The Big-Ass Book of Bling
Page 1
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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 MARKMONTANONYC@AOL.COM.
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.