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Alcohol ink washer necklaces are the latest fashion and I love the look of them. You take a simple item, a washer from the hardware store, color it with alcohol ink and you have a work of art. Simply attach a cord and you have a stunning necklace. Add rhinestones to make your necklace stand out even more. For this project I used: ½ and ¾ inch washers Alcohol ink markers Various rhinestone colors in size 12ss E6000 Wax tipped tool or tweezers Embroidery thread Cord end caps 4 mm jump rings Lobster clasp Krylon clear matte acrylic coating Jewelry pliers How to Make Washer Necklaces One of my daughters is a very good abstract artist. Some of her artwork is on Facebook as ArtisticallySweet and Instagram as @megcatdragon. She colored the washers with alcohol ink markers.  Once the ink dries, you will want to put a clear protective coating on it. Krylon brand which is easy to apply and dries in 10-15 minutes. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying. I picked some coordinating rhinestones colors in size 12ss to enhance the washers with. When gluing rhinestones to metal, I like to use E6000 because of the strong bond. Use in a well-ventilated area and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. E6000 can be a bit gloppy, so I squeeze E6000 over a paper plate and use a toothpick to apply to glue. Then using tweezers or wax tipped tool, pick up a rhinestone and gently press it into the glue. Continue gluing rhinestones and then allow to dry for 24 hours.
For the cord, I used embroidery floss. It comes in many colors, so you are sure to find one that will coordinate with your necklace. Measure your neck to see where you want the necklace to lay. You can use one long piece of floss, or as I did, two shorter pieces. I cut mine 27 inches long. Fold the floss in half to form a loop at the one end. Pull this loop from underneath the washer up through the hole. Take the two loose ends, put them through the loop and pull to tighten. Do the same for the other piece of floss.  Trim the ends of the floss so they are even. Then taking a cord end clasp, lay the ends of the embroidery floss in the clasp and using jewelry pliers, bend the first side over then the other to secure the ends.
On one end add a jump ring and lobster clasp and on the other just a jump ring.   Stunning, aren’t they? And so simple to make. Unleash your creative side and make some washer necklaces for every outfit! Are you ready to make your own washer necklaces and need some rhinestones? Rhinestones and wax tipped tools are available from: www.RhinestonesEtc.com Would you like free shipping off your first purchase? Click on the button to get your coupon code!
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Sometimes you want to add a little sparkle to something: a handbag, dress or shores. Are rhinestones expensive to add a little bling? It really depends on several factors. There are different colors, shapes and sizes as well as manufacturers that affect the price of rhinestones. The Factors that Determine the Price of Rhinestones First, there are different types of rhinestones. There are crystal, glass and acrylic rhinestones. Crystal rhinestones are the most expensive, followed by glass and then acrylic. Acrylic rhinestones are molded and cheapest to produce. Glass rhinestones are cut but do not have the prismatic effect that crystal produce. Facets Facets are another factor in determining price. The premier rhinestone manufacturer, Swarovski, is the most expensive rhinestones available and with good reason. Their round rhinestone, the Xirius rhinestone has the most facets of any rhinestone, 16. Czech Preciosa, the oldest rhinestones manufacturer, has a 12 faceted rhinestone. Other less expensive rhinestones have 10 facets.
Color Color also affects the price of the rhinestone as well. Crystal, or clear, is the cheapest. Standard colors are a bit more expensive followed by Aurore Boreale colors. AB colors are standard colors covered in a rainbow color giving it an iridescent look. Aurum is the most expensive color available as it is covered in a thin layer of gold. The carat of gold used depends on the manufacturer. Swarovski uses 24 carat gold.
Crystal Standard Color Crystal AB AB Color Shape Shape is another determining factor is price. Round is the most common and the least expensive shape. Simple shapes such as navette or pear are less expensive than more intricate shapes such as moon or heart.
Size Finally, the size of the rhinestone affects the price of rhinestones. Of course, the smaller the rhinestone the lower the price. Likewise, the larger the rhinestone, the more expensive. So next time you are trying to decide on what rhinestones to buy, consider the above factors. All of those factors: manufacturer, color, shape and size affect the price of rhinestones. If you still have any questions about these factors that make rhinestones expensive, feel free to contact Rhinestone Etc. We’ll be happy to help. Are you looking to buy some rhinestones? Would you like free shipping off your first purchase? You have this great new idea for a rhinestone project and you are ready to get started. Rhinestones come in so many different sizes, what size should you use? Perhaps you’ve read my previous blog on rhinestone sizes. While that blog gave you a good place to start, you are still unsure what size to buy. Should I buy small, medium or large rhinestones? Many times, it is just a matter of artistic preference and what look you are trying to achieve. Sometimes you may have a pattern that will give you the exact size and number of rhinestones you need. There are places you can find free patterns online such as this one: http://michellesdigitalcreations.blogspot.com/search?q=flip+flop In this case, it is easy to figure out what you need. Choosing the right rhinestone size But what if you are doing your own design or a scatter pattern? There are some general tips to help you decide. Generally, skating dresses and dance costumes will use the bigger rhinestones, 20ss., 30ss and 40ss. Larger stones have larger surface area to reflect light and have the biggest impact. Stone sizes can be mixed to produce an ombre effect as well.  Other stone sizes such as 12ss, 16ss and 20ss work great for embellishing shoes. Ugg boots and sneakers are popular shoes that are bedazzled as well as flip flops and high heeled shoes. Depending on the size of the shoe, child or adult, will help determine the size crystal. For a children’s shoe, you may want to use smaller rhinestones such as 12ss or 16ss. However, because an adult shoe is larger, you may want to use larger rhinestones such as 20ss. Another factor to consider is the area you are covering. Keep in mind, that the smaller the rhinestone, the larger quantity you will need to cover an area. And if you are bedazzling an emblem, you may need a variety of sizes to cover the emblem.  Dazzling, sparkling nails with rhinestones are the latest fashion trend. These smaller size rhinestones, 6ss – 12ss are great for nail design. Smaller size rhinestones are also perfect for lettering on t shirts. Sayings such as Mother of the Bride and Dance Mom can be easily bedazzled onto shirts using smaller size rhinestones. If you are still unsure about what rhinestone size you need, Rhinestones Etc. can help you with your decision. We love helping customers sparkle. Contact us here for your questions about rhinestones.
Are you looking to purchase some rhinestones for your project? Rhinestones Etc has a large selection of Swarovski Rhinestones at discount prices! You’ve spent hours adding rhinestones to your dress for that upcoming occasion. It’s perfectly bedazzled and you love it! But once you’ve worn it, you’re not sure how to clean it without the crystals falling off or becoming damaged. After all the work you’ve put into your dress, you want to make sure you take care of it properly. What is the proper way to clean rhinestones that have been glued to fabric? Can you put it in the washing machine without worrying about the rhinestones falling off?  How to wash fabrics with rhinestones There are some tips recommended by Swarovski, a leading manufacturer of rhinestones. And the care also depends on what type of rhinestone you have used: hot fix, sew on or glue on. Generally, all bedazzled clothing should be turned inside out before washing. You may wash your bedazzled clothing in the washing machine using a gentle cycle and a mild detergent. In addition, chlorine bleach is not recommended as it can damage the crystals. Finally, to protect the crystals as much as possible, you may want to use a soft wash bag. How to dry fabrics with rhinestones Items that have been bedazzled with hot fix rhinestones should be line dried. Certainly, the heat from the dryer can loosen up the glue and cause the rhinestones to fall off. Sew on and glue on can be put in the dryer at a reduced temperature if you wish. Once again., just make sure, the item is turned inside out. Again, you may want to use a soft wash bag to protect the crystals.  It really isn’t difficult caring cleaning rhinestones that have been attached to fabric. Follow basic care as outlined above and your bedazzled clothing will last a long time. Since you put a lot of time and effort into your bedazzled clothing, you’ll want it to take extra care with it. DIY: Leather Wrap Necklace Have you seen leather wrap necklaces, the newest jewelry trend? I set out to make one and worked on several different designs. Some ideas didn’t work and some ideas I didn’t like. The kind that wrapped around your neck several times, was too constricting for me. I tried making one with a washer, but the washer was too heavy, and the necklace kept slipping. I finally found a design with a noose knot that I loved. For this project I used: Leather strip 1/8 inch wide and about 30 inches long E6000 64 Crystal AB 10ss rhinestones Wax tipped tool or tweezers How to Make a Leather Wrap Necklace Cut the strip of leather to about 30 inches in length. To make a noose knot, leave about 6 inches on one end and shape the leather into an “S” shape.  Try to make the shape small, only about 1 inch in length. Take the right end and go underneath the shape.
Continue wrapping around the “S” shape 3 times, tightening the wrap as you go. Slip the end (the end you’ve been wrapping around with) into the left loop, pulling tight.
Now take the right loop and pull tight so that the left loop will disappear. And there is your noose knot. You can put a drop of glue on it to secure it if you wish. Cut the short end off close to the knot. In gluing the rhinestones into place, I use E6000 on leather. It makes a super strong bond, and I don’t have to worry about the rhinestones falling off. Make sure to use it in a well-ventilated area and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Because E6000 is a bit gloppy, I use a toothpick to apply it.  After applying the glue, pick up a rhinestone and gently press in into place. I glued 8 rhinestones per side on the very end of the leather. Also, I measured where the knot would sit around my neck and glued 8 rhinestones per side there to keep the knot from slipping.  This leather wrap necklace is super easy to make, and the rhinestones give it that extra eye-catching sparkle. Wear it with your favorite outfit to give it some extra jazz! Need some rhinestones to make your leather wrap necklace? Rhinestones and wax tipped tools are available from: www.RhinestonesEtc.com Among those who apply rhinestones to fabric, there are two different types of people. There are those who prefer hot fix rhinestones and those who prefer glue on. Generally, more people prefer the latter with some people even insisting that the bond of hot fix stones is inferior. However, when applied correctly, hot fix rhinestones will adhere to fabric just as effectively as glue on.  Things to consider when using hot fix rhinestones First, always pre-wash your fabric before you start. This will remove any chemical finishes that may interfere with the absorbency of the glue. Keep in mind also, that some fabrics and just not suitable for hot fix application. These include very tightly woven textiles, smooth leather or smooth imitation leather, and thin fabrics like organza. In addition, those fabrics with water repellent treatments, easy to care treatments or softening agents may not be suitable. To check fabric to see if it is suitable for hot fix application, you can do the water droplet test. Apply several drops of water to the fabric. As long as the water drop is absorbed quickly, you can use hot fix rhinestones. On the other hand, if the water droplet pearls or is absorbed slowly, you cannot use hot fix rhinestones. How to use a hot fix wand Hot fix wands or irons are great for home use to activate the glue of hot fix rhinestones. If you choose to use an iron, you will need one without steam vents. Irons with vents do not provide a flat surface and consequently prevent adequate pressure when applying rhinestones. Also, water and steam can negatively affect the hot fix application. Swarovski, a manufacturer of rhinestones, recommends a temperature range of 250 degrees F – 340 degrees F to activate the glue. For those of you who use Celsius, that’s 120 degrees C – 170 degrees C.  A hot fix wand is ideal for home use. Wands come with different screw on tips to accommodate different size rhinestones. You lay the rhinestones on a flat surface, facet side up. Heat up your wand. Once the wand is heated, place the tip over the top of the rhinestones. The rhinestone will stick in the cup of the tip. When the glue begins to bubble, tap the rhinestone onto the fabric. Do not press down hard as 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.
Because it takes only a few minutes for the rhinestone to cool, hot fix application is quicker. Glue on rhinestones require a 24 hour wait time for the glue to cure. Chiefly, this is one of the key features of using hot fix rhinestones. Should you have any other questions about hot fix rhinestone application, you can contact us here at Rhinestones Etc and we’ll be glad to help. When my son was little, he loved the television show Bob the Builder, a show about a construction worker and his tool friends. He had a CD with Bob the Builder songs which he played constantly. One song had these lyrics: “Don’t go blaming the tool box, you need the right tools for the job.” Sometimes you can get the job done with what you have on hand. But, specialized tools can make the job so much easier.  The same holds true for gluing rhinestones. Basically, you just need rhinestones and glue and something to pick the rhinestones up with. Tweezers are one option. Just make sure you don’t squeeze the tweezers too tightly or your rhinestone will slip out and go flying. Also, whenever you press the rhinestone into the glue drop you may get glue on the tweezers' ends. Make sure you wipe the glue off, so that the rhinestone doesn’t stick to the tweezers. Wax Tipped Rhinestone Tool Overall, one of the handiest tools to have is a wax tipped tool. This tool allows you to simply tap the rhinestone and it will stick to the tip. It will stay there until you press it into your glue drop. And the wax tipped tool fits comfortably in your hand, much like a pencil. Gluing rhinestones is quick and easy with a wax tipped tool.  There are varying types of wax tipped tools on the market, ranging in price. You can spend out $2.00 for a simple wax tipped tool. Or you can invest in a higher end Crystal Katana for about $25. If you are just starting out, the cheaper wax tipped tools are great. In fact, that’s what I use most of the time.  Once you try a wax tipped tool, you will never go back to tweezers again. Ultimately, you’ll find it much easier and quicker to glue rhinestones when you use a wax tipped tool.
Wax tipped tools are available from: www.RhinestonesEtc.com Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, or so the song goes. And what’s not to love about diamonds? Sparkly and prismatic, it’s hard to miss someone wearing diamonds. But diamonds are very expensive and sometimes we want some sparkle without the extravagant price tag.  When you buy a quality diamond, you do your research to make sure your money is well spent. You consider the 4 Cs of diamond buying - cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. These standards are the most important characteristics to understand when making a diamond purchase and help determine the value of the diamond. Rhinestones are diamonds cousins, sparkly and prismatic at a much lower cost. Comparatively, there are characteristics to consider to finding quality rhinestones. The 4 C’s in considering the quality of rhinestones are similar to diamonds. They are: cut, clarity, color and contour. Characteristics of Quality Rhinestones Let’s examine in depth these 4 C’s of rhinestones: Cut: In a rhinestone this refers to the faceting, specifically the number of facets. Because the more facets a rhinestone has, the more light it reflects. Consequently, the more light the rhinestone reflects, the more sparkle it has. Swarovski Xirius rhinestones has 16 facets and Preciosa has 12. Other manufacturers may have only 10 or less facets. Color: This refers to the fidelity and intensity of the color. Among the same color, are all the rhinestone the same hue? Any variations in color? Even in different lots, the color should be the same. A variation in color can ruin the effect you are trying to achieve with rhinestones.
Clarity: Quality rhinestones should be free from cloudy spots, streaks or bubbles. Or in other words, the rhinestone should be clear and free from any defects. Contour: Are all the rhinestones perfectly shaped? If you are buying round rhinestones, you certainly don’t want some with flattened sides. Every rhinestone should be consistently the same shape.
Never forget to consider these 4 C’s of rhinestones when buying. Name brand rhinestones have built up their reputation over the years, so you can be assured of quality rhinestones when making a purchase. Rhinestones Etc. provides great prices on rhinestones without sacrificing excellent customer service. Visit our store at www.RhinestonesEtc.com Accessorizing an outfit can really add that extra something and make it stand out. Adding just the right jewelry can really impact how you feel about yourself. You can go from pretty to beautiful just by adding the right touch. But it isn’t always easy to find the right jewelry to match an outfit. Once you see how simple it is to create your own rhinestone stud earrings, you’ll be making a pair to match every outfit. For this project I used: E6000 Flat post earrings and backings 30ss rhinestones Tweezers or wax tipped tool  How to Make a Pair of Rhinestones Stud Earrings Most craft stores have a large jewelry supply section. So, you should have no trouble finding some flat post earrings and backings. I have a nickel allergy and was happy the ones I found were nickel free. When I glue rhinestones to metal, I like to use E6000. It provides a good adhesion to metal. Always make sure you use it in a well-ventilated area and follow the manufacturers instructions. Also, I found that you can use slightly less glue when using E6000 than other adhesives because it provides such a strong bond.  Start by applying E6000 to the flat part of the earring stud. Using a toothpick when applying E6000 helps to make sure you have the right amount as E6000 tends to be gloppy. Then, pick up a rhinestone using tweezers, or a wax tipped tool. Gently press the rhinestone into the glue. Do the same for the other earring stud. Allow to dry for 24 hours.  Super easy to make and as nice looking as those expensive department store earrings. Plus, you can make a different colored pair for every outfit you own without blowing your budget. Happy crafting!
Rhinestones are available from: www.RhinestonesEtc.com. |
Karen I have five kids and often feel like I am running a zoo. I love to craft and do so in whatever spare time I have. On your first purchase of quality embellishments from Rhinestones Etc.
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