How to Make Hot Fix Crystals Stick to Leather
A hot fix crystal is a type of flat back rhinestone that has a silver layer of glue already built in on the flat side of the stone. While these stones are meant to be heated to make them stick, hot fix glue will not stick to leather, ceramic or water-repellant material. Glue the crystals to the leather by hand to get them to stick. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Two-part epoxy glue
- Paper plate
- Toothpicks
- Wax crayon
- Genuine flatback crystals
- Leather material
- Cupped tweezers
Instructions
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Prepare your materials. Set out the stones you want to use, flat side down, cut side up. Spread out the leather material, putting something underneath it, like newspaper, so you don't ruin the table. Take your paper plate and put out two-part epoxy glue. Epoxy glue is a craft glue that you can find at most craft stores. Only put out what you can use in a short period of time, otherwise, it will dry out.
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Spread a small amount of glue on the leather, using a toothpick. Do not oversaturate the piece with glue. Glue will go on white but will dry clear.
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Pick up crystals, one by one, using a wax crayon. Deposit crystals in the glue on the leather where you want them. If you make a mistake, or drop a crystal and it has glue on it, use cupped tweezers and pick up the crystal to put it where it belongs.
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Fine-tune the placement of crystals with a toothpick. Let dry for at least four hours -- overnight is better.
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Tips & Warnings
AB (aurora borealis) crystals show up better under spotlights, in case you will be using the belt for a dance or ice skating performance.
Only use real crystal rhinestones. Do not use acrylic rhinestones. The glue needed to make things stick on leather is not appropriate for acrylic stones.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
