, if you prefer a nice neat edge you can stack them that way too.
Once you have them stacked the way you like, stick a headpin in it about 3/4 of the way down. You’ll bake the clay with this headpin in it.
Step 6
Bake your pendant according to the instructions on the package. It’s going to vary from brand to brand, and even amongst different clays within the same brand.
Remote your headpin, apply a good amount of glue then re-insert it. You can use superglue, E-6000 glue, or any other glue that you’ve found works well with metal headpins and clay. Give it time to dry.
Then you need to trim the headpin and create a loop. I’m using my one-step bead looper because I’m terrible at making consistent loops on headpins.
Step 7
Ta da! A loop! Now we can add this beauty to a chain.
Step 8
Here’s another look at this beauty. And to justify making this a step of its own I’m going to add that this is where you’d glaze or seal your book stack if you were of a mind to do so. Sculpey gloss glaze is typically my go-to when I want to glaze something. But I don’t think I want to glaze these books, they’re perfect as they are.
Step 9
Now it’s time to turn this beauty into a necklace! I cut my chain to 24″. Attach a jump ring to the loop on top of the book stack and then slide it onto the chain. Add a jump ring to one end of the chain and attach your clasp. I prefer the lobster claw clasp, but if you prefer something else, use something else! It’s your necklace, after all! Attach the third jump ring to the other side of the chain so your clasp has something to… well, clasp onto!
Step 10
And there you have it. A gorgeous book stack necklace.
Honestly, I’m so in love with this little thing. I love the colors, and the way the findings look dainty and antique. Sometimes my DIY projects come out blah, and sometimes they come out like this one. Super cute. I love it, and can’t wait to wear it.
Will you make a book stack pendant necklace?
These pendants would make awesome Christmas and birthday gifts for the booklover in your life. Or make them for teachers, librarians and EAs!
As always, I want to see what you create! Use the hashtags #theserialcreative and #diybookstackpendant or #bookstacknecklace so I can admire your beautiful creations!
For more project ideas, check out my free patterns archive.
