How to Make an Aluminum Journal Cover

Materials and Tools:

hardcover book
aluminum tape
text-weight paper
waxed linen thread
die cutouts
rubber stamps
black ink pad
alcohol inks
rubbing alcohol
glue stick
string
book
beads
cradle
awl
blunt-end needle
craft knife
soft cloth
design wheel
gloves

Steps:

1. Remove pages from the book by cutting close to the inside spine on the front and the back covers with a craft knife.

2. Glue die cuts to the front and back covers of the book.

3. Cover the front and back covers with aluminum tape, overlapping slightly. Rub the aluminum with a soft cloth to emphasize the shapes beneath. Trim the edges slightly larger than the covers, and fold over to the inside.

4. Cover the inside with aluminum tape in the opposite direction.

5. Wearing gloves, add a few drops of alcohol ink to a cotton ball and dab it on the aluminum to add color. Repeat with the desired number of colors. Add alcohol to a cotton ball and dab it over the paint, blending the colors. Let set. Repeat on the inside covers of the book.

6. Roll a design wheel over the aluminum to add texture to the covers.

7. Pat and rub a black ink pad over the raised surfaces.

8. Measure and cut paper for the book's pages. Fold the paper into four signatures. Poke sewing holes in the pages with a book cradle.

9. Poke holes in the book's spine with an awl.

10. Using waxed linen thread, sew in pages with a blunt needle.

11. Add beads and charms to the spine of the cover.