Bookmarks
An experiment in adapting designs for a different medium
After my Etsy store had been around for a year, I wanted to refresh it with new products.
But I didn't want to design more pins. That takes a lot of time, and I'd spend a chunk of money because of minimum quantities. I wanted something low risk and quick.
I had come across bookmarks on Etsy, and some were outstanding. So I decided to translate some of my pin designs to bookmarks.
Bookmark designs can be inspired by anything, but I chose my book-related pins to start: Beary Bookish; No Risk, No Story; and Writers Gonna Write.
Hang on to your pearls
If you've already looked at my bookmarks on Etsy, you know about the side-eye in the room. So what's with the m-f- bookmark?
I was friends with a woman named Georgia. We used to hang out in her living room and moan about life. Well, I did most of the moaning, then she's offered sage advice while high on pot.
During that time some politicians were criticizing Nancy Pelosi's performance as Speaker of the House, a position she had recently stepped down from. One day I went to see Georgia, and when we started discussing current events, she exploded.
"Pelosi ran that bitch like a motherfucker!"
"Motherfucker" can mean two things: 1) a despicable person or 2) someone respectfully formidable. Georgia is a staunch Democrat. Context is everything.
Fast forward 15 years or so. I was trying to write some essays and was stopped dead by imposter syndrome and trauma. But some days I pulled myself together and rage-wrote for hours. I needed a physical reminder to push through like that, so I created the Write Like a Motherfucker bookmark. Thanks, Georgia.
How about some deadpan humor?
But that's not the black sheep of my bookmark collection. The one with the alien is. I mean it's still related to books through a play on words, but the joke is less straightforward.
The bookmark was inspired by a trip to Hattiesburg. I was there to visit a childhood friend, and on my last day in town, we were to meet for brunch. I arrived early and admired some random art. One of them featured the words "This must be the place."
I don't know why it stuck with me, but when I was making my bookmarks, I thought, That would totally work.
I wanted to do humor and eventually came up with this design. I don't know if people appreciate it, but I do.
And that's the story behind my paper placeholders. You know what's ironic about bookmarks and me? I much prefer audiobooks.
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