Saturday, May 23, 2020

Colorful Newspaper Earrings - With Gel Press

There are not many printed newspapers out there anymore, but when I get a grocery store flyer or a stack of old local papers, I always grab some for my projects. This is a simple paper mache craft that is light as a feather and also hard as a rock when it's dry!  When you paint it with a Gel Press, you'll get some amazing effects!  Make earrings or a funky necklace and definitely go color crazy since summer is right around the corner!  Say it with me, sweet friends...Use what you have and always Make Your Mark!
 These fit perfectly in a regular envelope, so pop a pair in the mail for a friend!
Mix shapes and colors and layer, layer, layer!
I used 5 pieces of newspaper and then topped it off with my painted sheet
STUFF I USED
Awesome Gel Press Products: https://amzn.to/364hn95

Americana Acrylics: https://amzn.to/2UFQwgQ
Triple Thick Gloss Glaze: https://amzn.to/2UIrD4e
Learn to make paste here: https://youtu.be/3mkrHgiYXG8

Watch how to make them here
OR
Watch the video on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/brqy2FXAeUQ

 Contrast bright colors with tiny black dots
Now, get out there and rock that runway!

Friday, May 22, 2020

Beaded Bracelets - With my John Bead Loom Kit

Beading was one of my first crafty loves...When I was 12 I joined a group called The Koshare Indian Dancers and learned traditional Sioux, Kiowa and Navajo dances, songs and costume making.  It was a wonderful organization started by a man named Buck Burshears.  In July and December we would perform at our Kiva and in the beginning of summer we would all get on a bus and perform all over the US.  It was an incredible experience.  Making these beaded bracelets brought it all back!  Of course my style has changed a bit since then, but beading on a loom was just as relaxing and gratifying as it was when I was a kid.  Revisit your first crafty loves, my sweet friends, and always
Make Your Mark!
I couldn't stop and made 3 bracelets in a row!
STUFF I USED FOR THIS PROJECT
John Bead Loom Kit USA: https://amzn.to/3g4w5TB John Bead Loom Kit Canada: https://amzn.to/3bMCM9F E6000 Glue: https://amzn.to/2VfF248 Loom Kit on John Bead site: https://www.johnbead.com/products/600/bead-loom-kit-clear-box Kit Wholesale Inquiries: https://bit.ly/2Tk5yIj MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano
My John Bead Loom
 So much better than my janky, scrap wood loom from my childhood!
Watch how to make them here OR
Watch the video on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/LSeNI8M1--Q

Not one bead out of place!
BEAD-UTIFUL!

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Stained Glass with Plastic Folders

When I lived in the east village of NYC, my neighbor and I had windows about 3 feet apart.  We could clearly see everything in each other's apartments!  Since I wanted as much light as possible, I opted for a version of this faux stained glass which let in the light but allowed me to run around free and easy!  For this project I used my Xyron Creative Station which saved me quite a bit of time.  I also used plastic office folders which came in a stack of 40 for about $13 bucks.  So much less than a real stained glass window, right?!  I love that something as simple as an office folder can have another creative use.  Give things another life, sweet friends, and don't forget to
Make Your Mark!
In my kitchen window while they work on the roof next door!
A stack of folders for not much at all!  Here's the link:  https://amzn.to/2Ak5WzR
Links to everything I used for this project:
Xyron Creative Station: https://bit.ly/2yuW31n Colorful Plastic Folders: https://amzn.to/2Ak5WzR Permanent Adhesive Cartridge: https://amzn.to/2KaMzuC Repositionable Adhesive Cartridge: https://amzn.to/35PCBbZ Moroccan Pattern: https://bit.ly/2AdsH8o MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano
I used 99c store certificate frames for this project,
but you could stick these right to the window!

Watch how to make this here!
OR
Watch how to make this on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/4QNHSxtLiSQ

Faux and fabulous!

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Iridescent Watercolor Stationery DIY

I had such a calm, lovely evening making this beautiful, shimmery stationery!  After I printed out my envelopes and postcards, I poured a glass of wine and sat down for an evening or watercoloring and it was soooo relaxing.  Only after my 2nd glass of wine did I discover I'd been rinsing off my brush in-between colors in my wine glass and not in the water jar.  It happens!  For this project I used Cosmic Shimmer Iridescent Watercolours purchased from the awesome site www.Joggles.com.  If you want some seriously cool art supplies, check them out!  When they dry, they have a beautiful metallic iridescence...You're going to LOVE using them!  Right now we need to send more cards and letters to help our postal service and to send love to people we're not able to be near.  Reach out and connect in any way you can, my sweet friends, and don't forget to Make Your Mark!
 My stack of iridescent love ready to send out!
 Check out the video to see how wonderfully they shimmer in the light!

Watch how to make them  here!
Watch on YouTube here: 
 Print on watercolor paper and cut into 4 postcards 
Print on watercolor paper and cut into 4 postcards
 Print on standard copy paper or card stock, cut & fold
                                    Print cut and fold.                         Print on watercolor paper & cut                                                           


With love....

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Sparkly Junk Mail Spin Art Journal

There is nothing more satisfying than using my piles of junk mail for something artsy!  I was even able to use some cardboard for this project which was a big upcycle bonus.  If you follow me, you know I love to make art journals out of recycled materials.  Magazines are my favorite, but I'll use almost anything that's destined for a landfill!  For me, the best part of this project was binding the entire journal using transparent tape!  Yup, cheap packing tape and office tape.  Check out the video below to see just how I did it!  I've said it 1000 times...Use what you have, my sweet chickens, and always Make Your Mark! 
All the awesome stuff I used:
DecoArt Galaxy Glitter: https://amzn.to/2RsT4ho
DecoArt Shimmer Misters: https://bit.ly/3dBx2AG
DecoArt Ready-To-Pour Acrylics: https://bit.ly/2WuOph1
 Ready to fill with random thoughts!
It's always a wonderful surprise when the machine stops spinning!

Watch how to make them here!
OR
Watch the video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/vMJKPkpPcyQ
 Stacked and ready to bind!
I like to decoupage black and white graphics over the colors for contrast!
Happy Journaling!

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Hot Glue Beads

My glue gun is ALWAYS ready to go...ALWAYS!  I may need to start wearing a holster with a very long extension cord soon.  Lately I've been obsessed with lampwork beads but, if you follow me, you know I'm not a huge fan of working with molten glass.  Molten hot glue is a totally different story. Turns out a messy glob of glue covered in glitter on my work table was just the inspiration I needed to conjure up these shimmery faux glass beads.   Adding a coat of clear varnish when they were all done made them even more glasslike, too!  I tried using paint on the inside, but it didn't dry as quickly as the Marabu Alcohol Inks, so I stuck with those for color.  The inks work perfectly!  Experiment like a madman, my creative friends, and don't forget to Make Your Mark!
 A little fine glitter makes everything better!
 Gold spacers work beautifully with these beads!
I LOVE my Surebonder glue gun!
Surebonder Hot Glue Products: https://amzn.to/3bOpfiZ Marabu Alcohol Inks: https://bit.ly/3dcKlrR

Watch how to make them here!
Watch the video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/5BSYywN4l1Y

Love my Marabu Alcohol Inks! 

Just Glue-tiful!

Friday, May 8, 2020

Whimsical Lamp Makeovers

I have the best thrift stores near my home and very often I can find lamps for $5 each for my DIY projects.  These ginger jar lamps were perfect for this whimsical makeover! I know the stripes aren't perfect but the lamps were just too heavy for my old record player hack.  Instead, I opted for using my lazy susan which was just fine.  I also ended up loving the wonky stripes a bit more.  There is something truly "handmade" about them!  Go nuts with fabrics and trims for your shades and just have fun!  For $5 you can experiment, right?!  Stay creative, awesome friends, and always 
Make Your Mark!
Glamps! 
I used DecoArt Gloss Enamels for this project!
We all need a little more color right now!
Got the fabric at JoAnn Fabrics!
Wonky stripes are just fine with me!  
Grab your lazy susan to help you out with this!

Watch how to make them here!
Watch the video on YouTube here: 
 Love a $5 lamp makeover!
Lamp-tastic!