How to Decorate a Purse With Rhinestones

Embellish plain purses with coordinating rhinestones.

Rhinestones come in a variety of sizes and colors, and add instant sparkle to clothing and accessories. If you have a plain purse you would like to make more interesting and trendy, rhinestones may be just the decoration to add. A few strategically placed rhinestones on your bag is understated, while covering your purse with small rhinestones makes an even bolder fashion statement. However you choose to attach your rhinestones, they can add interest and texture to any purse.

Things You'll Need

• Plain-colored purse
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Jewelry or fabric glue
• Rhinestones
• Tweezers

Instructions

1. Draw your desired design onto your purse using a pencil and ruler.

2. Lay out the rhinestones on your work surface, separating the colors and sizes.

3. Apply a small drop of glue to the back side of your first rhinestone. Hold the rhinestone in a pair of tweezers to evenly apply the glue.

4. Keep the rhinestone squeezed in the tweezers. Carefully turn the rhinestone over and affix to the appropriate part of the front of your purse.

5. Continue gluing rhinestones onto the purse until the design on the front of your purse is completed.

6. Allow the glue to dry completely.

7. Repeat the process on the back of your purse, if desired.

8. Let all the glue dry completely before using your rhinestone-studded purse.

Tips & Warnings

• Draw polka dots, stripes or hearts onto your purse to create an interesting pattern.

• Use two or three different colors or sizes of rhinestones to create your desired design.

• Certain craft stores sell rhinestones in other than round shapes.

• Rhinestones attach well to fabric or fabric-covered purses, but do not stick well to purses made of plastic or leather-type materials.

• Use a pencil or pen with disappearing ink to reduce the chances that your design marks will show through after your rhinestones have been glued on.

• Buy more rhinestones than you need, because could get dropped or lost while you are working.

• Certain brands of rhinestones can be sewn onto fabric. If you are unsure whether glue will work with your purse, sew-on rhinestones are another option.

• Fill in any open spots on your purse using small rhinestones in the same color.

References

• The Decorated Bag: Embellishing Handbags, Purses, and Totes; Genevieve A. Sterbenz
• Create Your Own Bling: Add Glamour to Your Favorite Accessories; Ilene Branowitz