Thurs-DIY! Seven Stunning Weekend Projects!

 It's Thurs-DIY and I have lots of stunning projects to share with you.  Now that you have a long weekend ahead, perhaps you'll have time to take on one of these projects and show your friends just how creative you are.  I'm loving the paper succulents by my new friend Robert and Debi Beard never disappoints with her clever ideas.  Make some friends, hop around and say hello to these talented crafters.  Tell them I sent you, OK. 

Margot Potter blocks bullets with her fantastic Wonder Woman cuffs!   http://icanmakemetalstampedjewelry.com/diy-wonder-woman-cuffs/

Robert Mahar is giving some terrific paper making classes.  Check them out here!  http://blog.creativelive.com/paper-craft-idea-diy-paper-succulents/

Debi Beard makes a beautiful sea glass salad bowl!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xggpwn4bx7k&list=UUIp7rXN2jsXwC-ISMEHxZcQ

Heather Mann rocks some hardware and creates a terrific choker!  http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2014/07/make-jewelry-from-hardware-part-3/

Cathie Filian makes a stunning necklace worthy of any runway!   http://www.plaidonline.com/glamour-girl-necklace/5567/project.htm

These Mermaid Cuffs could make Ariel give up her legs!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPBdX8oU7c0

Make Stackable Boho Bangles from supplies I'll bet you already have!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYmaRo1vZMw

Bohemian Jewelry DIY

As you know, if you've been following my rants and raves, I've been truly obsessed with making paper beads and figuring out things to make with them.  I think this is going to be an obsession for a VERY long time because I just enjoy it so much.  It's like a crafter's cigarette break without the harsh effects.  This week I created bohemian inspired jewelry by using the paper rolls as bezel settings for flat back gems. I really loved making this project and I think you will, too!  Make sure to leave a comment and say hello, OK! 

I made the tassels with embroidery floss from the 99c store!

Here's the how to video

YOU'LL NEED

Glue gun

White glue

E-6000

Needle nose pliers

3" x 10" sheets of magazine paper

Embroidery floss

Flat back gems

Jump rings

Clip on earring backs

Rhinestone chain

Lobster claw closure 

Cut your magazine pages to size

Roll them at an angle into a thin tube starting from one corner

 Glue the end down to secure it

Roll a tube around the end of the pliers

Secure it with glue and add another tube to make it bigger

3 tubes make a large roll, 2 make a medium roll and one makes a small roll

You'll need 3 large rolls, 2 medium rolls and 4 small rolls 

Measure and cut the rhinestone chain so that it circles around each paper roll 

Add E-6000 to the edge of the roll and then glue on the chain 

 Glue flat back gems to the rolls using hot glue and let dry

 They'll look like this

Figure out your bracelet design 

Put it together with jump rings and a closure

 For the earrings you will wrap embroidery floss around a 2" x 4" piece of cardboard about 20 times

Add a jump ring to the top of the wrapping

Trim the bottom to release the tassel

Take another piece of floss and it around the top

 Wrap the top of the tassel and tie it in another knot again

Put your earring pieces together

Glue on the clip on backs with E-6000

Add some more flat back gems to the back of the earrings

Here you go!

For 150 more jewelry DIY ideas, grab The Big Ass Book of Bling!

Six Fun Summer DIYs!

Every Thursday I feature a few projects made by some of my favorite crafters.  There's something for everyone here so click on the links and find some inspiration.  Make sure to tell them that Mark sent you.  Happy Summer everyone!

Up first, my besty Margot Potter creates beautiful crystal cocktail rings with Swarovsky crystals…….Now I want a cocktail!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=At3LkLObBL8

Cathie Filian from Handmade Happy Hour gets us ready for the 4th of July with some fun table décor.

http://handmadehappyhour.com/2012/06/24/dollar-store-makeover-chip-bowl-for-the-4th-of-july/

Kathy (aka Crafty Chica) creates patriotic hair extensions that will rock your 4th of July weekend!

http://www.craftychica.com/site/2013/06/patriotic-dyed-hair-extensions/

Jaderbomb from Jaderbomb.com shares her Trophy Cup Flower pots…….Just super cute and a great way to recycle those old bowling trophies! 

http://jaderbomb.com/2012/08/31/trophy-cup-flower-pots-jaderbomb/

Heather at DollarStoreCrafts.com weaves up some magic with a raffia and charm bracelet that is, well, simply charming!

http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2013/06/tutorial-raffia-look-bracelets-from-poly-rope/

Finally, check out my video for Crystal Link Jewelry, a project from my latest book, The Big Ass Book of Bling!  A super easy way to create beautiful necklaces, bracelets and chokers with just a few simple supplies.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8bLL_Zwy4c

Link Love Thursday!

Good morning everyone!  It’s LINK-UP THURSDAY with my DIY DIVAS, Margot, Jade Heather and Cathie and Kathy!  This week, the projects are truly fantastic and you’re going to LOVE every one of them.  I mean it!

Up first, the lovely Margot Potter stuns with Dolce and Gabbana folk art inspired painted cork wedges.  Truly wonderful- and a terrific way to spruce up your summer footwear! I love how simple they are and how easily they're transformed into something chic and unique.  http://diydoyenne.com/dolce-and-gabbana-inspired-diy/

Next, we have Cathie Filian who shows us how to recover our kicks and give them new life (or take a new pair to new heights)  I have a pair of Vans that are ripe for this project and I can’t wait to try it. http://handmadehappyhour.com/2013/06/18/diy-fabric-covered-sneakers-with-mod-podge/

Kathy Cano-Murillo (Crafty Chica) creates a fantastic tote out of slide protector sheets.  This project is perfect for showing off photos of your kids (and pets) while digging for your change and car keys!  Such an awesome project!  http://www.craftychica.com/site/2013/06/slide-protector-purse/

Jader Bomb (my southern firecracker) creates a stunner of a choker with fabric fringe and tie-dye.  Perfect for summer and super comfortable to wear, too.  I would love to see this with a bathing suit in a glossy summer fashion magazine. http://ilovetocreateblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/how-to-make-tie-dyed-fringe-necklace.html

Heather Mann from DollarStoreCrafts.com is featuring these FANTASTIC OZ inspired Tinker’s Goggles.  They scream steam punk and this project is one of the best DIYs I’ve seen in a very long time.   It was made by none other than the Crafty Chica!   Gotta say, I’m dying to make a pair of my own.  http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2013/06/tutorial-oz-inspired-tinkers-goggles/

Make sure to pop over and check out these terrific projects!  I mean it!

Spring Flower Boutonnière

I wanted something fancy to wear this spring on my cotton blazer (and to give as gifts to my friends) so I started messing around with some fake flowers and jewelry pieces I had hanging around.  I love the way these turned out.  These would be fun for a party, wedding or special occasion and I think they're perfect for everyone.  You probably have everything you need to make these already.  

Happy Spring everyone!

My trio of lapel pins for spring!

I love this with the cameo over the brass stamped butterfly

Here's the how to video!

You'll need

E-6000

Fake flowers

Ribbon

Jewelry pieces

Pin backs

Hot glue gun

Wire cutters

 Trim the flowers 4" below the flower

 Trim off the large leaves

Hot glue the leave to the flower as shown 

Add a dab of glue to the base of the flower 

Add your ribbon with a 4" piece sticking off of one end 

 Wrap the ribbon down to the bottom and then back up to the top

Tie a knot on when you get back to the top 

Create a bow with several loops 

 Glue it to right under the flower

Grab your E-6000!

Glue your jewelry pieces over the bows

Let dry for 1/2 hour 

 Glue the pin back on the back side

You're done!

I LIKE BIG BUTTONS DIY

When I opened my first store in NYC, way back when, I decorated with huge plywood cutouts of buttons, needles and spools of thread.  With heavy cord, I wrapped the spools, threaded the wooden needles made a criss-cross in each button and then spray painted the entire "wood collage" metallic gold!  It looked amazing.  If I had Krylon's Glitter Blast back then, I would have used that instead.  These huge frisbee buttons would look terrific in any room in your home......Especially if you're creative!  This project brought back tons of terrific memories for me.
Have fun!  xoxo, Mark

Frisbee Button DIY

See how I made them here!

You'll need:

Frisbees

Drill with large drill bit

Krylon Glitter Blast

Krylon Fusion in a color that matches your Glitter Blast

Yarn

Drill four "button holes" in your frisbee 

Make sure to do this on some scrap wood! 

Spray paint your button with the Krylon Fusion and let dry for 15 minutes 

Coat your button with Krylon Glitter Blast and let dry for 15 minutes 

 Make your stitches using yarn in a color you like

Tie a knot in the back to keep the stitching in place 

Decorate your craft space!

Make sure to grab a Big Ass Book for more inspiration!

Click here for a list of all of my books!