Bookmarch, I mean Bookmark

Today is March 8th of 2025 and ever since returning from New Zealand, I have been in pretty good spirits. Except when I was sick with the flu for a week a few days after returning. I have bounced back and attribute it to the massive influx of vitamin D from our December adventure with the Kiwis. Sun makes all the difference in my mental health.

One mildly sunny day, I was enjoying a quiet afternoon in my new studio space, scribbling with purpose in my sketchbook. I have opened my Etsy shop by now and was trying to think of something I could add to the selection that was small and had a smaller price point. I am also trying to stay away from bulk printing, if I can. This is where my bookmarks evolved from a bunch of doodles and a brain fart. I came up with a few designs and then hand draw each one on 140lb watercolor paper. I ink them and add watercolor, then cut them individually, including rounding the corners. Then add my rubber stamp to the back.

My next decision was how to protect the painting. I did do an instagram poll on whether to laminate and I was surprised that 40% said no to laminating and that 40% was artists. This intrigued me, not at all what I was expecting. I researched laminating machines, and hot versus cold laminating and there was mentions of yellowing and bubbling issues, so I was skeptical. I then remembered I had learned that you can apply a cold wax to watercolor paintings.

So I did a version using cold laminate, which is basically like using clear tape and applying cold wax. I asked a few studio mates their preference and it aligned with my own; the cold wax enriched the watercolor hues and was more appealing. Overall the cold wax finish let the bookmark be the real art that it was and the laminated version had a plastic, commercial reproduction feel. The cold wax application is a bit time consuming but worth it in the end. Not only does it preserve the paint, give it a lustrous feel, but it keeps dirty fingers from making marks.

I still cold laminate the back of the bookmark, which gives it extra sturdiness and protects it from greasy fingers. I will continue to make these by hand in small batches as each variety sells out. So far Stretch is in the running as the next batch to work on! Happy reading!