Magical Resin Crystals DIY

Do you love crystals as much as I do? I'm obsessed with them...The stories behind them, the powers they possess and of course, the beauty they have.  I decided to make some of my own crystals (using this amazing silicone mold I found on the internet) and fill them with gold leaf flakes and good thoughts.  Now I have my own special crystals filled with just the things that are important to me.  You could even put a personal charm inside that might mean something special to you!  Heck, fill them with whatever you like!  Remember sweet friends, stay creative and always MAKE YOUR MARK!

Marabu Alcohol Inks give the perfect amount of color and work 

beautifully with resin!

Everything I used for this project:

Famowood Glaze Coat Resin: https://amzn.to/30GJc4P Marabu Alcohol Inks: https://bit.ly/3dcKlrR Gold Leaf: https://amzn.to/3wxmrzZ Crystal Silicone Molds: https://amzn.to/3ug0JRq Aquarium Glass: https://amzn.to/3ibwDd2

Watch how to make them here OR watch how to make them (and many more things)

on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/x-etxhOZdhA

Try different color combinations and fill them with things like special jewelry pieces, saint medals or small stones from your last amazing trip!

While you're pouring the resin, think about amazing things that have happened in your life OR think about the things you want to happen in your life!  Yes, I know, very hippy dippy, but I love having reminders that our lives can be what we make them!

Wishing you all good energy and love!

Gorgeous Happy Mail Ideas!

Ask anyone who knows me...I love to write letters.  I'll stick anything inside of an envelope and glue almost anything to the outside.  If it looks like an absolute crazy person put it together, well, then you'll know it's from me.  I'm obsessed with mail and how our postal system works and I love that you can slap a stamp on something and that it takes a journey across the sky to someone you love.  This particular project reminded me of Gustav Klimt, one of my favorite artists.  I love his use of gold leaf in his work and I thought these envelopes, with their metallic gold patterns, gave that Klimt-esque feeling.  Do you like to send Happy Mail? I'd love to hear about what you make in the comments!  Sending all of you big hugs and a nudge to get out there and MAKE YOUR MARK!

The bottom of a votive candle glass and some sprigs from my garden 

make the most beautiful faux wax seals!

I used my Gel Press to get all of these amazing colors and patterns!

Everything I used for this project:

Awesome Gel Press Products: https://amzn.to/364hn95 DecoArt Gold Paint: https://bit.ly/3dQbqmA & https://bit.ly/36kH8UY Surebonder Glue Guns & Products: https://amzn.to/3bOpfiZ Stencils I used: https://amzn.to/3jWwoUP

Watch the video here OR

watch how I make these envelopes on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/PxmkKffTuIU

Nothing like getting a beautiful, handmade card in the mail, right?!

Hot glue with my "M" seal...Just love that one!

This seal was made with a brass button attached to a small dowel!  

Write on, my crafty friends!

BOHO SCRAP FABRIC FLOWERS

Raise your scissors if you have a box of scrap fabrics that you just can't toss?  I see a lot of scissors in the air right now!  Well, grab that box and start making these colorful BOHO SCRAP FABRIC FLOWERS!  Slap them on everything from gift bags to your favorite hat. Heck, they would even make a fun kid's award ribbon.  Use Christmas colors and you can even use them to decorate a funky boho tree.  I put these together with a simple glue gun and if you follow me, you know my glue gun of choice is a SUREBONDER.  I just love their products and they have a detail glue gun that will knock your socks off!  Now, are you ready to get out there and MAKE YOUR MARK?!  I know you are!

Just love looking at all the colors!

Yep, I went a little nuts making these!

Watch how to make them here or 

watch this video on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/7B-cJckxSNM

Put them on a gift bag or turn them into the most fabulous greeting card!

Just have fun with color!

You've got the flower power!

Scrap Wood Mirror DIY

Being a full-time DIYer, I end up with tons of scrap wood in every shape and size.  Also being a bit of a hoarder, I pick up scrap wood whenever I see it for future projects!  This scrap wood mirror started off as slats for a bed frame and ended up being a lovely entry mirror on my front porch!  Use what you have, upcycle what you can and don't be afraid to turn trash into treasure!  Now get out there and MAKE YOUR MARK!

My house is painted a gorgeous green and this mirror worked perfectly with it!

I almost didn't want to paint it, but I LOVE color!

Everything I used for this project:

Americana Acrylics: https://amzn.to/2UFQwgQ Spray Sealer: https://amzn.to/3gUGlAH Amazing Goop II Max: https://amzn.to/2ZptldN

Watch the video here OR

Watch how to make it on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/C-5a23EPTuA

Loved the 70s color combination here!

Who is the fairest of them all?

"Paint" like Van Gogh with Oil Pastels

Have you heard about the Van Gogh immersive experience that's been a huge hit around the world? So far over 2 million people have enjoyed it.  I haven't been yet, but I'm excited to go!  To celebrate this event I created a Van Gogh inspired mirror using Van Gogh Oil Pastels from Royal Talens.  It was so easy to get that impasto feel using pastels by simply painting the base of my wood mirror in a dark blue.  I call it the impostor impasto technique! It was a relaxing way to study Starry night which was my inspiration for this mirror.  Even though I didn't interpret it literally, I was able to get the look of it with these amazing highly pigmented oil pastels!  Make sure to check out the beautiful Royal Talens craft supplies!  Now get out there and Make Your Mark!

Of course you photograph anything Van Gogh with sunflowers!

Small strokes in bold colors make the perfect imposter impasto!

Everything I used for this project here:

Royal Talens Oil Pastels Set of 12: https://bit.ly/3xVEcKn Royal Talens Oil Pastels Set of 24: https://amzn.to/3dlPVtF Royal Talens Oil Pastels Set of 60: https://amzn.to/2U8l50O Royal Talens Pastel Varnish: https://bit.ly/3haZbSG Fish Tank Glass: https://amzn.to/35TLeTQ E6000 Glue: https://amzn.to/2VfF248 Dark Blue Matte Chalky Finish: https://bit.ly/3jjCa2x

Watch how to make this mirror here OR watch

how to make it on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/ehgUHam07Fk

Love the crushed fish tank glass!  It gives the mirror more dimension and softened the 

edges of the mirror

Paint like a master!

Scrap Wood & Scrap Fabric Fridas

Waterslide decals and iron-on tshirt transfers are my jam!  Growing up I used to make elaborate stencils with contact paper and spray paint the shapes on my t-shirts because there was just no way to make an at-home transfer.  Now, with a home computer and inkjet printer you can transfer ANY image onto almost any substrate.  I used waterslide decals on raw wood and tshirt transfer paper for these funky Frida Art Dolls.  Holiday gifts are already being made my sweet friends!  Watch how I made these and perhaps they'll inspire you to create some of your own.  Heck, use photos of your kids with fun paper doll bodies.  If you can make it on a computer you can print it out and transfer it.  Have fun and Make Your Mark! 

The fabulous Fridas!

I used scrap wood for the paddle dolls.

Everything I used for this project:

Hiipoo Inkjet T-shirt Transfer for Dark Fabrics: https://amzn.to/2W68BrM

Hiipoo Inkjet Waterslide Decal transfers: https://amzn.to/3eJRS41

MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Watch how to make them here OR

Watch how I made these on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/6AJWeanvm30

Make these smaller for ornaments and hang them on your holiday tree!

Take part in ART!

Beautiful Happy Mail Ideas

You might know by now that I love happy mail.  I love making it, sending it and getting it!  These Gustav Klimt inspired pieces are from my latest batch.  I even went faux wax seal crazy with hot glue and foliage from my backyard.  I used the bottom of a flat drinking glass and some good, clear hot glue from Surebonder!  It's a great way to seal a letter and it looks just beautiful!  Why not make someone's day and send them a little hello with a stamp on it?  I'll bet you'll get one in return!

My stack of Klimt inspired stationery

Hot glue "wax" seals using the bottom of a glass

Why not add a seal on the card inside, too!

Love the look of this little daisy!

Everything I used for this project:

Awesome Gel Press Products: https://amzn.to/364hn95 DecoArt Gold Paint: https://bit.ly/3dQbqmA & https://bit.ly/36kH8UY Surebonder Glue Guns & Products: https://amzn.to/3bOpfiZ Stencils I used: https://amzn.to/3jWwoUP ART SPRAYS...Put these in a spray bottle: https://amzn.to/3jWNBNV MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Watch how to make this Klimt inspired happy mail here!

Surebonder makes colorful glue stiks in every color you can think of!

Make someone's day and send out some happy mail!