Interview with Mark Montano

Tune in to any home-friendly cable network and you are bound to see Mark Montano in action. He currently hosts four shows including TLC’s 10 Years Younger and While You Were Out; Style Network’s My Celebrity Home, and She’s Moving In on WE-TV.

He may love hamming it up onscreen, but this New Yorker’s true passion comes from a glue gun. This week Montano debuts his third crafty page-turner, and it’s his heftiest one yet. The Big-Ass Book of Crafts ($19.95, Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 384 pages, paperback) includes more than 150 clever DIY ideas. He recently took some time to chat crafts.

QUESTION: Tell us about the new book!

ANSWER: Wow, it's the kind of craft book you can move in to a new house with and make everything you ever wanted from scratch to decorate, including the cards to send to say you've just moved!

Q: How did you come up with so many new ideas?

A: Here is the truth about crafting: Before the industrial revolution, everyone made everything, so I didn't invent anything new. I just gave my take on things that have been in the realm of craft for hundreds of years. Ideas aren't something you own, they are something you share.

Q: Will you share some goodies from your craft hall of shame?

A: Oh dear! I'm a horrid potter, and an even worse knitter. Can we just say that I'd rather cut up an old knitted blanket to make a scarf than to actually attempt it myself? There was also a matter of a toilet seat cover, which at the time I just thought was the most amazing thing. It wasn't a hit in our house.

Q: What is your all-time favorite project?

A: That is tough. Oh, here's one that I love - an octopus made from a beanbag chair that had 8' legs hanging off of it. My nephew loved that one.

Q: What is your advice for people who want to craft, but don't know how?

A: Everyone is talented. It's important to know that it's more about the process of creation, than the creation itself. The time you spend letting your mind wander and the time you spend with your friends painting - that is the essential and most important result of crafting. After that, well if something amazing happens, even better. Just give yourself a chance!

Q: I just found out you have a store in NYC!

A: I opened it 17 years ago in the East Village of New York (434 East 9th Street). I was young and ambitious with no idea of what I was doing other than making my mark on the world. Later I found myself designing couture dresses for movie stars and the ladies who lunched. One thing I can do is sew. I love it. Now the store is filled with jewelry I design, and dresses made by my assistants. It's always changing.

Q: How can crafting make the world a better place?

A: It gets us away from TV, the computer, and allows us to spend time with people we enjoy. It helps kids explore creativity and learn to use different parts of their minds. I could go on and on about this, but let's just say that crafting will change the world.

Kathy Cano-Murillo is a freelance craft designer and book author. Send questions to kathy@craftychica.com or visit www.craftychica.com.

This article available for publication upon request.