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?

Magazine Flowers - Upcycled Craft

Have a stack of magazines?  Need a quick bouquet for a special occasion?  These paper flowers are just the ticket!  A little folding, cutting and gluing and you'll have a bouquet that will be sure to make an impression.  Watch the video below to see just how they're done.  Spray with color to match your decor OR pick colorful magazine pages and see what happens.  I added some glitter to mine to make them even more special.  Use what you have, my sweet friends, and always MAKE YOUR MARK!

I spray painted these with shimmer misters from DecoArt, but you could
just use colorful magazine pages!

Fringe the folds...It's so easy!

  

Watch how to make them here OR

watch the video on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/TNKc24Pmwe4

A little glitter makes them sparkle! 

Save the day with a paper bouquet!

Rolled Paper Valentines DIY

It's a little late, but I had to post these pretty rolled paper Valentines.  Maybe they'll spark something for your next Easter or St. Patrick's Day craft project?  Rolling pages of magazines is super therapeutic and can be done while you're binge watching old episodes of Dawson's Creek or Ugly Betty.  I used the paper rolls for these whimsical hearts, but they also make beautiful beads and can be glued into any shape.  Upcycle all those gossip magazines you keep buying and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

Ready for love?

Painted with Unicorn SPiT!

A layer of chunky glitter glue is always required!

Watch how to make them here!

A ribbon bow is the perfect embellishment!

Happy belated Valentine's Day!

Recycled Paper Necklaces

The next time you're about to toss out a pile of magazines, why not recycle a few of them into something beautiful like these fab paper necklaces?  Just plop yourself down in front of the TV and start making your beads by following this easy tutorial. Not only will you be helping to save our planet, you'll look amazing doing it!  Have fun!

xoxo, Mark

Chunky, funky and embellished with embroidery floss

Try different colors and sizes

Layered disks make an beautiful statement piece

Watch the video tutorial here

to see exactly how they're made!

YOU'LL NEED

Magazines

DecoArt Triple Thick Gloss Glaze

Americana Acrylic Paints

Chain necklace

Large wood beads

Jump rings

Embroidery floss

Cotton cord

White glue and Super Glue

Paintbrush

Needle nose pliers

How to make TINY HATS!

Not sure if you watch Saturday Night Live, but there was a skit I LOVED about tiny hats.  I got to thinking and decided it was time to attempt a tiny hat DIY.  I have finally found a reason to use all of the plastic lids I've been saving for the past 3 years.  Now If I can just find an occasion to wear them!

Victorian all the way!

 This is probably just a bit bigger than actual size on your computer!

Here's the HOW TO video!

 You'll need

Krylon Fusion in Black (it works well on plastics)

Netting (Tulle)

Scissors

Cereal cardboard 

Bobby pins

Plastic lids

Feathers

Small ribbon flowers

Ribbon

Hot glue gun

Cut out circles for the brim of your hat.  About 1/4" to 3/8" larger than the circumference of your lid. 

 Glue the lids to the center of the cardboard circles.

 Spray paint them black and let them dry.

 Hot glue ribbon around the base of the lids.

Scrunch up a small amount of netting (about a 3" by 4" piece) and hot glue it to the seam of the ribbon. 

Glue a ribbon flower on top of the tulle. 

Glue a bobby pin to the underside of the hat. 

You're done!

Recycled "I HEART YOU" Garlands

It's true, I have a hard time tossing out old magazines.  Stacks of magazines make me sad because I know that they could become everything from bowls of paper beads, a super cool collage or even a Valentine's Day"I HEART YOU" Garland.  For my Valentine's Day party this year, I'm decorating with tons of garlands made from magazine pages and a few pieces of red paper.  Instead of buying tons of glitter hearts and pink streamers I'm going to use what I have to make the party magical.  Even if you're having a small dinner for two, these paper garlands will make the night a little more special.  Just don't get them too close to your candles.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Garlands on my patio (Sounds like a country song)

Here's the video

Here's the quick how-to

A little up close shot

YOU'LL NEED

Scissors

Red paper

Magazine pages

Sewing machine

Red thread (if you have it)

Rip out a stack of 5 pages 

Cut them in half 

Fold the stack of 5 pages in half 

Cut out stacks of stars 

Cut out small stars from the red paper 

Alternate stitching red hearts and stacks of hearts  

Finish with 3 red hearts for your tail

Fold open the stacks of hearts to give them dimension and then hang.

If you really want some fun recycled paper crafts, grab a copy of  my book 

PULP FICTION: PERFECT PAPER PROJECTS 2ND EDITION!