Blinging Out My Mother's New Jewelry Loupe!!!

                                                            Bling ... Bling and more Bling!!!


This is a simple way to bling anything. Swarovski Crystals! They come in many sizes and shapes and a huge variety of colors. The sparkle from these crystals is incredible. Can't afford diamonds well here's your answer. You can add sparkle to lots of things but for this tutorial we are adding it to my mother's new jewelry loupe. I'll also have a tip section at the end.

Choose whatever you want to add some bling  to cellphone or a cellphone case, shoes, t-shirts and jeans. The choices are unlimited. Get creative.... Or what have you.  

Now for the other materials you definitely need :

• Swarovski Flat Back (non hot fix)  Crystals in your chosen colors     

•   Glue- Gem Tac

•   Something to pick up & place the crystals- you can use tweezers for this, but I'm using a nice little tool called the picker upper :) it's available at Sally's Beauty Supply for $4. It's a valuable little tool .

Now first you want to layout your design. As I did in the photo above. Play around with it. I chose to alternate the colors. The package I bought came with two colors in three different sizes. When you have your desired design you simply place a drop of glue in the desired spot. The gently place the crystal in it's spot. Don't press the crystal hard this causes the glue to spread out from under the crystal. Then you simply continue until you have completed your piece.

Now my mother's loupe is blinged out. For far cheaper than buying one that has the same crystals on it for $100. Yes that's right they sell for just that much. I spent half that and that includes the purchase of the loupe. She doesn't know it yet but she soon will cause the secret is out.Now when my mom's out shopping for those Fabulous Finds she's got this eye-catching loupe. Enjoy mom.

Tips.

• Crystals - There are several different flat-back crystals on the market. But the two most popular ones are Swarovski and Czech Preciosa. These are the top two on the market and are available online and in craft stores. They come in 2 different types - Hot fix and Non Hot fix. The hot fix one would be the ones you would use to add crystals with the hot fix tool. You've probably heard of a popular one called the Be-dazzler. There are also several different ones on the market. I actually own one called Jolee's
   hot- fix tool from Micheal's. Now the non hot- fix  ones you would use to add with a glue product. Even though I seen crafters use both types on a variety of things.
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  • These Crystals are LEAD crystals. That's why the have the incredible shine. I wouldn't add crystals to anything for young children. In the US they are very adamant this. So don't do it. And if its for an adult. Keep your phone or whatever your adding these to out of your mouth!
• Glue- I use Gem-Tac. There is also a huge variety of glues available. But I've found that this one works best for me. Glues like E6000 seem to get tacky and leaves tiny strands of glue that you'll have to remove. Here's a great link to explain this in more detail if your interested in giving this a  try .http://www.rhinestoneguy.com/glue_techniques.htm

Here is a cross that I also added crystals to for the Pastor's wife at our church.

So there are lot of things that this technique can be applied to. Like I said before the possibilities are endless. You can add new life to a pair on jeans. Give a lampshade some flair. Jazz up some hair accessories. If They can bling out a car, I'm pretty sure you can find  something to try this with. Enjoy!

Here's some inspiration...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wBnuPQpg8U 


or how about this

http://www.rhinestoneguy.com/Ideas_in_rhinestones.htm

Now if this isn't any inspiration for you... I may begin to wonder!