I spend a lot of time in Italy, and whenever I'm there, I make sure to visit Florence. This Tuscan city is known for its handmade papers. For centuries, artisans there have been perfecting their craft of making exquisite papers in a variety of styles and designs. Florence is one of the only places where you can still watch these skilled workers creating their art. I have a few favorite paper shops, and whenever I'm there, I make sure to stop in and buy a few sheets of whatever unique designs catch my eye.

I've used these special Florentine papers to create one-of-a-kind bookmarks. The paper is mounted on heavy stock, and tied with a strip of suede, so that you can easily find your place in a book. The back is left blank, so that you can add a name, date, or note if you like.

The bookmarks are approximately 6 inches long and 1.75 inches wide. Due to the handmade nature of the paper, colors and designs may vary slightly from the photos. No two bookmarks are ever alike.