Once upon a time, in our youth, a book mobile was a library on wheels that visited our school every Wednesday. Recently, we spotted an updated version of the "book mobile" in the window of Eliza Page jewelery studio in Austin. We were so enamored with the charming display that we had to go inside and see the equally charming jewelry (mostly made by local designers).
We especially love the idea of grouping mobiles and possibly other paper sculptures to create a vignette in the home. These hanging books reminded us of the Shop House mobiles previously featured on Apartment Therapy in 2008. Shop Houses still offers handcrafted pieces made from books and print including mobiles, beaded jewelery and shadow boxes. However, as much as we support the fabulous Etsy crafters, we'd like to try making our own book mobile. We've dabbled in altered books projects before and have found inspiration for interesting art projects using the book as canvas. There is no shortage of amazing examples of books as art, but not everyone can jump right into carving the Mona Lisa in book pages.
On a more practical note, AT highlighted a lovely wreath made from book pages and a tutorial for creating your own (thanks, Lindsay). But where is the book mobile "how to"? Have you seen instructions on making book mobiles or any other simple home decor from print pages?
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something hanging from the ceiling does not a mobile make.
man, that sounded awesome.
It's both ugly and a desecration of the noble book.
Donate the books to the library. Go buy real art.
Cara Barer (sculpture artist) does the concept way better!
I remember in kindergarten, a fireman came in one day to talk about how cool his job was and afterward he told our teacher to take down our arts & crafts hanging from the ceiling. Despite it being a total bummer to see my paper cut bat come down, the fireman had a good point. The thought of hanging (untreated) paper objects from the ceiling now only brings about the image of a flaming ball of arts & crafts.
Have to agree with the negatives, books have a better use!
I'm an ebook-loving person, and that still makes me wince to see those poor books dangling painfully from the ceiling.
I reject any home decor which looks like retail merchandising. As others have said, donate the books to a library, and call me when someone strings up a bunch of Kindles in their store window.
Perfidia is right. Retail displays aren't the same as the place I live. I know AT loves those shop windows, but please, stop these posts.
i agree with AT and would love a tutorial, and I am an avid reader. i've seen it before and wanted to make a mobile for my boy's room, over a reading nook. sorry to be the only one so far that wants this!
"flaming ball of arts & crafts" is the best line I've read on AT in ages.