The Big-Ass Book of Bling

I love, love, LOVE Mark Montano's Big ___ Books...I have the whole series! Every one of them has something new and different and creative that I just have to try! As you might expect, this one is all about bling - jewelry and accessories that you can make yourself.Here's what I love about this book (as well as the other books in the series):- The wide range of projects. No matter how long you've been crafting, there is always something new in his books for you to try. The big treasure from this one for me was the chapter on the Fuseworks microwave kiln and fusible glass projects. Who knew there was a way to melt and fuse glass in your kitchen??- The wide range of styles. Some people, like me, love weird and wacky and colorful and over the top! Some people like things a little bit more understated, classic, and/or elegant. Montano always provides projects for a variety of tastes so that if you want to get crazy, you can! And if you want to keep it simple, you can do that too.- The photographs are stunning, highly saturated, colorful and high resolution images. Every page is super detailed and colorful. The book is just as fun to look through for the presentation as it is for the projects themselves!- Montano does a great job of writing instructions that people can actually read and follow! I hate when I get into a craft book and I can't understand what they are trying to tell me to do. Montano writes clearly and his illustrations (in full color!) provide a step by step process that is super easy to follow.I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in making their own jewelry and accessories, and I recommend ANY of the Big ___ Books for the crafters in your lives! They make amazing gifts, or buy them for yourself and have a crafting day!

Whether you are a hard-core crafter looking for a dozen new ways to use up the your massive stash of bits and baubles or a novice fashionista hoping to create a stand-out signature piece that will really take your latest look to the next level, Mark Montano's Big-Ass Book of Bling has you covered.Like all of Mark's books, The Big-Ass Book of Bling features enough projects --more than 150-- to keep you crafting well into the next year. Each project is beautifully photographed and comes with a list of all the materials required and a set of easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions. More importantly, every page comes packed with inspiration as Mark encourages everyone to "have fun, make messes, and create!" Perhaps the most interesting and surprising thing that Mark has to offer is his unique and innovative eye for turning common hardware store finds like plastic gutter guard, aquarium tubing and aluminum flashing into gorgeous accessories you'll be proud to flaunt at your next soiree.A few highlights include an entire section on crowns and tiaras (And who among us doesn't need at least one more tiara?), a must-have recipe for paper "turquoise," and an "oh-my-goth" fabulous collection of chic black necklaces, chokers, and cuffs. On top of all that, Mark introduces readers to a few products and techniques that are, quite simply, game-changers. Until I read this book, I was convinced I'd have to spend a fortune on classes or my own glass fusing kiln. Now thanks to Mark, I know about the  Fuseworks Beginner's Microwave Kiln . I've even added it to my Amazon.com Wishlist!With the holidays just a few weeks away, I'll be whipping up some awesome gifts and stocking stuffers for all the folks in my life who understand, as Mark Montano clearly does, that everything's better with bling.

Couldnt pre-read the book before purchase. The naming is confusing. Buy bait? i got it for actual jewelry and had to gift it away. Sry

This book is filled with great step by step directions. There are a lot of fun projects and most can be done using things I have around my home. In addition, there are many tried and tested products that I am interested in trying.

This should be called The Big Ass Book of Tacky

Ok.....let's just get down to the point...This book rocks...Not only are the ideas fun, funky, easy and original it doesn't break my bank either...I've been able to create these amazing and clever crafty items on the cheap....and they look like a million bucks.I have a 5 year old daughter and 7 year old son and they too can do these with me.The photographs are bright (not dingy like half those books), the instructions are clear.....and simple.The best part is Mark has as far as I can see made videos on his website or You Tube channel and you can actually see how it's done if you get confused.... this rocks. And he's so accessible....! If you write him, he writes you back!!!I was blown away.... he's not a diva... so nice and helped me in a jiffy with a question....Amazing in this internet age when so many people pop out books but aren't there to help you or back up their work.He's crafty, he's smart and he's your friend how big ass bad is that?Awesome.I bought 3 copies and gave them as gifts.Buy it and BLING your ass out.. with the craftiest....

I was impatiently waiting for this book to arrive! With the name Bling in the mix, who wouldn't be excited? I am happy to say this book delivered! Page after page of inspiration. Mark left no "Bling" unturned! This book as everything for the novice crafter to the skilled artisan. Best of all, Mark even provides life-sized templates! Seriously, that is one of my huge pet peeves about templates provided in craft books. Most are microscopic, and requires you to have a printer and/or know how to enlarge them. Well in this book, no worries, all the enlarging is already done for you. Don't have access to a printer? No problem, you can trace right out of the book. Genius!! This book will make an excellent DIY gift. I plan on purchasing a couple more with supplies needed for one of the projects and give to a few of my crafty diva homegirls.Sacredyolidesigns

This book rocks. I. Love it! The second one...not so much... but this book? Get it. you wont regret it. It's full of interesting little stories about how the author that leave a smile on your face but it's the sheer volume of crafts ....I'll probably never make half of them but they are awesome to look at...that just blew my mind. Awesome!

I do Arts and Crafts with a Bunch of People wanting something to do in the Winter Monthsthis Book has a lot of great Ideas and easy to do

... für ausgefallenen Schmuck in jede Richtung und wirklich auch was Neues, das man nicht schon irgendwo mal gesehen hat. Die Anleitungen sind gut verständlich (auch ohne große Englischkenntnisse) und sinnvoll bebildert. Die Schmuckideen oft aus Alltagsmaterialien, kaum teures oder schwer zu beschaffendes Material notwendig.Wundert mich, daß Mark Montano bisher nicht für den deutschen Buchmarkt entdeckt und übersetzt wurde, auch seine anderen Bücher mag ich und er bringt wirklich viele und neue Ideen ...

If you like to craft with recycled materials you will love this book. Every page had me wanting to rush out into my craft room and make a start. I teach recycled crafts and there are great ideas in this book that I will adapt to use.

Sorry, this just was not for me. The ideas were great and the instructions good, just not my cup of tea,