Crafts Unleashed

Editor’s Note: We are having so much fun with Wedding Week that we decided to to another! This week, though, we are featuring all things BLING! We’re starting off with this great article on how to get the best results from your Darice Hot-Fix Crystal Setter. Enjoy!

Rhinestone Hot Fix Setter

I am working on a few craft projects that just need some extra glam, sparkle, bling, with a splash of shimmery
goodness.  I have been intrigued by the Darice® Rhinestone Setter and couldn’t wait to try it out.  My expectations: super glam, super easy.
Before I even began using my Darice® Rhinestone Setter I checked out Lisa’s Review of it.  Lisa uses the Rhinestone Setter on a scrapbooking craft and gives a great overview of the product.  She raves about the variety of tips options, the long cord, the handy stand, and the ability to spice up your craft with some lots of bling.  Yes, yes, and more yes!  After reading her review I opened the Rhinestone Setter package and started to nod my head in agreement; different tip sizes for different gem sizes, the long cord rocks, the stand is cool, and bling, bling, and more bling is right at my finger tips.

However, when I first started using my Rhinestone Setter I was immediately frustrated. I couldn’t get it to pick up a gem to save my life.  What did I do wrong? I was using the right size tip for the size of the hot fix rhinestones; rhinestones were 4 mm tip was 4 mm.  In frustration, I started placing the rhinestones on small piece of cardboard, placing the Rhinestone Setter on top of the gem, and then flipping the cardboard over.   When I wanted to adhere the rhinestone on my fabric I would slowly tilt the Rhinestone Setter down and with a weaving needle slowly position the rhinestone on to my work.  I was not happy and I couldn’t believe it was suppose to be this difficult.

The process was laborious but my craft project was coming out beautiful, then without paying attention I picked a gem up by the wrong end glue side-up.  I used a weaving needle to take the gem off and was left with a dark burnt spot at the end of my Rhinestone Setter 4 mm tip.  After that like magic it all of a sudden started working the way it was suppose to, I picked up a rhinestone waited 5 seconds and then pressed it down onto my fabric.  No cardboard square needed to get the gem on, no needle to position the gem.  It was working. I started flying through my project, I loved this thing, and it was amazing, bling, bling, and more bling.

To test my little hypothesis: That a little of the hot fix adhesive on the end of the tip really made it easier to work with.  I waited until the Rhinestone Setter cooled and then changed the tip to a clean new 5 mm tip.   After waiting for it to heat up the 2 to 3 minutes I tried to pick up a gem, no luck!  I then flipped the gem over got a little of the glue on then end of my tip and then flicked it off with my weaving pin.  After that I had no problem at all picking up gems.

I am unsure if the problem I had is universal one?  However, it was such an easy fix for me and so frustrating when I couldn’t get it to work I felt like it needed to be shared.

Once I got the hang of the Rhinestone Setter I bedazzled my daughter socks and made her a little clip.  I found the hot fix gems worked great on grosgrain ribbon.

Stay tuned for my next post where I take all I have learned about the Darice® Rhinestone Setter and make an awesome Bridal piece.  Trust me all my little experimenting and tweaking of the Rhinestone Setter really pays off!