Reader of the Week: Mark Montano
author of The Big-Ass Book of Crafts
By Jihanah Rasul
Published: February 5th, 2008 | 12:00am
You are truly a Renaissance Man. In addition to hosting My Celebrity Home, While You Were Out, 10 Years Younger, and She's Moving In, you have your own successful couture fashion line and have authored numerous decorating books. When did you find time to put together your latest book, The Big-Ass Book of Crafts
The Big-Ass Book of Crafts has been a passion of mine for years. It took two years of hard work to put it together in between all of my other projects. I grew up making things, sewing, creating, and this was a way for me to catalog all of the things I like to make. I simplified a lot of the ideas so that people would be able to put their own spin on the projects. I don’t care if people do the exact same thing that I did, but I want people to know that they can embellish and make it their own.
Are there parallels for you when designing clothes and designing one’s living space?
Oh yes. There is a love of fabrics, proportion, color — things that you would consider when making a dress are the things you consider when dressing your home. I think that's why fashion designers often paint, do interiors, design furniture, and eventually go crazy! Tony Duquette is my idol. I worship that man.
Have you always been an arts and crafts kind of guy?
Hella yes! I came out of the womb with a bottle of Elmer’s Glue in my hand, and I was ready to rumble. My parents really encouraged me to be creative, and thank goodness every year under the tree was more crafty stuff.
You’re launching a Web site called craftytown.com. What can expect from that?
You really did your research! Well, Craftytown.com may be changed to Thebigassbookofcrafts.com, but either way, you will get a daily craft from me. It’s not an interactive site; it's just a place where you can log on to get inspiration and get in touch with me to ask which kind of glue to use or where to get a great fabric for a project.
If you had three wishes, what would they be?
This is tough.
1. I feel like Miss America right now, but I have to say I’d really wish for world peace. I’m so uncomfortable with the things that are happening in our world, and I truly want the human experience to be a wonderful experience for everyone. (I have a tear streaming down my face right now, I really do!)
2. Here comes the shallow one! I wish my triceps would get bigger. (The tear is gone.)
3. I’d have to say that I wish people would shut off the damn TV and start to glue some things together as a family. Crafting will save the world and give us fulfillment if we allow it to. It’s not about the results, people — it’s about the process! (Now I have serious face.)
Issue #34
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