This project is suitable for Webelos working on their Craftsman activity badge. It is simple enough for those not familiar with leatherwork, but it includes the basics of cutting, punching, and stamping.
If you don’t have any scrap leather, check with your local leathercraft store. In our area, the Tandy stores are very friendly to Scout groups and will sometimes give scrap leather at no charge. They also offer workshops for Scouts if you want to do something more complicated.
I am starting Craftsman with my Webelos at our meeting next week and I plan to do this project with them. I like to have the first project be pretty easy so they don’t get overwhelmed and frustrated.
Leather Bookmark
Materials:
• Large pieces of scrap leather
• sturdy scissors
• Leather punch
• Leather stamps
• bowl of water
• sponge
• mallet or hammer
Instructions
1. Cut a piece of leather to approximately 2inches by 6 inches
2. Make small cuts on one narrow end to make fringe
3. On the other narrow end, approximately 1/2 inch from the edge, punch a hole using the punch and mallet.
4. Dip the sponge into the water.
5. Use the sponge to wet the leather just until it changes color.
6. Use the stamps and mallet to stamp a design into the leather.
7. Cut a piece of lacing about 1/8 inch by 6 inches from the remaining scrap leather.
8. Fold the lacing in half and force the folded end through the hole in the bookmark.
9. Bring the loose ends over the top and through the loop poking through the hole. Tighten and adjust as necessary.
Where do you get small scraps of leather?
Local leathercraft shops are a good source. There are some shops in our area which are very generous to Scout groups and will send you home with a big bag of large, usable scraps if you just ask. Some even run low-cost workshops for Scouts.