CAGED NECKTIE NECKLACE

Morning friends! Not sure why this retake on an old trend went viral but I'm sure glad it did. I've always loved fabric covered beads and years ago when folks started using old neckties to create necklaces, I was immediately drawn in. It has been a while since these types of necklaces were popular, but they were always in the back of my mind so I decided to try to update them with something. First I tried charms to echo the bandana charm necklace trend but it just didn't work.  Next I tried wrapping between the wooden beads with seed beads. It didn't quite look right.  Finally I tried caging the beads with several rows of seed beads in matching and contrasting colors.  BOOM! I showed it to my friend Carmi and she said 'GO FOR IT!"   These are the result.  Take a peek and let me know what you think in the comments, ok!  Big love, Mark! 

Stitching 2 necktie fabrics together gives it something more, don't you think?

I really love the use of the 3 colors on the pink necklace on the right.

Take a peek at the video here!

MY FIVE FAVORITE GEL PRESS PRODUCTS

 Hey everyone! Today I'm sharing my 5 favorite Gel Presses! Gel Press asked me to make a list of favorite products and share with you why I love them. 

My first pick is the Impressables Designer Series REPEAT CIRCLES GEL PRESS. When I first opened this Gel Press I immediately filled it with color and lifted the circles off to create a relief.  It's my absolute favorite thing to do with this press.  Each print is a work of art, perfect for a little square frame to hang on your wall!  LINK TO THE REPEAT CIRCLES GEL PRESS: https://bit.ly/3McaBp5

My 2nd pick is the 6" SQUARE Gel Press. I take this one with me when I travel because it's large enough for my art journal and small enough to fit in my art backpack. I love using stencils with it and creating large tiles for decoupage or prints to fill my art journal!

LINK TO THE 6" x 6" GEL PRESS: https://bit.ly/3WPVzKM

For my third pick, it was the 6" ROUND GEL PRESS! In my personal opinion, using this for photo transfers makes them even more special! Even a boring transfer can look wonderful when it's printed in a circle format.  LINK TO THE 6" ROUND:  https://bit.ly/4czO0h5

The 4th pick was the smaller 4" ROUND GEL PRESS.  So darn cute and just a blast to use to make colorful circles on anything and everything.  Heck, make your own wrapping paper with this one! I like layering colors and creating fun, modern art pieces with this little number!

LINK TO 4" ROUND GEL PRESS:  https://bit.ly/3X8dKN4

My fifth and final pick is the 3" x 5" GEL PRESS.   Grab a stack of index cards and go crazy making pretty little postcards and notecards to send to your friends. Working small can be fun, quick and much easier than working on larger surfaces. I always suggest this one to my friends who want to dabble but just aren't sure if they'll love it.  Guess what, they always grab a bigger size after a few days! LINK TO THE 3" X 5" GEL PRESS: https://bit.ly/3WVpMrN

Check out all the amazing Gel Press products here: https://bit.ly/4cvtDS3

Make sure to check out the sale, too!

Much love, Mark!

I'm on Patreon!

Hey friends! I've started a Patreon page where I'm sharing content I don't share anywhere else!  Projects I want to make, shout outs, a tour of my home and weekly updates! I hope you'll join me there!   

For years I've been hitting the dollar store for inexpensive frames to makeover.  When I lived in my tiny East Village apartment in NYC I covered the walls (salon style) with TONS of small 99c store frames filled with postcards and art that I bought on the street. I would paint the frames in different colors, add beads and cardboard to them and find fun papers for the matting. I loved my "broke art student" decor...and still do!  These malachite frames are currently part of my decor and I got all the frames at the 99c store.  A little hot glue and paint and you have something amazing!  Now get out there and MAKE YOUR MARK!

Watch how to make them here!

Everything I used for this project:

Awesome Gel Press Products: https://bit.ly/3uHBnjU Xyron Creative Station: https://bit.ly/2yuW31n RE-DESIGN WITH PRIMA Silicone Moulds: Regal Trimmings https://bit.ly/3AFhF7s?aff=59 Etruscan Accents Silicone Mould: https://bit.ly/3PY6FI4?aff=59 Re-Design with Prima Decor Wax: https://bit.ly/3Bl2UZE

Decor doesn't have to be expensive, just brave and bold!

See you soon!  Love, Mark

 

Embossed Iridescent Paper Ornaments

Hey friends, great to see you here!  This is an ornament making technique I've been using for years and there are a thousand different ways to make them. You can use photos, Loteria paper or different colors of cardstock. Whatever you have hanging around. It's like math, magic and origami all mixed together. For this particular version I embossed black watercolor paper and then used this incredible pearlescent acrylic ink from Royal Talens that shows up brilliantly on black surfaces. It worked like a charm!  I hope you make some of these fabulous Christmas ornaments - at least your own version!  

Love, Mark!

My trio of Christmas ornaments in 3 of my favorite iridescent colors!

Watch how to make them here or on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/JyXNLkIBH3A

Here's everything I used for this project:

Amsterdam Acrylic Iridescent Inks: https://www.dickblick.com/products/amsterdam-acrylic-ink/ SIZZIX Big Shot Embossing Machine: https://bit.ly/3Z5ILQS Van Gogh Black Watercolor Paper: https://bit.ly/3R4fVx1

I used a drinking straw inside for the structure but you could use a rolled paper straw

This stuff is magic!

Wiping it over the embossing and it just appears and the most beautiful way!

I'm obsessed with embossing anything and everything. I love my Big Shot from Sizzix and am thinking about getting a much larger version!

Merry Christmas!  Love, Mark!

 

Hot Glue Christmas Ornaments

As much as I love resin, I think the fumes can be harmful if you're not careful.  Since it's cold outside and working next to an open window or outside isn't possible, I think hot glue is a terrific alternative to making ornaments in silicone molds.  Re-design with Prima makes the most beautiful molds and their collection for Christmas is outstanding. Use a terrific glue gun (I love Surebonder) on a high temperature and you'll have some amazing results!  Happy Christmas and Make Your Mark!

I use every color on my tree...well, except orange.

These metallic decor waxes from Re-design with Prima look fantastic on everything from

furniture to these ornaments. You only need a small amount for a HUGE impact!

Fill the molds with hot glue and let them cool...Easy peasy!

Watch how to make them here OR watch the video on 

Youtube here

https://youtu.be/QOtOQdF_6nk

EVERYTHING I USED FOR THIS PROJECT

Surebonder Glue Guns & Products: https://amzn.to/3bOpfiZ Re-Design with Prima Decor Wax: https://bit.ly/3Bl2UZE Re-design with Prima Moulds: Wooden Nutcracker Mould: https://bit.ly/46QzGOY Frost Spark: https://bit.ly/3sbksVP Wonder Gems: https://bit.ly/3FDqp10

I'm a huge fan of nutcrackers and these are absolutely charming!

Add some Crystal Lane flat back gems and you'll have these for years and years to come!

Happy Christmas everyone!

Love, Mark

 

A Highlight In My Life!

So much fun filming this show and getting the chance to know the amazing LeAnn Rimes and Chrissy Metz! I'll never forget this experience and how much these two superstars eased my nerves from the very first minute we met! 

The gang!

Show outtakes

Judging the techniques

Getting together when we weren't on set!

Never give up on what makes you happy!

 

Articulated Mermaid Paper Dolls

I adore everything about mermaids....always have.  They're beautiful, magical and have wonderful powers of telepathy & clairvoyance. They've been part of many cultures for thousands of years, too, so how can they NOT be real?  Come on!  Every summer I make a couple of mermaid projects and this summer it was these articulated mermaid paper dolls. This project is great for adults who need a little childhood whimsy!  Have fun and MAKE YOUR MARK!

My trio of shimmery paper dolls painted with Finetec Pearlescent Watercolors from

Royal Talens.  I love these paints!

I love how they shimmer!

A little wire and a pearl bead make a perfect brad for movement!

Watch how to make them here OR watch how to make them

on my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt4zycubX8BJZ8pZhZ4w8ow

Everything I used for this project:

Mermaid Coloring Book: https://amzn.to/43OD1f9 Royal Talens Finetec Pearlescent & Iridescent Watercolors: https://bit.ly/3q4VMxl Xyron Creative Station: https://bit.ly/2yuW31n Xyron Creative Station Laminating Cartridge: https://amzn.to/44OCkUt Small Pearl Beads for brad making: https://amzn.to/44LpO8j Thin Gage Jewelry Wire: https://amzn.to/3YhWRi0 MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Can you imagine getting one of these in the mail? What a 

wonderful card/gift!

Do you believe in mermaids?

Obsessed With My Bead Spinner!

Have you ever wondered how objects completely covered in seed beads are made? Well, I finally figured out how it's done! Recently John Bead sent me a bead spinner and I'm obsessed with it. You fill it with seed beads, spin it around and the beads magically slip onto your beading needle. It's so easy to use and you'll never spend hours finding the tiny holes in seed beads ever again!  Watch the video below to see how it works. Make beautiful things my friends and always Make Your Mark!

A few of the objects I covered in beads using my John Bead / Bead Spinner! 

Stringing the necklace took just a few minutes!

Just fill it with seed beads!

Dip in your needle and start spinning!

Watch how to use a bead spinner here! 

Here's a list of what I used:

John Bead Bead Spinner USA - https://amzn.to/42E5unD Canada - https://amzn.to/3CaEIsb John Bead Seed Beads - 500 gram bulk bag Size - 8/0 Canada - https://amzn.to/463sBuG USA - -https://amzn.to/3Ni5EMQ John Bead Curved Needle USA - https://amzn.to/45PrrTe Canada - https://amzn.to/45P2jfi SUPERTITE CRAFT GLUE WITH PRECISION TIP: https://bit.ly/46QQgii