How to Make Peace Sign Bookends

Originally posted 2012-08-12 08:00:51.

Make a Great Set of Bookends for Any Decor!

My daughter, The Han, is a bookworm. She could honestly open her own library because she has so many books! I can’t complain about a child who loves to read, though, but since she has so many books, organization seems to be a problem.

I saw these cute bookends in one of the high-end catalogs and decided to hack this design! The Han helped me with this project so we could customize it to match her room. It is very simple and can be completed in a weekend. The height is totally customizable to match the peace sign (or any other chipboard piece) being used. (Mine was extremely large!) Let me show you how to make Peace Sign bookends for yourself…

How to Make Peace Bookends

Materials:

  • Chipboard peace sign (or any other initial or symbol)
  • 1×3 board at 3′
  • Paint
  • Scrapbooking paper
  • Mod Podge (<– affiliate link!)
  • Brad nailer & 1-1/4″ brad nails

Cut the pieces for the bookends as determined by the height and the width of the chipboard piece. If using a peace sign, it will be cut in half (each half will sit on a bookend) so the width will be based on half of the total width. If using an initial or another symbol, it will not be cut in half so the width will be based on the total width of the piece.

How to Make Peace Bookends plan drawingHow to Make Peace Bookends bare wood pieces

Paint the bookends. I used three coats of paint on mine.

How to Make Peace Bookends paint bare wood

If using a symbol like I did, mark the center and cut the piece in half with a jigsaw.

How to Make Peace Bookends draw a line on chipboard peace symbol

Paint only the edges of the chipboard piece.

How to Make Peace Bookends cut in half and paint edges

After the paint dries, spread a coat of Mod Podge on one side of the chipboard piece and position the scrapbooking paper.

How to Make Peace Bookends apply mod podge

How to Make Peace Bookends apply paper

Let it dry, then use a craft knife to trim the excess paper away. Repeat the process for the other side.

How to Make Peace Bookends cut excess paper with craft knife

How to Make Peace Bookends fully decorated peace symbol halves

To attach the chipboard pieces to the bookends, I ran a thin line of glue along the straight edge and clamped it in place. Then I kept my fingers crossed (and out of the way) while I used the brad nailer to attach the chipboard piece to the bookend.

How to Make Peace Bookends apply glue to inside edge of symbol

How to Make Peace Bookends clamp to bookend

How to Make Peace Bookends secure with brad nails

So cute! I’d like to try these for myself using – what else – the letter C!

How to Make Peace Bookends completed project

The bookends are so easy and my daughter really loves them! (Yes, she really does read John Grisham – she loves him!) For more tween or teen decor, check out this Sunburst Wall Art! Have any questions on how to make Peace sign bookends? Leave a comment below!

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