How to Create a Sparkle Lapel Pin

Lapel pins are frequently worn on the lapels of jackets, indicating an individual's affiliation with a certain cause or organization. Lapel pins do not always have to signify something, and many are, in fact, works of art. Sparkle lapel pins can be created at home for a small fraction of a cost that they might be found in designer jewelry stores. Custom sparkle lapel pins are easy to create and require very little in the way of time or materials.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Prefabricated pin backs
• Hot glue
• Rhinestones or large beads
• Seed beads
• Plastic foam square base

1. 
    
   A variety of beaded pins and brooches

   Plan your design. Lay out your rhinestones and seed beads in a pleasing fashion. Play around with the arrangement, making sure you are pleased with your design. While you are deciding on your design, plug in and begin to warm your hot glue gun.

2. 
    
   Stick your pin into a block of plastic foam.

   Stick your pin directly into the plastic foam square base to ensure that it does not move as you are working on it.

3. 
    
   Use a hot glue gun to attach your components.

   Begin by gluing down the bead or rhinestone that you will be using for the center of your design. Apply the hot glue to the back of the rhinestone, and press the centerpiece to the prefabricated pin back.

4. 
    
   Use seed beads to add extra sparkle and fill in any empty spaces.

   Use hot glue to attach each individual component of your design to the prefabricated pin back. Make any necessary adjustments to your design, such as filling in empty spaces with seed beads, which will lend extra sparkle to your lapel pin.

5. Allow the hot glue to set according to the time specified by the manufacturer. After this period of time, remove the pin from the plastic foam block. The pin is ready to wear.

Tips & Warnings

• You can lay out your design in a familiar pattern, or just add beads in a random fashion that is pleasing to your eye. The only limit to what you can do is your own creativity. You are not restricted to beads and rhinestones. Experiment with sequins, glitter, beads, cabochons, clay or shells.
• Hot glue can reach temperatures great enough to burn skin. Use caution when working with a hot glue gun. Be careful when working with pins that have removable backings. The pin backs may become lost. Pins are sharp. Use the appropriate measure of caution to ensure you do not hurt yourself.

References

• Lapel-Pin.org
• Lapel Pin Data

Resources

• A Pin Back, Rhinestone and Bead Supplier