Meet Kimo Pokini - Artist, Crafter, Designer

Meet the artist/crafter/designer Kimo Pokini and check out the 5 things he can't create without! I first noticed Kimo's work on YouTube and immediately subscribed. He's a huge fan of color, collage & upcycling AND a terrific person to follow. TONS of awesome inspiration for you! 

Let's show Kimo some love, ok!

HERE ARE THE 5 THINGS HE CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT (with links)
1. Kimo's favorite paper pads for decoupage, collage & paper flowers are DEEP BLOSSOMS 12" X 12" PAPER PADS: https://etsy.me/3eO7VvD
2. Kimo's favorite scented body wash reminds him of growing up in Hawaii and helps get his day off to an amazing start - KORRES GUAVA MANGO RENEWING BODY CLEANSER: https://bit.ly/2BV4RPy
3. Kimo uses these oil based pens on fabric & they work perfectly - US ART SUPPLY 36 PACK (18 colors) https://amzn.to/3gpUJ0v
4. Kimo's love of carbon paper helps him transfer shapes and images easily and you can grab it almost anywhere: https://amzn.to/3eLDE0w
5. Kimo's favorite butcher paper for covering his work table, gift wrapping & sign making is from DISCOUNT SCHOOL SUPPLY: https://bit.ly/3dK9nO9
MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW HIM HERE:
Instagram: https://bit.ly/2AmtAMu
FB: https://bit.ly/2BXy0JS
Kimo Craft on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3dJzzIV

Vintage Pins Made with Hot Glue

Last year I started working with Surebonder, the makers of amazing glue guns and wonderful glue sticks!  I've always loved their products, but I finally got to meet up with the powers that be and they challenged me to use their hot glue in unconventional ways.  Since January I've been hunkered away in my craft lab going nuts!  These hot glue brooches were really fun to figure out, and when I did I couldn't stop making them.  A smooth silicone mat & some favorite images and you're on your way to having a jacket full of funky pins!  Now, a lot of people ask me about wearing hot glue jewelry in the heat and my answer is always is, "Unless you live on the sun, you'll be just fine!"  Low temp glue melts at 250° and  high temp glue sticks melt at 400°.  That's pretty hot, baby!  Figure out different ways to use things you already have and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

Some of my favorite images!

A little ribbon bow looks amazing on these!

You can grab pearl trim almost anywhere!

A super smooth silicone mat is crucial to being able to see the images!

Here's what I used:
Smooth/Shiny Silicone Mat: https://amzn.to/2M2Q870 Surebonder: https://amzn.to/3bOpfiZ MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Watch how to make them here OR
Watch the video on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/VVoI7QmvQ3w

Even strips of scrap fabric make terrific little bows!

Pin it to WIN it!

Cosmic Shimmer Tyvek Beads

I've always LOVED beads.  I think they were my first love other than Peanut Butter Crunch...the reason I will never have a six pack.  Making my own beads is a thrill every time I come up with a new color, design or material to use.  These Tyvek beads are so glittery, I want to use them with everything!  I grabbed Cosmic Shimmer Gilding Polish from Joggles.com and was able to apply the most beautiful metallic colors to the Tyvek paper before I melted them and then added even more glitter with my varnish finish. Watch the video below to see how they're made.  The result is out of this world!  Making things will make you happy, my sweet friends...I promise!  

Now get out there and Make Your Mark!

One day I'll just wear tons of these with a bright caftan and drink cocktails all day!

I chose large gold spacers, but you could use any kind of bead with them!

Tyvek Sheets: https://bit.ly/36Hx1sA Cosmic Shimmer Gilding Polish: https://bit.ly/3fjUDYn Ranger Inkssentials Mini Ink Blending Tool: https://bit.ly/2YBCbEC www.Joggles.com MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Watch how to make them here OR

Watch the video on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/BJyxTa6Z0TE

I love using waxed cord for my larger bead strands...it's so easy to use!

BEAD-utiful!

Mid-Century Art - From Thrift Store Art

One of the first places I hit in a thrift store is the art section.  Quite often you can find amazing art by random people that's perfect for your home OR you can find terrible art with an awesome frame that's perfect for a project like this!  Using some simple disposable DIY stencils and a couple of terrible $5 art pieces,  I was able to create some fun, mid-century inspired masterpieces perfect for my pad.  Since Alexander Calder is one of my favorite artists, I used his work as inspiration, but a quick internet search will give you tons of mid-century inspiration for a project like this!  If you don't love something, sweet friends, then just paint over it and turn it into something you do love!  

Also, don't forget to Make Your Mark!

Like jelly beans!

Love the touch of light blue in the upper right!

Paints I used for this project:

DecoArt Traditions Acrylics: https://bit.ly/2pFn3ag MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Watch how to paint these here OR
Watch the video on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/7WEi3X8ixRA

Hope I didn't paint over a priceless masterpiece!

Make art, sweet friends!

Scrap Wood Robots

I do most of the repairs around my house, and as you know I always keep the scraps of everything from fabric & paper to wood and tin.  When the scrap boxes start to overflow, it's time to use them for a project like these funky little robots! A little glue, paint and some leftover bits from my junk drawers and BOOM!  There are no rules other than to try to give them the cutest faces possible.  Here's a secret, BIG eyes are the key!  Thank you very mucho Mr. Roboto and don't forget to 

Make Your Mark, OK!

Hanging out with the gang!

We ARE smiling!

Watch how to make them here OR

Watch the video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/6XSNhu55B70

Stuff I used:

Americana Acrylics: https://amzn.to/39w19qM E6000 Plus: https://amzn.to/30GJc4P MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Friends

Happy crafting!

Tin Can Chandelier

Much like glass jars, I also save tin cans.  If you have any doubt in your mind, I do have hoarder tendencies!  This leafy chandelier definitely needs some beads and crystals but even in this simple incarnation, I love the way it looks.   The shadows it gives are magical!  Now, lots of folks are scared of cutting tin, and though it can be sharp and scratchy, just pop on some cheap gloves and you'll have nothing to worry about!  Also, make sure to use tin shears that cut with a serrated edge.  This keeps the edge of the tin dull so you can't cut yourself.  Give everything a second life, my amazing-creative friends, and always Make Your Mark!

A pretty, clear bulb looks best!

What I used for this project:

Amazing Goop II Max: https://amzn.to/2ZptldN

My Serrated Tin Shears: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006V8777O/

My pile of tin can leaves

Watch how to make it here OR

Watch how to make it on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/7WEi3X8ixRA

Let the light in!

Newspaper Earrings

I started making paper earrings in college for extra money.  I was seriously into the mixed print Memphis style and I always had colorful painted paper scraps left over from my fashion presentations.  Mind you, this was before computers when you had to cut with scissors, paste with actual glue and use rub-on letters instead of picking a font from hundreds on the internet and printing them out from a home computer!  It's soooo much easier now, but I digress.  This paper mache project is a great way to create something that's sturdy enough for jewelry and light enough to keep your lobes in tact!  Plus, you can paint them any way you want.  Heck, use images, too!  I used my Gel Press for the funky patterns which lent to the unpredictable nature of each earring.  Go nuts with recycled materials, my crafty friends, and always

Make Your Mark! 

Perfect for putting in an envelope and sending to a friend!

Define the shapes with a cosmetic sponge and some black paint!

5 or 6 sheets of newspaper and your painted page on top

Watch how to make them here OR

Watch the video on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/brqy2FXAeUQ

Everything I used for this project
Awesome Gel Press Products: https://amzn.to/364hn95 Americana Acrylics: https://amzn.to/2UFQwgQ Triple Thick Gloss Glaze: https://amzn.to/2UIrD4e My favorite hole punch: https://amzn.to/2TCG34P Learn to make paste here: https://youtu.be/3mkrHgiYXG8 MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Ready to assemble

Feeling like a trip to Miami about now!

Extra! Extra!

Thrift Store Table Makeover

It's my classic move...I see the ugliest piece of furniture at the thrift store and I have to grab it.  Partly because I know no one else will and partly because I love the challenge.  This table was sooooo sad that I just couldn't let it sleep in that little thrift store one more night.  Also, this makeover proves that a little paint and some beautiful images can go a very long way in covering up some serious flaws like scratches and chipping!  Always look at the possibilities, my sweet friends, and always 

Make Your Mark!

Some of my favorite images!

Love the harlequin on the corners

Watch how to make it here OR

Watch it on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/F6HL8a7S30Q

Everything I used for this project

OUTDOOR LIVING PAINT: https://amzn.to/2TDSqwF

AMERICANA DECOR TEXTURE: https://amzn.to/2y8qwlr

AMERICANA MATTE DECOUPAGE: https://amzn.to/39kSrM8

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

TRACY MOREAU STENCIL: https://bit.ly/2UD3KKc

HARLEQUIN PRINT: https://bit.ly/2JkOHQ8
FLOWERS: https://bit.ly/2yeBBBJ

Ready for a colorful stack of books and the perfect lamp!