If you have been following along, you know I am a huge fan of thoughtful gift making. The challenge of thinking of the perfect gift can be really difficult but the reward of giving something meaningful makes it worth it.

This emoji bookmark was perfect for my brother-in-law, Cole. Not only does he still read actual books (which is rare in these e-reader times) but he is a master at figuring out the perfect emojis to go with his photography. Seriously, it is an art form on top of his art form. Just take a look here.

Without going into too much detail about how the actual emojis were made, I wanted to give you my patterns for the bases and the basic construction on how to make the bookmark interchangeable.

Get your free base patterns HERE. Print out, cut out and then use as a guide.

In each of these photos, you can see the different layers of each emoji to give you an idea on how to put them together. If there is an emoji you love that is not pictured here, all you need to do is print it out on at the size you want, cut it out and use it as a pattern and guide.

Don’t you hate when you forget to photograph something! I am sorry to leave this little lantern out but the pieces are pretty simple, with a middle, top and bottom on a square base.

When all of your emojis are completed, grab some elastic and hot glue a plain base in the middle. Hot glue the scratchy side of a small velcro circle to the middle of the base and the soft side of those same velcro circles to the backs of all of your emoji bases!

I know it’s hard to believe but that’s it! You can make your emojis as detailed or as simple as you want.

As someone who loves options this bookmark is the perfect way to express your vibe for the day without even having to say a word. And for someone like Cole, a photographer and arts educator, I hope this is just another way that he can visually express himself!