All about rhinestones stickers

Fashion is always cyclical, so on the catwalks and pages of fashion magazines you can often see styles and prints that were in demand during the youth of our parents. Rhinestones, which were so popular in the early 2000s, were no exception. But if earlier they could only be found on clothes and shoes, now telephones, hair and even the faces of fashionistas sparkle with metallic overflows.

Rhinestones stickers are artificial crystals that imitate real gems. They are fixed with glue. The rhinestones got their name from G. Strass, the famous Viennese jeweler, who was the first to propose to decorate clothes with glass stones in 1730.

Glitter stickers can be divided into several varieties according to their shape, color, size, material from which they are made. But the main classification depends on the method of attachment.

• Cold-fixed rhinestone is attached to leather, fabric or other surfaces using a special glue. This adhesive can be purchased separately or it may already be applied to the base of the crystal.
• Thermal stickers are mainly used for decorating fabrics. The glue that is applied to its surface requires significant heating with an iron or a soldering iron in order to melt and fix on the material.

Both regular and hot-melt rhinestones can be made from different materials.

• Lead crystal stones - the most beautiful and expensive rhinestones, which in their properties are practically not inferior to stones made of rock crystal.

• Lead-Free Rhinestones - modern material that imitates high quality crystal with a refractive index of 1.585.

• Glass - classic rhinestones, the quality of which depends on the content of barium, lead and zinc in the raw material.

• Acrylic - lightweight plastic rhinestones, which are much cheaper than their higher quality counterparts. They are not as bright, but work well for eyelid makeup or hair décor.

In shape, rhinestones with an adhesive base can be:

• round;
• oval;
• rectangular;
• square;
• triangular;
• teardrop-shaped;
• flower-shaped;
• octagonal;
• curly.

The size of the decorative elements is marked with two Latin letters SS and an additional number that defines the diameter.

Rhinestones stickers are quite versatile, so you can use them on almost any item. The main thing is moderation and appropriateness in the decor.

Of course, bright stones are used in the decoration of evening and festive dresses. A dress or blouse decorated with an iridescent pattern, shoes with a fully pasted shiny heel, a beautiful belt with crystals - all this looks very interesting. Such decor is especially relevant on a wedding dress and accessories. Swimwear, decorated with artificial stones, which shimmer under the summer sun like a scattering of jewelry, look very beautiful.

For items for everyday wear or for work, it is better to opt for a very small and delicate decor.

Glass or acrylic droplets can be used to decorate home textiles such as pillowcases or curtains. They can decorate a photo frame, vase or clock. A very common use of rhinestones is to decorate a case or a mobile phone case.

Cold-set glue rhinestones can be used with an evening make-up by placing them on the upper eyelid or at the temples with special glue. A beautifully assembled lush bunch or shell will be decorated with large pebbles with an adhesive base, which are attached directly to the laid curls.

Cold-set rhinestones are attached to the face, hair or other surfaces with a simple push if the adhesive has already been applied to the base. If the glue is purchased separately, then it must first be applied to the crystal, and then gently press the rhinestone in the right place. The surface on which the decor will be glued must first be degreased.

You can make a pattern with thermal stickers using a regular iron or soldering iron.

1. The drawing is laid out in advance on the laid out fabric so that there are no folds and irregularities. From above it is covered with tracing paper or clean parchment.
2. The iron heats up to the wool / silk setting. The steam supply must be switched off so as not to wet the adhesive base.
3. The heated iron is pressed over the tracing paper for 10-15 seconds. Small details are ironed additionally.
4. The finished rhinestone pattern should be allowed to cool for 10 minutes, then carefully check if all of them are well glued. If necessary, it is worth glueing individual elements.

Before decorating a whole dress or bag, you should try to glue a couple of rhinestones on a separate piece of fabric. You need to wash the decorated clothes, turning them inside out, at a temperature of 30 to 40 degrees. And if you wash such products by hand, you can extend their service life at least twice.