This is a super project for repurposing those Victorian books that no one reads any more. They usually have gorgeous covers with embossing and gold printing on them.

You often see these going cheap in thrift stores, but remember to google the title and author to make sure you’re not going to destroy a valuable or rare book. 

If you don’t have a use for a clutch bag, you can use it as a safe for your valuables instead, hiding in plain sight on your bookcase.