Ready to jazz up your phone case, shoes, and home decor with a touch of sparkle? If you’re curious about creating dazzling projects with craft rhinestones, you need to know where to start. It all begins with premium rhinestones, helpful design aids, handy application tools, and creative ideas.
We’re covering all the basics: what rhinestones are available, what supplies you need, how to bedazzle, and fun project ideas. Learn everything you need to know about crafting with rhinestones here.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Different Types of Craft Rhinestones
- Essential Tools and Supplies for Rhinestone Crafting
- Step-by-Step Basic Application Techniques
- Creative Project Ideas for All Skill Levels
Understanding Different Types of Craft Rhinestones
Discover all the different types, sizes, and colors of craft rhinestones you can order from Planet Rhinestone.
Flatback Rhinestones
Flatback rhinestones are classic rhinestones for general crafting. The underside of the rhinestone is a plain, flat surface that you can affix to bedazzling projects using adhesive. You’ll find these rhinestones in different materials, such as acrylic, glass, and crystal, which offer various levels of shine and sparkle. These are brilliant for nail art, jewelry-making, bedazzled accessories, embellished home decor, and many more projects.
Hotfix Rhinestones
Hotfix rhinestones look similar to flatback stones, but they have a built-in adhesive on the underside that forms permanent bonds once you heat them up. These are excellent for bedazzling clothes because they form a strong, permanent bond that can handle wearing, rubbing, and washing. You don’t need your own adhesive to use these, but you do need heat tools, such as a clothing iron or heat press.
Sew-On Rhinestones
Sew-on rhinestones require no adhesive or heat tools, as you sew them onto fabrics using thread and a needle. They have holes that can be threaded to attach them to clothes, linens, and other soft materials. You need to have basic sewing skills to use these, and they’re time-consuming to apply, but they offer long-lasting durability that’s stronger than adhesive application.
Size and Color Options
Rhinestones come in a vast range of sizes. At Planet Rhinestone, we carry sizes SS6 (small stones) to SS40 (big stones), giving you ample options. Different sizes allow you to create dynamic and complex designs, so you can experiment with different designs and projects.
Our collection of craft rhinestones also features impressive color options, including clear, multi-colored, pink, red, green, yellow, black, gold, silver, and more. Clear gems are often the most sparkly because they reflect the most light, but colored stones are fun for specific crafts.
Essential Tools and Supplies for Rhinestone Crafting
Aside from the gems, beads, and stones, you also need the right design and crafting supplies to make your designs come to life.
Adhesives and Heat Tools
For general crafting, E6000 is our top recommendation. It forms a strong hold and works on a variety of surfaces. Gem-Tac is our top pick for bedazzling clothing and other fabrics, as it’s specially formulated to fuse with textiles.
When in doubt, hotfix stones are an easy option. They come with the glue on the back, so all you need is a heat tool, like an iron, heat press, or hotfix applicator, to secure the gems.
Application Tools
Placing small stones with your fingers can be difficult and messy. For best results, use application tools, such as:
- Wax pencils
- Tweezers
- Rhinestone pickup tools
We also recommend using a toothpick or similar tool to apply small dots of glue to the item you’re bedazzling.
Design Aids
Freehanding with rhinestones might not turn out how you envisioned. To make sure the final product matches your plan, use tools like stencils, transfer tape, washable fabric markers, rulers, and templates. These design supplies allow you to space rhinestones properly, create patterns, position designs, and bedazzle with precision.
Work Surface
Where you work matters. Be sure to execute your projects on large, flat workspaces. Choose a well-lit and well-ventilated area, so you can clearly see what you’re doing and won’t be overwhelmed by the scent of adhesives.
If you find this list of supplies daunting, don’t worry. Planet Rhinestone has handy starter kits that come with everything you need to become a bedazzling pro. And we offer free shipping on orders over $75, so you can get all the tools and crafting supplies shipped to your door for $0.
Step-by-Step Basic Application Techniques
To help you tackle your project, check out these step-by-step guides for different rhinestone application methods.
Glue Application Method:
- Clean and dry your project surface thoroughly. Plan out your design using stencils, markers, and other design aids.
- Start by using a toothpick to place a tiny dot of glue on your surface where you want a rhinestone to go.
- Place the rhinestone using a wax pencil, tweezers, or similar tool. Apply firm, gentle pressure.
- Continue adding glue and rhinestones. You can do multiple glue dots at once, but work in small sections.
- When your design is complete, allow the glue to cure and dry for 24–48 hours in a cool, ventilated space.
Hotfix Application Method:
- Plan out your design with your design aids, such as templates and rulers.
- Preheat your heat tool to the right temperature, usually 325ºF–340ºF for craft rhinestones.
- Working in small sections, use your rhinestone application tools to position the rhinestones (glue-side down) where you want them. Just start with 5–10 at first.
- Place your heat tool on top of the rhinestones and apply gentle, even pressure for 10–15 seconds to melt the glue. Repeat until your design is complete.
- Allow the adhesive to cure and dry for 24–48 hours, and do not move the project until it has fully cured.
Creating Professional Results
To help your project look as good as professional bedazzling, keep these tips in mind:
- Start slow and work in small sections.
- Pay attention to the spacing between rhinestones.
- Always use your design aids and plan the layout before starting.
- Use a cotton swab to clean up excess glue before it dries.
- If using stones of different sizes, start with the large ones first.
- Cure and dry in cool, ventilated spaces out of direct sunlight.
Practice makes perfect! If this is your first time using rhinestones, beads, gems, or crystals, start with a small, easy project to get the hang of it.
Creative Project Ideas for All Skill Levels
Whether you’re a newbie or seasoned bedazzler, there are countless projects you can do with craft rhinestones. If you need inspiration, discover stunning ideas below for every skill level.
Easy Starter Projects
For beginner bedazzlers, consider these fun and simple projects:
- Bedazzled hair clips and headbands
- Sparkly greeting cards, envelopes, and notes
- Picture frames adorned with gems and crystals
- Dazzling wine glasses, drinking glasses, and coasters
- Monograms or small designs on phone cases
- Blinged-out remotes, headphones, and chargers
- Bedazzled binders, folders, planners, and notebooks
Intermediate Projects
If you’ve bedazzled before and want to step up your game, try these projects:
- Tees and tanks with small graphics, numbers, or letters
- Bedazzled bathing suits
- Sneakers bedazzled with rhinestones
- Sparkly holiday ornaments and decor
- Tote bags and purses with personalized designs
- Rhinestone-studded towels and linens
- Small designs on wallets and clutches
Advanced Creations
For the serious bedazzlers who know what they’re doing, these ideas are more involved, but definitely worth the effort:
- Fully bedazzled mini skirts and dresses
- T-shirts with complex images, designs, or names
- Bedazzled heels or boots
- Fully beaded purses and wallets
- Glittery flower pots, vases, and other home decor
- Jeans or denim jackets with elaborate designs
- Bodysuits and leotards with full-coverage, intricate designs
- Bedazzled mirrors, lamps, and tables
- Flashy stage costumes covered in crystals
These ideas are just inspiration to get you started. You can bedazzle almost anything, so let your imagination run wild and see what you can create.
Get Your Sparkle On
Congratulations, you’re now a craft rhinestones expert. With high-quality rhinestones and the right supplies, you can bedazzle whatever your heart desires, from phone cases to stage costumes. Shop fabulous rhinestones, gems, crystals, design tools, application supplies, adhesives, and more right here at Planet Rhinestone!
FAQs
Find answers to common questions below.
What’s the difference between acrylic and crystal rhinestones?
Acrylic rhinestones are a wonderful, affordable option that offers a nice shine. However, crystal rhinestones provide exceptional light refraction that creates more sparkle. Crystal rhinestones are expensive, but often deliver higher-end results.
Can I use regular glue for rhinestones?
No, most standard glues (even ones for crafting) are not strong enough to fuse rhinestones to other materials. We recommend using E6000 for general bedazzling, Gem-Tac for bedazzling clothing and fabric, or hotfix stones that come with their own adhesive built in.
How do I remove rhinestones if I make a mistake?
You can try to remove rhinestones by heating up the glue with a hairdryer so that it becomes soft again. Work quickly, lifting the rhinestones with tweezers immediately when the glue softens. Keep in mind these bonds are permanent, so removal is not always possible.
Are rhinestone projects safe for kids?
Kids can have fun with rhinestone crafting projects as long as they’re under adult supervision. It’s best to use large rhinestones to avoid choking hazards and child-safe glues. Only adults should use the heat tools required for hotfix rhinestones.