Secret Bottle Boxes - Upcycled DIY

I love to hide things. In fact, I'm still finding crap that I put in a "safe place" from years ago!  If you like to hide things, too, these secret bottle boxes might just be the ticket.  You all know I've been tinkering around with my bottle cutter for over a year now and I really enjoy figuring out fun things to make.  This was a great way to use the entire bottle for a project and then try out some simple mixed media techniques.  You could fill them with change, wishes, journal entries, or an extra set of car keys and no one would know that they're actually boxes!  Think outside the box, my amazing friends, and don't forget to MAKE YOUR MARK!

Watch how to make them here!

Images I used.  Just drag to your desktop and print to size!

Wishes, secrets and memories

Black Light Neon Spin Art DIY

When I was a kid I REALLY wanted a black light but my parents thought it would ruin my eyes...Not sure where they got that idea, but once they said "NO", that was that.  Well, guess what mom!  I have 2 black lights now and they're awesome...Especially when I use the new BLACK LIGHT NEON PAINTS from DecoArt!  Honestly, I didn't know what to do with these paints since my black light phase, well, phased out a loooooonnng time ago.  But, once I started toying around with my homemade spin art machine, it came to me.  Even without UV light this paint is fantastically neon and it's even more amazing under UV light!  Get your 70s groove on, my fab friends, 

and don't forget to MAKE YOUR MARK!

Photographed under a black light! 

LIST OF PRODUCTS I USED:

DecoArt Black Light Neon Paints: https://amzn.to/2PRHD0Q Coolest Black Light: https://amzn.to/2PRHD0Q Black Canvas Boards: https://amzn.to/39iBthc

Watch how to make this funky art here!

OR watch it on YouTube HERE!

Splat! 

You spin me right round baby!

Electric Bracelets - Upcycled Cardboard Craft

This project harkens back to 2nd grade art class (FYI, my favorite class ever) where we took yarn and tinfoil to make awesome works of art to adorn every fridge in my hometown.  Well, at least until the turkey hand project took over.  I kicked this one up a notch for my fresh and funky fashion friends and used aluminum tape and gorgeous Marabu Alcohol Inks which come in fantabulous colors.  The best part about this project, for me, is that I get to upcycle cardboard and make them in all different wrist sizes!  Your waste bin is the best place to find craft supplies, my resourceful friends!  Now get out there and Make Your Mark!

 Serious colorful fun!

 For a fantastic, fashion-y night out!

EVERYTHING I USED FOR THIS PROJECT:

Marabu Alcohol Inks: https://bit.ly/3dcKlrR

SUREBONDER DETAIL GLUE GUN: https://amzn.to/2tJxueL

ALL the SUREBONDER PRODUCTS: https://amzn.to/2Rw5kNt

Aluminum Tape: https://amzn.to/38XjQ6n

DuraClear Gloss Varnish: https://amzn.to/2U0CVkb

Watch how to make them here!

Try using just one or two colors!

 I used stripes, but you could use any design!

I love the nightlife! I like to boogie!

Floating Nature Prints

Two things I love...LARGE certificate frames from the 99c store and sprigs of trees and plants, snipped and arranged after my morning walk.  I finally decided to see if I could get some impressions of this beautiful morning-walk-foliage on my Gel Press and WOW was I happy with the results.  They made such beautiful pieces of art!  Using two large frames I was able to create a floating effect for very little money.  Use that amazing world of beauty right in your backyard, my creative friends!  Have fun, be safe and always Make Your Mark!

My beautiful floating nature art!

I loved using the different shades color on my Gel Press

THINGS I USED FOR THIS PROJECT:

Awesome Gel Press Products: https://amzn.to/364hn95 E6000 Glue: bit.ly/2PCo4s8 Americana Premium Tube Acrylics: https://bit.ly/3aJ5pnY Antique Brass Filigree Pieces: https://amzn.to/2Q5W2a3

Watch how to make them here!

Nature-ally beautiful!

Make Art!

Sparkly Boho Mirror DIY

I always see the packages of round mirrors at the craft store, but I never know what to make with them!  Well, I decided to challenge myself and make some funky, sparkly mini mirrors.  They were lightly inspired by Rhoda's apartment on the Mary Tyler Moore show, as are most of my DIY projects!  For these mirrors I pulled out every trick in the book including creating the embellishments with hot glue and surrounding the mini mirrors with glamorous rhinestone cup chain.  Challenge your creativity when you can and see what happens, my fantastic friends, and don't forget to

Make Your Mark!

My colorful trio!

I love how the colors blend into each other!

2 layers of Unicorn SPiT Sparkling will give you some serious glimmer!

Watch how to make them here!

LIST OF EVERYTHING I USED

Walnut Hollow Plaques: https://bit.ly/2wBMFIm My favorite molds: https://amzn.to/2wNM06M Unicorn SPiT & Unicorn SPiT Sparkling: https://amzn.to/2pwP4kq E6000 Plus: https://amzn.to/30GJc4P

Hang them in a cluster!

A terrific way to brighten up any corner!

You're the fairest of them all!

Mini Art Journals DIY - Upcycled Cardboard & Gel Press DIY

My mom has a room in her house with every wall covered in shadow boxes filled with miniatures.  She's been collecting them since she was a little girl and they are fascinating.  I like tiny things, but that particular bug never bit me until I started seeing MINI ART JOURNALS on Pinterest.  Since I love to bind art books AND make art journals I thought, why not give this a try?!  The best part is that I got to use my Gel Press to make all the amazing pages for them in no time.  Working on a larger scale with the Gel Press and then cutting down the pages was a perfect way to get tons of color on the pages without having to start from scratch on each page.  Now I can stuff one in my canvas tote and take it to the coffee shop to work on it with my acrylic markers.  Art On The Go is the BEST, my creative possums!  Now get out there and Make Your Mark! 

THINGS I USED

Gel Press: https://amzn.to/364hn95

DecoArt Paints: https://amzn.to/2PAzk9H

My Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

3" x 2 1/2  Perfect size for your pocket or purse but you can make them any size you want!

I'm trying my hand at cardboard "rubber" stamps.  Still working out the kinks!

Watch how to make it here!

 Make several at a time.  Color copy your favorite pressed pages for filler!

Happy journaling!

Faux Blown Glass with Cup Spinner

As much as I want to learn how to blow glass, I'll admit it, I'm afraid.  There are classes here in Los Angeles, but I'm just too chicken to sign up.  Instead, I'll squirrel away in my art studio figuring out how to make a version of it with the things I have.  It dawned on me that I could take the tumbler trend and mix it with my bottle cutting obsession and create something blown-glass-ish!  I'm in love, friends. I can't stop making these beautiful vases!  The best part is that it's a perfect project to use with bottles that aren't cut perfectly.  A little dip or crack is covered with resin and the imperfections make this project even better!  Happy crafting, my sweet friends.  

Don't forget to Make Your Mark!

My beautiful faux blown glass vases/pencil cups

LIST OF EVERYTHING I USED:
Unicorn SPiT: https://amzn.to/2pwP4kq
Glaze Coat Resin: https://amzn.to/30GJc4P

My Cup Turner: https://amzn.to/2U7XDyp

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

I love the sprinkle of glitter peeking through!

Watch how to make them here!

  

Make something beautiful!

Upcycled Magazine Art Journals and Stencils

As you may already know, I can't stand tossing things that I know can be turned into something beautiful!  For example, every year I splurge on a fancy home decor magazine from England called The World of Interiors and I have stacks of them going way back.  Because this magazine is printed on thick, yummy paper, in college I would use the old ones for smash books.  Now, I cut them in half and make art journals with them.  So much better than tossing them, right?  You can use Citri-Solve to dissolve the ink on each page OR you can just add some white Americana Acrylic over each page to create a base in which to paint.  Up to you!  Either way, this is an economical way to have tons of art journals for your creative adventures.  Use what you have, my sweet friends, and always

Make Your Mark!

Get the magazines cut in half at Staples with their guillotine machine!

I used a 5" x 7" Gel Press to create my colorful pages!

Make your own stencils with plastic salad lids and a Creative Versa Tool from Walnut Hollow

Watch how I made mine here!

And so the day begins!

Happy journaling!

Sparkly Southwest Jewelry DIY

Do you have belts from 10 years ago just hanging in your closet?  Belts that don't fit or have a funky buckle or that are just a little worn out?  Well don't toss them just yet, you can use them for this fun southwest-inspired-jewelry project!  A little Stylin paint from DecoArt and some flat turquoise stones and you'll have something amazing to wear that you made yourself.  The best part is that you've used something that was eventually going to get tossed.  Dig through your closet for upcoming craft adventures and always Make Your Mark!

I love the sparkly stones mixed with the earthy turquoise!

Save the rest of the belt for other projects!

Put it all together with E6000 Bead & Jewelry Glue!  This stuff is amazing!

Watch how to make them here!

Flat turquoise stones aren't expensive at all!

Sparkly on my friends!