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

 

Fabulous Fabric Tape

 I have EVERY kind of tape you can imagine!  Not kidding. Boxes and boxes of it and when washi tape became popular I went NUTS. When going through my tape the other day I realized there was one tape I didn't have and that was fabric tape....so I made some with my Xyron Creative Station. If you ever need to tape something together, come on over....I've got your back!  Check out how I made it in the video below and don't forget to MAKE YOUR MARK!

Love the way this looks on practically everything!

My Xyron Creative Station turns anything into a sticker...even fabric! 

I used smaller pieces in my art journals.

Watch how to make fabric tape here!

OR watch it on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/l1TtmNoVVNQ

Xyron Creative Station: https://bit.ly/2yuW31n Awesome Gel Press Products: https://amzn.to/364hn95

What can I say? You're stuck with me!

Have a wonderful day, everyone! xo, Mark!

Art Prompt Cards

 When I stare at a blank canvas or blank page in my art journal, sometimes I have no idea where to start. NONE!  About a year ago I decided to start writing down my favorite techniques for mixed media, painting and collage, and before I knew it I had a set of 189 prompts to help me get started.  For fun I added dice to make it a real game of chance.  All you have to do is print them out on cardstock (or stick them to a deck of cards) and you'll never run out of ideas and combinations to create art.  Have fun and MAKE YOUR MARK!

The Frida page I created using a few art prompts!

Watch how to make them and use them here!

LINK TO MY ART PROMPT PRINTOUTS HERE: https://etsy.me/3kuXwgv

HAVE FUN AND MAKE ART!

Resin Butterfly Trays

Not sure how I ended up with 20 of these pressed tin trays from Dollar Tree, but I did.  Pretty sure instinctively I knew that one day inspiration would strike and they would be on hand for a project.  At least that's what my inner hoarder whispers every time I'm at the register or filling my cart late at night online.  While cleaning out my desk I found some beautiful butterfly printouts and it finally came to me...Butterfly trays!  A little paint and some resin in the base to protect them and they look like a million bucks.  Well, not a million, but definitely more than the 99c I paid for them.  Everything can be transformed and made more beautiful, my sweet friends!  Think of the caterpillar and the butterfly while you Make Your Mark!

I can't decide which to keep by my front door for keys and mail...Hmmm.

The perfect little holiday gift!

STUFF I USED:

Famowood Glaze Coat Resin: https://amzn.to/30GJc4P

Xyron Creative Station: https://bit.ly/2yuW31n

www.DecoArt.com

Enchanted & Enchanted Shimmer: https://buddlycrafts.com/search/?q=enchanted+DecoArt

MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Watch how to make these trays here OR

watch the video on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/fKDjwLD7kEs

Using a Xyron Creative Station eliminates the misting and decoupage medium application!

A thin layer of resin looks absolutely beautiful and protects the paper butterflies.

The DecoArt Enchanted and Enchanted Shimmer are my new obsessions!

Tray jolie!