Hanging Basket Lamps DIY

Every time I hit the thrift store I see an entire shelf filled with baskets....Except for this time when I had this project in mind and there wasn't a single basket for sale!  Fortunately, if you wait a week, there is a new batch ready for you to upcycle, paint, line with fabric and turn into these gorgeous pendant lamps like I did!  A little multi-surface paint and a lamp kit and you're ready to go!  Remember, sweet friends, your decor doesn't have to cost a fortune.  Now get out there and 

Make Your Mark!

 Tassels in every color make these the perfect boho accent for my patio!

From bell shaped to boxy, these lamps are an easy way to jazz up your patio!

Watch how to make them here!

 Check out the Pattiewack Tassel Maker on Amazon.  

Great way to whip through tons of tassels in different sizes!

 My wicker trio!

Happy end-of-summer!

Inspirational Mixed Media Rolodex

Seems every time I hit the thrift store I see an old Rolodex.  I always think to buy it, but a lamp or chair calls my name and I forget about it.  When I finally decided to make this Inspirational Rolodex project I hit at least 4 different thrift stores and could not find one to save my life.  The lesson here is simple, if you see an old Rolodex, grab it!   The fact is, with all of our contacts in the cloud, things like a Rolodex are becoming obsolete.  Just when I got into my Rolodex groove, too.  Remember, if you see something and it inspires you, GRAB IT!  

Also, don't forget to Make Your Mark.

Make a page for every day of the year! 

Fill each page with color and inspiration 

You might even add some photos of your friends and family....Just a suggestion.

Watch how I made mine here!

 For this project I created my pages with a Gel Press

I used Americana Multi-Surface Satin Paints because I'm painting paper, metal and plastic

I also used card stock, printed inspirational quotes, book pages and printed tissue paper

 This would be an amazing gift for someone who needs a daily lift!

Believe you can and you're halfway there!

Paper Spiders for Halloween

I love the kooky, colorful side of Halloween.  For me, not everything has to be old bones and tombstones!  Here's a fun kid's project using old magazines, pipe cleaners and the best craft supply ever....GOOGLY EYES!  I made these for season 1 of my PBS show, Make Your Mark, which now has it's own YouTube channel!  Have fun this Halloween and don't forget to 

Make Your Mark!

Watch how to make them here!

STUFF I USED

Americana Multi-Surface Satin paints

Glue gun

Magazine pages

Pipe cleaners

Needle nose pliers and wire cutters (or old scissors)

White glue

Googly eyes

HERE'S HOW

1. Roll 4" x 8" magazine pages into tubes and secure the ends with white glue

2. & 3. Roll one tube to make the head of the spider and 3 tubes to make the body of the spider

4.  Hot glue a small roll and large roll together to make the body of the spider

5.  Paint the bodies in different colors

6. & 7.  Cut the pipe cleaners in half and glue 4 pieces on the body of the spider

8.  Glue googly eyes on the heads

9. Shape the pipe cleaners for legs

 Creepy cute!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 

Skele-Tee DIY

I love this time of year because I get to wear a SKELE-TEE to the supermarket and the only thing people say to me is "Happy Halloween".  No crazy looks, just Halloween love!  For years I would wear the most elaborate costumes this time of year, but lately I've toned it down.  This SKELE-TEE is perfect for someone who wants to celebrate without wearing a huge chicken suit.  Pair it with black jeans and you're good to go!

Happy Halloween.  xoxo, Mark

I added a little glitter to give it a reflective quality, but you could also use

glow-in-the-dark paint!

See how I made it here!

Stuff You'll Need

Iron

Freezer Paper

Americana Multi-Surface Satin in White

Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint

Black tee

Paintbrushes

Craft knife

Scissors

Skeleton template (below)

Cardboard

Print out the skeleton template as large as you can

Fold a large piece of freezer paper in half and draw the design on the fold

Carefully cut it out with scissors and a craft knife

Iron the shiny side of the freezer paper to the front of the tee

Create bones for the arms, too!

Put a large piece of cardboard in the tee so the paint doesn't bleed to the back

*Also do this in the sleeves

Paint two coats of the Americana Multi-Surface Satin paint

When dry, remove the stencil and fill in with Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint in Silver

Fairy Dolls DIY and Clutterbug Collab!

When I was looking around in my yard for a place to photograph these little Vegas showgirl fairy dolls, I actually found a fairy door on my tree. How fun is that!?!  FYI, I only make fairy dolls because I have a boatload of nieces who are obsessed with anything fairy or princess....OBSESSED!   I think most little girls are (and some boys) because every day on my street, when the parents take their kids to school, it's a fairy parade!  Wait a minute.....Who am I kidding?  I made these fairy dolls because they were just darn fun to make, period.  BTW, I did a video collaboration with my friend Cas at Clutterbug.  Her dolls are amazing! Definitely go see them.  Have fun....XOXO, Mark

Getting ready for the Vegas fairy doll kick line!

See how I made them here!

YOU'LL NEED

Americana Multi Surface Satin Paints 

*red, black, pink and flesh

Glue gun

Faux flowers

Faux butterflies

Thick galvanized wire

Large wooden beads

Scissors

Paintbrush

Needle nose pliers with wire cutting ability

Free People Inspired Necklace

Not sure about you, but I have boxes of bits and pieces in my craft space.  I save EVERYTHING!  Secretly, I'm a bit of a hoarder, but that's another story.  Not long ago I was passing by the Free People boutique and noticed these crazy displays using anything and everything.  They're so good at display, don't you think?  Anyway, I got the idea to create a necklace inspired by their new vibe.  I think my fab assistant looks terrific in it, too!

Have fun!  xoxo, Mark

My 2nd attempt at creating beauty from chaos!

My first attempt which is a little more abstract

Danielle wearing the Free People Mixed Media necklace

Watch the short video tutorial here!

YOU'LL NEED

Wax paper (great surface for this project)

Lace pieces

Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint

Americana Multi Surface Satin in Metallic Gold

E-6000 Glue

Jewelry findings

Beads, cabochons, cup chain and jewelry pieces

Needle nose pliers

 Cut your lace into smaller pieces to create a necklace shape

Glue the pieces together with E-6000

When it's dry, paint it with the Americana Multi Surface in metallic gold (or silver)

 Start by gluing on cup chain and jewelry pieces

Decorate the lace with Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint in tons of different colors

Add cabochon flowers and crystals

*Allure is also an adhesive so it's perfect for adding more embellishments

Sprinkle on some beads into the wet allure

When dry add a chain and lobster claw closure for the back

Done!

Mexican Tin Folk Art DIY

I love Mexican art!  I always have.  When I was a kid my parents would go to Mexico and bring back all kinds of fantastic treasures.  Once they brought back these super scary tapped tin masks with marble eyes....I loved them!  Years later when I was shopping for art supplies at the hardware store, I scored a roll of aluminum flashing (they use it for roofing) and immediately 

thought of the tapped tin projects I could make.

Make sure to cut the tin with serrated edge scissors or tin shears so that it's not sharp to the touch!

I framed loteria images, but you could use anything!

Make them in different sizes

Make sure to add sequins and glitter, too!

Watch the short video tutorial here

Watch my 2018 updated version!

YOU'LL NEED

Aluminum flashing

Americana Multi-Surface Satin Paints

Loteria Images (below)

Pattern of Heart (below)

Serrated edge scissors or tin shears

Needle nose pliers

E-6000 Glue

White school glue

Plastic cabochon flowers

Sequins and glitter

Paintbrushes

Hammer and large nails

Scrap wood

Trace and cut your pattern in aluminum flashing using serrated scissors (or tin shears)

Cut out a loteria image and trace around it adding 1/4" all the way around

Cut off the corners and bend them upward with pliers to create a small frame 

Using a large nail and scrap wood, tap a design into the heart

*Tap a hole through the top so you can hang it when you're done

 Paint your heart with Americana Multi-Surface Satin in vibrant colors

Paint your small frame to match

*Click HERE for inspiration

When dry, glue on the flower cabochons and the frame with E-6000 glue

Using white glue, add the loteria image

Add more glue to add sequins and glitter inside and around the frame

 Print and cut

Print and cut