If you ask me, there is never a wrong time for chocolate. You can never have too much of it! And going by the current trends in teen fashion and room decor, it seems like you cannot have enough bling either.
You have to admit that even a tiny bit of sparkle adds a whole lot of glam to anything. Whether it is an old denim jacket, a boring school notebook, or a piece of room decor, a little shimmer transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. Whether it’s in the form of crystals, sequins, glitter, or actual jewelry—everyone needs some sparkle in their life!
Did you know that March 13th is National Jewel Day? It is the perfect excuse to celebrate all things shiny. While we might not all be able to afford diamonds and rubies, we certainly can afford a bag of rhinestones and some strong glue!
We have curated a list of 10 fabulous rhinestone crafts for teens (and adults with a young spirit). These projects range from quick 15-minute updates to detailed upcycling projects. How much bling you add is completely up to you—stay minimal with a few accents or go all out for maximum drama.
Why Craft with Rhinestones?
Before we dive into the tutorials, let’s talk about why rhinestone crafting is such a great hobby for teens.
- Affordable Fashion: You can make a $10 pair of shoes look like a $200 designer pair.
- Mindfulness: The process of placing individual stones requires focus and patience, acting as a great stress reliever after a long week of school.
- Unique Style: No one else will have the same phone case or sunglasses as you. It is the ultimate form of self-expression.
The Essential Bling Toolkit
To get started, you don’t need a lot of equipment, but you do need the right equipment. Using the wrong glue is the number one reason DIY rhinestone projects fail.
- Rhinestones: Flat-back crystals are the best for gluing. You can get them in glass (shinier, more expensive) or acrylic/resin (cheaper, lightweight).
- Adhesive:
- E6000: The gold standard for most surfaces (shoes, phone cases, plastic). It smells strong, so use it in a ventilated room.
- Gem-Tac: Great for fabric projects as it is washable.
- B-7000: excellent for electronics and plastic, often comes with a precision needle tip.
- Pickup Tool: A wax pencil or a jewel picker tool is essential. Trying to use your fingers or tweezers for tiny stones is frustrating!
- Sorting Tray: A small triangular tray to shake the stones right-side up.
1. The “Teen Vogue” Style Sunglasses
Got a pair of sunglasses that have seen better days? Don’t toss them out yet! Upcycling old sunnies is a classic fashion hack.
- The Vibe: Retro glam or Festival chic.
- How to do it: Clean the frames with rubbing alcohol to remove oils. You can outline just the corners for a “cat-eye” effect or cover the entire plastic frame for maximum impact. Mixing sizes (e.g., 3mm and 5mm stones) creates a textured, expensive look.
- Style Tip: Use iridescent (AB) crystals on black frames for a holographic look that catches the sunlight perfectly.
2. Bedazzled Canvas Sneakers
Plain canvas shoes (like Vans or Converse) are a blank slate waiting for creativity.
- The Vibe: Street style meets princess energy.
- How to do it: You have two options here. You can glue stones to the rubber toe cap for a “dipped in diamonds” look, or you can cover the canvas logo area.
- Glue Note: Since shoes flex when you walk, use a flexible adhesive like E6000 or specific fabric glue. Stuff the shoes with newspaper before you start to provide a firm surface to press against.
3. The Glamorous Tissue Box Cover
Give your dresser a facelift by upcycling the humble tissue box! Who says practical items have to be boring?
- The Vibe: Vanity luxe.
- How to do it: Buy a cheap wooden or hard plastic tissue box cover. Paint it a base color (like matte black or metallic gold). Then, create a pattern with your gems. You can do a simple border around the opening or cover the entire box in an ombré pattern, fading from dark stones at the bottom to light stones at the top. This instantly turns a drugstore necessity into a piece of room decor.
4. Rhinestone Rimmed Vases
Maybe you’re hesitant to add bling to your outfit just yet. If you’re testing the waters, try making some blingy decor first.
- The Vibe: Sophisticated sparkle.
- How to do it: Take a plain glass cylinder vase from a dollar store. Wrap a piece of masking tape around the vase to create a straight line. Apply glue below the tape and add rows of rhinestones. Once dry, remove the tape. You get a clean, sharp line of sparkle. These look amazing holding makeup brushes or fresh flowers on a desk.
5. The Ultimate Sparkle Phone Case
This is perhaps the most popular craft for teens. Why buy a $50 case when you can make one for $5?
- The Vibe: Y2K aesthetic.
- How to do it: Start with a clear or solid hard-shell case. Plan your design. Some teens love the “scatter method”—applying glue randomly and sprinkling varied sizes of stones. Others prefer the “grid method”—placing stones in perfect rows.
- Pro Tip: If you want to add a pop socket, glue that on first, then rhinestone around it.
6. Designer Dupe Sandals
Plain rubber slides or strappy sandals are easily available for a steal. Add some rhinestones, and they instantly look like you bought them at a high-end boutique.
- The Vibe: Poolside luxury.
- How to do it: Focus on the straps. Large, chunky gems work best here rather than tiny crystals. Arrange them in a symmetrical pattern. If the straps are fabric, use Gem-Tac; if they are plastic/rubber, use E6000. Let them cure for at least 24 hours before walking in them to ensure the bond is secure.
7. Blinged-Out Water Tumblers
Hydration is important, but carrying a cute bottle makes it easier.
- The Vibe: Influencer lifestyle.
- How to do it: You can customize a stainless steel tumbler with your initials. Print out a large letter on paper, cut it out, and tape it to the bottle as a stencil. Trace the outline with a pencil, remove the paper, and fill the letter with crystals.
- Care Instruction: Hand wash only! The dishwasher heat will melt the glue and ruin your hard work.
8. Denim Jacket “Back Patch”
Denim is durable and perfect for heavy embellishments.
- The Vibe: Rock & Roll custom.
- How to do it: Focus on the back panel of the jacket. You can spell out a word like “QUEEN,” “VIBES,” or your graduation year. Use chalk to write the word first, then trace over it with glue and stones. Alternatively, outlining the collar and pocket flaps adds a subtle but stylish touch.
9. Rhinestone Bobby Pins and Barrettes
Hair accessories are huge right now, especially the oversized snap clips.
- The Vibe: Soft girl / Cottagecore glam.
- How to do it: Take large metal snap clips or bobby pins. Glue a strip of rhinestones along the flat surface. For bobby pins, glue a single large gem or a pearl at the looped end. These are quick, 5-minute crafts that make excellent gifts for friends.
10. Crystal Canvas Art
Who needs paint when you have gems?
- The Vibe: Modern art.
- How to do it: Buy a small black canvas. Use a white pencil to sketch a simple line drawing—like a heart, a lightning bolt, or a constellation. Instead of painting the line, glue rhinestones along it. The contrast of the sparkling stones against the matte black background is stunning and looks like modern gallery art.
5 Expert Tips for a Flawless Finish
- Ventilation is Key: Strong glues release fumes. Always work near an open window.
- Less is More (with Glue): You only need a tiny dot of glue. If you use too much, it will ooze out the sides of the rhinestone and dull the sparkle.
- Wait for the Cure: Most glues dry to the touch in an hour but take 24 to 72 hours to fully “cure” (reach maximum strength). Don’t use your item too early!
- Clean Your Surface: Stones won’t stick to grease or dust. Always wipe your object with an alcohol wipe before starting.
- Use a Wax Pencil: We cannot stress this enough—a wax pickup tool costs a couple of dollars and saves hours of frustration compared to using tweezers.
Conclusion
From revamping your wardrobe to adding some pizzazz to your bedroom, these 10 rhinestone crafts offer endless possibilities. Crafting with bling is not just about making things look pretty; it is about taking ownership of your style and creating something that is uniquely yours.
So, grab your glue, turn on your favorite playlist, and get ready to make the world a little brighter—one rhinestone at a time.
