Mixed Media Vintage Circus Art

I love everything about a vintage circus.  The ruffled collars on bike riding bears, the harlequin patterns on nightmare-inducing clowns and the huge red and white striped tents.  I love it!  Recently I was ogling beautiful images on Pinterest and found a beautiful butterfly art piece by Debrina Pratt.  It was so inspiring I decided to take the concept and make a little vintage circus art piece of my own.  Not much needed for this except some cardboard, wire and a few wood blocks which I've seen at most craft and dollar stores.  Heck, you could even use a rock for a base if you wanted.  Grag my images HERE.  Make it wonderful and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

These make me very happy!

Watch how to make them here!

STUFF I USED

Vintage Circus Images (HERE)

E-6000 Spray Adhesive

E-6000 Glue

Wood Blocks

Cardboard

Stamp Pad

Wire and Wire Cutters

 HERE'S HOW

1.  Glue the printed images to cardboard

2.  Carefully cut out each piece

3.  Glue graphics to the wood block

4.  Distress the edges of the cutouts and wood blocks on an ink pad

5. Cut wire in various sizes

6.  Glue the wire to the backs of the cardboard cutouts

7. Mark where your pieces will be placed on each block

8.  Drill small holes for the wire

9.  Add more E-6000 Glue on the end of the wire and insert in the drilled holes

Showtime!

Any mix of images will do!

On with the show!

Famous Art Jewelry

Do you have a favorite piece of art?  If so, how about turning it into a piece of jewelry that you can wear wherever you go?  I used Gustav Klimt for this project because I'm in awe of his use of color and pattern mixed with gold leaf.   That said, any piece of art will work for this project.  Simply print it out on your home computer and follow my instructions to make your own.  Remember to have fun, make messes and always Make Your Mark! 

My stack of Gustav Klimt bangles

I love the face on the middle bangle

Watch the quick video here!

Stuff You'll Need

E-6000 Spray Adhesive and Glue

Americana Multi-Purpose Sealer

Popsicle sticks (I like the jumbo sticks)

Water bottle

Metallic gold paint marker

Gems (optional)

Here's How

1.  Boil the sticks for about 10 minutes until they are soft

2. & 3.  Gently bend them to fit inside of the mouth of a small glass and let them dry overnight

*Different sized glasses make different sized bangles

4.  Position and trace flat Popsicle sticks on your art and cut out the shapes

5. & 6.  Spray the face of the cutouts with water and the back with E-6000 Spray Adhesive and then stick the art to the curved Popsicle stick

7.  Edge the bracelet with a gold paint marker 

8.  Seal with a multi-purpose sealer

9.  Add gems with E-6000 glue and a toothpick

Your arm is now an art gallery!

Modern Ginger Jars

Y'all know how much I love a jar makeover.....NOT a mason jar makeover, but a plain ole pasta, jam, pickle jar makeover.  A little bit of paint and some fancy knobs and you have something pretty to fancy-up your kitchen or vanity.  I grabbed these crystal knobs on Amazon for a song....Definitely check out the selection for your next jar project.  Remember, have fun, recycle and don't forget to

Make Your Mark!

Try different color schemes!

Watch the short video here!

Stuff You'll Need

Krylon Spray Paint in Black and Mambo Pink

Glass jars

E-6000 Glue

E-6000 Spray Adhesive

Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint in Silver Glitter

Spray bottle

Crystal knobs

Flower printout *from your computer

Here's How

1. - 3. Spray the jar black and the lid in Mambo Pink and let dry

4.  Print out the flowers and cut to the size you want

*You can print these on your home computer

5.  Mist the front of the image with water and spray the E-6000 Spray Adhesive on the back of the cut out image

6.  Carefully adhere to the jar

7. & 8.  When the flowers are dry, edge them with the Allure in Silver Glitter

9.  Glue the crystal knob in the center of the lid and let dry

Fill with anything!

Mixed Pattern Pendant Lamp DIY

Years ago I was on a show called While You Were Out on TLC (which still airs on Discovery Family, BTW).  We gave an unsuspecting homeowner a room a makeover in two days, mostly to their delight, bus sometimes not.  Because we were always on a budget, this hanging pendant lamp became a staple for me.  It's bold, can be made to match any room and allowed me to spend my budget on more important things like sofas and rugs.  I often find sets of lampshades at thrift stores which are perfect for this project, so keep an eye out when you're shopping.  These were $2 each.  Remember, have fun and make messes...Oh, and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

Spicing up the patio

Watch how I made them here!

STUFF YOU'LL NEED

E-6000 Glue & Spray Adhesive

2 Matching lampshades

Fabric of choice

Glue gun

1/2" wide bias tape

Butcher paper, ruler and scissors

HERE'S HOW:
1. & 2. Carefully roll the lampshade on the butcher paper (while tracing the edges with a pencil) to create the pattern and cut out

3.  Pin and cut on folded fabric

4. & 5. Spray the lampshade with E-6000 Spray Adhesive and press the fabric to the shade

6.  Hot glue the edge of the fabric down 

*use very little hot glue for this

7.  Match the fabric seams and glue the shades together with E-6000 Glue 

*don't use hot glue because the heat of the bulbs may cause your glue to melt

8. . Hot glue the 1/2" bias trim around the side to cover the seams, center and edges of the pendant

9.  Fold the end of the bias over 1/4" to give a clean finish

 Hang and enjoy!

Let's Make Art! Warhol Inspired

A very long time ago, when I first moved to NYC,  I scammed my way into an art opening in SOHO and literally bumped into Andy Warhol!  I actually BUMPED-IN-TO-HIM!  The most I'd hoped for that evening was a table filled with good cheese and some free wine, but that night turned out to be sooooo much more.  I'd always been obsessed with everything Andy.  I loved his handwriting, his shoe illustrations and his huge, colorful portraits.  Today, just for kicks, I'm turning Julie and I into Warhol portraits.  I love this process and I hope you do, too.  Remember, have fun, make messes and don't forget to Make Your Mark! 

Come on, I couldn't just make one!

Watch the process here!

Stuff You'll Need

Your image printed out on transparent paper (Acetate)

*I use PicMonkey to alter my images

Americana Acrylics

Small canvases

Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint

E-6000 Spray Adhesive

Paintbrushes

Warhol inspiration

Here's How

1.  On PicMonkey, make your photo black and white and then pump up

the exposure and contrast

2.  Print out on transparent paper and cut around the image

3.  Place the image on the canvas and pencil around the details

*Trace around it, draw in the eyes, lips, chin, and any details that show up

4. 5. 6. & 7.  Paint in the details with Americana Acrylics

*Use a Warhol portrait as a guide

8.  When the paint is dry glue the transparency over the painted canvas

9. Fill in the details with more Americana Acrylics in matching colors

10. 11. & 12.  Add details with Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint

Adult Coloring Book Ikea Hack

I admit it, I love adult coloring books.  L-O-V-E  T-H-E-M!!!!  Actually, I dig almost any coloring book from My Little Pony to anything Disney.  Coloring is a form of active meditation that really works.  Try it and you'll see how the day just melts away.  Add a glass of wine in the mix and your evening is SET.  For this Ikea hack I used enlarged copies of my favorite blank pages and a few of my colored pages, but this could also be fun with the entire table covered in copies of your favorite colored pages.  If you decide to tackle this project, just remember to have fun, make messes 

and don't forget to Make Your Mark!  

 Not sure I want to put anything on top!

Terrific place for inspiration

Watch how easy it is to make here!

You'll Need

Simple table (I used an Ikea Lack Table)

Adult coloring book page copies (I enlarged mine)

Paintbrush

E-6000 Spray Adhesive

Americana Decoupage

Scissors

Craft knife

1.  Cut out your copies and figure out your layout

2.  Spray the top of your image with water

3.  Spray the back of your image with E-6000 Spray Adhesive

4. Carefully place your image in place

5.  Blot excess moisture with a cloth

6.  When dry, cut of excess with a craft knife

*Glide it along the edges for a clean finish

7.  Repeat the process on all of the sides

8. & 9.  Cover all 4 legs

10.  Add copies of your favorite colored pages to the center 

*Like a table runner

11.  Coat all pieces with Americana Decoupage in gloss

12.  Screw in the legs

     

A few of my favorite pages for you to print out  

Beautiful Paper Rings

If you ever went to summer camp there is a good chance you made a version of this beautiful project.  It's tried and true and always delivers amazing results.  What I love most is the resemblance to colorful agate stones, which is why I turned them in to fun rings.  Just an FYI, I coated mine with varnish and then nail polish, but you could skip the varnish and just use several coats of nail polish to get them nice and sturdy and waterproof.

Remember, have fun, make messes and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

xoxo, Mark

Julie rocking her awesome new paper rings

Try different shapes and thicknesses

See how easy they are to make here!

Stuff You'll Need

Construction paper

Large hole punch

E-6000 Spray Adhesive

Gloss Varnish

Clear nail polish

Sanding block (or sandpaper)

Ring findings

Desk lamp & Wax paper (optional)

1.  Start by punching out about 50 construction paper circles

2.  Grab some E-6000 Spray Adhesive (this makes the process a breeze)

3. & 4.   Glue the disks together one by one until you have a 1/4" stack or thicker

*Alternate the colors and use your favorite colors on the top of the stack

5.  Dry them under a desk lamp on wax paper if you're impatient like I am!

6.  When dry, sand the edges and sides to reveal the different colors

7.  Harden with several coats of nail polish

*This also brings out the color

8. & 9.  Glue ring findings on the back with E-6000 glue

E-6000 is non toxic and easy water clean up.  So much better than the other

spray adhesives on the market

Let's Make Pop Art!

The problem with paint chips is that they're never quite big enough AND I always feel terrible when I "borrow" a large amount for a project.  I swear I'm on the 10 MOST WANTED paint chip thieves list!  I solved this problem recently by taking my favorite colors of Americana Decor Maxx Gloss and making my own super big, glossy paint chips to use in some fun art pieces.  Gotta tell you, it was much more satisfying because you never run out of that "amazing" color AND you don't have to make another trip to the hardware store.  Have fun!  Make Art!  Make Your Mark!

xoxo, Mark

A close-up of my favorite harlequin piece

I call this one "Gumdrops"

Harlequin and Lumpy Jelly Beans

See how easy it is to do here!

Stuff You'll Need

Americana Decor Maxx Gloss

White Frames

Card stock

E-6000 Spray Adhesive

Paintbrushes

1. Stir the Maxx Gloss colors thoroughly

2. Paint them on pieces of card stock and let dry

3.  Try lots of different colors

4.  Cut the "paint chips" into diamond shape

5.  Try lumpy jelly bean shapes, too

6.  Apply the pieces to a large sheet of paper with E-6000 Spray Adhesive

7.  Keep the diamonds about 1/4" apart

8.  Repeat the process with the fat jelly bean shapes on another piece of art

9.  Frame your art in big, clean, white frames to make the colors pop!

Art doesn't have to be so serious!