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Are you new to using rhinestones? If so, you may have noticed that rhinestones have their own unique unit of measurement. You may have seen sizes listed as 20ss or 30ss. While you are familiar with inches and millimeters, you’ve never encountered “ss” before. Since you don’t understand this term, you have no idea whether the rhinestone is large or small. Is there a way to translate rhinestone sizes into something recognizable?  History of Rhinestones To understand the abbreviation “ss”, we must go back in history to when rhinestones were a natural resource. Originally, sparkling quartz was found along the banks of the Rhine River, hence the name “rhinestones”. Finders of these sparkling quartz stones grouped them according to their size by dropping them into different size holes. Each hole was assigned a number with smaller stones having smaller numbers. So, whichever hole number the quartz fit into became the stone size. Then, stone size became abbreviated to “ss” As years passed, this natural resource became depleted and manufacturers devised ways to replicate rhinestones. While today companies manufacture rhinestones, stone size is still the unit of measurement used.  Size Charts and Guides Typically, most rhinestone retailers will list the “ss” size alongside the “mm” or millimeter size. This enables you to check the size on a ruler. Many will also have a sizing guide with a picture illustrating the size of each rhinestone. Either of these should be able to assist you in choosing a rhinestone size. Keep in mind too that the larger the number assigned to the rhinestone the larger the crystal. So, a 34ss rhinestones will be a much larger rhinestone than 10ss. Generally too, the larger the rhinestones, the more expensive it is. Nevertheless, you will need less large size stones to cover an area. For example, to cover 1 square inch you will need only about 12 size 34ss rhinestones. While you will need about 67 size 12ss rhinestones to cover the same square inch. Rhinestone Sizes in Millimeters If rhinestone sizes still have you confused, let Rhinestones Etc help you! We have been selling rhinestones for over 10 years. We remember how it was when we first started with rhinestones and how confusing it all seemed. Moreover, we’d love to help you figure out what size and how many rhinestones you need. Contact us here with any questions. And now we're offering free shipping on your first purchase! Just click on the button above to get your coupon code!
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Macramé is that craft using knotting techniques and some type of cord. Chiefly, common types of cord include cotton, linen, jute, leather or yard. Moreover, the craft is ancient, probably dating back to around 500 BC where the Persians and Syrians used it. From there it spread to other Arab countries, and then finally Western Europe. Today, macramé has become fashionable in jewelry making, mainly bracelets. To make a macramé bracelet, the crafter mainly uses square knots, weaving beads in between. Fancier bracelets use pave beads, which are beads covered in rhinestones. This tutorial shows you how to make a macramé bracelet with beads that is quick and easy.  How to Make a Macramé bracelet For this project you need: Cord in the following lengths: 2 ft, 4 ft, and 2 ft Beads - 5 size 12mm and 2 size 6mm Glue If you have a macramé board, insert one of the 2 ft pieces of cord in the slot. You'll want to leave about 8 inches hanging behind the board. Or you can use a clipboard as I did or simply tape the piece of cord to the table. Take the 4 ft cord and find the center by folding it in half. Place the center of this cord underneath the cord attached to your macramé board. If you are using a clipboard, or have taped the cord to the table, start about 8 inches down. Now you will begin making your square knots.  Take the left piece and cross it over the center cord.  Take the right piece and thread the end underneath both the left and center cords. Now, pull it up on through the left corner between the center cord and left cord. Pull to tighten. Repeat starting with the right cord crossing over the center cord. Then take the left cord, thread it underneath both right and center cords. Again, pulling it up, this time on the right corner between the center and right cord. You now have one square knot.  How to Add Beads to Your Macramé Bracelet Continue making square knots until you have 3 square knots. Take a bead and thread it through the center cord.  Slide to the bead so that it is up against the square knots. Make your next square knot around the bead. Again, continue knotting until you have made 3 knots. Slide another bead on and continue knotting. You can make your bracelet as long as you want, with most bracelets measuring 7 ½ inches. Seal the ends of the left and right cords using super glue, E6000 or some other super strong glue. Allow to dry. Snip the ends of the left and right cords close to the knots. Your bracelet should now look like this:  Form a circle out of your bracelet. One end of the center cord should face up and the other down.  You are now going to make the sliding clasp also using square knots. Take the remaining piece of 2 ft cord and fold it in half to find the center. Place the center underneath both center cords so that one end faces left and the other right. In the same manner as before, make 5 square knots.  Once you’ve made your 5 square knots, seal the ends of the knotting cord with glue. When dry, snip the ends of the cord close to the knots. Thread one of the 6mm beads onto the top center cord. Next, tie a knot about 2-3 inches away from the sliding clasp.  Do the same for the bottom center cord. Seal the ends of the cord with glue and let dry. Snip the ends of the cord close to the knot.  Your finished Macramé Bracelet with Beads These bracelets are easy and fun to make and look fabulous! You can experiment with more beads and fewer knots or different size beads and different types of cord. Try adding pave beads for some sparkle! Each macramé bracelet with beads will be a unique and fashionable piece of jewelry. Do you need some beads to start your macramé bracelet? Rhinestones Etc. has been selling rhinestones online for over 10 years with discount pricing and quality customer service. In addition to our stock of rhinestones, pearls, and metal trim, we now carry pave and clay beads. And now get free shipping off your first purchase! Just click on the button above the get free shipping off your first purchase! The variety of fabrics is endless. There are so many different types of fabrics, with some thicker and some thinner than others. Denim, for example is a very thick material, while organza is very sheer. When it comes to gluing rhinestones, is there a difference in gluing to different fabrics? Additionally, what is the best glue for rhinestones on any type of fabric? You can glue rhinestones can to just about any surface and any type of fabric. For example, you can glue rhinestones to stretch lycra, velvet, and spandex material as used on dance or skating costumes. Equally, wedding gowns made of satin, organza, tulle, charmeuse, chiffon, and lace can have rhinestones glued on to them. While thicker materials such as denim or canvas can also have rhinestones glued to them.  Some Brand Name Fabric Glues for Rhinestones on Fabric Certainly, there seems to be no end to the types of fabrics you can glue rhinestones to. However, what fabric glue is best? There are several excellent glues on the market specifically for gluing rhinestones to fabric. When choosing fabric glue for rhinestones make sure it is sure it is permanent, washable and dries clear. Some brand-name glues are Aleene’s Flexible Stretchable or Jewel It, Beacon’s Fabri-Tac or Gem-Tac, Crafter’s Pick Jewel Bond or E6000. Although many people like E6000, it tends to be hard to apply and a bit gloppy. Plus, many people don’t like the toxicity associated with it. Typically, I will use E6000 on surfaces such as metal but only in a very well-ventilated area. On the other hand, Crafter’s Pick Jewel Bond, Beacon’s Gem-Tac, and Aleene’s Flexible Stretchable or Jewel It are all non-toxic. Although I have not used all the glues listed here, Gem-Tac is my favorite fabric glue for rhinestones. It is easy to apply and creates a strong bond on textiles. Best Way to Glue Rhinestones on Fabric Some people assume just because you use the correct glue, your rhinestones shouldn’t fall off. However, there is a specific technique required to glue rhinestones on fabric. First, always prewash your fabric before gluing. Then, lay your fabric on a flat surface. Place a drop of fabric glue slightly smaller than the rhinestone on the surface. Gently press a rhinestone into the glue drop. Some of the glue should seep out from the sides. This is very important as this creates a seal preventing the rhinestone from peeling of falling off. Moreover, this is the main reason rhinestones will fall off during washing. If you are gluing rhinestones to a sheer fabric, like organza, place a sheet of wax paper underneath the fabric. Glue as stated above and let dry. Once the glue is dry, remove the wax paper.  Where to Buy Rhinestones So, now that you see that you can glue rhinestones to every fabric imaginable, go and start blinging! Need rhinestones? We’ve got you covered. Rhinestones Etc. has been selling rhinestones online for over 10 years. With discount pricing on embellishments and great customer service, we want to help you sparkle. And now get free shipping off your first purchase! Just click on the button above to get your coupon code! Polymer clay is all the rage in do-it-yourself circles. And no wonder, relatively inexpensive, polymer clay comes in a wide range of colors and has many applications. Chiefly, polymer clay is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that is soft and malleable until baked when it becomes hard. You can mix, swirl or stack colors to make patterns or mimic faux stones. Moreover, you can roll it, texture it and shape it. To cure it, place it in a preheated 275-degree oven. Bake for 15 minutes per ¼ of thickness. Likewise, one fun application of this material is in the making of polymer clay beads to use in jewelry making. And the possibilities are endless when making clay beads. But don’t worry if you are not skilled in clay. Rhinestones Etc. now carries clay beads and will be stocking new colors in the coming weeks.  A Brief History of Polymer Clay Notably, the origins of this type of clay began in Germany in the 1930s with Kathe Kruse. A renowned doll-maker, she was experimenting with different clays in order to produce a more detailed face for her dolls. But it was her daughter, Sophie Rehbinder Kruse, who made a breakthrough that developed into present-day FIMO clay. Here in the US other people were experimenting with forms of polymer clay. One such company, Zenith Products Company accidentally created its own form in the 1960s. Originally developed as a thermal transfer compound, it failed to work as intended. When it was suggested for use in the arts and crafts, it was marketed under the Sculpey name. Today, there are several brands of polymer clay to choose from. Additionally, there are specialty clays such as liquid, mica, and translucent. Indeed, polymer clay continues to gain popularity, as there seems to be no end to the possibilities.  Polymer Clay Beads One of the greatest attributes of polymer clay is that when mixed, the finished product can mimic stone or metal. Complimentary colors can be swirled together to make a bead suitable for macramé bracelets or earrings. Glue small size rhinestones on to clay beads to make pave beads. Add 3/16 grommets and your bead is great to add to your charm bracelet. Not handy with clay? Not a problem as Rhinestones Etc. now stock polymer clay beads as well as pave beads. In the coming weeks, we’ll be adding additional colors. In addition, we have plenty of rhinestones to purchase as well. With over 10 years with online selling experience and great customer service, we can help you find the supplies you need. And you can get free shipping off your first purchase! Simply click on the button above to receive your coupon code. Most people know Swarovski as the premier brand of crystal and rhinestones. Their Xirius Rhinestones has more facets than any other manufacturer, 16. Together with the array of stunning colors of rhinestones make them the rhinestone of choice. While known for the quality of crystal the company produces, most people are unaware of their recycling efforts. Truly, Swarovski has been at the edge of innovation from the very beginning of their existence. Some people aren’t aware of their environmental initiatives as they continually strive to make Swarovski Rhinestone the green alternative. Nowadays, many people are concerned with factories and their impact on the Earth. Many are trying to be greener or use sustainable practices to create a cleaner and healthier environment. Certainly, Swarovski is one of those companies who takes greener initiatives very seriously.  History of Swarovski Founded in 1895 by Daniel Swarovski in Austria, the fifth generation of family members run the company. Indeed, from the very beginning, Swarovski factories have been creating crystal through environmentally sound practices. In 2010, the company decided to take a more formal approach and issued the first of its sustainability reports. Henceforth, every 2 years, the company takes a hard look at their practices and issues a report on their progress. Swarovski continually seeks new opportunities to reduce energy consumption and lower emissions by adopting innovative energy efficiency measures and identifying opportunities to use renewable energy. According to their 2017 report, the company has a 26% decline in total energy consumption since 2010. The report cites the following energy efficiency and recycling efforts:
 The Lead-Free Alternative – Swarovski Rhinestone Certainly, scientific studies have proven without a doubt about the negative effects of lead. Unfortunately, for many years the only way to manufacture crystal was to include lead as an ingredient in the process. However, with the negative effects of lead, producers of crystal have sought to make crystal without lead. Since 2012, Swarovski has been doing just that with 100% of its crystal line is completely lead -free. The company has a patented formula that does not sacrifice the quality associated with Swarovski. Therefore, you can feel completely confident in using Swarovski Rhinestones to embellish your young daughter’s dance costume.  Where to Buy Rhinestones Rhinestones Etc has been selling embellishments online for 10 years. We have discount pricing on rhinestones including Swarovski Rhinestones and great customer service. 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! As the dance competition season heats up, you frantically try to get everything ready. The hairstyle, makeup and of course the dance costume. And if you are lucky enough to be able to compete at Nationals, you surely want your daughter’s dance dress to sparkle. There are many places to buy plain dance costumes including Discount Dance Supply. Here you can pick up dance dresses cheap, for $30 -$50 dollars. Then you can add rhinestones yourself, saving yourself a bundle of money. However, you are not a designer and you’ve never glued rhinestones before. Where do you begin?  Rhinestone Design Guidelines to Help Gluing rhinestones is not as difficult as you may think. And there isn’t much you can do that can ruin it, even something like using too much glue. All rhinestone fabric glues dry clear, so you if you accidentally use too much you won’t be able to see. In addition, don’t worry about getting the pattern perfect. Rhinestones being slightly “off” from the pattern will not be noticeable from afar either. Certainly, there are some tips to help you out when embellishing a dance dress. First, follow the lines of the dress. Look for unique seams, a pattern in the fabric, cutouts, straps or an edge that needs more visibility. Then apply stones along that line. Indeed, you can repeat a shape found in the dress. A similar concept to the one above, allow the lines and shapes in the costume to dictate your design. For example, you can repeat a swirl pattern found in the fabric on a plain part of the dress. By all means, try a scatter pattern. This is perfect when filling up a large space. You can even get a more creative and make an ombré effect. Or try a pattern of clusters within the scatter design. Likewise, you can do your own thing. The main reason for adding rhinestones is to catch the eye by adding sparkle. There is no right or wrong way to do this.  When You are Ready to Glue Rhinestones to a Dance Dress Always wash and dry your dress before you start. Then, lay your dress on a flat surface. You may want to keep a ruler nearby. A ruler helps keep your rhinestones evenly spaced out especially when you are adding rhinestones to straps. Next, map out your design on the costume before permanently attaching. I always lay out all or most of the rhinestones on the dress before I start to glue. Additionally, I will make a template to help with shapes if needed. Finally, begin with your key element, aligning your center, then work outwards. Distribute your stones until you are sure you can complete the design with the amount you have. In the end, it’s all about making your daughter feel beautiful so that she feels confident. Don’t worry too much about getting it perfect.  Where to Buy Rhinestones to Embellish a Dance Dress Rhinestones Etc. has been selling rhinestones for over 10 years. We have discount pricing and want to help you make your daughter sparkle. We can help with rhinestones to bling out you daughter's dance dress for competition. We give extra discounts for bulk orders and do custom orders.
And now get free shipping off your first purchase! Just click on the button above to get your coupon code! Throughout all of history, in every civilization, mothers have been honored. And with good reason. Who knows how to kiss the pain away, hugs you when you’re frightened by a thunderstorm? And what better way to honor your mother than to use our free rhinestone template to bling out a shirt for her. History of Mother’s Day According to The History Channel, the beginnings of the holiday had its origins stretching back to the 19th century. At that time, Ann Reeves Jarvis helped form clubs that taught women how to care for their children. Additionally, in 1868 Jarvis helped unify a split country by organizing Mother’s Friendship Day. On this day, mothers of both confederate and union soldiers gathered as a sign of unity. No doubt inspired by her mother, Anna Jarvis, campaigned and worked tirelessly to have national recognition of Mothers. Finally, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.  Rhinestone Template to Celebrate Your Mother You can celebrate your mother by honoring her with a blinged-out t-shirt! Download our free template that proclaims your mother “Best Mom”. The template has a listing of all the rhinestone sizes and quantities you need to bling out her shirt. First, download our template here. Then, pick out her favorite color tee shirt. Next, wash and dry the shirt before you start to glue on the rhinestones. Decide what color rhinestones you like, whether you like the crystal or some other color.  How to Bling-Out Your Shirt Certainly, you can use either hot fix rhinestones or flat back rhinestones. Each has a different way of adherence and is generally a matter of preference. To begin with, there is glue on the bottom hot fix rhinestones. You can lay them out on hot fix transfer paper thus making a rhinestone iron on. When ready to adhere, simply position the iron-on on the shirt. With an iron set to the high setting without steam, press down on the transfer paper for 12-18 seconds. Lift the iron up to heat another section. Do not slide as this may dislodge some of the stones. Or if your wish, you can use a hot fix tool. Lay out the pattern first, then remove one rhinestone at a time to hear with the tool. Unlike hot fix rhinestones, you need glue for flat back rhinestones. Gem-Tac is my favorite as it dries clear, is washable and easy to apply. When using flat back rhinestones, lay the rhinestones on the shirt in the indicated pattern. Now, pick up a rhinestone and place a drop of glue slightly smaller than the rhinestone in its spot. Gently press the rhinestone into the glue drop. Similarly, continue gluing until all the rhinestones are adhered. Let dry flat for 24 hours.  Mother’s Day Rhinestone Template So, what are you waiting for? Download our free rhinestone template now. If you need rhinestones, check out the prices at Rhinestones Etc. We have discount pricing on rhinestones and great customer service. Selling online for over 10 years, we know rhinestones. And now get free shipping off your first purchase! Just click on the button above to get your coupon code! Pave beads, also called disco ball beads, are those wonderfully sparkly beads covered in small rhinestones. Just like a disco ball, with every turn the beads throw off a spectacular amount of sparkle. For such a small bead, pave beads are like the superhero of beading for sparkle. Notably, pave means to set as close together as possible to conceal a metal base. And originally, pave beads had a metal interior covered with tiny rhinestones. However today, some pave beads have oven baked clay interiors, bringing down the price considerably. Rhinestones Etc, seller of rhinestones for over 10 years, now has pave beads with oven baked clay interiors. Covered with over 60 small Swarovski Rhinestones, these beads pack a lot of sparkle.
Pave Beads in Jewelry Design Presently, the macramé bracelet design is the one of the most popular way of using pave beads. Mads and Mikkel Kornerup made this style of bracelet very popular. The brothers first introduced their popular Shambala bracelet, the main type of macramé bracelet, in 2005. Not only a fashion statement, these bracelets have spiritual meaning as well. Correspondingly, each bead color of the bracelet has a different meaning. Perhaps you just like Shambala bracelet for its look. Even so, you can’t deny the eye-catching sparkle of a Shambala bracelet made with pave beads. Although macramé bracelets are the main way to use pave beads, it is not the only way. Another popular way to use pave beads in in earring design. Moreover, earrings are simple to make with a coordinating smaller bead, head pin and ear wires. Additionally, you can slip a pave bead onto a charm bracelet for added sparkle.  Types of Beads Swarovski manufactured pave beads have a stainless-steel shaft covered in rhinestones. With several shapes available from tube, round and oval shaped, Swarovski also offers many different colors. But Swarovski made pave beads are expensive. Priced at over $10 per bead, jewelry making with Swarovski made beads can be quite pricey. Currently offering round pave beads in several colors, Rhinestones Etc’s pave beads are competitively priced. Unlike Swarovski, we use an oven baked clay interior. Then we cover it with over 60 - 9ss rhinestones. Finally, our beads are 12mm in size with a hole through the middle. Our beads are perfect for making macramé bracelets or any other jewelry designs. And now you can get free shipping off your first purchase from Rhinestones Etc. We have discount pricing and excellent customer service. Just click on the button above to get your coupon code. There are templates for almost everything imaginable: documents, web design, craft making and sewing to name a few. And why not? Templates make whatever you are working on so much easier to complete. Of course, the same is true when working with rhinestones. Moreover, a template will show you what size rhinestones to use and how many. In addition, a rhinestone template will show you the placement of the rhinestones. For the upcoming Easter holiday, you will want our free rhinestone template download to bling out a shirt.  The Lily: Our Easter Rhinestone Design The Easter lily is mentioned a few times in the Bible both in the Old and New Testaments. Additionally, legend has it that lilies grew where Jesus’s sweat and tears fell when he was crucified. Lastly, with its pure white flowers symbolizing purity, it’s no wonder the flower has become so popular at Easter. Swedish naturalist Carl Peter Thunberg discovered the Easter Lily in Japan in 1777. From there, it eventually made its way to Philadelphia in the US. It was here that it became popular as an Easter bloom. Today, Easter lilies are one of the most popular potted plants in the U.S., ranking with poinsettias, mums and azaleas.  Free Rhinestone Template Download for you Now you can proudly wear a rhinestone Easter Lily with the words “He is Risen”. Simply download our rhinestone template from our website. Even more, the template is color coded so that you can easily see the size and the quantity of rhinestones. You can follow the template exactly or experiment with different sizes and colors. Buy your t-shirt and wash and dry it before starting your rhinestones project. When you are ready to begin, lay the shirt on a flat surface to work. Next, decide whether you want to use flat back or hot fix rhinestones. While hot fix rhinestones are slightly more expensive, they have glue already on them. You can stick hot fix rhinestones to transfer paper making an easy iron-on rhinestone design. Lay the iron-on design on your shirt on a flat surface. Then using an iron set to its highest setting without steam, press down on the design to activate the glue. On the other hand, if you choose to use flat back (non-hot fix rhinestones), you will want to lay the design out on your shirt first. Then picking up one rhinestone at a time, place a drop of glue where the rhinestone was. Gently press the rhinestone into the glue. Finally, allow to dry flat for 24 hours.  Where to buy loose rhinestones Do you need rhinestones to make your rhinestone Easter shirt? Rhinestones Etc. has discount pricing and great customer service. Selling online for over 10 years, we know rhinestones. And now, you can get free shipping off your first purchase!
Just click on the button above to get your coupon code. There are many rhinestones brands on the market today with many colors and sizes to choose from. Additionally, between various brands, there is different pricing. Sometimes, as you are shopping, it can be downright confusing. You want the best rhinestone on the market but have some other questions. Where’s one of the best places to buy Swarovski loose rhinestones that has excellent customer service? Look no further than Rhinestones Etc, an experienced rhinestones seller with over 10 years in the rhinestone business. We want you to be happy with your purchase.  Why should you buy Swarovski Loose Rhinestones Instead of Some Other Brand? To begin with, Swarovski is the premier name in rhinestones. Although not the oldest manufacturer, as that distinction belongs to Precosia. Swarovski is certainly on the forefront of innovation. Since 1895, they have been on the cutting edge in producing those dazzling pieces of crystal. Currently, the company’s Xirius rhinestone has more facets than any other rhinestone on the market, 16. And the arrangement of these facets reflects a dazzling amount of light. In addition, Swarovski crystal is lead free since 2012. Moreover, the facets, color choices and shapes they have available, makes Swarovski the number one choice of many consumers. When only the best will do, you want Swarovski.  Now what? Once you’ve decided on the brand, there are still other options to consider when buying rhinestones: color, size and quantity. Some of your choices will depend on the look you want to achieve. While other choices depend on the area you want to cover with bling. First, do you want the rhinestone to blend in and just add sparkle? Then you will want a color very similar to the item you are blinging. If you want a pattern to stand out, then you will want to go with a contrasting color. Second, the size of rhinestone will depend on the design. For example, if you are blinging words you can use a double row of smaller sized rhinestones. Then again, for a slightly different look, use a single row of larger rhinestones. Some designs lend themselves to a variety of sizes. Finally, the quantity you need will depend on again, your design and how you are spacing the rhinestones out.
Still have questions? Sometimes, you just need to talk to someone to walk you through the process. Or maybe you need a different amount than what you see packaged. Moreover, you may want to talk with someone who knows rhinestones and can help you make the best choices. We, at Rhinestones Etc, want to help you make the best rhinestone choices for your project. And now, you can get free shipping off your first purchase! Just click on the button above to get your free shipping coupon! |
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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