Hi Friends! Today I am sharing a project inspired by an abundance of Reader’s Digest condensed book that arrived at my local library. They were donations for the book sale but history shows these do not sell (not even for a 25 cents) but they were in really good condition and the patterns on the covers were lovely so the librarian asked me if I could use them in a craft. I thought that it would be cool to turn them into something that would sell and bring in some money for library programs. Check out the DIY book safe project:
I am curious as to what you would pay for one of these considering it is a fundraiser. I think it would be cool for gifting money or gift cards (or even an MP3 player or some other gadget) for the holidays. Imagine how surprised a kid would be to open this book up and find an ipod or money! It would be cool for indoor letter-boxing too! I am hoping that we can get a group of library patrons to volunteer to make some of these. The librarian says we can make a party of it, how fun would that be!?! Please feel free to take this idea and use it for your next library fundraiser too. I have some ideas planned for using up the paper rectangles we cut out of these too so they won’t go to waste either. If you have any ideas for the middles let me know! Let’s save unwanted book from the landfills. Thanks so much for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!
The Frugal Crafter Blog 
Good use for an old book that would end up in the dumpster. I’ve seen these done as mixed media art books too with charms, small dolls, etc. inside. I have no idea what people would pay for them because I make everything too. When I make something and show it to the non crafters to ask what they would pay I’m sometimes shocked at how little and sometimes how much they would pay. It depends on the person I guess.
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i think these are awesome. I would sell them for no less than $10 each. I just bought a very simple version out of plastic at target last christmas and it barely looks like a book…lol, and i paid $20. Had I known I could make it myself without a bunch of tools, I would have. So I would say at least $10. That is a good price.
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I read in awe every time you post on your blog. The ideas you come up with along with your electrifying energy is nothing short of amazing. This is a brilliant idea. Wish I were closer to take part in helping out the fundraiser. Keep those ideas flowing. And good luck with this one.
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I agree $10 sounds like a fair price. I really like the idea. I have seen these made into vintage window type things also. You would have to youtube it but they are very pretty. Love your videos!
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Awesome idea, I agree $10.00 seems fair but you could try for $15.00 as the money is going to a good cause and they are buying a super cool item
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Hello Lindsay,
How much would I pay for a library fundraiser book safe? Not only would I spend upwards of $ 20.00 for the book as a fundraiser, I would pitch in more cuz YOU made it! I would certainly give more…, if there was still money left after paying all those monthly bills. It is a great fundraiser idea, and like you said, it keeps them out of the landfill. I would get one, just to have the hard work all done for me. Then I would have all the fun decorating it and filling it with something fun. Then I would get one to hide stuff in and put in with the cookbooks. (Thieves went through all my friend’s books in her bookcase, looking for money, the police told her. Such is life….
You always put me in such a good mood when I watch your videos, which I enjoy doing in the morning with my huge cuppa coffee and hear you laugh and of course, talk in “MaineSpeak.”
My daughter married a young man, whose family and friends eagerly await the happy couple to move to the family home in Maine and they want us too! Maybe I too will pick up your wonderful New England accent. The wonderful family and friends all live in Cape Elizabeth. Who knows, when we come for a visit, maybe I can let you know and if you have the time, we could meet. (I am not weird, just love ya!)
Anyway, good luck cutting deeply into all those books and selling each and every one of them.
Sincerely, Cheryl K. Johnson ( Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho)
Sent from my iPad
>
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fabulous idea. you know, around Halloween you can as well choose if possible a reader digest book about witches or sorcery and place an empty perfume bottle fill with purple water (food coloring) change the label for a skull and there you have , you own secret poison hiding place 🙂 lovely tutorial , I love your dynamism have a gorgeous day:)
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I think about $10 would be good. You could even put a little treasure in the safe when you sell it. They really are a great thing to have and so easy to make.
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Such a great idea for a fund raiser!! I’m going to pass this along to our local librarian ….she will love it!! Thanks again Lindsay for another great tut!
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Your ideas blow me away ! Hubby & me love your videos & your energy.
I Love the book safe idea, we have saved books from our Library book sales for as little as 10 cents, the thought of them being trashed is sad. $10 – $15 sounds good for the area we live, but if you signed it, then I would say you need to add $$ to that price.
I have seen neat pages made that they use stamps that looked like newsprint as the whole BG.then added colorful stampings, paper, etc. could you use some of the books for that ?
The aged pages would look great for projects with all kinds of vintage images. Ladies in hats and floral are my faves.
Blessings to all, Holly Hot Springs, AR
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I agree and with one of your tags in each one- it would be a real treat!
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sorry to say, that recycled crafts are expected to go cheap, despite your time & materials. Maybe $10. I’d like to see some embellishments on the outside, but that blows it’s cover, as a “safe”.
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Great idea! The first altered book I made was from one of these types of books. The lady teaching the class had prepared some beforehand where the last 1″ or so of pages had been glued together, then used small, empty matchboxes in the glued area as drawers. The rectangle of text could be printed on with a Gelli plate, stamped on (silhouette images would look great), cut with a Big Shot, or otherwise altered. I love using book text in different things. Last year I used some as a second layer over fabric that was mod-podged and turned into a hanging ornament for Christmas gifts. So many ideas…
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Really loved this tutorial, will def have a go, I would happily pay £7.00 in the UK
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Thanks for the step-by-step directions and the commentary, Lindsay. What a great idea as a book safe, but also as a gift box for a special occasion.
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I LOVE Reader’s Digest condensed books and would definitely buy them to read — then alter! I’ve been looking for books that size to make Halloween Potions and Spells books and put little vials in them. Shall have to make a trip to my local library!
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Love the idea.
We just posted on Craig’s List 300+ RDC books (must take all) for free. They were gone within one hour !
I might have kept a couple out for this idea.
I think using an inside page of a book as a border layer in making cards would look good.
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$10 each or to encourage more sells, offer 3 for $25.
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Those are fun to make. I was thinking at least 15.00
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You asked for feedback about something to do with the middle pages of the book. I think it would be fun to stamp or draw on them with colored pencils, like you’ve done in a previous tutorial with the orange poppy, then glue several of the sheets behind it to give it the added strength it would need to hold up and then you could either leave it, modpodge it, or cover it with clear contact paper (a cheap and easy way of laminating).
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I like this idea for a gift box as you suggested. But around here there are so many crafters that it’s really difficult to sell any, so I can’t offer a suggestion for pricing. I guess it all depends on the market that exists where you are.
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Your timing is perfect. We tried to order book safes for geocaching at our library, but the order was cancelled. Now I can make them for nearly free. Thank you for sharing.
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I think they could sell for $25 at a library fundraiser.
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♥!♥♥
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Im in to help make them!!! $10-15. Sounds like we could sell the ones you make here to benefit the library too!!
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great Lorraine, I think we are looking at Nov the 18th!
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