Gap Ensurance for Rhinestones: Glitter, Heat, and a Little TLC
Whew, my house is hot right now! It's currently sitting at 82.4°F, which might not seem like a big deal, but it definitely changes how I work with adhesives. The heat gives me less working time and also thins out the glue, making it much runnier than usual. You might even notice it moving around more easily when you're working.
That being said, after a short while, the glue will start to firm up. You’ll know it’s happening when your rhinestones stop sliding around and feel more locked in place. That’s your cue to grab some rubbing alcohol and a cloth, ideally lint-free, but paper towels will work in a pinch. I’m using one right now!
Gently wipe down the tops of your stones to remove any glue residue. Be careful not to apply too much pressure. You don’t want to move your stones. If your design has a foundation line, always wipe with the direction of that line. That way, if anything shifts, you’re nudging the stones closer together rather than pulling them apart.
Now for the fun part: BRING ON THE GLITTER!
I'm using sapphire rhinestones paired with Recollections Marine Blue extra fine glitter. This glitter comes in a shaker, so you can apply it straight from the container with no brush needed for this step. Just sprinkle it over your design.
Later, the brush will be helpful in spreading the glitter around. And remember, your glue should be firm, not completely dry. That way, the glitter sticks where it needs to without messing up your stones.
Next, take a clean sheet of paper and gently tap off the excess glitter. Then go back in with your alcohol and paper towel for one last cleanup. This helps remove any stray glue or glitter that may have settled on top of your rhinestones.
And there you have it. Your design is clean, sparkly, and ready to rock.
I was originally going to call this technique "Glitter Flooding," but now I’m thinking "Gap Insurance" might be the perfect name. We’re ensuring all those little gaps are filled beautifully with glitter.
What do you think?
