Origami Pencil Bookmark

These are some origami pencil shape bookmarks that I have been making and using for years now. You can see in the thiumbnail that the grey one has been worn down on the edges from constant use. These are simple to make and can be done in about 10 minutes at most. They make great gifts for anyone who likes to read no matter their age.

The only thing you need is a square sheet of paper. Solid colour origami paper works great for these but you can also use pattern or a square sheet of white printer paper and make a monochrome pencil bookmark too. All other items listed are optional depending on how you want to personalize your bookmark.

• Square sheet of paper
• Bone folder (optional but useful)
• Glue (optional)
• Single hole punch (optional if you want to add a ribbon or tassel to the end)
• Ribbon or tassel (optional)

If you are using origami or any other coloured piece of paper, start with the colour you want to show more facing down. Then fold the paper in half towards the left as shown in the image. Make sure your edges are aligned properly before you crease it down. If you are using a bone folder, run it along the folded edge. The opening should be on the left end.

Fold one layer of the top left down at a diagonal and crease it. This will divide the paper into two squares of different colour (if you are using coloured paper). Next fold the top right corner down at a diagonal towards the left and crease it before unfolding. This will give you a guide line for the next step.

Fold down the top corner so it overlaps the first fold from step 2. This will be the point of the pencil so do not fold it too far down. Use the last fold you made in step to as a guide and make sure it lines up. Flip the entire thing over and fold down the rest making sure to leave the point behind. Now fold the top corner down and that will make a thick pencil. If you want to you can stop here and use this thick pencil as your bookmark, o you can continue and make a thinner one in the next step.

Fold the thick pencil in half and unfold to get a guideline for the next few folds. Fold the top edges in towards the center as if you were making a paper airplane. Next fold the sides in trying to line up where the two colours end and the bottom edge. It will be a bit past the halfway mark so take your time when doing this fold. Turn the paper over and you are done.

You can customize this bookmark however you like. You make a hole at the end and attach some ribbon or a tassel like I did for the grey one. This makes it easier to find them within your books.Experiment with different types and pattern paper if you like or use a long rectangular sheet and fold a double ended pencil bookmark! If you are going to be giving this to a young kid, I would recommend you glue down the edges you folded in the last part of step 4. I had a kid unfold the entire thing and got upset that they could not get it back together. To save yourself that sad look, please use glue.