DIY Rhinestone

Rhinestones can jazz up an old shirt or add bling to flip-flops.

Before you chuck the old T-shirt in your closet, add some rhinestones using simple techniques to transform it into your new favorite top. Rhinestones can bring life back to your old clothing, and they are easy to work with whether you're decorating clothing or making earrings. They come in a variety of forms and materials at your local craft store.

Things You'll Need

• Rhinestones (glue-on or sew-on)
• T-shirt
• Industrial strength craft glue
• Rubber flip flops
• Jewelry wire for earrings with stopper on one end
• Needle and thread
• Outdoor deck sealant
• Jewelry pliers or tweezers (if this is all you have available)

Instructions

Glue-on Rhinestones

1. 

   Glue is a quick and easy way to work with rhinestones.

   Purchase industrial strength craft glue and glue-on rhinestones. This type of glue can be used on all types of materials. For rubber objects, use a sealant before you apply the glue.

2. 

   Rhinestones can make flip-flops look expensive.

   Clean the surface of the object on which you want to glue the rhinestones. Pour a little glue on the back of the rhinestone. Place the rhinestone on the object. If you are gluing rhinestones to a pair of flip-flops, apply outdoor deck sealant to them. Let them sit for a day, then apply glue and rhinestones.

3. 

   You'll get plenty of helpful tips from the staff at crafts stores.

   Allow the glue to dry on the rhinestone-bedecked items for several hours -- an entire day is even better. If the rhinestones fall off, consult with a local craft store. Someone there can help.

Sew-on Rhinestones

1. Grab sew-on rhinestones, needle and thread and a T-shirt. Consult with your local craft store to see what type of needle and thread is best for the rhinestones you are using. Sew-on rhinestones can be used on any fabric.

2. 

   Use thread that matches the fabric when you sew rhinestones onto clothes.

   Thread a needle. Come up through the hole in the rhinestone with the needle, and loop through the fabric several times. It's similar to sewing on a button.

3. 

   You can make angel wings on a T-shirt with rhinestones.

   Repeat step 2 if you have several rhinestones to sew on. Make sure the rhinestones are sewn on firmly. Buy several of the same rhinestones in case one falls off.

Rhinestones as Components Technique

1. 

   Rhinestones give earrings a new look.

   Gather up jewelry wire for earrings, rhinestones and jewelry pliers or tweezers. Warren Feld, owner of Be Dazzled, a jewelry store in Nashville, TN, says using the rhinestones in the components technique involves stacking rhinestones on top of each other to construct simple hoop earrings.

2. Slide rhinestones on wire. The stopper will keep the rhinestones from falling off. Add as many rhinestones as you want.

3. Make a loop with the wire and attach both ends with the jewelry plier. If you don't like the final product, undo wire. Continue until you get the fit you want.

Tips & Warnings

• Use clear nail polish or a sealant on the back of the rhinestone. This will ensure the rhinestone doesn't fall out.

• If you want your rhinestones to look like diamonds, buy glass or crystal rhinestones not acrylic.

• To replace old rhinestones where superglue was used, try to crumble the glue off. Use a razor blade to remove glue on metal or shiny objects.

• Don't use superglue with rhinestones. Glass and crystal rhinestones will look cloudy. Acrylic rhinestones won't adhere.

References

• Warren Feld; owner of Be Dazzled and Land of Odds website; Nashville, TN
• BobVila.com: Glue Removal

Resources

• Land of Odds