Montano - The Big-Ass Book of Bling

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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! Ive just come back 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 its what keeps me sane! Making jewelry and accessories for my boutique was often what kept me afloat financially. Even if I didnt 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, zippersyou 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 B E T T E R ! 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 Ive made in this book.

Look at the techniques and ingredients and see what you can do with the projects. You dont have to make them exactly the way I did. In fact, Im 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 Ive recommended products that I believe will change the way you think about creativity. For example, I feature a microwave kiln for fusing glass.

Ive been playing with mine for two years now and finally decided it was something that you should know about. Its brilliant and I absolutely love it. Ive also experimented with molds and mold-making. For some reason, I was afraid of diving into this type of craft. But now that Ive actually tried it, its the easiest thing Ive ever done. Its 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 couldnt stop! I think youll 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 M ESS E S , and C R E A T E ! Know that perfection is overrated, and that your heart and soul are what will make your creations special.

Remember, Im always here for you at . T H E V IN YL C O U N T D OW N M y dad can sew better than I can, and though I dont like to toot my own horn, thats 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 fearlessnessalong with my ability to make really unfunny jokesto my dad. For me, the best part of my dads 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 someones 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! Y O U L L N E ED 2/-inch flat metal cuff Lumiere metallic paint in a color that goes with your vinyl or leather (I used burgundy) /-inch wide paintbrush / 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