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

Beaded Wire Christmas Ornaments

I know it's a little late for this but still had to post it because Valentine's day is around the corner and these would make beautiful hearts!  Happy New Year everyone!  I swear I'm going to try to blog a bit more this year. It's been hectic moving into this new house but I'm almost ready to show it.

A little wire and some leftover beads (from John Bead of course) and you can make the most amazing ornaments, or hearts!  Love you all!  

MAKE YOUR MARK!

Aluminum wire is one of my favorite things to work with!

        Watch how to make them here OR watch how to make them on you YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj9NgQKJwyc
Here's everything I used to make them with links:
Czech Glass Beads: https://bit.ly/3n1axNG
John Bead Aluminum Wire: https://amzn.to/36kZXuF
Large Czech Bead Mixes: https://bit.ly/2WRRH09
MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

So easy! Just create your shape with large wire and then add beads to thinner wire and wrap!

Love the way they catch the lights on the tree, too!

Sending you all the love today!

Birthstone Penny Charm Bracelets

My mom had a necklace with 5 gold little boys dangling on it...Me and my brother's names were engraved on the back of each one.  My gram had a beautiful gemstone ring with 12 birthstones all lined up representing each of her kids. Yup, 12 kids! Birthstone jewelry is a tradition in our family and I've always love it.  Any jewelry that has real meaning makes it even more special, but it can be expensive.  I remember me and my brothers saving forever to get my mom that necklace for Christmas and I'm sure my dad had to kick in most of it.  This penny charm bracelet is a fun way to get the same sentiment, well, for pennies!  It's still meaningful and just as fun to wear.  It's also really fun looking for the exact birthyear penny to go with each stone.  Make mom's day, sweet friends with this 

Make Your Mark charm bracelet!

A penny for your thoughts?

Contrary to popular belief, it's not illegal to drill a hole in a penny.

Just charming!

Everything I used:

Crystal Lane Flat Back Gems : https://amzn.to/3n8d5Gm John Bead Chains and Findings : https://amzn.to/3n8xCux E6000 Plus: https://amzn.to/30GJc4P

Watch how to make these charmers here OR

Watch how to make them on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/SCTBBrb4sJE

Be charming!

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!

Knotty Boho Beads DIY

I'm obsessed with John Bead....I love their beads!  These knotted boho necklaces are easy to make and this technique is a great way to use your mismatched beads to make something beautiful. The colorful upholstery thread is super strong and pulls the different colors together.  You can make them in super long lengths to wrap in different layers around your neck or hang them in a window to catch the light.  The best part is that you can choose how far apart to make your knots depending on the look you want or how many beads you have for your project.  Use up your mismatched beads, sweet friends, and wear them with pride!  Now get out there and Make Your Mark!   

So many gorgeous beads!

Wear all the colors!

STUFF I USED FOR THIS PROJECT

John Bead Crystal Lane Rondelle 7" Double Strand Beads: https://amzn.to/3iv3PcQ Get Czech Beads Recipe Boxes here: https://amzn.to/3abkjUO AND https://amzn.to/2DUpn48 AND https://bit.ly/3gJCAeA

Watch how to make them here OR

watch the video on my Youtube channel here https://youtu.be/6B888k1WeAw

BEAD-UTIFUL!

Beaded Solar Lanterns

These lanterns have been hanging in my kitchen window since I photographed them for this DIY and I have to say, they bring me so much joy...You have no idea.  When I get up late at night for a glass of water, they give off the perfect peaceful glow.  The beads catch the light in the sweetest way both during the day and at night, too.  I know that some of my projects are a bit more involved than most DIYs that you find out there, but there are often ways to improvise if you don't have everything I do...Ways that might make the task at hand a bit easier for you.  Do your best, my sweet friends, and stay creative during these difficult times.  And like I always say, get out there and Make Your Mark!

My beautiful trio!

Peaceful evening glow

Get Czech Beads Recipe Boxes here: https://amzn.to/3abkjUO

AND https://amzn.to/2DUpn48 AND https://bit.ly/3gJCAeA

My favorite hole punch: https://amzn.to/2TCG34P 
My Serrated Tin Shears: https://amzn.to/3h0NRaq 
E6000 Glue: https://amzn.to/2VfF248 

 A rubber band helps keep the tin perfectly placed while the glue dries

Watch how to make them here OR

Watch how to make them on my Youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/exlbT1UNf34

 Czech Recipe Boxes from John Bead...Love the mix of vintage and new glass beads!

 So much joy in such a simple thing!

 Make sure to check out www.JohnBead.com!  You'll love their beads!

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!