How to Make Ginkgo Leaves Bookmark Gingko Leaf Crafts

Learn how to make Ginkgo leaves bookmark using actual leaves.

This is a fun nature craft that works with the leaves used on gel plate ginkgo leaf prints, with a subtle amount of gold acrylic paint on each leaf surface.

Let's get started creating these natural and earthly bookmarks!

GEL PLATE PRESS MONOPRINTS:

First, make some Gel Plate Prints and Gold Metallic paint from Plaid with this easy tutorial from my recent blog post here.

Save those leaves (if your neighbor has ginkgo trees, go collect some) from the gel press monoprinting process, if you use gold paint, the leaves will have a thin layer of gold metallic paint on the top surface, perfect for bookmarks.

After gel printing, I saved the leaves in layers of wax paper pressed between 2 heavy books on a flat surface.

This let the leaves dry out completely and flatten out for the perfect laminated bookmark craft.

Supplies Needed for Ginkgo Leaf Bookmarks:

• Ginkgo Leaves (or any other fun leaf collection)
• Laminator (check out this QFun laminator, it can laminate up to 13" wide!)
• Heat Laminator Sleeve (included with the QFun Laminator)
• Bookmark Tassels
• Hole Punch
• Paper Cutter
• Scissors
• Gold Acrylic Craft Paint from Plaidonline.com 

Check out this solid brass gingko leaf decorative use tray, it's so cute!

Step 1: Laminator Pouches

Begin by opening up a thermal or heat laminating pouch and add some of the gold painted ginkgo leaves in it.

Lay them in a strip, so you can cut around the plastic and make a bookmark the right size and shape for your desired books.

If you are using natural leaves without paint, simply arrange them in the laminator sleeve.

Step 2: Laminating Time

Now gently, close the laminating pouch over the leaves and carefully lift the plastic sleeve into the laminating machine.

I didn't have any issues with the leaves slipping around as they were laminated, so just lift it in carefully and it should be great.

I also did some single ginkgo leaves for smaller, individual bookmarks...perfect for a minimalist bookmark!

These are great handmade bookish gifts too!

Step 3: Cut Bookmarks

Use a paper cutter or scissors to cut the lamination pouch around the ginkgo leaves.

Cut them in straight strips or use scissors to fussy-cut around the individual leaf.

The leaves are so beautiful, and perfect for lots of decorative arts and crafts.

I have a long tradition of using things from nature to create crafts, and these ginkgo leaves are my favorite!

These bookmarks are classic and beautiful, they showcase all the subtle details of the ginkgo leaf as well as the shimmer of gold paint on them.

If you are going for a more modern outlook you can use different paint colors or no paint at all.

Other fun Leaf Crafts and Bookmark ideas:

• Find different leaves, acanthus leaf shapes and papyrus leaf are beautiful and unique!
• Gingko trees look like little dresses or capes, so get creative and do some doodling on paper and add the leaves to stick figures or other organic shapes with a glue stick.
• Add a little turquoise color from a rubber stamp ink pad for a verdigris finish.
• Add pressed flowers and other leaves for a dazzling array of designs.
• Make a ginkgo leaf plate with air dry clay and leaves.
• Use different color combos for more variation!

That's it!

Learn how to make ginkgo leaf bookmarks with gold painted gingko leaves and a laminator.

These beautiful bookmarks are a great gift, a fun homeschool craft or a great craft for the entire school class after a nature walk.

Preserve beautiful leaves with this fun technique of using leaves after monoprinting them, giving them a thin layer of metallic paint.

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Check out these other fun posts on Monoprinting and Bookmarks!

How to Make Gel Plate Monoprints (DIY Art Printing)

Learn how to make gel plate monoprints with just a few simple supplies, a few minutes and no skill needed.

Monoprints are single time prints and can be created with just paint or layers of texture and impressions.

These are super fun to create and I'll teach you how to get the best results, but you can experiment and make them your own in no time at all.

How to Create Bookmarks with Gel Plate Printing DIY

Learn how to create beautiful bookmarks with gelli printing art monoprints!

Mono printing with a gel plate or gelli plate is so much fun, and transforming your gorgeous unique pieces and prints into laminated bookmarks is a quick and easy craft.

Let's get started creating these gorgeous ginkgo leaf printed bookmarks!

How to Make Monoprint Cards (Gel Plate Card Making)

Learn how to make greeting cards with gold ginkgo leaf monoprints.

Card making is one of my favorite, and OG crafts, I started card making in 2006.

These cards with monoprinted backgrounds are easy to make, stunning and perfect for any occasion.

Let's get started using these beautiful mono prints!

15 Easy DIY Handmade Bookmarks to Make with Students

Making your own bookmarks is a fun way to keep track of your reading with a little craft time and a personal touch.

Handmade bookmarks make a great gift, giving that personal touch to a wonderful gift of a new book.

I'm sharing a few creative bookmarks with different designs, you'll find your favorite in this compilation of diy bookmark ideas--great for students to make, excellent craft ideas for homeschool families, also perfect for events at the library for the next read, and fun for a classroom activity!

Which one is your favorite of these DIY bookmarks? I love the origami paper Japanese dolls and I love the David Tennant version of Doctor Who peeking up over the top of my book pages...which could be adapted for lots of other fun bookmark ideas too.

Click each title or photograph for the individual step-by-step instructions for each of these handmade bookmarks and you'll be crafting book holders in no time!

Looking for the perfect satiny bookmark tassels to go with your homemade bookmarks?

200 Bookmark Tassels  (affiliate links)

If you aren't into tassels, pom poms would make a cute bookmark topper too!