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  CONTENTS

  INTRODUCTION

  THE VINYL COUNTDOWN

  EVERLASTING FLOWER CUFF

  EVERLASTING FLOWER HEADBAND

  ARCHERY SHOE CLIPS

  BLOOMING FUSION

  BLOOMING WALLET

  RAIN FOREST

  WHIRLY BROOCHES

  COMING AND GOING IN CIRCLES

  GARDEN PARTY

  WOODN’T IT BE LOVELY?

  BLUE BIRD BANGLE

  MAGICAL MIRROR

  NATURE’S BLING NECKLACE

  SOUTHWEST STYLE

  WOOD AND GOLD LEAF CUFFS

  NATURE’S BLING BAG

  CROWNING GLORY

  GLENDA THE GOOD WITCH CROWN

  THE BUTTERFLY FAIRY CROWN

  GOLD KRYLON KROWN

  QUEEN OF THE NIGHT

  LACE AND RESIN CROWN

  THE QUEEN’S PEARL TIARA

  HARD AS LACE

  LACE AND RESIN CAMEO NECKLACE

  MARIE ANTOINETTE CAMEO BROOCH

  LACE IN PLACE

  RESIN AND LACE EARRINGS

  GILDED LACE CUFF

  PAPER TURQUOISE

  MAKING PAPER TURQUOISE

  PAPER TURQUOISE STITCHED LEATHER CUFF

  TURQUOISE CONCH

  ZIGZAG TURQUOISE

  SQUASH BLOSSOM

  SEED BEAD–COVERED METAL CUFF

  REAL TURQUOISE AND BRASS STAMPED RINGS

  TEXTURED METAL AND PAPER TURQUOISE CUFF

  EASY-WEAR HARDWARE

  A TINGE OF FRINGE

  GRAY PEARL AND CRYSTAL SHOE CLIPS

  INNER TUBE TRIO

  LAUNDRY BAG

  ROPES AND CHAINS

  LITE-BRITES

  TUBULAR SENSATION

  TU-BE OR NOT TU-BE

  PEARL AND DIAMOND CHOKER AND EARRINGS

  TWINE AND TWINE AGAIN

  TWINE NOT? EARRINGS

  TASTE THE RAINBOW

  MIXED MEDIA

  MONA LISA MIXED-MEDIA BROOCH

  MIXED-MEDIA NECKLACE

  SEEING HEART

  LOVE HANDCUFFS

  LOVE IN A BOTTLE

  WEARING MY WISHES

  GLASS-TERPIECE

  GLASS FUSING

  FUSED GLASS AND CHAIN

  FUSED GLASS AND METAL CUFF

  FUSED GLASS DOUBLE BROOCH

  FUSED GLASS COCKTAIL EARRINGS

  FUSED GLASS COCKTAIL RING

  FUSED GLASS CHECKERBOARD GEMS

  BRASS AND GLASS COCKTAIL RINGS

  CAGED GEMS

  GLASS, METAL, TWINE

  KID COUTURE

  KOLORFUL KID COUTURE

  WOW HEADBAND

  I HEART YOU KATY PERRY!

  NOIR DRAMATIQUE

  BELLE OF THE PING-PONG BALL

  HARAJUKU HEADBAND

  SEXY AND THE CITY

  ZAMBIA!

  PIN PIN POW!

  BOBBIES AND CHAINS

  STARBURST NECKLACE

  STARBURST BRACELET

  STARBURST BROOCH: (ODE TO TONY DUQUETTE)

  PIN-TASTIC BLINGED-OUT HANDBAG

  PUNK CHIC DUSTERS

  PUNK ROCK SHOWGIRL

  BOBBY PIN FRINGE

  FEATHER FANTASTIC!

  BOBBY’S RED GEM NECKLACE AND EARRINGS

  PIN AND PEARLS

  BOBBY PIN COUTURE

  HATS OFF TO YOU!

  BIRD HATPIN

  VINTAGE IMAGE HATPIN

  RINGS AND FEATHERS HATPIN

  SCRAPPY FLOWER HATPIN

  OH, BABY!

  BABY HEAD NECKLACE

  CRYSTAL PUNK BABY HEAD

  BABY CLUTCH

  HOT PINK DOLL FACE CUFF

  PEARLY DOLL FACE

  MOLD & CAST, BOLD AND FAST!

  MOLD MAKING AND CASTING IN LESS THAN ONE HOUR!

  TWO-TONE GLITTER BLAST HANDBAG

  I AIN’T LION

  I AIN’T LION CAST SHOE CLIPS

  SONG BIRDS

  TAKE A BOW

  THORNS AND HUMMINGBIRDS

  IT’S IN THE BIN

  LORD OF THE RINGS (AND STONES)

  TYVEC FLOWER BROOCH

  FUSING PLASTIC BAGS

  FUSED PLASTIC FLOWER CUFF

  FUSED PLASTIC BAG SHOE FLOWER

  RECYCLED GOLD LEAF BRACELETS

  SILVER AND GOLD

  TASTE OF SOUTHWEST SILVER

  MIDNIGHT BEAUTY

  THREE TIER MOURNING CHOKER

  BUTTON CLUSTER STATEMENT CHOKER

  CLUSTER AND CRYSTAL CUFF

  BROOCH-EMBELLISHED TUFF CUFF

  ODE TO ANNA SUI

  BUTTON CROSS AND CRYSTAL CUFF

  LUCKY LADY

  HAPPY HEARTS BUDDHA

  THERE’S AN ELEPHANT ON MY FINGER

  BUDDHA BOW

  GOOD LUCK ELEPHANT CUFF

  LUCKY ELEPHANT

  SIMPLY CHARMING

  CROSS MY HEART

  CRYSTAL TASSEL TRIO

  GAMBLER’S GOOD LUCK

  ONE-OF-A-KIND JEWELRY CHARMER

  PEDAL TO THE METAL

  THE TIN IS “IN”

  EMBOSSED BUTTERFLIES

  ALL OVAL THE PLACE

  WHAT TO WEAR!

  SIMPLE BUTTON CUFF LINKS

  A SHOULDER ABOVE THE REST

  ANTIQUE PEARL AND CHAIN NECKTIE

  BEAUTIFUL NO-SEW-BOW SHOE CLIPS

  SHIMMERY SLANTED DAGGERS SKIRT

  CRYSTAL SLIDER BROOCH BELT

  BOW AND BROOCH BELT

  BOW AND BROOCH CLUTCH

  FEATHER EPAULETTES

  SHRUFFLE (SHRUG WITH RUFFLES)

  JUST ENOUGH CUFF

  CHANEL-INSPIRED CUFFS

  CELEBRATION CUFF

  COVERED BUTTONS BRACELET

  STEVIE NICKS LEATHER AND LACE

  WIRE AND CHAIN

  CRYSTAL CHAIN-LINK NECKLACES

  BALL AND CHAIN

  LEATHER AND CHAIN

  BEAD ON A WIRE

  CRYSTAL TASSEL EARRINGS

  WATERFALL CHAIN CHOKER

  THINGS I USED

  RESOURCE GUIDE

  PATTERNS

  ABOUT MARK MONTANO

  INDEX

  This book is dedicated to my

  parents, who indulged me

  every birthday and holiday with as

  many arts and craft supplies

  as they could afford.

  NOTE TO READERS

  All activities in this book should be performed by an adult or with adult supervision. Common sense and care are essential to the conduct of any and all activities described in this book. Neither the author nor the publisher assumes responsibility for any loss, damages, or injuries however caused. Neither the author nor the publisher endorses any of the products, tools, or services referred to in this book, or assumes any responsibility for use of any such products, tools, or services. All trademarks of products are property of their respective owners. Be sure to read and follow all instructions and warnings that accompany any products, tools, or services referred to in this book. Due to differing conditions, materials, and skill levels, results may vary and the author and publisher disclaim any liability for unsatisfactory results. Nothing in this book is intended as an express or implied warranty of suitability or fitness of any product, tool, service, or design.

  Introduction

  HELLO

  EVERYONE!

  I’ve just come ba
ck from a very long trip down memory lane while writing this book. I was able to relive twenty years of my life as a fashion designer in New York City. Before I showed my collections in the big tents in Bryant Park (now held in Lincoln Center), I owned a boutique for eighteen years and lived above it, in the heart of the East Village.

  It was an amazing life. Every day (and I mean every day) I would get up, design and make dresses, make jewelry, and make a living doing the things I loved. When I went home at night, I would make more things with which to decorate my apartment. It was, and still is, the way I live my life—

  creativity from morning till night.

  I think it’s what keeps me sane!

  Making jewelry and accessories for my boutique was often what kept me afloat financially. Even if I didn’t sell a single dress some days, I would always sell a few pairs of earrings or a necklace. But they were more than moneymakers, they were just fun to create. I used whatever I had, too. Extra buttons, fabric and leather scraps, zippers—you name it, I made it into an accessory! Soon I realized that making my own accessories was what made my collections more exciting during Fashion Week, so they became part of my line. I also realized that, on the runway,

  Bling is BETTER!

  Sparkle and shine make for an exciting presentation!

  Since accessories are a question of taste, I want you to look with your own creative eye at what I’ve made in this book. Look at the techniques and ingredients and see what you can do with the projects. You don’t have to make them exactly the way I did. In fact, I’m positive you can turn them into pieces that will scream your name and express your own personal style. Take the creativity, inspiration, and techniques you find in this book and make your own jewelry line or reinvent your wardrobe. Look at this as a jumping-off point to how amazing you are!

  This is the first book in which I’ve recommended products that I believe will change the way you think about creativity. For example, I feature a microwave kiln for fusing glass. I’ve been playing with mine for two years now and finally decided it was something that you should know about. It’s brilliant and I absolutely love it. I’ve also experimented with molds and mold-making. For some reason, I was afraid of diving into this type of craft. But now that I’ve actually tried it, it’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done. It’s like playing with Silly Putty. Yes, that easy! I ripped apart my house, looking for things to make into molds and then proceeded to cast them by the hundreds. I couldn’t stop! I think you’ll feel the same way, too, once you realize how easy it is.

  On a side note, I only recommend products that work and are the best of the best! So in this book is my list of tried-and-true products that will make your projects a success. The Resource Guide section gives you a list of terrific manufacturers who make a variety of top-of-the-line products, and the Things I Used section is a list of different materials I use in this book and that I use on a regular basis for crafting. Some of the items are made by specific manufacturers, but many of them can be purchased almost anywhere. As always, I encourage you to

  have FUN, make MESSES, and

  CREATE!

  Know that perfection is overrated, and that your heart and soul are what will make your creations special. Remember, I’m always here for you at [email protected].

  THE VINYL COUNTDOWN

  My dad can sew better than I can, and though I don’t like to toot my own horn, that’s saying A LOT! He decided one day that, to make extra money for our family, he would start doing upholstery along with his other business, which at the time was fixing cars. I owe a lot of my creativity and fearlessness—along with my ability to make really unfunny jokes—to my dad. For me, the best part of my dad’s upholstery work was the scraps of vinyl I got to use in my crafty projects! Making vinyl flowers was my favorite, and the projects in this chapter remind me of much simpler times in my life.

  EVERLASTING FLOWER CUFF

  Every time I see a flower on someone’s wrist I think of old-fashioned wrist corsages. I recall seeing a box of corsages that someone had saved at a thrift store once, and each one had a handwritten tag on it with the occasion at which it was worn. I often think of a white-haired woman looking in that box and thinking back on her first date, her first dance, and the first time she fell in love. Hopefully this cuff will inspire similar memories someday!

  YOU’LL NEED

  21/2-inch flat metal cuff

  Lumiere metallic paint in a color that goes with your vinyl or leather (I used burgundy)

  1/2-inch wide paintbrush

  1/4 yard altogether of vinyl or leather, in two different colors

  Scissors

  E-6000 glue

  Fiskars pinking shears

  1 yard of leather, suede, or faux suede lace in a color that goes with your vinyl or leather

  Hot glue gun and glue sticks

  Large pin

  14 inches of 20-gauge wire

  Needle-nose pliers (and wirecutters if the pliers don’t have them)

  7 pearl beads

  HERE’S HOW

  1 Paint your metal cuff with Lumiere metallic paint and let dry.

  2 Using regular scissors, cut your flowers out of the leather or vinyl, using the patterns. You will need five of them: two large, two medium, and one small.

  3 Glue them together with E-6000.

  4 Using pinking shears, cut seven small circles out of the vinyl, about 1 to 11/2 inches in diameter.

  5 Roll your leather or suede lace into spiral disks (like a cinnamon bun) that fit inside the circles, then glue them down with the glue gun as shown below.

  6 Poke a hole in the center of each circle with a large pin.

  7 Cut off a 2-inch piece of wire and make a tiny loop on the end. Place a pearl on it and poke it through the top center of one of the spiral disks. Do this for each disk.

  8 On six of the spiral disks, bend the wire so it’s flat on the back of the disk.

  9 Poke a hole through the flower with the safety pin and then push the remaining, unbent pearl through, until the disk is nicely flush. Bend the wire in the back to keep it in place on the flower.

  10 Glue the bottom layer of your flower to the cuff first using E-6000 and then dab hot glue around the edges to hold it in place while the E-6000 dries.

  11 Glue three disks on each side of the cuff with E-6000 and let dry.

  EVERLASTING FLOWER HEADBAND

  I’ve often wondered why girls are the only ones who get to wear flowers in their hair. I mean, I love flowers and sometimes I wish I could wear them in my hair—in public, anyway! I’m pretty sure there were some long-haired hippies back in the ’60s pulling off a flower child look. How did we get so conservative?

  YOU’LL NEED

  Plastic headband

  Hot glue gun and glue sticks

  1 roll of cord in a color that goes with your vinyl or leather

  1/8 yard each of vinyl or leather, in two different colors

  Scissors

  Fiskars pinking shears

  E-6000 glue

  5 inches of 20-gauge wire

  Needle-nose pliers (and wirecutters if the pliers don’t have them)

  1 crystal bead

  Large pin

  1 yard of leather, suede, or faux suede lace in a color that matches your vinyl or leather

  HERE’S HOW

  1 Dab a tiny bit of hot glue on the inside tip of your headband (starting at either end) and begin wrapping cord around the band, adding dots of hot glue on the inside as you continue wrapping as shown below.

  2 Using regular scissors, cut your flowers using the patterns below. You will need six of them: two large, three medium, and one small.

  3 Using pinking shears, cut two two small circles—one from each of your colors of vinyl or leather—about 1 and 11/2 inches in diameter, respectively.

  4 Stack all of the pieces except for one medium flower, from the largest to the smallest, with the circles on top. Glue all the pieces together with E-6000.

  5 Cut of
f a 5-inch piece of wire, bend a small loop at the very end, and string on your crystal bead.

  6 Poke a hole through the center of all of the layers of your flower with a safety pin, and then push the wire with the crystal bead through it. Bend the wire in the back to keep everything in place and to secure all of the flower pieces together.

  7 Cut a piece of vinyl about 5 inches long and 21/2 inches wide. Fringe it with scissors.

  8 Cut several 5-inch-long strips out of your leather or suede lace.

  9 Sandwich the strips of lace in between the fringed piece and the flower, and glue together with E-6000 and hot glue. Dab the E-6000 on your pieces and then use dabs of hot glue to keep it in place while the E-6000 is drying.

  10 Glue the remaining flower to the back of the ornament to make it nice and neat.

  11 Glue the entire piece to the headband and let dry.

  ARCHERY SHOE CLIPS

  I love everything about archery: the huge targets, the bows, and especially the arrows, with the beautiful feathered tips. I love that at the turn of the century, women would compete in this sport wearing beautiful dresses and corsets. These shoe clips remind me of that era.

  YOU’LL NEED

  Vinyl or leather in two different colors

  Scissors

  Circle stencils or several glasses of different sizes

  Fiskars pinking shears

  E-6000 glue

  Feathers that match your vinyl (I used feather duster feathers for the small clips and rooster feathers for the larger clips. www.createforless.com is a great source for feathers!)

  2 clip-on earring blanks

  2 flat-back acrylic gems for the centers of the clips

  HERE’S HOW

  FOR THE LARGE BLACK AND SILVER CLIPS

  1 Cut a square about 6 inches by 6 inches from both colors of your vinyl or leather. Trace four circles in various sizes on the back of the vinyl, keeping your alternating color palette in mind.

  2 Cut out the circles with pinking shears.

  3 Glue the three largest circles together using E-6000 and let dry.

  4 Glue feathers on the back of the smallest circle.