Flatback rhinestones are what you will find on most embellished clothing and accessories. Rhinestones are made of glass. For more light reflection or sparkle lead is added to create lead crystal. The amount of lead will be from 32% -38% lead by weight. Due to the fact that lead is poisonous use common sense when working with Rhinestones. Use applicator sticks and wash your hands often. Keep your fingers and hands away from your mouth.
I love rhinestones and what can be created with them. I have put them on anthing from hairclips to appliances. The trend of applying to baby items..pacifiers in my opinions is without a doubt dangerous and negligent. It is best to avoid rhinestone application on any baby or toddler clothing or accessories. Besides the fact of being poisonous rhinestones can come loose and cause a choking hazzard. AVOID RHINESTONES ON BABY OR TODDLER ITEMS.
That said back to Flatback rhinestones and application of. Perciosa Machine cut(MC) and swarvorski are made of Lead Crystal. These are the preferred rhinestones for most applications. Czech Extra grade are glass but less bright. Flatbacks are made of: Lead Crystal,Glass, or Acrylic. Acrylic have a place on less expensive clothing,projects or kids crafting. No matter how many Acrylic stones you place on an item its not going to make it sparkle.
The type of glass used and the cut determines the quality of rhinestones. The facets are added so the reflected ligh is broken into smaller pieces causing more reflected light and sparkle. Rhinestones should look good up close and at a distance. The best I have found that qualify are 8 facet cut stones.
The manufacturer is not important as long as its an 8 facet lead crystal rhinestone. Swarovski is what always comes to mind when thinking about rhinestones(great marketing) but perciosa machine cut are excellent and many times better than swarovski. Czech percoisa are a bit harder and better for thicker fabrics as long as you are using grade one. Korean stones are cast with poor light reflection and I have not seen one that I would work with. Percoisa makes a 2 cut stone that is not lead crystal like Percoisa grade one. Called extra grade it is not as brilliant as swarovski or percoisa grage one and does not have the sparkle. Its ok for lesser expensive clothing or projects.
Once you have worked with rhinestones it becomes second nature to tell a good stone from a not good stone. Be sure you get the quality that is needed for the task at hand. Its very dissappointing to complete a 500 stone project and find it just doesn't have the sparkle you intended it to have, So know your stone before you permanently adhere it to something.
Now about GLUE. NEVER USE SUPER GLUE or similar products. Maybe for an emergency repair but just remove super glue from the picture. Gem Tac is a product made by beacon the I have found to be superior for most all applications. If you have found a particular glue you enjoy workin with stay with it. Gem Tac just works for me and is safe. Be certain that your glue isn't old or hasn't been exposed to moisture. Before you start a big project take the time to set test a stone for 24 hours. There is not an acrylic glue that will keep its elasticity in cold tempatures. So if you live in Michigan I wouldn't advise acrylic glue for the bird feeder. Also avoid appliccation of stones if the humidity level is above 60%, The glue may absorb moisture which will prevent it from drying.
In my experience,acrylic glues such as Gem Tac work on most everything when properly applied, Paint,metal,fabric,ceramic,glass,wood,porcelin,leather(some applications) and vinyl. Read the instructions that are provided with the glue you are planning on using. They cover a vast amount of information. Some glues require that you wait 3 minutes before pressing togather some 10 minutes. Some allow you to move the set piece for up to an hour after application with out breaking the bond. READ THE DIRECTIONS....
The most imporatant piece of information about rhinestone application. Glue may be dry in 24 hours..but its not cured or set for up to 7 days. It will state do not wash for 3 or 7 days after application but ok to wear. I say wrong...Let it set and cure for 3 to 7 days. If you have spent several hours putting stones on flip flops wait at least 3 days before you start sporting around in them. Let the glue cure and set..
I have had little success with E600 Glue. It holds very well and survives washing well. It dries quickly and shiney. Everything shows. I am not perfect in my application and tend to spend more time wiping and the excess . The strings that are caused when you pull this glue difficult at best and I have ended up with hairy looking projects. If you have had success with this glue go for it. For me this glue slow me down.
CAUTION ABOUT EPOXY GLUES. If you work with rhinestones you know that horrible allergic reactions will happen in time when using epoxy. People have become very ill. Epoxys are dangerous even under the best conditions. Stay clear of epoxy. There are way to may products that you can use in place of an epoxy. The risk factors are just to great. Benzene is the main ingredient in epoxy...a strong carcinogenic..causing cancer. So loose the epoxy thoughts and never ever use an epoxy on baby or toddler items.
Never throw rhinestone embellished clothing in the washing machine. They may or may not survive. I wash them by hand in cold water miled detergent. Rinse well. Don't twist or wring the item. After washed and rinsed I do put in the washing machine on SPIN ONLY GENTLE to remove excess water prior to hanging up to air dry. Dry cleaning is not usually recommended for rhinestone embellished clothing. Check with your dry cleaner some items may be able to be cleaned.
Orignal From: Rhinestones,Glues and application of
No comments:
Post a Comment