DIY Rhinestone Jewelry - Paper Bead Earrings with Bling
Jewelry is much more than a simple accessory, it’s the finishing touch to any outfit. Moreover, you can express your personality through your creations when you make pieces. In this DIY rhinestone jewelry tutorial, we’ll show you how to create beautiful earrings with paper beads and crystal bling.
Necessary Supplies For This DIY Rhinestone Jewelry Project Sometimes the simplest materials can make the most beautiful things. For example, old magazines can become colorful paper beads. This craft of making paper beads is old, possibly dating back to Victorian England when women used wallpaper scraps. Today, artisans continue the tradition with modern twists creating beautiful jewelry. You can DIY rhinestone jewelry with paper beads by following our simple directions. Required supplies:
Generally, manufacturers make different rhinestone sizes varying from tiny 5ss to large 40ss crystals. For this project, the smaller sized rhinestones work better than larger ones. While I used the 12ss size, other smaller crystals will also work. However, some manufacturers limit the variety of colors in these smaller sizes. Moreover, while resin, acrylic, and jelly rhinestones are the least expensive, they offer little sparkle. Although glass rhinestones have more sparkle, crystal produces the most eye-catching glitter. 
How to Make Paper Beads There are a few different bead shapes you can make. Usually, this depends on the shape of the paper you cut. For example, a rectangle piece of paper will make a tubular bead while a triangle will make a cone bead. Variations in these shapes will lead to interesting differences in the final product. The pink earrings have a triangle shape with a base of ¾ of an inch and sides 8 inches long. 1. Cut out your desired shape from your paper scraps. 2. Place the paper printed side down. 3. Begin ¼ inch from the base and spread the glue thinly. 4. Set your skewer on the unglued part and roll up the paper tightly. 5. Secure the paper end and remove the skewer. 6. After the glue has dried completely, seal with several coats of Mod Podge letting it dry between coats. 
How to Make the Paper Bead Earrings With Crystal Bling Once the last coat of Mod Podge is thoroughly dry, you're ready to glue rhinestones onto your paper bead. I like to use E6000 on my jewelry projects because of the strength of the bond. However, there are many other rhinestone glues you can choose to use. When using E6000, I squeeze a small amount on a paper plate and apply it with a toothpick. You can also buy syringes to control the flow of this rhinestone glue. Always use in a well-ventilated area and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Unique and sparkly, our DIY rhinestone jewelry project is easy to make. Why not make several pairs to match different outfits? The sparkle from the crystals adds a beautiful touch of glamor. Did you like our tutorial? Then share it with your friends and family! 
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Bedazzling Rhinestones - Everything You Need To Know
From ancient times to today, sparkling gems have captivated our attention. At first, only the nobility or the rich could afford to have jewelry made from precious stones. As time passed, artisans learned how to create beautiful bedazzling rhinestones to compete with gemstones.
A Short History of Crystal Rhinestones
In the early 1700s, a breakthrough came. A French jeweler, Georg Friedrich Strass, developed imitation gems. He discovered that coating a piece of glass with metal powder created a sparkle similar to a diamond. Although cheaper than real gems, these rhinestones were still expensive. Artisans had to cut each faux gem by hand.
Nonetheless, manufacturing rhinestones blossomed in Bohemia, now the Czech Republic. Over the decades, individual skilled artisans continued to produce beautiful bedazzling rhinestones. One of these craftsmen, Daniel Swarovski, patented an electric cutting machine. This new machine cut crystal more precisely and quickly than by hand. In 1895, he moved to Austria and opened his own manufacturing plant. Decades later, the individual Bohemian manufacturers merged to form the Preciosa brand. Today, many other rhinestone manufacturers offer products in a variety of shapes and colors. While most people consider European crystal the finest, the Asian markets have penetrated the market with cheaper alternatives. 
Types of Bedazzling Rhinestones
Typically, there are 3 main rhinestone materials:
1. Crystal
Rhinestones manufactured from crystal are the most expensive rhinestones. To create crystal, manufacturers mix glass with lead or other components, which makes it clearer and prismatic. The prismatic effect is the ability to break white light into colors, similar to a prism. Due to the safety concerns with lead, Swarovski and Preciosa no longer use lead in making their crystal. Both companies have achieved this without losing any sparkle from the rhinestone. This means that both types of rhinestones are CPSIA-compliant and are safe for use with children.
2. Glass
A mixture of silica, lime, and soda or potash, glass rhinestones are a step below crystal. Glass rhinestones have a lower refractive index, offering a less sparkly appearance. Additionally, these also lack the prismatic quality of crystal. Generally, manufacturers may mold or machine cut glass rhinestones.
3. Plastic (Acrylic, Jelly, and Resin)
Finally, there are the plastic rhinestones, which include acrylic, jelly, and resin. As the cheapest material, they also offer the least amount of sparkle. These rhinestones are a great choice for children’s crafts.
Rhinestones Quality Considerations
Rhinestone manufacturers vary in the quality of their product. However, most retailers sell rhinestones online. This makes viewing the characteristics firsthand impossible. In these cases, make your purchases from a reliable, established business with a good reputation.
To determine the rhinestone’s quality, check the component for certain attributes: Color
Each rhinestone should reflect the same color trueness and intensity. Variations shouldn’t exist between batches.
Cut
Manufacturers create sparkle by positioning facets along the rhinestone’s face. Both the number of facets and their arrangement affect its sparkle.
Clarity
Chiefly, clarity is the lucidity or clearness of the rhinestone. The stone should be free from spots, streaks, or bubbles. Any cloudiness in the rhinestone is the mark of an inexpensive brand.
Categorizing Crystals by Methods of Attachment
Typically, manufacturers and retailers separate bedazzling rhinestones by the attachment method. There are 4 ways to attach rhinestones to fabric:
Flatback Rhinestones
Generally, the most popular way of attaching crystals to fabric is with glue. Several glues are suitable for rhinestones, although some provide a better bond on certain surfaces. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations before starting your bling project. Below are some popular choices:
While the choice of glue is important, so is the technique. Sometimes, crafters use too little glue, allowing the rhinestone to fall off after repeated washing. To create a secure bond, some of the glue must seep out of the sides of the rhinestone. This forms a seal to keep the embellishment from peeling off. 
Hotifx Rhinestones
Hotfix rhinestones have glue on the flat side. Glue activation occurs between a temperature range of 250° F (120° C) to 390° F (200° C). You can attach hotfix crystals using one of the following methods:
One popular way to attach hotfix crystals is with a bedazzling tool. These tools come with screw-on tips to accommodate different-sized rhinestones. To attach, you lay the rhinestones on a flat surface, facet side up. After heating your tool, place the tip over the top of the crystal faux gem. The rhinestone will stick in the cup of the tip. After about 15 seconds, the glue will begin to bubble. Then, gently tap the rhinestone on the fabric. Be careful not to press too hard. This can cause the glue to spread and the rhinestone to stick in the cup. Allow the rhinestones to cool, which takes only a few minutes. If you choose to use an iron, use one without steam vents. Irons with vents don’t provide a flat surface for heating the rhinestones. Also, water and steam from the vents can negatively affect the hotfix application. Furthermore, when using an iron, always press down the iron and lift straight up before applying heat elsewhere. Never slide the iron as this may move the rhinestones. Another popular tool for attaching hotfix rhinestones is a heat press. With 2 flat, heated plates, you can attach all the rhinestones at once. Unfortunately, some fabrics aren’t suitable for hotfix application. These include very tightly woven textiles, smooth real or imitation leather, or thin fabrics like organza. To check to see if your fabric is suitable for hot fix rhinestones, apply several drops of water. If the fabric absorbs the water droplet quickly, you can use hotfix rhinestones on it. Alternatively, if the water pearls, the fabric is not suitable for hot fix rhinestones. Rhinestone Metal Settings
Metal settings are a base that uses prongs to hold rhinestones in place. Two popular types are Tiffany and rim settings. The difference between them is the position of the prongs.
Tiffany settings have metal prongs that pierce the fabric from the inside to the outside. After placing the rhinestone in the center of the prongs, you bend them to hold the crystal in place. Comparatively, rim settings surround the crystal rhinestone in metal with the prongs penetrating from the outside to the inside. Both are available in several colors:
Sometimes, attaching rhinestones to leather can be tricky. Using metal settings provides a durable method to embellish different items:
Sew On Rhinestones
Typically, sew on rhinestones have pre-drilled holes at each end to stitch the crystal into place. One exception to this is the lochrosen. This crystal bling has a single hole in the middle of the crystal. You can use a bead stopper to sew it into place or clear thread.
Metal settings with holes for sewing are another possibility in this rhinestone category. One example is the rose montee, a round crystal with cross channels on the bottom of its metal base. You can also purchase metal settings with holes for sewing for other fancy shaped rhinestones 
Sizing of Rhinestones
Admittedly, the sizing of rhinestones is unique and different. The system goes back to when rhinestones were a natural resource. Finders of these sparkling quartz stones grouped them according to their dimensions by dropping them into different-sized holes. Usually, rhinestone retailers provide the equivalent millimeter size adjacent to the stone size for comparison.
Calculating how many rhinestones you need for a project depends on the area and the rhinestone’s size. For example, size 20ss is 4.7mm, requiring about 29 rhinestones to cover 1 square inch. Comparatively, size 12ss is 3.1 mm, requiring 67 rhinestones to cover 1 square inch. Of course, the type of project you’re working on may influence your choice of size as well. For instance, you probably want smaller stones for rhinestones on your nails, yet larger rhinestones for embellishing your wedding dress. Where To Buy Rhinestones Online in Bulk and Smaller Packaging Since 2011, Rhinestones Etc. has been selling quality rhinestones at competitive prices. We have a huge selection of flatback and hotfix Preciosa crystal components. Or, choose the more economically priced PriceLess brand, a quality crystal with 12 facets. Browse our online store to find the perfect crystal bling rhinestones for your project. Rhinestone Template – How to Make Your Own Blinged-Out Bride Shirt While your wedding day is a big event to plan, you also have some smaller events to organize. There’s the bridesmaid luncheon, bachelorette party, and rehearsal dinner. And for each of these events, you need something to wear. What better way to announce to the world the upcoming event than by wearing a blinged-out “bride” shirt. Perhaps you’ve seen these shirts in major retailers. Generally, they are expensive and made with cheaper rhinestones without much sparkle. However, you can make your own using our rhinestone template and your choice of rhinestones.  How to Use Our Rhinestone Template Simply go to our website and download the template. Our design has all the size rhinestones listed so you know exactly what you need and how many. Moreover, you can experiment by using all the same size or different sizes. Generally, these bride shirts use crystal rhinestones, but you can choose any color you want. Next, decide on whether you want to use hotfix or flatback (glue-on) rhinestones. Hotfix rhinestones have glue already on them while flat backs require glue. Both of these types of rhinestones work great for this type of project. Even if you’ve never undertaken this type of project before, you can do this easily with our instructions. Finally, always make sure to pre-wash your garment before adding rhinestones. Using Hot Fix Rhinestones You can create an iron on transfer with hotfix rhinestones. To do so, you'll need transfer paper. Peel the opaque piece off of the transfer paper and put it aside. Lay the clear paper, sticky side up on top of the template. Now lay the rhinestones, facet side down, on the sticky paper, placing the rhinestones as indicated. Once you have all the rhinestones placed, you can iron it on to your t-shirt. Heat your iron to the hottest setting without steam. Lay your shirt flat on the ironing boards. Position the rhinestone transfer on the shirt, the flat side of the rhinestone touching the shirt. With the iron, press down on rhinestone transfer, holding for 12-17 seconds. Lift the iron up and if necessary, press down on another part of the transfer. DO NOT slide the iron as this may dislodge and move the rhinestones. Once you’ve done this for the entire transfer, allow to cool completely. Then peel off the clear sticky part and you have your finished shirt.  Flatback Rhinestones On the other hand, flat back rhinestones require an adhesive. You can find several at your local craft store. My favorite fabric glue for rhinestones is Gem-Tac. It dries clear, is washable and is easy to apply. The technique for flat back rhinestones is different. First, lay the shirt as flat as possible on your work surface. Using the template as a guide, lay all the rhinestones on the shirt. Then, one at a time, pick up a rhinestone, placing a drop of glue in its place. Next, gently press the rhinestone into the glue drop, allowing some of the glue to seep out the sides. This “extra” glue forms a seal which helps protect the rhinestones from peeling off. Continue removing one rhinestone at a time and gluing into place until your design is complete. Allow to dry flat for 24 hours.  You’ve just saved yourself some money by making your own blinged-out bride shirt. Best of all, our rhinestone template is free! And if you need rhinestones, check out Rhinestones Etc. competitive pricing on rhinestones! We have excellent customer service and want your complete satisfaction with each purchase. Browse our online store to find your color! |
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Copyright 2025 Rhinestones Etc. All rights reserved.