Marla Cooper

The Book Bedazzler Strikes Again

Back in February, I wanted to do an Author-Reader Connection at Left Coast Crime, and I got a wild hair to try book bedazzling. I’d never bedazzled anything, but it seemed easy enough. So I bought the supplies, watched a few videos on YouTube and suddenly I was a sparkly expert. 

We had a blast, and when I came back home I told my Sisters in Crime group about it. One of our members is a librarian, and so, long story short, guess how I ended up leading a book bedazzling class at our local library last month? Twice! (Spoiler alert: it was me.)

I’ve always aspired to be crafty, but don’t usually spend enough time to get good at something before I move on to something else. But book bedazzling was so easy. 

The work is very meditative, like any good craft, and the results are pretty satisfying. You can sit and chat with friends while you do it, and the results are super shiny!

If you’re looking for a new pastime, I can confidently say this is easy enough for almost all skill levels. (In fact, if anybody wants a list of supplies and some tips, send me an email at marla@marlacooper.com and I’ll set you up!)

Readers, what’s your favorite craft? Comment for a chance to win a personally bedazzled copy of Welcome to Cozy Town!

Click through the slideshow for inspiration:

36 thoughts on “The Book Bedazzler Strikes Again”

  1. OMG, Marla, look at that turnout! Brilliant. BTW, I was so inspired by your bedazzling at LCC that I bought supplies to do it myself. I’ve yet to use them, though.

    I’m a crafty gal. My primary go-to’s are decoupage and needlepoint. I was making decoupage ornaments of my book covers, but I ran out of steam and didn’t do last year’s. But then, I had a ton of masks to decorate as throws for the Krewe of Freret parade I joined, so it probably burned me out. But needlepoint is the craft of my heart. I pretty much stitch every night when our doggy herds me into the den to sit next to her and watch TV.

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    1. You’re one of the craftiest people I know and it’s spectacular! Next time I’m in L.A. we’ll have to break out the supplies and get sparkly! Or you can try teaching me to needlepoint. I really enjoyed knitting, but you only need so many scarves and sweaters….

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  3. Have you seen the movie Bedazzled with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore from the late ’60s? It’s the Faustus story with Peter Cook as the devil and is hilarious. (I think Raquel Welch is in it, too.) Love the glittery books, Marla!

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  4. Love all the bedazzled covers! I think I’d need you around to lend me a helping hand. I often have crafting periods: cross-stitching, flower pressing, hand knitting… Or one-off projects, like a lazy Susan I put together with a group of friends.

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    1. I’m ready to plan our chicks bedazzling party! And in the meantime, I want to know what the lazy susan idea was… I’m just picturing one of those swiveling dish things but I feel like there’s more to it than that?

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  5. I love crafting. Over the years I’ve done almost everything, including using circular saws to build bookcases!

    My fav is probably making swag for writing and books. I know, I should be writing, not swagging, but I can’t help it! I’m doing a book club meet in September, and I’m creating a card for a specific to the group Frappuccino à la Chang recipe.

    what I think would be cool is to do some chicks swag. Hmmm…. I’ve got some time off coming soon with the hubbs surgery (probably in the next two weeks), so let me think about this.

    willing to take any suggestions under advisement on chick swag!

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    1. You are super crafty and talented! And your swag game is on point. I still have my adorable drink recipes you put together for us. I’ll be thinking about Chicks swag!

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  8. Ooh, Chicks on the Case swag sounds good to me. Bedazzled book covers are so fun. I may have to give it a try, although I am not very crafty.

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  9. That does it! As soon as I get my copies of A MURDERER’S GUIDE TO MARDI GRAS, I’m putting aside my needlepoint to bedazzle a cover. It’s perfect for it. (Look it up and you’ll see what I mean.)

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    1. Yes!! It would make a great bedazzled book! Maybe we should do a zoom bedazzling sesh. Or I should just come on out to LA already!

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  12. Not a crafter, exactly, but I did recently help my 3 yo granddaughter create a wearable item out of recyled materials for a preschool project. She modeled her giant shoulder bag on a classroom fashion show “runway,” and her teacher told her she’d totally wear it, ha. The strap was made of pipe cleaners looped like a paper Christmas chain and the working buckle was created with soda can tabs. The purse itself was corrugated cardboard covered in Christmas wrap swatches, along the lines of Dolly Parton’s coat of many colors. Oh, and floppy bow and a giant daisy smile face. Move over, Kate Spade!

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  13. I don’t really do anything crafty anymore. I used to do scrapbooking. Baking still serves as a creative outlet.

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  14. Book bedazzling never would’ve crossed my mind! My “crafting” is knitting (simple things like afghans created by stitching what are essentially scarves together) and machine sewing. If we’re counting cooking/baking, that’d be my main outlet.

    Thanks for running the giveaway!

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  15. The LCC bedazzling event was SO much fun, Marla! I don’t think I have the patience to bedazzle on my own, but being able to do so in a group setting and getting to socialize is the best. Thanks for introducing me to the craft!

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