Resin Butterfly Trays

Not sure how I ended up with 20 of these pressed tin trays from Dollar Tree, but I did.  Pretty sure instinctively I knew that one day inspiration would strike and they would be on hand for a project.  At least that's what my inner hoarder whispers every time I'm at the register or filling my cart late at night online.  While cleaning out my desk I found some beautiful butterfly printouts and it finally came to me...Butterfly trays!  A little paint and some resin in the base to protect them and they look like a million bucks.  Well, not a million, but definitely more than the 99c I paid for them.  Everything can be transformed and made more beautiful, my sweet friends!  Think of the caterpillar and the butterfly while you Make Your Mark!

I can't decide which to keep by my front door for keys and mail...Hmmm.

The perfect little holiday gift!

STUFF I USED:

Famowood Glaze Coat Resin: https://amzn.to/30GJc4P

Xyron Creative Station: https://bit.ly/2yuW31n

www.DecoArt.com

Enchanted & Enchanted Shimmer: https://buddlycrafts.com/search/?q=enchanted+DecoArt

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

Watch how to make these trays here OR

watch the video on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/fKDjwLD7kEs

Using a Xyron Creative Station eliminates the misting and decoupage medium application!

A thin layer of resin looks absolutely beautiful and protects the paper butterflies.

The DecoArt Enchanted and Enchanted Shimmer are my new obsessions!

Tray jolie!

New Year's Eve Statement Necklace

I miss being a fashion designer.  It was everything I ever wanted since I was 13 years old, and my time in NYC making clothes was magical.  One of the best parts of putting together my runway shows was creating the jewelry pieces.  For my shows, it was the bigger the better!  This piece is an homage to that time in my life.  It's big, bold and perfect for a party!  Can you believe that hot glue was used to make the roese? It's such a great way to make jewelry components and it's much quicker than you think.  I may just wear this piece around the house with my bathrobe.  Wear what you want, my fabulous friends, and always Make Your Mark!

Big, bold and beautiful!

It reminds me of Victorian mourning jewelry

I learned how to hammer aluminum wire for this piece.  So much fun!

Everything I used for this project:

Surebonder Glue Guns & Products: https://amzn.to/3bOpfiZ John Bead Aluminum Wire: https://bit.ly/2J6TqYN John Bead Faceted Glass Beads: https://bit.ly/rondellestrands John Bead / Crystal Lane Faceted Teardrops: https://bit.ly/33iKXJ9 John Bead / Crystal Lane Faceted Oval: https://bit.ly/2JaiGh1 John Bead Jump Rings: https://bit.ly/3o1syst DecoArt Metallic Lustre in Silver Spark: https://bit.ly/3q14nMy Redesign With Prima Silicone Molds: https://amzn.to/3mZn01h & https://bit.ly/37NHkwb MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Watch how to make this necklace here OR

watch how to make it on my  YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/qWEJSlPI3bc

DecoArt's Metallic Lustre is amazing stuff!  A great way to bring out the details of a molded piece.

Happy New Year!

Hot Glue Geodes

Have you ever gone geode hunting?  It's basically looking for rocks, but it can be quite exciting if you put wine in your water bottle!  That said, once you find what you think is a goede, you may never know until you get it open.  To break open that rock is impossible.  Cut to me finding a way to make my own geodes in the kitchen with my hot glue gun and crushed fish tank glass.  So much easier and you can make them any color you want.  Imagine what you want, my sweet friends, and then make it, I say!  Now get out there and MAKE YOUR MARK!

My first set of faux geodes

Add a little glitter to make them sparkle even more!

Everything I used for this project:

Surebonder Glue Guns & Products: https://amzn.to/3bOpfiZ Crushed Glass: https://amzn.to/3jvtFhg Silicone Bowls: https://amzn.to/2TljQYu www.DecoArt.com MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Watch how to make them here OR 

catch the video on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/61sgybdFxtM

I dipped mine in sand to give them a more rock like outer shell

My nephews and nieces are obsessed with these!

Heavenly hot glue geodes!

Victorian Goth Table Makeover

There is an apartment complex a few blocks away from where I live and every week someone is moving in or out.  Luckily for me it's an endless source of furniture for my makeover projects!  This table was pretty boring when I found it and with just a little paint and some vintage printouts, I was able to turn it into something marvelous!  It doesn't take much to turn trash into treasure, my talented friends!  Now get out there and MAKE YOUR MARK!

The sweetest little side table!

My ode to Victorian Goth...Cabbage roses mixed with black...Perfect!

Everything I used for this project:

Americana Decor Chalky Finish: https://shop.decoart.com/americana-decor-chalky-finish Americana Decor Metallics / Vintage Brass: https://amzn.to/3mHAkI4 Americana Decoupage Medium: https://bit.ly/3iRi4cN Americana Matte Sealer Spray: https://bit.ly/35XRvzk MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Watch how to make it here OR 

watch the video on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/N9_Jh1YHsfU

Black, white & pink is one of my favorite color combos!

Welcome home!

 

Crystal Clear Birthday Cards

I used to make my mom & gram save all the clear topped Christmas card boxes for my projects.  They were perfect for my junky dioramas.  I would fill the bottom cardboard part with a tissue paper backing and then start adding all kinds of plastic letters and trinkets on top until it was just right and then close it up and display it like a work of art.  These clear birthday cards reminded me of that except I don't have to wait for the holidays and I can make as many as I want!  Also, you can actually send these through the mail!  Yup, I tried it and it arrived perfectly.  Send some funky, see-through happy mail and make someone's day.  They're going to LOVE it!  Now get out there and

MAKE YOUR MARK!

Ready for my next few birthdays!

Fill them with anything and everything you can think of!

STUFF I USED:
Grafix Dura-Lar: https://amzn.to/368W363

Marabu Sketch Graphix Markers: https://bit.ly/3bcVV5H

Scrabble Tiles: https://amzn.to/2RLJzIT

XFasten Scrapbook Runner Tape Roller: https://amzn.to/2T2pizp

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/6a9Q-vKs_lw

I used my label maker for some of the writing, but you can just write your

message on paper and stick it right in there!

Send out some HAPPY MAIL, sweet friends!

Mini Canister DIY - Upcycled Instant Coffee Jars

I drink coffee like it's a form of oxygen...I love the stuff.  I NEED the stuff!  I started loving the smell and taste when I was about 10 and my gram would make me a very light cup (mostly milk) with sugar.  I felt like such a grown up.  Honestly, I'm pretty sure it was Sanka.  These days I'm so strapped for time I drink Nescafe House Blend instant and I have no shame in that game.  It's delish.  Also, the jars are fantastic for my craft projects.  This instant coffee jar makeover uses things we all have like tissue paper and hot glue.  The images were printed on my home computer, too!  The key is sealing everything with lacquer when you're done. This will keep them in great shape!  Upcycle, my sweet friends, and always 

Make Your Mark!

My gorgeous new button jars!

Tissue paper is my first layer and a great way to add bold color!

Rip and apply with decoupage medium or white glue

 STUFF I USED:

Xyron Creative Station: https://bit.ly/2yuW31n

E6000 Spray Adhesive: https://amzn.to/2ThaMn1

My favorite molds: https://amzn.to/2wNM06M

E6000 Glue: https://amzn.to/2VfF248

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

Images I used: http://www.markmontano.com/p/fancy-canister-images.html

 Watch how to make them here OR 

Watch the video on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/XrsXutUbNn0

Just print out images from your computer if you don't like the images I used.

Filling molds with hot glue is the absolute most fun...I just love it!

Bold and beautiful!

Can can cannisters!