Things to Bedazzle: 20+ Fun Ideas and How to Do Them

Adding a bit of sparkle to your everyday things is easy, satisfying, and honestly a little bit addictive. Once you cover one plain object in rhinestones and watch it catch the light, you start eyeing up everything you own. If you are wondering what to bedazzle and where to begin, you are in the right place.

The good news is that some of the most fun things to bedazzle are also the easiest, so you do not need any experience to get a result you are proud of. Whether you want a few quick beginner wins, a thoughtful handmade gift, some sparkle for your home, or things to bedazzle and sell, there are so many ideas below to get you started. And because we are a UK crystal specialist stocking four trusted brands, we will also show you how to make that sparkle actually last.

Let's get into it.

What you need to start bedazzling

You do not need much to get going, and most projects use the same small kit. Here is everything you need before you place your first stone.

Rhinestones

There are two main types. Flatback rhinestones have a flat, foil-backed base and are glued on by hand, which makes them brilliant for hard surfaces like phone cases and bottles. Hotfix rhinestones have a heat-activated glue on the back that melts and bonds when you warm it with a hotfix applicator, so they are ideal for fabric.

Glue

Gem Tac is a great all-rounder for lighter and porous surfaces like card and fabric. E6000+ is your go-to for hard, flexible or waterproof jobs like shoes, wellies and bottles. There is no single best glue for every project, the right one depends on the surface you are blinging.

Tools

A pick up tool or wax pencil to lift and place each stone, tweezers for larger gems, a syringe applicator for neat glue dots, and a small tray to stop your rhinestones rolling away.

That really is the whole starter kit. You can browse our full range of bedazzling tools, glue and rhinestones to pull yours together.

The four crystal brands to bedazzle with

Picking the right rhinestone matters just as much as the design. At Crystal Parade we supply four trusted brands, so there is a crystal for every project and every budget.

Swarovski crystals are known worldwide for their precision cut and unbeatable sparkle, which is why they are the top choice for luxury pieces. 

An alternative is Preciosa, which offers brilliant durability and a huge choice of colours, cuts and finishes, and as an authorised Preciosa Silver Partner we know these crystals inside out. 

Zodiac is our own exclusive brand, with a dazzling sparkle and strong foil backing that has earned it more than 1,500 five-star reviews, making it a genuine alternative to the big names rather than a compromise. Luna is our budget-friendly option, perfect any time you want sparkle on a shoestring.

Ready to get inspired? Let's explore 20 fun things to bedazzle that'll have you reaching for your rhinestones in no time.

1. Jazz up your sliders/crocs
To bedazzle these rubber sliders, we've used E6000+ glue to attach flatback rhinestones and pearls in a rockery effect.

2. Add some subtle sparkle to your greeting cards
Pick out areas of the design that are plain and apply small rhinestones using Gem Tac glue. You can have fun with different colours, shapes and sizes.

3. Bring the celebrity vibes to your accessories
Our very own CP team member Zoe, embellished a pair of Harry Styles sunglasses to wear at his concert – you won't believe how many people commented on them!

4. Treat your pet to a bedazzled collar
Bring some fun to your pet accessories – you could try gluing rhinestones to the lead, food bowl, and coat.

5. Bedazzle your favourite bottle
Cover your favourite drinks bottle in rhinestones and display it as a fun/novelty item. Or why not bling up your partner, friend or family members favourite tipple to make the perfect unique gift? You could even turn it into a lamp base for a truly striking piece of interior design.

6. Personalise a champagne glass as a gift
What better gift is there than a thoughtful, bespoke, personalised champagne flute. Check out our guide to embellishing glassware for a detailed method.

7. Stand out from the crowd with a crystal phone case
This is a great way of adding a luxurious, expensive feel to your phone case. Choose different shaped and coloured crystals to make a truly unique design. For ultimate glitz, go for Swarovski or Preciosa.

8. Bring the luxury to your drinks bottle
Make exercising more fun with your very own blinged up water bottle. Having a blank canvas means you can really experiment with colours and patterns. Ombre is still very on trend, or stick to the classic with clear diamante rhinestones.

9. Add gems to your kids' jelly shoes
Pick up some 3D crystals and larger gems from our vintage range, and set them into the gaps of the jelly shoes using E6000+ glue. This is the best adhesive for rubber footwear as it is flexible and waterproof.

10. Decorate your favourite make up item
Make every morning that little bit more fun by wrapping your lipstick, mascara, brushes or any other cylindrical products in a rhinestone sheet. They are so easy to apply – just cut and stick!

11. Make everyday accessories fun with rhinestone transfers
The quickest and cheapest way to apply a large number of rhinestones is by applying a transfer. You can either send us your design and we will make it for you, or you can purchase a pre-made transfer. Either way, transfers allow you to bedazzle in seconds!

12. Replace boring buttons with crystal ones!
We have an extensive range of crystal buttons that can easily be sewn onto your garment. They are very popular for bridal gowns, but can also be used to jazz up coats or jackets that need a bit of love.

13. Add some sparkle to your manicure
Rhinestone nail art is hugely popular, if you've never tried it before, start with simple designs and check out our guide to applying rhinestones to nails for handy tips and tricks.

14. Enhance a plain top with your favourite logo
Draw the design onto the clothing/fabric first, using dressmakers chalk. Then apply the glue in small dots following the design, placing the rhinestones on top of the glue.

15. Turn boring wellies into bling wellies
You'll be talk of the festival in these fabulous bedazzled wellies! Draw out your design using a template, then apply the rhinestones with E6000+ glue – this is waterproof and flexible, so idea for outdoor footwear.

16. Wow your friends with a crystallised handbag
Using the Honeycomb application method, fully cover the handbag with flatback crystals. A bold, simple block colour pattern is so effective and striking.

17. Bring your favourite novelty item to life
Simply find the rhinestone colours to match your item, then completely cover it for the full bling effect.

18. Turn ordinary office items into the extraordinary!
We've used Gem Tac glue and Zodiac Light Pink AB crystals to make our boring stapler more attractive.

19. Add even more luxury to your favourite perfume
Try gluing pearls and cabochons from our vintage crystals collection to your perfume bottle – it'll make you smile every day. Or, doesn't it make the perfect bespoke gift?!

20. Go full kitsch with bedazzled novelty items
These Luna rhinestones really do sparkle on this novelty phone, simply apply using Gem Tac glue. If you are on a tight budget, you could try the Scatter Effect rather than full coverage.

How to bedazzle so the sparkle lasts

Getting rhinestones to stay put is all in the preparation. Follow these steps and your bling will last.

Clean the surface.

Wipe the item with rubbing alcohol and let it dry fully. Glue grips far better on a clean, grease-free surface.

Plan your design first.

Lay your rhinestones out before you glue anything, and take a quick photo to follow as a reference. For clean edges or a shape like a heart or an initial, use a template or a strip of low-tack tape as a guide.

Match the glue to the material.

The single most common beginner mistake is using the wrong adhesive, which is why stones fall off. As a quick guide: Gem Tac for card and lighter fabric, E6000+ for hard, flexible, rubber or waterproof surfaces like shoes and bottles, and hotfix rhinestones for fabric where you want a heat-set finish.

Work in small sections.

Apply glue in small dots rather than coating the whole surface, and place each stone with a pick up tool or tweezers. Small sections stop the glue drying before you get there.

Keep your rows tight and even.

Working in consistent rows gives that clean, professional, store-bought look. On curved surfaces, use smaller stones to fill the little triangular gaps.

Cure it fully. 

Leave the piece undisturbed while the glue sets, around 24 hours for E6000+, and keep it away from moisture while it cures. Wait until it is fully set before using or washing the item.

A quick note on washing bedazzled clothing: choose hotfix or a fabric-safe glue, then hand wash the garment inside out and keep it out of the tumble dryer, since heat and tumbling are what loosen stones over time.

Many people find the steady rhythm of placing crystals genuinely calming too, so do not rush. A blinged project is a brilliant way to switch off after a long day.

FAQs

What can you bedazzle?

Almost anything that holds glue or takes a stitch. Popular projects include phone cases, sunglasses, water bottles, shoes, denim, handbags, hair clips, home decor like picture frames and canvases, and gifts such as personalised glasses. Smaller, flatter items are the easiest place to begin.

What is the easiest thing to bedazzle for beginners?

Start with a phone case, a set of hair clips, or a greeting card. These have small, flat or forgiving surfaces, so mistakes are easy to fix and you get a quick, satisfying result. Self-adhesive rhinestone sheets are also brilliant for beginners because there is no glue skill needed.

What glue is best for bedazzling?

There is no single best glue, it depends on the surface. Gem Tac works well on card and lighter fabric, while E6000+ suits hard, flexible, rubber and waterproof surfaces like shoes and bottles. For fabric you can also use hotfix rhinestones, which are set with heat rather than glue.

How do you keep rhinestones from falling off?

Clean the surface first so the glue grips, match the adhesive to the material, place your stones close together, and let everything cure fully before using the item. For pieces that get handled or washed a lot, sealing the finished design adds extra hold.

Can you bedazzle clothes that get washed?

Yes. Use hotfix rhinestones or a fabric-safe glue, then care for the garment gently. Hand wash it inside out and avoid the tumble dryer, since heat and tumbling are the main things that loosen stones over time.

What things can you bedazzle and sell?

Tumblers, phone cases, hair accessories, bedazzled canvases and seasonal decor all sell well handmade. Because these items get handled daily, focus on durability by using the right glue, curing every piece fully, and sealing anything that will be knocked about.

Ready to get started? Browse our full range of rhinestones, glue and tools, and if you need help choosing the right crystals for your project, our friendly team is always happy to help.