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    FAQs

    FAQs

    Here are your most frequently asked questions and my answers. I hope this helps. If you have any questions that are not answered here, please feel free to send yours using the Contact feature HERE.

     

    RHINESTONES/PEARL & RHINESTONE MIXES

    1. What glue do you use?

    My preference is Gemtac. It’s what I have used from the beginning, I tried a few but Gemtac was always the one I reached for. It bonds to multiple surfaces including fabrics, plastic, wood etc. so I find it’s a great adhesive for rhinestone/pearl craft projects. I offer Gemtac on the website in both 5ml precision nozzle tubes and 59ml bottles - shop them HERE.

     

    2. Are your rhinestones made from resin?

    Yes. I have 2 different types of rhinestone:

    1- Resin rhinestones which have the silver backing, these tend to be a solid colour and can have an AB coating.

    2- Jelly rhinestones which are also acrylic resin. Jelly rhinestones generally are a solid colour all the way through and do not have the silver foil backing. They can be block colour or have an AB coating.

     

    3. What do I need to start rhinestoning as a beginner?

    My recommendation if you are just starting out your ‘blinging’ journey would be this shopping list:

    • Rhinestones! Or a Pearl & Rhinestone mix. Both of which can be purchased from my website in 50g packs - a good quantity to begin with. Browse rhinestones & mixes  HERE.
    • A rhinestone sorting tray. These hold your rhinestones whilst you’re using them and the ridges help flip tour rhinestones to face the right way up if you just give the tray a little shake! They usually come with a ‘bottleneck’ shape at one end to help you neatly pour the rhinestones back into their packet when you are finished using them.
    • A rhinestone picker tool/rhinestone pen. This is an absolutely essential. This tool has a pointed wax head at one end, which allows you to pick the rhinestone up, and place it onto your project. The other side has a metal end which helps your place and move your rhinestones around. These can also be purchased from my website.
    • Adhesive! Whichever glue you prefer.
    • A sanding block or sanding paper to help ‘rough up’ your surface before applying rhinestones. This helps makes the surface more porous and helps them adhere even better.
    • Rubbing alcohol. I use a 99% isopropyl alcohol found on Amazon but any rubbing alcohol of 70% or higher will work. This will remove any bacteria, oils or residues that may be on the surface from your hands.

     

    4. What does AB mean?

    ‘AB’ stands for Aurora Borealis, named after the iridescent glow and shine of the Northern Lights. The name was originally invented by Swarovski in the 1950s and it has stuck. An AB coating is applied to rhinestones to give them a beautiful iridescent shimmer when they catch the light. The AB coated rhinestones have been the best selling rhinestones since the beginning! They’re a great option for beginners due to their stunning sparkle and affordability.

     

    5. How many rhinestones are in a pack?

    My rhinestone packs and Pearl & Rhinestone mixes are sold by weight, rather than quantity. Each pack is 50g, which is *APPROXIMATELY* 2,500 rhinestones in the 5mm size. This will vary with Pearl and rhinestone mixes due to their multiple sizes. One x 24oz tumbler for example, requires around one and a half 50g packs to fully cover it.

     

     

    6. How do you wash items with pearls and rhinestones embellishment?

    Please note that this advice is specifically for TUMBLERS/LIDS. Fabrics are very different and you’ll need to follow the adhesive’s care instructions to correctly wash these items.

    Here are the key steps I follow when washing any tumblers or lids with pearl and rhinestone embellishments:

    • Hand wash ONLY
    • Wash in lukewarm water. Not hot!! Hot!
    • Never ever put it in the dishwasher. Both the heat and the force of the washer will lift the adhesive and damage the rhinestones.
    • Use regular dishwasher soap/washing up liquid. A small amount will go a long way.
    • Use a regular washing up sponge. Never use the scratchy side as this will potentially scratch your rhinestones surface - especially if they have an AB coating. Use the soft, spongy side.
    • Leave to air dry.

     

     

    7. What is the difference between silverback rhinestones and jelly rhinestones?

    See question 2 answer

     

     

    8. What are the Pearl and rhinestone sizes?

    I offer 50g packs of 5mm rhinestones. These are the most popular size for tumbler projects, especially for lids.

    However, sometimes it is helpful to have smaller sizes available for small areas and/or for giving a fuller coverage. For this, my Scatter Mixes are ideal as they include rhinestones ranging from as tiny as 2mm up to 12mm giving amazing coverage and dimension.

    My Pearl and rhinestone mixes also include sizes ranging from 2mm-12mm in both flatback pearls and rhinestones.

     

     

    9. Do you need to seal rhinestones or pearls after applying?

    No. As long as you are using a strong enough adhesive, rhinestones and pearls do not need to be sealed once applied. This will just take away from their shine and is not neccessary.

     

     

    10. Is using vinyl under the rhinestones the best method?

    This is personal preference and absolutely not necessary. I occasionally use an underlay of vinyl before applying rhinestones to make the colours pop. For example if using a lot of transparent or light in colour rhinestones, you may find the vinyl underneath (or paint) helps make the colour more vibrant. But it’s not a compulsory part of the process.

     

     

    11. Care guide for Pearl and rhinestone tumblers and lids?

    Making a care guide for an embellished item is a great idea. Mine would look something like this:

     

    Handwash only, not dishwasher safe

    Follow the handwash instructions

    Not microwave safe

    Do not expose to extreme heat (including outside in the sun)

    Do not drop

    Not suitable for exposure to impact. These must be treated like glass. They will be scratched/damaged if they come into impacted contact with other objects

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