Painting and Gluing Rhinestones on Ceramic Tile

DIY Valentine's Day Rhinestone Ceramic Tile Plaque


Known as the holiday of love, Valentine’s day is the perfect time to tell someone you love them. However, Valentine’s day is often only considered to be a day for romantic love but there are plenty other relationships to celebrate. I like to celebrate with my children, friends, and family as well as my husband. Whatever the relationship, a handmade Valentine’s gift is the perfect way to show your family and friends how much you love to them! Creating a ceramic tile plaque is a beautiful way to express your love.

For this project I used:
1 ceramic tile (a wooden plaque works just as well)
Red acrylic craft paint
Paint brush
Stencil (you can download a free template here)
Clear Acrylic coating (to seal)
E6000
12ss Light Siam (red) rhinestones
Wax embellishment tool
Craft glue
Clear glitter

heart template opt inI always like to work with a template and you can download the one I used for this project here. Cut out the darkened areas on the template using an X acto knife and cutting mat or a pair of cheap embroidery scissors leaving small areas uncut to leave the inside of the heart intact. 

Tape this to your tile.
 

Paint in the cut areas with a paint brush and red acrylic craft paint. Gently remove the template and paint in the missing areas. Allow to dry.
 

When dry, spray with a clear acrylic coating (I used Krylon brand). This keeps the paint from any damage.  Allow to dry.
 
I liked the idea of adding some clear glitter, so using a craft glue that dries clear, I mixed a generous amount of clear glitter with the glue. Paint on around the pattern using a paint brush. Allow to dry and then spray with another coat of clear acrylic coating.

When completely dry, glue on rhinestones using E6000. You can use the template as a guide for placement of rhinestones. The dots on the template are the places I glued the rhinestones. Squeezing the E6000 over a paper plate, use a toothpick to apply an amount of E6000 to the tile just slightly smaller than the rhinestone. Using a wax tipped tool or tweezers, pick up a rhinestone and gently press it into the glue. Continue gluing until your pattern is complete and allow to dry flat for 24 hours.
 

The clear glitter and rhinestones give this hand-painted ceramic tile the perfect amount of sparkle. Have a specific person in mind? Try personalizing this gift by adding their name or a date in the middle.
 
Rhinestones and wax tipped tool are available from:
 
www.RhinestonesEtc.com