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How to Create Works of Art with Rhinestones

Everyday, I get at least 10 call pertaining to "How do I cover my Cell Phone with rhinestones." Well, it is easy, not expensive, and it is fun.

If your phone is a flip-open type, consider the top a 'canvas' to produce a piece of art on. You will need GemTac glue ($4.00 per tube), a few applicator sticks, and a variety of colored rhinestones (all the same size). You may choose to do all the same color, mixes of colors, or actual designs with rhinestones. The final look is up to you. But, if you want to create a work of art that is unique to you and your phone, I suggest using different colors set up in patterns.  For those of you who are "art challenged', then you will need some help. I choose 9SS stones to cover these phones, for this size allows great detail of pattern. If you choose to cover your phone in all one color, then choose 12SS stones, for application will go fast. BUT, I still prefer the smaller, more time consuming  9SS stone. Remember:

The smaller the rhinestone, the less chance you will have in losing stones due to abrasion ( Phil's rule # 14)

 

Use GemTac Glue because it is easy to use  (Phil's rule # 19...never make something harder to do than necessary)

 

Of course, the second most asked question I get is "How many rhinestones will I need to cover my phone".  Now, short of being rude, How in the heck am I supposed to know what phone, what model phone, how much you want to cover, etc.??? (personally, I hate cell phones..they always ring when I am busy with something else. So I have very limited knowledge of phone styles, models, etc. BUT, I can tell you how many stones it will take to cover a certain area.  And here is the formula I would use, were I to cover a cell phone that I don't want to carry in the first place.

Length X width of area in inches gives square inches.  OR, if the phone is 2" X 4", then it would have 8 square inches of surface. (with me so far?)

Now this is all well and good, BUT rhinestones are measured in millimeters (wouldn't you just know that something so easy could become so complicated?     Well, being the troopers we all are, let's just keep going. There are 25 millimeter in one inch, so:  with the above area (2X4 =8 sq. inches, then       (2X25) X (4X25) = 5000 square millimeters!  (that wasn't so hard, was it?) 

Now the fun starts. We have to know how many of a specific size rhinestone will fit in 5000 square millimeters, and to do that, we have to know the square millimeters in a specific rhinestone.

Fortunately, somewhere, a long time ago, a great mathematician name ???? figured out a formula to do just that. I am going to assume you are going to take my word for it when I say use either 9SS or 12SS rhinestones to cover your cell phone. (if you choose another size, you are on your own and don't call me when you have a mess:-)

The coverage of a 5SS rhinestones is            2.54 Sq. mm       Square Set:  allow 3.2 Sq. MM

The coverage of a 7SS rhinestones is            3.8 Sq.mm         Square Set:  allow 4.8 Sq. mm

The coverage of a 9SS rhinestone is             5.31 Sq. mm      Square Set:  allow 6.7 Sq. mm

The Coverage of a 12SS rhinestones is     7.07 Sq mm        Square Set:  allow 9 Sq. mm

The coverage of a 16SS rhinestones is        12.56 Sq mm     Square Set:   allow 16 Sq. mm

The coverage of a 20SS rhinestone is     17.34 Sq mm         Square Set:  allow 22 Sq. mm

BUT, if you are going to set all your rhinestones in a tight grid without interleaving them (these critters are round and can be square set or interleaved), then allow a 9SS rhinestone to cover  6.7 Sq mm,  a 12SS rhinestone to cover 9 Sq mm.

NOW, to figure out how many rhinestones you need in total, divide the area to be covered (in Sq mm) by the Sq mm coverage of the rhinestone.

Or, in the above example, we had an area of 5000 Sq mm to be covered with a 9ss stone.  Therefore, 5000/6.7 = 746  rhinestones,  and since rhinestones are sold by the gross (144 ea.), we would need 5.1 gross, so order 6 gross and  have a few left over. It is better to have a few extra than 1 too few!

I suggest the 9SS rhinestone for a good reason...it is NOT subject to much abrasion...the smaller the rhinestone, the less likely it is to be ripped off when handled roughly. Conversely, the larger the rhinestone, the more apt it is to be torn off, or separated from it's backing (leaving a very shiny silver spot where a rhinestone used to be. AND, you will be much more happy with the look of 9ss stones (pave'' look as opposed to larger rhinestones) IF you really want to get fancy, and if you have a very steady hand and good eyes, then go with a 5 SS rhinestone for a phenominal look! (This is the size that a very prominent purse maker uses to achieve those intricate designs that are over the top!)  Of course, if you use a 5SS rhinestone, you will need more rhinestones. In the above example, you would need 11 gross.

A note to advanced mathmeticians: I have laid out what I consider the most direct method of calculating the number of stones needed. Of course there are faster ways to figure the needs, and of course, 25mm squared is 625 that can be used as a single multiplier...but this gets the job done, and everyone can remember this method :-)

A note to the general public: IF you choose to interleave your rows of rhinestones...offset every other row for a very tight set, then you will need more rhinestones, up to 1/3 more.

Another note to the general public: Your rhinestones will look best if set onto a black surface...the black will add contrast to your work and make it "pop".  Do not paint the surface a color that matches the rhinestones, for the overall effect will not be as beautiful as working on black. I do not advise painting any cell phone. If it is silver, green, purple, whatever, so be it. The overspray can cause a problem. Either get a black cell phone or cover the one you have. No matter what color it is, it will be very sharp when you are finished. 

 

Lap Top Computers, Personal Assistants, etc.: It really makes no difference what you are covering,the technique for determining the number of rhinestones required is the same as for a phone. My lap top (at least one of them) measures 32-1/2 X 28-1/2 Centimeters, OR 325 X 285 mm (there are 10 mm in a cm). So, 325X285 = 92625 Sq. MM.  To cover this lid with rhinestones, I would need:

9SS:  97 Gross,  12SS: 72 Gross,  16SS: 40 Gross,  20SS: 29 Gross

Generally speaking, the larger the area, the larger the stone you can use. You will get the most coverage for your dollar using 20SS rhinestones, but the smaller the stone, the more beautiful the project will be when finished.

The value of used note books has fallen through the floor. The cover is a great pallet to paint with rhinestones. It is large, realatively flat, and can serve as a canvas to produce great pictures in rhinestones. Here, I would create a design on paper, cut out the design parts and reassemble on the cover. Outline each piece with a "Sharpie" pen, make notations as to color being used in that area, and lay out total design. Once the rhinestones are applied (use a small rhinestone to get good definition) you will have a note book that will be the envy of all who see it. And is certainly will be distinct, as no one will have one...so far, everyone is doing cell phones. Set a precident, don't follow one. I strongly suggest laying out the cover as a real rectangle, ignoring curves that fall outside the rectangle. Do all stoning inside the drawn rectangle, then finish by fitting stones to fit the curves. You may use a smaller stone to make everything come out perfect. Mixing stone sizes inside the actual design is not a good idea, as the fit will fall apart very quickly. A large work of art will take some time. Do not worry that your note book will be out of use during this time, for it takes only about 4-5 hours for the glue to fully set. If you work on your lap top at night, it can be used the next morning, and you can return to your project the next evening, everyday, more of the picture will appear. When you decide to replace your note book with a new, improved version, the rhinestones cannot hurt its resale value, for there isn't enough resale value to worry about in the first place. Why not enjoy the unit as a work of art as well as a functional computer while you own it. And, can you imagine your friend's reactions when you pull it from its case! Yes, I can too.

PDA's, IPods, any MP3 Player or CD Player lends itself to this treatment. But, always start on a square and fill in the outside edges with a stone size that works with what your are doing. If you start with a curve, your coverings will become a mess before you are finished.

Other items that lend themselves to rhinestones: Sunglasses...use 5SS and/or 7SS rhinestones for the frames.Combs: Use 5SS or 7SS to decorate. Compacts: Use 5SS/7SS/9SS to produce designs (make sure the compact is refillable) Lipstick Cases: Use 7SS or 5SS, make sure it is a sleeve that will accomodate whatever brand you use. Hair Barettes and Hair Combs: Use 7SS/9SS/12SS to decorate for a flashy look  Hair Extensions: Use a highly flexable, strong thread, such as upholstery thread, lay out to length, attach some kind of clip to affix in hair, and apply 12SS rhinestones in a tight row with a fine line of glue...work on top of a garbage bag. When the glue is almost dry (starts to clear), turn the line over and apply rhinestones to the back of each rhinestone already glued. This will sandwich the rhinestones on the thread. Once the glue is dry, this will be a strong line of rhinestones that can be affixed in your hair. This is a terrific look for plated or straight hair. Beads used in platted hair can be rhinestones using 5SS rhinestones.

Retro Looks:  It is time to revive a hot look from the late 70's through mid 80's, but with a new twist. Either purchase or make head bands. Cover with ELASTIC RHINESTONE BANDING by hand whipping to head band with a backstitch that allows stretch. Row after row, interleaving, will produce a solid rhinestone head band that will be very sharp looking.

Cell Phone clips or carriers: If you are using a cell phone clip, place the phone in the clip, mark with pencil the area that is covered by the clip. Now, rhinestone the clip and the part of the cell phone that is NOT covered by the clip when it is in its holster. DO NOT rhinestone the entire phone, for it will no longer fit in the clip.

Soft cell phone carriers: You can rhinestone these, use ONLY Gem Tac glue (it is very flexible). On the otherhand, don't try to test it by folding the carrier in half...that is above and beyond the ability of any glue.

Altoids Boxes: Many customers like covering these boxes with rhinestones. Be aware that the hinge on these boxes is not the greatest, but with care, I suppose it will hold up for some time.

The box lid is approximately 95mm X 60mm, or 5700 Sq. MM   You will need 5 gross of 12SS rhinestones, or 6 Gross of 9SS rhinestones to cover the top. IF you do the lid edge, allow another gross of either size. Use GemTac glue as above.

Cigar Boxes: Locate the wood type cigar box, spray paint flat black, and draw designs with a Sharpie pen. Line the box with velvet (glue it in). Rhinestone the exterior and you will have  a great jewelry box.

Photo Albums: Use the hardest cover album you can find, do your designs as above and cover with a 12SS rhinestone. You can spell out words, make pictures, whatever you deem beautiful. This will be a lasting treasure.

I have given you many ideas above to either do for your own projects, or start a cottage industry. Go for it.

  Technique of application:

What you will need:

  1. First of all, clean the surface of all dirt, oil, etc. with a good wiping with an alcohol-dampened lint-free cloth. NO fingerprints, etc.

  2. Remove the cap from the GemTac glue and run a sewing pin down into the nozzle. Unscrew the lid from the glue and remove the paper cap liner, then replace the cap.

  3. Take the applicator stick and roll between fingers to produce a somewhat sharp point from the wax

  4. Dump your rhinestones into a small saucer. At least 50% will land right side up...these are the stones we will be working with. We will worry about the stones that are wrong side up later.

  5. Have a drink (one sip...we don't want to get high too soon in this project)

  6. Deliver a few drops of glue to the upper left hand corner of your cell phone cover, then spread to a thin layer with the brush. Place the brush in water immediately. Spread ONLY enough glue that you can cover with rhinestones within one minute (Think NOT that you know more than I do, for if you spread too much glue, it will surface dry before you can set the rhinestones into it and your project will fail)

  7. Very lightly touch the tip of the pointed wax applicator stick to a rhinestone that is right-side up. The stone will stick to the wax. Place the rhinestone into the glue at the starting point. Gently roll the toothpick between your fingers as you pull back. The stone will release and remained in the glue. You can shove it around a bit if it isn't exactly where it belongs.

  8. It is obvious (at least to me) that you will want to spread a very small area of glue at first until you get the hang of what you are doing. You will develop a rhythm and can do larger areas as you go along. But, don't get in a hurry, for you are creating a work of art that all your friends (except one...there is always that one, isn't there) will admire.

  9. Continue on this path until the project is finished, or you have drunk too much to continue.  Allow the glue to dry for about 24 hours. All the glue will turn clear (trust me on that one).

  10. Caution:  Do not put down too thick a layer of glue. You want the glue to just capture the edges of the glass stone, not cover the stone. Too little glue will cause a loss of stones, too much glue will cause a dulling, and will get worse with time, as dirt will stick to the glue.

  11. As a final (nothing I write is ever final...I always have something else to write, but that is another story), I suggest that you purchase an extra gross of whatever size stone you are working with and practice the above techniques until you feel satisfied that you can do a professional job...anyone with steady hands can do this if you take your time and make sure all alignments are exact...This whole thing sound a lot harder than it really is. Once the stones are in the glue, they can be shoved here, there, wherever to achieve a true perfect set. Just don't plan on shoving them very far, for if you do, the glue will build up on the side you are pushing to.

Now that you are an expert, it is time to tackle a real artsy project. You can produce pictures with rhinestones. You can produce designs using different colors, only your imagination can limit you in what you do and what you want to cover. Producing a rhinestone buckle is done the same as has been described above. Go for it and have a ball. I hope this has been helpful.....

This method can be carried to much more detailed projects with a few simple modifications. For those of you who cross stitch, you can set up patterns on graph paper using colored pencils. Choose colors that correspond to rhinestone colors. (Get yourself a rhinestone color chart, 20.00, has all the colors and sizes available), then produce a pattern that you like. Start your project by drawing a center line and a center line perpendicular to the first line so as to divide the project area into 4 quadrants. (Make sure the lines are perpendicular). Now, by counting, you can place rhinestones of whatever color where the squares of the graph paper indicate. When you are finished, you will have a work of art. This can be done on compact covers, cell phones, purses, whatever. I have done this on the back of my motor cycle to create a large eagle in rhinestones...very impressive!

For more advanced players, take your rhinestone color card to a shop that sells cross stitch thread. On your color card, note the thread number nearest a color of rhinestone...continue until you have all the rhinestone colors with a corresponding thread color. NOW, go to http://www.pcstitch.com/ and download the cross stitch pattern program. With this program, you can scan pictures, designs, whatever. You can tell it how many colors you are going to use, how big you want the project to be, and it will spit out a graphic with all the thread colors indicated for the picture. You can now rescan the graphic with the thread identifiers until each square is the size of the rhinestone you plan to use. With a little manipulation, you will have the master from which to work. Translate the thread colors to your rhinestone colors and produce pictures in rhinestones, just as you would with cross stitch...yes, that will be noticed by everyone. And, the smaller the stone, and the more colors you use, the more life-like the finished picture will be. Now, I will not deny that this will take some time, but the finished project is well worth it. This method is particularly great when dealing with hard purses. (the substrate should be relatively non-flexible). How about doing this to the cover of your lap top computer...now this would be a definite conversation piece!

Phil Brandt, rhinestoneguy.com

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