I am totally loving all the different paper wreaths floating around. I adore books, and book page wreaths are right up my alley. I usually have one or two for sale in my booth at Olde Salem Mercantile.
I particularly love to make wreaths from old hymnals. At first I was a bit hesitant to rip up old hymnals. But I love for the things I decorate my home with to be meaningful, not just pretty. And seeing my hymnal wreath reminds me of all the great old hymns I grew up singing. Once I began looking for old hymnals, I found they are everywhere. I find them at yard sales and thrift stores on a weekly basis – and I seem to be the only person buying them. I would rather use them to make something that is relevant for today’s families than see them sitting around on a thrift store shelf.
That brings me to today’s project. At an estate sale several weeks ago, I found an old Bible that was pretty torn up. When I asked about it, the family running the sale said I could have it for free.
Katie says
Since this Bible is already falling apart, I think its a lovely way to make meaningful art.
Heidi says
I wish I could give you some useful advise. I was raised to believe one should never destroy or disrepect a Bible. On the other hand, maybe someone who saw this would actually be inspired to READ the words they see, instead of dismissing it. When I first read your article I nearly passed out, but really, how is this any different than the millions of bumper stickers, shirts or other art that has scripture written on it? The truth is, it isn’t. The quality is lovely and the spirit of your work is honest, unlike many others who use Bibles in their so-called art.
Gabrielle says
That Bible contained the words G-D wrote for Moses to be shared with the whole world, so others would be taught his love, grace,and that he is going to destroy the world because people aren’t taking him seriously,I would have placed the Bible pages where they went,put a plastic covering over it, and let people who came to the house the words, the love and respect you have for our G_D, and how he as Jesus died for all of our sins.I still have my mother in laws Bible she was born in the 1930’s she passed in 2000.What they have done by putting a good size wreath, they have beat their own chest and said look what I did, but I had to hide the BHave a blessed Day.ible so you would see all the lovely things I made.The hands and feet of Christ, not you.
Carrie says
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I know this is a topic many people feel strongly about and I appreciate your thoughts on it.
Janet Copeland says
I am new to your blog but I saw this and was very happy. I have a bible that got ruined and I cannot bring myself to throw it away and I don’t think it is repairable. So, guess what? I’m going to make this wreath and hang the Word of God in my home so everyone can see it. Then, I can tell the story and who knows what that may lead to. I really love this idea and so glad I found your lesson on how to make this. Thanks
Carrie says
That is awesome Janet! Thank you so much for letting me know. I know people have mixed opinions about this, but I still stand by it being better than throwing it away or even having it collect dust in a closet!
Katie Franck says
I think it’s a good idea….everytime I’d walk by it or look at it would remind me of reading the Bible & the life lessons that you can learn from it………..besides it was falling apart already…(some people need to lighten up a little)
Jelly Bean says
I love this wreath! Do you have a tutorial on how to make one? I especially like the shape of yours!
Thanks!
Tam says
I think you saved it from the trash! It’s beautiful! I too, love books, especially the Bible, but I don’t view this as any dishonor to the written Word , as it was so torn up it would have most likely been pitched soon. The Word of God is living & is to be hidden in our hearts. And we are to reflect that Word in our words & actions toward others. I believe it is a lovely piece – that this Word could be salvaged & now adorns your walls – well done. Blessings!
Gaertegang says
It’s gorgeous I LOVE it!! I agree with many others that you saved it. It’s bring used, rather than being useless & torn apart. I don’t feel you’ve disrespected The Bible and it’s contents by making this beautiful wreath. Everyone has their own opinion, but mine is…..it looks fab!
Jacqueline says
I love it! Hope you share this at my link party tonight.
Felicia says
I really wanted to give you a good honest answer, I had no idea what to say! My first thought is its gorgeous! WOW I love it, I think that I have to make another! (you have to come and see mine! Its a couple posts down on my page). The only worry that I have is that it might make you look bad, people who don’t read your blog wont know that it was already a torn up bible, and think that you have no respect. It may turn people away from your booth with the thought that you tore up a bible. Or if it was on your door, it may give people the wrong first impression. You may forever be explaining yourself. I know you wanted an honest answer so that the best I can do. I did ask my pastor what his thoughts were and he is going to text me back soon. ;-) It doesn’t make me think ill of you!
Felicia says
OK! Second opinion…My pastor said that its really a person to person thing. We are not lacking in bibles, and this one was falling apart. So he didn’t see anything wrong. apart from what I already said to you I think there is nothing to worry about. Also he thinks that is a great way to get people to think about the bible! Its up to you weather or not you want to be explaining it. I would take a piece of the original bible cover, and add that to your middle! Then you can show them how old it really was! Plus the cover was so beautiful! (Sorry for the really long comments!)
Paris says
I think it’s fine, but yes, some people will get upset. I made a book purse out of an old regular book (not a Bible) that I found at a thrift store. Most people loved it, but a few book lovers were horrified. I personally think you saved the Bible from being thrown away.
L.Duncan says
I LOVE IT! But I got to tell you, a lot of people will not appreciate it. DO you not want it in your own home?
JunkStuffTreasures says
Your wreaths are beautiful! I do see the issue here, but personally I feel you saved the book.
Restoration House Interiors says
I want it…I will buy it. I think it’s gorgeous…reminds me of this lady..SIMPLY JOYS PAPERIE (on Etsy).Her wreaths are definitely inspirational and gorgeous! She doesn’t use bibles that I know of but I figure if you hadn’t saved this then it would have been a landfill which definitely would have been better than being recycled (SUPER SARCASM).
When I buy it and receive it, I’ll do a post about it on my blog…
So, how much?
Ms Jackie's Junque says
It was so refreshing to read your post! Your heart is 100% in the right place. Most people wouldn’t think twice about making the wreath out of the worn Bible. But you did. It is wonderful to see people that still respect and fear God.
As for my opinion–I say use the wreath in your home. Or, if you decide to sell it in your booth, maybe you could add a little note to your price tag that it was made from a Bible that was falling apart and that you wanted to save it and preserve it rather than just throwing it away. . . just my two cents. Whatever you decide to do — I’m sure it will be the right decision.
The wreath is beautiful!
Jenny says
I actually have this Bible. At least it looks the same from the cover. Mine is a family heirloom with our family genealogy written in it going back 100’s of years. The Bible is from the late 1800’s.
A history lesson. :o)
Do you know Deuteronomy 6:4-9? Verse 9 says ‘write them on the door frames of your houses & your gates’ talking about the Scripture(the Bible). That verse might be nice framed in the center of your wreath.
Also, centuries ago, the Jewish people actually posted the Scripture on the door posts because of this verse. I think the Orthodox Jews still do it today. They even made little boxes, put the Scripture in them & wore them on their wrist or strapped to the forehead to help them remember God’s Word.
I couldn’t make a craft out of the Bible(or buy one) myself but I would frame special Scriptures from a Bible that’s falling apart if it wasn’t sentimental to me.
The White Silk Purse (Dana) says
I LOVE your Bible Wreath. I think it would make a lovely Christmas accent.
What a lovely way to save pages of scripture from the rubbish bin and incorporate the WORD into your home.
Crafty Mischief says
I love it! Well done!
Bobbie Grant says
I think it is a beautiful reminder. It would be in the garbage otherwise. I agree with the person who quoted the scripture about having the Bible all through your home. My step-mom stenciled scripture everywhere in our house and I loved it. People won’t always agree, but I think it’s lovely!
Mrs T says
I just used a Bible in my decor that was NOT falling apart but just a translation we never use. I lined the back of my newly built bookcase with it. Everyone loves it!
I am wanting to do a wreath with the rest of the pages. I believe the Word should be posted all over the house and it makes people stop, look and ask (which opens up some Scripture talk!) than an un-used Bible on the shelf or table.
LOVE you wreath! keep it up!
Carrie @ lovely etc. says
I just wanted to thank everyone for giving their thoughts on this subject. I have replied to everyone with an email address attached to their profile. But for those who do not, I really appreciate you taking the time to give such thoughtful comments. I am not sure yet what I will do but all of the comments have been refreshingly honest and respectful. Thanks so much.
Deborah March says
I think it’s a lovely, meaningful, heartfelt way to use a special book that would likely otherwise be headed for the trash. It’s beautifully done, and I would be thrilled to have a special place for it in my home…as will other customers, I am certain. All customers do not have to agree…the beauty of art is in the eye and the heart of its beholder.
Liz says
I think your safe in recycling the book. Do you explain how you made this anywhere? I would love love love to make 3 to pin above my bed.
Ashley says
i made a vintage looking bust out of an old dress form and bible pages…i destroyed a bible making it and i felt bad about it…i made it to go in my daughters room because she has a strong faith…i had a feeling some people would say something about it but they didn’t…the comments left on your blog actually made me feel better..i believe that i used it in a respectful way…now my daughter can say that her mom made her a project that she can look at and be reminded of all of her favorite books of the bible…
Corinna says
This is absolutely GORGEOUS! I think the friend who told you that she thought it was terrible is rude. Geesh. That bible was going to be trashed….did she think that was the better option? I think it’s wonderful that you took something that was going to be THROWN AWAY and made a beautiful work of art from it. I am inspired to do this myself from an old bible we have of my husband’s parents that is falling apart (I can’t bring myself to put it in the trash!) Thanks for the inspiration.
As for selling this in your booth, why don’t you consider putting a small tag or card on there explaining that you saved the bible from the trash? I would totally buy this in a store!
karla says
I love the this wreath and the many book projects I have been seeing lately. I wish I had discovered these before my husband threw away a set of encyclopedias. (we tried to give them away to every thrift store and no one would take them.) thanks for sharing your art.
Natalie says
This wreath is just beautiful! Love the simplicity of it!!
Sara says
Well – which is worse – in a box in the garage, collecting dust on a shelf or displayed and starting conversation on the wall?
I have a hard time throwing out leftover sheets of scripture I’ve printed from online for my kids to memorize – it’s just hard to throw it away – ya’ know? In fact – we have an inaccurate translation of the Bible that some door to door witnesses left with us and I’m having a hard time knowing what to do with it. A great deal of it is correct, but some of it has been mistranslated. I don’t want to pass it along but I don’t want to just throw it away either.
Maybe I could pick and choose pages to craft with… (Though some of my favorite scriptures are the ones that are mistranslated…)
I love the wreath!
I’m visiting from the Best of 2011 at Funky Junk!
Sara
http://www.TheOtherEndOfTheCandle.com
Anonymous says
Hi Im Stacey and I came across this page while searching for something else.
I dont think its terrible at all…the Bible is a sacred piece of parchment yes but its been copied 1000 times over into books that we read. Its just a book at the end of the day and whatever you learn from the Bible should be in your heart and head and in everyday life, not in a book. Oh and BTW I am a Ministers daughter and my father taught me that! So my advice, keep doing what you doing because to see the Bible in a place in your home that means something to you, rather that collecting dust is beautiful.
Catey says
Do you have instructions on how to make these anywhere? I adore this idea and I already found an amazing old bible at a thrift store.
Anonymous says
I think it is gorgeous and I feel since you made it for your home and not for sale, it is definitely not being disrespected. I am sure this will become a family heirloom and you will value it always. You were meant to find it and turn it into something beautiful.
V Barber says
I also think it’s beautiful and, in a way, it can be more meaningful this way than it could when it was falling apart on a shelf. How many people would have ever seen it if you had left it there? But now, thanks to this project, who knows how many have seen it and been reminded of the Bible itself, the times they read it, learned from, the morals of their childhood? Isn’t that what the Bible is supposed to do?
In this day and age where you can’t pray in public or schools or discuss religion unless it’s in a political sense I think this is lovely way to remind people of what’s really important and the values that matter.
Anonymous says
I had an old, falling apart Bible and felt the same way. I was struggling and struggling with whether I should do something with it…I asked the Holy Spirit and He said, “Sure.” :)
Anonymous says
I think it is something God would do. He makes beautiful things out of the broken and the falling apart. He wants you to use the gifts He gave you to glorify Him. I think you did just that.
Melissa says
Best answer!
Anonymous says
I love your wreath! As for selling them in your booth, perhaps you could post a sign saying something like “Custom wreaths available: children’s books for a nursery, favorite authors for a library/reading nook, or the Bible for any room where you would like to see His word all the time.” Thanks for sharing! Gay Boston, TX
Tess Crawford says
Dear Carrie,
I struggled with this same thing for a long time. We Americans have so many Bibles on our shelves we take them for granted. My family and I served as missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Indonesia for 10 years where I learned first-hand the preciousness of God’s written and/or spoken Word to people who have no Bible in their own language. That was part of my struggle. But I came to this conclusion and wrote about it on my blog, “God receives no glory from a falling apart Bible shoved to the dusty far-reaches of a bookshelf. But He DOES receive glory when I showcase this Bible in art that seeks to shine a light on who He is!” I love that when I take that falling apart dusty Bible from the back of my closet, I can get it out where other people can see it and be encouraged by it! I, too, want the beauty in my house and office to be meaningful. I was so surprised to find that the one person (a very elderly woman) whom I thought would really have a trouble with my “tearing up” a Bible absolutely loves what I’ve done with it and went so far as to GIVE me her own mother’s dusty, shelf-sitting Bible! I am a church secretary. My worship art wreaths (all using Bible pages) get hung on my office door. I have had no one say they disagree with my use of the Bible… even the Pastors (both men) love my work. I say this to encourage you. If it’s sitting on a shelf or in a yard sale box collecting dust, get it out and make it say something about who God is!! I love your wreath and found it while looking for ideas for my next worship art wreath for my office door… a spring theme. If you’d like to see my wreaths, check them out here: http://wp.me/pq3z9-5G
Carrie says
Thanks for your comment. I love the perspective you offer about how there are those in other countries who truly treasure the Bible as the word of God. Many of us here say we treasure it, but we really just mean we keep it nice – and largely unread. Your wreaths sound great – I am definitely going to check them out.
Lanae says
I love this. Would you please show in detail how you made it? Did you hot glue the pages? What did you post it to so that you could hanging it? I will be making one, but I would rather make it correctly the first time, instead of re-inventing the wheel. :) I think I will buy a new bible with the silver edging. I want to put a medallion in the middle with the scripture verse we used on my Mother’s headstone – God is Love. 1 John 4. This will be the decor over the guest bedroom head board. Thanks so much for this awesome idea!
Carrie says
I love your idea of adding a favorite verse to the middle. I have had a few requests for a tutorial of this so I will try to get one posted in the next few weeks.
Carol says
i think it is totally great! i want to do the same thing in my booth in texas, but as we live in STRONGLY church-oriented community, my husband advised me not to. however, i think that posting the pic of the abused Bible is a great way to show the discontents that you REALLY did save it and are spreading Scripture in your own way. i’m gonna give it a try–if i never sell another thing, i’ll know the answer to my own situation-my community is not ready to embrace this way of reading the Bible.
Carrie says
Carol, Thank for the comment. It really does seem silly to keep a broken, abused Bible around to be ‘sacred’ when it could still be out where people can see it, doing good. Good luck with selling your own Bible wreath – if nothing else maybe it will make some people really think about how they view the Bible. Sometimes a bit of controversy can be a really good thing.
Mel says
Growing up, I was taught it was wrong to write in your bible or fold the pages, etc. But then as a teenager, I heard a pastor say that he loved seeing old bibles that were falling apart and had writing in every margin. It shows that the bible was loved and studied over. It was a representation of the owner’s love for the Word. I understand both points of view, but I just love the wreath. If I were to enter your home and see that hanging on the wall, I would think that you were someone with a love for the bible. After all, you are using it to beautify the place that you love most in the world…home.
Carrie says
Mel, When I was younger, I definitely used to write and highlight in my Bible like crazy. I remember one Bible I had that the cover literally broke in half. And thanks! I really love that wreath too!
Jennifer says
I’m Catholic. I was raised Catholic, and went to Catholic School. My parents were also raised Catholic, and my Mother is still Very Catholic. My Father passed away 5 years ago. She is still very involved in the Church at 77 years old. I’m Catholic, just not the best practicing Catholic. My husband and I live on 3 plus acres in the Tx Hill Country. The reason I say all this is because about once a month my husband will go out and burn trees and what not. My Mom had an old Bible and asked me when he was going to burn again. She said that when a Bible get that torn up after years of good use, Catholics, should burn or bury a Bible, Rosaries or Crucifixes. That might not go over well these days with not knowing the metals they could have been made out of, but that’s with Catholic tradition. I saw this craft idea, showed it to my Mother and she thought it was a Beautiful idea.
Carrie says
Thank you so much for sharing! I didn’t realize that was a practice of the Catholic faith. I always love hearing the traditions of different groups and being reminded that there are many different ways to do things.
Nancy says
I searched for this exact craft & found this wonderful discussion which has gone on over 10 years. I appreciate all the thoughtful insights shared. Having been a practicing lifelong Christian I agree with others that this is another way to share faith. I know nowadays Christian symbols are too often used simply as decor (home or body) and don’t reflect the life of the one displaying them. But – God is God and has and can continue to use imperfect humans to show his love for us – and we can’t know how turning an old Bible into a wreath might do that. I do especially love the idea of highlighting specific verses in the center. Maybe there might be a way to even change the center verse(s) out for the season?
And related to the craft idea – I love up-cycling and with lots of Bibles (and hymnals) in my home I’d definitely prefer to create something beautiful than to even send them to paper recycling. Even donating becomes impractical at some point (& I always consider that).
So – Thank You again for this wonderful idea and sharing!
Carrie says
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I agree – I would much rather find a use for something than throw it away or even have it sit on a shelf for years and years!
Verna says
Beautiful! I have Bibles from at least 6 deceased family members. Many of theirs and mine are falling apart; cannot be repaired. What a lovely idea. Also like idea of piece of cover in the middle
Carrie says
Yes, this would be a great way to keep your family Bibles somewhere they can be appreciated and remembered!