In the tutorial, Mark Montano shows how to turn a simple necktie into a wearable piece of art.
He starts by printing insect images onto heat transfer paper and pressing them onto a silk necktie. Once the design is transferred, he embellishes the bugs and flowers using Czech glass seed beads from John Bead and elements from a bead embroidery kit.
Key techniques in the project include
• Using heat transfer images on fabric
• Bead embroidery with Czech seed beads and bugles
• Adding texture and highlights with metallic and foil lined beads
• Split stitch embroidery to outline and fill the designs
The finished pieces feature beaded beetles and botanical elements stitched onto the tie, creating a dramatic fashion accessory. Mark even suggests wearing it traditionally as a necktie or styling it as a belt for a bold statement look.
Over the years, Mark Montano has brought bold color, fearless design and serious DIY energy to dozens of projects featuring John Bead products.
We’ve gathered them all into one interactive collection so you can explore, watch and create.
This is not one or two tutorials. It’s an entire creative library.
Inside the collection, you’ll find everything from jewelry making to fashion embellishment to home décor transformations. Mark takes seed beads, Czech glass, rhinestones, wire, charms, wood beads and everyday materials and turns them into statement pieces that are joyful, expressive and totally achievable.
Mark Montano Big Collection PDF (Updated 2026)
About Mark
Meet Mark Montano — best-selling author, designer, and television host. He’s the writer of THE BIG-ASS CRAFT BOOK series from Simon & Schuster, the best-selling craft series in the United States.
You can catch him on Discovery Plus in Meet Your Makers Showdown with Chrissy Metz and LeAnn Rimes, and he’s also appeared on While You Were Out (TLC), 10 Years Younger (TLC), She’s Moving In (WEtv), My Celebrity Home (Style), The Tony Danza Show (ABC), My Home 2.0 (FOX), and Make Your Mark! which airs regularly on PBS and APT. Mark’s YouTube Channel has daily updates! @MarkMontanoMakeYourMark
