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Kids and adults alike love Halloween for a chance to dress up and pretend to be someone else. Children especially love to go door to door trick or treating to collect lots of delicious candy. While adults love to throw costume parties to celebrate too. Our Trick or Treat Halloween rhinestone template makes it easy to bling out a t-shirt in celebration of Halloween. Pick you your favorite color tee shirt. Download the rhinestone template. Then follow our instructions below to bling out your shirt at a fraction of the cost of retail.  A Brief History of Halloween Most people know that Halloween originated with a Celtic pagan festival. Participants would dress up in costume to ward off ghosts. But how and when did the iconic saying “Trick or treat” enter into American culture? Unfortunately, the coining of the phrase is unknown. What is known is that Charles M. Schulz used the phase trick or treating in a 1951 Peanuts comic strip. Moreover, in 1952, Disney produced a cartoon entitled “Trick or Treat” featuring Donald Duck with Huey, Dewey, and Louie. This cartoon short visualized for children how to trick or treat. With these two influencers, the term became cemented into our culture.  How to Use the Trick or Treat Halloween Rhinestone Template It’s so easy to bling out your tee shirt using our template. First, download the template here. You’ll be able to see the exact position and the sizes of the rhinestones we used. Of course, prewash your shirt before you start to attach rhinestones. Next, decide whether you want to use glue on (flat back) rhinestones or hot fix. If you choose glue on rhinestones, you’ll need a quality adhesive like Gem-Tac. Whichever glue you decide on, make sure it is safe gluing embellishments to fabric, dries clear and is washable. On the other hand, if you choose to use hot fix rhinestones, transfer paper can make embellishing super easy. Transfer paper has 2 pieces, a clear piece sticky on one side and an opaque non-sticky piece. How to Use Flat Back Rhinestones with the Template After prewashing your shirt, lay it out as flat as possible. Then, using the template as a guide, place the rhinestones as indicated. Removing 1 rhinestone at a time, place a drop of glue slightly smaller than the rhinestone in its place. Gently press the rhinestone into the glue drop. Some of the glue should seep out from the sides of the rhinestone. This is very important as this creates a seal that helps prevent the rhinestones from falling off. When you’ve finished gluing all the rhinestones, let the glue dry on a flat surface for 24 hours. Make a Rhinestone Transfer with Hot Fix Rhinestones Once you’ve downloaded the template, place it on your work surface. You may want to place a piece of wax paper on top of the template. This will keep the sticky part of the transfer paper from sticking to the template. Lay the rhinestones out on the template (or wax paper) according to the template, facet side up. Then remove the opaque piece of transfer paper and lay the sticky, clear piece on top of the rhinestones. When you’re ready to embellish your shirt, heat a non-steam iron to its hottest setting. Lay the transfer on your shirt. Press down on the rhinestone transfer for 10-15 seconds. Pick the iron up and press down on another part of the transfer. Do not slide the iron as this may move the rhinestones. After heating all parts of the transfer, remove the sticky part and let cool.  Halloween Rhinestone Template Download to Bling Our Your Shirt So, what are you waiting for? Get started blinging out your shirt with our Halloween rhinestone template by downloading your today. And if you need rhinestones, check out the discount pricing offered by Rhinestones Etc. Selling online for over 10 years, we ship fast and have excellent customer service. Just click on the button above to get free shipping off of your first purchase from Rhinestones Etc.
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Precious gems, such as diamonds, emerald, or rubies all have specific characteristics that dealers use to determine the quality. Experienced dealers in gems know what to look for when considering the value of a particular gemstone. Rhinestones, crafted to mimic precious stones a fraction of the cost, also have certain characteristics. The quality of a rhinestone is determined by color, cut, clarity and contour. Since there are many manufacturers of rhinestones, it’s important to know what to look for to ensure a quality stone. Manufacturers use different materials, arrangement of facets and cuts when making their brand. Also, every brand offers a different assortment of colors. Therefore, depending on the quality and color of the rhinestone you want will determine which brand you buy.  Color of Rhinestones Let’s begin with color. Since rhinestones are man-made, manufacturers can make them any color they wish. However, some colors are more expensive than others. Crystal or clear rhinestone is the least expensive. Next, standard color such as reds, pinks, blues, greens, and others are slightly more expensive. Crystal AB, a clear rhinestone with an Aurore Boreale or rainbow coating is next, followed by the AB colors. Finally, the most expensive color is the Aurum which is a gold rhinestone with a thin coating of 14k gold. As with real gemstones, the color should be consistent throughout the rhinestone. Additionally, the color should be consistent within batches. For example, all rhinestones in the color Fern Green should be the exact same shade and hue with no variations.  Cut or Facets of Rhinestones Notably, rhinestones have facets, or small plane surfaces, that catch and reflect the light. Facets must symmetrical and uniform so that the facets reflect light evenly. Indeed, the more facets a rhinestone has, the more light the rhinestone reflects. And generally, a rhinestone with more facets is more expensive than one with less. For example, Swarovski’s Xiruis rhinestone has the most facets of any rhinestones, 16, arranged in a star shaped pattern. It’s also the most expensive rhinestones on the market. Preciosa’s Maxima rhinestone has 15 facets while other brands have between 8 and 12 facets. Manufacturers arrange facets for light distribution and brightness, generally around the sides of the table or top of the rhinestone. Clarity The next characteristic of a quality rhinestone is clarity or the state of being clear. It’s is a term used to describe the absence or presence of flaws inside the rhinestone. Cheaper rhinestones may contain cloudiness or bubbles within their structure. A quality rhinestone will be clear without any imperfections.
Contour Certainly, the most common shape of rhinestone is the circle. However, rhinestones are available in a myriad of shapes including rectangle, triangle, or oval. Moreover, fancy shapes like heart, moon or star are also available. Some brands only have the round shape available as this is the most popular shape. It’s also the least expensive shape. In conjunction with the shape of the rhinestone is the size of the rhinestone. There are various sizes of round rhinestones measured by the “ss” or stone size. Usually, retailers will also give the millimeter size for reference. Generally, fancy shaped stones are available in millimeter sizes. Typically, it is the shape and the size that helps determine the price of the rhinestone. So, the next time you’re rhinestone shopping, keep in mind the 4 C’s: color, cut, clarity and contour. These 4 characteristics will determine rhinestone quality and price. And when looking for competitive pricing on rhinestones, shop Rhinestones Etc. With discount pricing and fast and friendly service, we want to be your source for rhinestones. Just click on the link above to get your coupon code for free shipping off your first purchase!
Typically, pumpkins are an enduring symbol of Autumn. They’re members of the gourd family, which includes gourds and squashes as well. Generally, pumpkins are ready for harvest September through October, which happen to be 2 Fall months. And so, the humble orange fruit has become the iconic image of fall. You can proclaim your love for pumpkins by blinging out a shirt to wear during this season. Additionally, our pumpkin rhinestone template makes embellishing a shirt with rhinestones easy.  How to Use Our Pumpkin Rhinestones Template First, download the rhinestone template here. Our template shows the position, size and quantity of the rhinestones you’ll need. You can use it exactly or experiment with different sizes or colors. Next, pre-wash and dry your shirt before you begin embellishing. If the shirt material is thin, you may want to put a piece of wax paper between the layers. This will keep the glue from seeping through the top to the bottom. Make sure you lay your garment as flat as possible on your work surface. Finally, decide on what kind of rhinestone you want to use, hot fix or flat back. Both work great although you use slightly different techniques for each one. Hot fix rhinestones have glue on them and need heat to activate the glue. Flat backs need an adhesive like Gem-Tac or E6000.  Hot Fix Rhinestones Certainly, hot fix rhinestones work well with rhinestone transfers. Transfer paper makes putting rhinestone designs on clothing simple. It’s made of a clear sticky piece and an opaque non-sticky piece. Once you’ve downloaded the template, lay the rhinestones on the template, facet side up as indicated. Separate your transfer paper and lay the sticky side on top of the rhinestones. Here again, you may want to use a piece of wax paper. Position it over the template before laying out rhinestones to keep the transfer paper from sticking to the template. When you’re ready to embellish your shirt, heat an iron to its highest setting. Hot fix rhinestone manufacturers don’t recommend steam irons because the steam and the steam vents interfere with glue activation. Next, lay your shirt out flat and position your rhinestone transfer on your shirt. Press down with the iron and hold for about 12-18 seconds. Lift the iron straight up and repeat on another part of the transfer. Do not slide the iron as this may move the rhinestones. Finally, when you’ve activated the glue on all the rhinestones, let the rhinestones cool. Flat Back Rhinestones Whereas, embellishing with flat back rhinestones requires the used of a glue. For gluing rhinestones to fabric, my favorite glue is Gem-Tac. It dries clear, is washable and is easy to apply. Lay the rhinestones out on the shirt to form the design. When you’re ready to glue, remove one rhinestone, and place a drop of glue in its place. Pick up a rhinestone and gently press it into the glue drop. Notably, some of the glue should seep out from the sides. This is very important as this forms a seal that helps prevent the rhinestone from peeling off. Often. crafters who are new to rhinestoning don’t use enough glue and the rhinestones will fall off in the wash. Admittedly, some people are afraid of glue blobs and use too little glue. However, rhinestone glues dry clear and is invisible once cured.  Download Our Pumpkin Rhinestones Template Rhinestone design is easy with our downloadable pumpkin rhinestone template. Best of all, it’s free! Simply click here to get your template. If you have any questions about how to use the template, you can contact us here. And if you’re looking for fast and friendly service on your rhinestone purchase, shop Rhinestones Etc. We offer discount pricing on all our embellishments, from rhinestones, to half pearls, metal trim, and clay beads. And now get free shipping off your first purchase! Just click on the button above to get your coupon code! Today, there are many rhinestone products on the market made by many different companies. It can be downright confusing when trying to decide on the best quality rhinestone. Moreover, there are several factors to consider when buying rhinestones, including what material the manufacturer makes the rhinestone from. Accordingly, you may see rhinestones advertised as crystal or glass. Is there a difference and are crystal rhinestones the best to buy? Rhinestones Etc. sells quality crystal rhinestones at discount pricing. What’s more, you can get free shipping off your first purchase!  A Brief History As early as 1500 BC, ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia and Egypt were making some type of glass vessels. It was during the Middle Ages, however, that glass making flourished especially in Venice and Murano, Italy. Surprisingly, it was an English businessman who in 1674 filed the first patent for leaded glass. His formula produced a heavier, denser glass with greatly increased refractive power. It’s this prismatic power, the ability to break up light like a prism, that attracted jewelers. Particularly, a French jeweler, Georg Friedrich Strass, created the first man-made rhinestone sometime in in the early 1700s. Production blossomed in Bohemian where artisans perfected rhinestone making. However, rhinestones were still only for the wealthy as craftsmen cut each one by hand. Then in 1895, Daniel Swarovski, a Bohemian jeweler, patented an electric cutting machine which manufactured rhinestones more cheaply and quicker.  What About the Prismatic Effect? Since then, the rhinestones market has exploded with production now also in China and Korea. Some Asian brands advertise low lead crystal and some just as glass. When purchasing rhinestones, does it really matter? Of course, the name brand names Swarovski and Preciosa rhinestones are all cut from genuine crystal. However, because of health concerns with lead, these companies have developed crystal rhinestones without the use of lead. Their patented formulas produce high-quality crystal that has the prismatic quality. So, what exactly is this prismatic quality and why is it so important in producing sparkle in rhinestones? Sunlight, as we know, is actually a combination of different colors on different wavelengths. Light bends as it moves from air through another surface or medium. How much the light bends as it travels through the medium is the refractive index. Dispersion, which is the separating of colors into a rainbow, is a byproduct of refraction. Ordinary glass has refractive properties but adding lead or other metals dramatically increases the refractive index. Items with a higher refractive index tend to show more brilliance, as the medium bends light at a higher angle. Additionally, more light reflects back to the eye, rather than passing straight through the medium. Consequently, rhinestones made from material with a higher refractive index, such as crystal, will have more sparkle. Comparatively, rhinestones made from material with a lower refractive index such as glass will have less sparkle.  Crystal Rhinestones – Where to Buy There are quality crystal rhinestones manufactured by lesser known companies. However, if maximum sparkle is important, make sure the producer cuts them from crystal and not just glass. And when shopping for rhinestones priced competitively, shop at Rhinestones Etc. Selling online for over 10 years, Rhinestones Etc. has fast shipping, discount pricing and quality customer service. And now get free shipping off your first purchase! Simply click on the button above to get your coupon code for free shipping! If you have any questions, you can contact us here. Sometimes the simplest materials can make the most beautiful things. For example, you can take discarded magazines and turn them into colorful paper beads. This craft of making paper beads is old, possibly dating back to Victorian England when women used scraps of wallpaper. Today, artisans continue the tradition with modern twists creating beautiful jewelry. You can make your own paper bead earrings with rhinestones following our simple directions. For This project I used: Scrap paper White glue Modge Podge 12ss rhinestones Small beads head pins 4 mm Jump ring Earring wire Wooden skewer/knitting needle Jewelry pliers: round and flat nose  How to Make Paper Beads There are a few different bead shapes you can make which depend on the shape of the paper you cut. 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 variation differences shape. I used a long triangle shape with a base of ¾ of an inch and sides 8 inches long. Cut out the desired shape from your paper. Place the printed side (the side you want facing outward) face down. Starting about ¼ of an inch from the base, spread your glue thinly starting at the wider end. Set your skewer/knitting needle on the unglued base. Begin to roll your skewer rolling the paper with it to form the bead. When you reach the end, slide the bead off and allow to dry. Next, you’ll need to seal your bead to protect it from the elements. I sealed my beads with several coats of Modge Podge, letting each coat dry thoroughly.  How to Make the Paper Bead Earrings Once the last coat of Modge Podge is thoroughly dry, your ready to glue rhinestones onto your paper bead. I do like to use E6000 on my jewelry projects because of the strength of the bond. Typically, I squeeze a small amount on a paper plate and apply with a toothpick. Always use in a well ventilated area and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.  To begin, slide a small bead onto your head pin and then slide a on one of your a paper beads. The next step is to make a loop at the top of the head pin. This can be a little challenging and takes a little practice. You’ll need your round nose and flat nose pliers. Place the round nose just above the top of the paper bead. Then bend the head pin around the nose of the pliers. Continue bending until you have a circle. Remove the round nose pliers. Finally, holding the circle with the flat nose pliers, bend the remaining wire tightly under the loop.  Repeat this process for the other beads. Open a 4mm jumg ring, inserting it in the loop you just made and an earring wire. Close the jump ring. Do this for all the beads.  Unique and sparkly, our paper bead earrings with rhinestones are also super easy to make. Plus, the earrings look expensive and artisan made. Make yourself several in different colors to match outfits. And if you need some rhinestones, check out the inventory at Rhinestones Etc. Selling rhinestones online for 10 years, we ship fast and have excellent customer service. And now get free shipping off your first purchase! Just click on the button above to get your coupon code! Any questions, contact us here. From earliest times, sparkling gems have captivated our attention. Generally, it was only the nobility or very rich who could afford to have jewelry made from precious stones. So, jewelers sought out alternate cheaper sources to make sparkling jewelry at a lower cost. The discovery of natural rhinestones along the Rhine River provided a supply for a time. When this natural source became depleted, jewelers looked for a way to make them. In the early 1700’s a breakthrough came. A French jeweler by the name of Georg Friedrich Strass developed imitation gems later called rhinestones. He discovered that coating a piece of glass with metal powder created a shimmer in glass, similar to a gemstone. The novelty caught on although the imitations were still very expensive. Cutting each rhinestone by hand was labor intensive. Nonetheless, crafting rhinestones blossomed in Bohemia, now the Czech Republic. Individual skilled artisans honed their craft producing their version of rhinestones. One of these skilled 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. Meanwhile, those individual companies in Bohemia eventually merged in 1948 to form the Preciosa brand. Today, there are many other manufacturers of rhinestones in a wide variety of shapes and colors. The Asian markets in particular, produce a large number of quality crystal rhinestones. While there are different brands of rhinestones, they all share some of the same characteristics.  Types of Rhinestones Typically, there are 3 main rhinestone types: crystal, glass or acrylic. Rhinestones manufactured from crystal are the most expensive rhinestones. Primarily, crystal is glass mixed with lead or other components which make it clearer and prismatic. The prismatic effect is the ability to take light and break it up similar to a prism. Because of 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. Similar to crystal, glass rhinestones have a coating to produce a shimmer in the rhinestone as well as facets. However, glass rhinestones do not have the prismatic quality of crystal. Nevertheless, glass rhinestones typically are precision cut by machine. Occasionally, you may see rhinestones listed as DMC or MC. These rhinestones are Asian machine cut rhinestones and they may be either crystal or glass. Finally, there are the acrylic rhinestones, the most inexpensive of all. Formed from molds, acrylic rhinestones do have facets which produce some sparkle. Acrylic rhinestones are a great choice for children’s crafts because they’re lead-free and very inexpensive. Confused about some of the rhinestone choices? Rhinestones Etc. has a large selection of rhinestones at discount prices. We’ll be glad to answer any questions you have regarding rhinestones. You can contact us here.  Rhinestones Quality is based on Color, Cut, Contour, and Clarity When shopping for expensive gems, jewelers recommend examining a specimen for the 4 C’s: color, cut, clarity, and carat. The grade of each of these components helps determine the gem’s value. Although slightly different, rhinestones also have 4 C’s: color, cut, clarity, contour. Chiefly, there are many different rhinestone colors and your color choice affects the price. Crystal or clear rhinestones are the least expensive. Aurum, a gold rhinestone with a thin coating of 14k gold is the most expensive. However, within each color, the hue, tone, and saturation must be the same for consistency. The trueness and intensity of color must be the replicated throughout. Variations in color are the mark of cheaper rhinestones. Next, cut refers to the facets. Facets are the small plane surfaces cut into the rhinestone that reflect the light. The more facets, the more light reflects and hence the rhinestone has more sparkle. Swarovski makes a rhinestone with the most facets, 16 arranged in a star shape pattern called the Xirius. Preciosa manufactures a rhinestone named Maxima with 15 facets. Other rhinestone manufacturers cut between 8 and 12 facets into their rhinestones. Generally, the more facets, the more expensive the rhinestone. Chiefly, clarity is the lucidity or clearness of the rhinestone. The rhinestone should be free from spots, streaks or bubbles. Any type of cloudiness in the rhinestone is the mark of an inexpensive brand. Finally, contour refers to the consistency of the shape of the rhinestone. Typically, the shape of the rhinestone also determines its price. Round rhinestones are generally the least expensive, while fancy shapes such as baguette, navette, and others more costly. Size also affects the pricing, with rhinestones increasing in price with the size.  Hot Fix Rhinestones One type of rhinestone is the hot fix which has glue attached to the flat side. To adhere, you can use a hot fix tool, iron or heat press. Swarovski, a manufacturer of rhinestones, recommends a temperature range of 250 degrees F – 340 degrees F to activate the glue. If you choose to use an iron, you will need one without steam vents. Irons with vents don’t provide a flat surface and consequently inadequate pressure when applying rhinestones. Also, water and steam can negatively affect the hot fix application. Never slide the iron as this may move the rhinestones. Always press down the iron and lift straight up before applying heat elsewhere. Another way to attach hot fix rhinestones is with a hot fix tool. These tools come with different screw-on tips to accommodate different size rhinestones. To attach, you lay the rhinestones on a flat surface, facet side up. Heat up your tool, then place the tip over the top of the rhinestone. The rhinestone will stick in the cup of the tip. After about 15 seconds, the glue will begin to bubble. Tap the rhinestone onto the fabric and the rhinestone will stick. Don’t press too 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. Unfortunately, there are some fabrics that are just not suitable for hot fix application. These include very tightly woven textiles, smooth leather or smooth imitation leather, and 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 hot fix rhinestones on it. Alternately, if the water pearls, the fabric is not suitable for hot fix rhinestones.  Flat Back Rhinestones Another type of rhinestone is the non-hot fix or commonly referred to flat back. One way to attach flat backs or non-hot fix rhinestones is by gluing. There are a variety of rhinestone glues on the market. Some provide a better bond on certain surfaces than others. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions for recommendations. Additionally, some glue manufacturers do not recommend using their product on cheaper rhinestones like acrylics. For example, E6000 is an industrial strength glue that produces a strong bond to smooth surfaces. It works great on metal and glass. Alternately, Gem-Tac is a great fabric glue that’s easy to apply, dries clear and is washable. There are some other adhesives like Swarovski’s 2-part epoxy, Beacon’s Fabri-Tac and such. Just make sure whichever you use, its suitable for rhinestones, dries clear and if gluing to clothes, washable. One of the key components in gluing rhinestones to clothing is the method. Many people use too little glue causing the rhinestone to peel off. It’s very important that some of the glue seeps out the sides of the rhinestone. This forms a seal to keep the rhinestone in place.  Other Methods of Attaching Rhinestones Generally, there are some other ways of attaching rhinestones to fabrics: metal settings and sew-on rhinestones. To begin with, there are 2 types of metal settings, Tiffany and rim. Their basic difference is one secures form the inside of the garment and the other from the outside. In particular, a rim setting surrounds the rhinestone on the right side of the fabric. The prongs pierce and bend on the inside of the garment to secure the rhinestone. Whereas Tiffany settings have metal prongs pierce through to the outside of the fabric to grab the rhinestone. These prongs bend around the rhinestone to hold it into place. Uniquely, sew-on rhinestones have pre-drilled holes in the crystal allowing a needle to pass through. Sew-0n rhinestones are available in a large variety of shapes. Similarly, a Rose Montee is a rhinestone set in a metal setting that has cross channels on the bottom. A needle easily passes through the cross channels thus, making them easy to sew on. Moreover, thin wire can pass through these channels as well, making Rose Montees ideal for jewelry making.  Sizing of Rhinestones Admittedly, the sizing of rhinestones is unique and different. The system goes back to when rhinestones were a natural resource of sparkling quartz. Finders of these sparkling quartz stones grouped them according to their size by dropping them into different size holes. This gave the sparkling quartz a number “stone size“ or “ss”. Larger size sparkling quartz had larger numbers and smaller sized quartz smaller. Even though this natural resource no longer exists, rhinestone manufacturers still use this system of measurement. Usually, retailers of rhinestones will give the equivalent millimeter size adjacent to the “ss” size so you can compare. Sometimes, too, retailers will have a sizing chart with a picture of the size of that particular rhinestone. You can view our millimeter/ss size chart here. When trying to figure out how many rhinestones you need for a project will depend on the size you choose. This is especially true when you’re covering an item with rhinestones. For example, size 20ss is 4.7mm and you need about 29 rhinestones to cover 1 square inch. Compare this to size 12ss which is 3.1mm 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 your nails yet larger rhinestones for embellishing your wedding dress. Still confused about the right choice of rhinestone for your project? Rhinestones Etc. would love to help! Drop us a line here, and we’ll get back to you quickly with an answer. We’ve been selling rhinestones for over 10 years. Our focus is to provide you with the best quality rhinestones and the cheapest price possible. And now, get free shipping with your first purchase! Simply click on the button above to get your coupon code for free shipping! 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 hot fix or flat back (glue-on) rhinestones. Hot fix 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 To start with, you’ll need some transfer paper if you’re going to use hot fix rhinestones. 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.  Flat Back 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. discount pricing on rhinestones! We have excellent customer service and want your complete satisfaction with each purchase. And now save even more by getting free shipping off your first order! Simply click on the link above to get your coupon code for free shipping. If you have any questions, contact us here. There are many applications to using rhinestones today. From jewelry pieces, to clothing and even home decorating, rhinestones make a dazzling impact. Truly, these small pieces of crystal are impossible to ignore as they reflect light. However, if you’re newly acquainted with rhinestones, you may be confused with some of the different rhinestone brands for sale. There are 2 big names in crystal rhinestones, Swarovski and Preciosa. While there are some other brand names such as Lux and PriceLess, these are generally less well known. Finally, there are many non-brand name rhinestones mainly manufactured in Asia. Rhinestone brands have different price structures with Swarovski being the most expensive and the lesser known brands cheaper. Generally, this is due to the number of rhinestone facets and the material used in the manufacture of the rhinestone.  Preciosa Rhinestones The origins of manufactured rhinestones begin in Bohemia, now the Czech Republic. There skilled artisans honed their craft into producing the early version of rhinestones. Yet, it wasn’t until 1948 that these companies merged together to form the present-day company Preciosa. Preciosa’s most popular rhinestone is the Viva 12. Made with high quality crystal, this number of rhinestone facets is 12. In 2013, the company introduced its lead-free rhinestone the Maxima. This rhinestone has a patented 15 facet cut into crystal produced without the use of toxic lead. It’s available in 39 colors, 16 coatings and 53 different sizes. Swarovski Rhinestones In the crystal valley of Bohemia, Daniel Swarovski made his living as a jeweler. In 1895, after patenting an electric cutting machine that cut crystal more precisely, he moved to Austria. There he opened a factory where he began to make his crystal rhinestones. Always innovative, the company unveiled the Aurora Borealis effect in 1955 which makes rhinestones shimmer in every shade of the rainbow. Today, Swarovski continues its cutting-edge tradition introducing new palettes of color, shapes or cuts. Additionally, the company strives continuously to implement more greener sustainable manufacturing processes. In 2012, the company introduced its certified lead-free crystal. Presently, their rhinestone, the Xirius, has the greatest number of rhinestone facets of any manufacturer, 16. Moreover, Swarovski Rhinestones are available in numerous sizes and a total of over 100 intensely vibrant colors and effects.  Other Rhinestone Manufacturers There are many other rhinestones manufacturers of rhinestones generally at a fraction of the cost of the big-name brands. The Asian markets in particular, produce a large amount of quality crystal rhinestones. Typically, these rhinestones have less facets, usually between 8 and 12. Other manufactures also may use glass rather than crystal eliminating the prismatic effect of crystal. Additionally, less colors may be available in some of these lesser known rhinestone makers. Do You Need a Rhinestone Brand for Your Project? Some projects such as a wedding gown may require a top of the line brand-name rhinestone. Other times, you may be able to use a lesser known rhinestones manufacturer. When considering a rhinestone brand for your project, think about your budget, scope and amount you need. If you decide you can use a lesser known brand, search for reviews of the product before you buy. Be sure to check out the inventory at Rhinestones Etc, carrying both Swarovski and PriceLess lines of rhinestones. Selling rhinestones online for over 10 years, we process and ship your rhinestones quickly. And now, get free shipping off your first purchase! Simply click on the button above to get your coupon code! If you’ve recently gotten engaged, you’ll soon begin planning for your wedding. And although it may seem like it’s so far off into the distance, time has a way of moving fast. Thus, it’s never to early to start working on ideas to make your day special. Typically, weddings are expensive, and many brides and grooms make some things themselves to save on costs. There are a ton of websites and blogs dedicated to the DIYer planning a wedding. You can make your own decorations, favors, and table settings. My DIY place card holders are simple to make and can double as picture holders. For this project I used: A terra cotta pot about 2.75 inches in diameter Metallic gold spray paint Clear acrylic sealer Gold wire (use a smaller gauge for a sturdier, thicker wire - I used 18 gauge) 12ss crystal rhinestones Gem-tac or E6000  How to make a DIY Place Card Holder Begin by spray painting the terra cotta pot with metallic gold paint. Be sure to paint in a well-ventilated area. Once it is completely dry, spray it with a coat of clear acrylic sealant. Allow the sealant to dry completely as well. Measure and cut a piece of gold wire about 16 inches long. Bend one end into a circle about 1 inch in diameter.  This will go on the inside and help to keep the wire standing upright. Place this in the hole of the pot with the unbent end sticking out.  Now take a highlighter or some other household item about ¾ of an inch in diameter. Bend the top part of the wire around the highlighter to achieve a loop. Continue bending the wire around the highlighter several times until you run out of wire.  Which Glues are Best to Use? Next, we’re going to glue crystal 12ss rhinestones around the pot to add some sparkle. You can use either Gem-Tac or E6000. I prefer E6000 for this type of project because I can use less glue and still create a secure bond. However, many crafters do not like E6000 because of the toxicity warnings. Always use in a well-ventilated area and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Gem-Tac is safe to use and works equally well. With this said, it can sometimes leave glue blobs on this type of project. There are other glue alternatives you can use, but I have not tested them. Just make sure the glue is safe for the type of rhinestone you are using. For example, some glues are not for use with acrylic rhinestones. Next, make sure the glue dries clear. Finally, make sure it creates a good bond to the surface you are gluing. Nothing is worse than having rhinestones peel off from your project. I chose to glue rhinestones around the bottom ledge of the pot. This makes it easy to keep a nice even line. Once you’ve glued rhinestones around completely, leave to dry for 24 hours.
Simple and Easy to Make DIY Place Card Holders Now that you’ve got the basic idea, you can personalize this DIY place card holder to match your wedding colors. You can change the color of the paint or rhinestones to compliment the table setting. Then again, you may want to try using smaller terra cotta pots. Finally, if you need to buy rhinestones to make this project, come by and visit Rhinestones Etc. We have a large selection of rhinestones at discount pricing. And now you can get free shipping off your first purchase! Just click on the button above to get your coupon code for free shipping off your first purchase!
Rhinestones are those sparkling pieces of crystal that dazzle and reflect the light. Available in different sizes and colors, rhinestones can really catch the eye. But while rhinestones are breathtaking, it can be intimidating adding them to clothing and accessories. There are thin fabrics, thick fabrics and smooth fabrics. Also, there are glass and metal surfaces. So, let’s talk about how to attach rhinestones to any type of surface. Just as there are different surfaces to attach rhinestones to, there are different ways to attach rhinestones. Generally, when attaching to glass or metal there is only the glue on method available. However, you have several more options when attaching rhinestones to fabrics. Not only are there different glues, but different types of metal settings and sew on rhinestones as well.  Sew on Rhinestones This type of rhinestone comes in many different sizes and shapes. With pre-drilled holes in the crystal, sewing sew-on rhinestones to fabrics are easy. Another sew on rhinestone is the Rose Montee. These are rhinestones set in a metal setting that has cross channels underneath. A needle and thread can easily pass through the channels securing it to the fabric. What’s great about Rose Montees is that thin wire can also pass through the channels. Therefore, you can also use them in jewelry making.  Metal Settings for Rhinestones There are two basic types of metal settings, Tiffany and rim. The basic difference between the two is one secures from the inside of the garment and the other the outside. For Tiffany settings, the metal prongs pierce through to the outside of the fabric to grab the rhinestone. You then bend the prongs to hold the rhinestone in place. On the other hand, rim settings attach from the right side of the fabric. Here the prongs pierce through to the inside of the fabric. A rim surrounds the rhinestone with the prongs bending on the inside of the fabric to secure the rhinestone.  Adhesives for Attaching Rhinestones Chiefly, there are different types of adhesives or glues depending on the surface to which you are attaching rhinestones. Most glues are multi-purpose, but some create a stronger bond on some surfaces. For example, glass or metal is very smooth and requires a stronger glue such as E6000. Fabric or paper is porous and you can use a glue such as Gem-Tac. If you are gluing to clothing, you’ll want to make sure the glue is washable and dries clear. Be sure to read the glue manufacturer’s instructions before you start. Above all, the most important thing to remember when gluing rhinestones is the technique. Use a drop of glue slightly smaller than the rhinestone. When you gently press the rhinestone into the glue drop, some glue should ooze out from the sides. This is very important as it helps to create a seal which prevents the rhinestone from peeling off. If your rhinestones fall off it is most likely due to using too little glue. Easily Attach Rhinestones In a nutshell, those are the ways in which you can attach rhinestones to any surface. If you have any questions concerning anything rhinestones, feel free to contact us here with your questions. And if you are looking to buy rhinestones, you can stop by our store, Rhinestones Etc. We have discount pricing and great customer service. And now you can get free shipping off your first purchase! Just click on the button above to get the coupon code for free shipping off your first purchase! |
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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