Book Mobile for Back to School Merchandising

At my work, we have a bunch of backpacks on sale for $4.99. Even better than that, for every one that is purchased, one is donated to a local shelter! Since it is back to school time, I wanted to create a display that highlighted these backpacks. I remembered seeing this picture of book mobiles on Pinterest and decided to recreate. I looked all over Pinterest for instructions, but couldn’t find them (all of the gorgeous book mobile pictures were from Etsy that I saw). <iframe src="http://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?t=anthrogirl-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1584799099&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>

The book The Repurposed Library by Lisa Occhipinti has a tutorial, but my local library didn’t have it (note, affiliate link used). So here’s what I came up with:

1.       Buy some hardback books from your local thrift store. I bought three for $1 each (aka, this is a pretty cheap project)! You will also need double stick tape, scissors, and a stapler.

2.       I started with using scissors to cut out each page. I soon realized this would take forever, so I used the scissors to score the front and back book pages and ripped out the entire inside of the book. Much quicker!

3.       After some trial and error, here’s what I found worked best- rip off a page out of your book, use double stick tape or glue to adhere the page in half. Make sure to not fold the page so it is the shape of a tear drop.

4.       Staple that page into the binding of the book on the right side. Repeat a second time for the left side. Since you hang the book by the binding, these staples won’t be obvious (p.s. this picture is from when I was still trying to figure out the best method- disregard the pages that aren’t folded). 

5.       Keep adding pages by taping to the already stapled in page- I liked 9 pages for the base of the book mobile. Staple again in the center so you have a good solid foundation to work with.

6.       Keep adding pages by taping in the tear drop pages at different intervals. I worked with the book flat on my desk- make sure to hold the book up to see how the pages fall so you can see where to add more pages. If you search “book mobile” on Pinterest, you can see different examples so you can try to recreate your favorite.

7.       Repeat for each book- making the mobiles took me about 20-30 minutes per book and took up quite a bit of tape (you’ll need at least a roll of double stick tape for three books).

Now came the fun part- the installation! The store I was working in has really high ceilings, so I used a 2’x4’ grid attached to chain and s-hooks to lower the ceiling. I really like these grids for fun displays like this- once installed you can use a step stool to hang whatever you are hanging really easily (I also used a grid here. I got mine from a local storedisplay store, but I am sure Home Depot has something that would work). I used twine to hang the books and added a few props like a $5 chalkboard (from Hobby Lobby) and some pencils to complete the back to school theme. I put one of each backpack on a chest with a bookshelf of more of the backpacks behind it and I was done! I am very happy with this display and have heard that the backpacks are selling great. If I was to change anything, I would add more books. It was a fun excuse to learn to make something new. Are you creating any displays for back to school?