Beginner Rhinestoning Supply Guide

Want to start bedazzling? It’s simpler than you might think!

Bedazzling, also known as rhinestoning, has become a popular hobby in the past few years. It’s a fantastic beginner creative hobby, as well as the perfect finishing touch to more complex DIY projects.

While some fancy rhinestones can be expensive, there are also many budget options that make bedazzling more accessible.

If you’re wanting to start rhinestoning your own sewing projects, shoes, bags— or anything you want to add some sparkle to— here are some basic tools you’ll need to get started.

Start at your local craft store!

My local craft stores often carry two kinds of rhinestone kits: Bedazzle-by-number kits (similar to a paint-by-number kit where you match a rhinestone color to a number on a canvas to make a picture) and kits that provide rhinestones, glue, application tools, as well as an object to place the rhinestones on. If you’re new to crafting, or crative hobbies in general, this might be a good place to start, since it takes a lot of the guess work out of the process.

If you’re ready to just jump in, here are the supplies that I reccomend investing in—

Basic Rhinestone 101

• You can shop rhinestones both online and in many craft stores. There are often two types of packaging that rhinestones come in: cheaper bulk packaging, and more expensive sets with fewer rhinestones. If you’re working on a large scale project, I recommend the bulk packaging, but if you’re wanting quality over quantity, Preciosa, Czech glass, or Swarovski crystals are high quality and very beautiful.

• There are also two types of rhinestones via application: Glue fix and Hot fix Rhinestones. Glue Fix requires you to affix the stones with an adhesive (glue), so you’ll need to buy glue along with your stones. Hot fix rhinestones require heat to adhere the stones, since they come already with a heat activated glue backing. You will need to either have an iron or purchase a hot fix rhinestone tool for hot fix rhinestones.

  • you can tell the difference between these two types by their backs. A Glue Fix Rhinestone back will look like tin or aluminum foil— a silvery color. A Hot Fix Rhinestone will have a gray backing (either dark or light) that is the heat activated adhesive.

• There are also multiple varities of rhiestones. I generally use flat back rhinestones. They are literally rhinestones with flat backs that hold adhesives well. There are also claw rhinestones that are like jewelry, set in a metal backing. These you can often also sew on with a needle and thread.

—This is all great, but what do I actually need to buy???

Rhinestone Shopping List

• Flatback Rhinestones

  • I reccomend buying either SS16 or SS20 sized rhinestones. They’re not too small or too big, so I find them to be the easiest to use & the most cost effective.

  • I like the BEADSLAND brand and JOLLIN brand on Amazon. The prices are generally better than in-store prices. Hobby Lobby has a limited supply of some flatback rhinestones that are also reasonably priced, but the quality is not as good.

    I do not reccomend the BEADSLANDING brand from Michaels. The price is marked up, so while the quality is pretty good, I only buy them on sale or with coupons.

    Your cheapest option will be via Aliexpress from different international distributors; however, they will take much longer to arrive.

• Glue

  • If you’re using glue-fix rhinestones, I generally reccomend two adhesives: E6000 and Gorilla Clear Grip. I use them both. Please use appropriate PPE in a well ventilated space due to some heavy glue fumes.

  • If you’re using heat fix rhinestones, you can use an iron to adhere large rhinestones patches, or an electric hot fix rhinestone tool. You can find these tools online or at most craft stores.

• Rhinestone Setting/ Placement Tool

  • Rhinestones are tiny, delicate, and hard to pick up, so its very helpful to use a tool. There are several different kinds, so just pick what works best for you. Here’s a (non-affiliate) link to one on Amazon that is similar to what I use— AMAZON LINK TO TOOL

Optional Tools

These extras aren’t necessary, but I recommend them.

• Dispensing Syringes and Luer Lock Tips

  • These are literally medication dosing/dispensing syringes and tips that I fill with glue. It makes the glue application process much easier, faster, and cleaner. I simply fill them with glue and dispense little glue dots with them. Then I will place a rhinestone on top.

    • Here’s a non-affiliate link to a set on Amazon so you can see what I’m taking about.

• Rhinestone Storage: I use scrapbooking photo boxes and cases to store my rhinestones (but a plastic bag works fine.)

Everything is better with a little sparkle! Learning how to do basic rhinestoning/bedazzling adds the perfect touch to any existing hobby, like sewing or decorating, but is also a great stand-alone hobby.

It’s easy to start, often inexpensive to start, and I personally find it to be meditative!

If you’re reasearching rhinestone supplies to DIY your own bodysuit, check out my other supply lists and bodysuit tutorials for more information.