Often I am in need of a paper clip to hold things inside my notebooks, and I know that I am going to need it in this notebook as well. Paper clips as we know them have been used for years and are, in my opinion, quite boring to look at and therefore I want to make custom paper clips specially for this notebook. Still using the free packaging paper and continuing to reuse paper and keeping it in the same style and look.
Had it been cardboard, the process would have been a little bit easier because then I only would have had to cut, fold and glue, but it is still quite easy to make and I only have to glue one more time. These paper clips don’t use many materials, just some reused paper, paper clips and glue.
First I cut out two pieces of my packaging paper and glued the two pieces of paper together.
Folding the glued paper on the middle and pushing the paper clip on at the fold
Then I folded the two pieces of paper up on top of the paper clip. Fold no. two in this picture is too far from the bottom of the clips. The result is that the hidden paper clip becomes flimsy and a bit difficult to use as it will be prone to bending.
To instead make the paper clip more sturdy and easy to use, fold the second fold close to the clips. fold it close to the tip of the paper clip.
This picture shows my first paper clip made with this technique and as you can see, the bottom fold is too far from the paper clips. It will end up being a ‘soft’ hidden paper clip, but it can be used.
Add glue to the paper inside and fold it to cover the clip completely.
Since the paper clips were still too flimsy I added another piece of paper on top of the hidden paper clip, making sure that I glued it on the top of the clip – the side with only one fold and not the bottom with two folds.
The paper clip is done and ready for use. You can decorate the paper clips to match any book in size and look… the design is limited only by your imagination… and practicality, of course.
My hidden paper clip is in use in my new notebook holding the newly added page in place.
I did make more than this one and I will of course show them when photographing the final notebook.
I hope that you feel inspired and are going to make your own hidden paper clips to match your books or maybe to give as gifts for a friend or a pen pal.
Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and safe week, Pia :o)
My Paper and I 