Customize Your Boots With Rhinestones!

Boots are my shoe of choice and adding some custom sparkly bling makes them even better!

In this tutorial I will show all the steps needed to add rhinestones to your boots, including a file of the heart design I created so you can make the exact same pair! Or get creative and come up with a custom design just for you!

Hope you enjoy! : )

Step 1: Check Out the Full Video Tutorial!

Step 2: Gather Your Supplies

Supplies Needed:
Tools:

• Paintbrush
• Pen
• Hair Dryer (This is optional to speed up the drying process)
• Ruler
• Scissors

Materials:

• Pair of Boots ( I am using Bearpaw Emma Tall Cold Weather Boots in Charcoal, you can find the same kind here)

• Rhinestones ( I used 5mm AB Clear Rhinestones, you can find the same kind at www.summer-ray.com)

• Glue (I used Eco-Flo Leather Weld which can be found here)

• Stencil ( I have included the heart design PDF so you can create the same image )
• Painters Tape

Step 3: Add Rhinestones to the Heel

Supplies Needed:
Tools:

• Paint Brush
• Hair Dryer

Materials:

• Your Boots
• Rhinestones
• Glue
• Painters Tape

The first thing to do is to add painters tape around the edge of the heel to prevent any glue from spilling over the edge. I decided to keep the label so I covered it as well.

Next you can apply a layer of glue to the heel. This will be a base coat before adding on the stones. I have done a lot of experimenting with glue and I have the best results when I apply a base coat, let it dry completely, then add the rhinestones. This way the rhinestones adhere to the glue and not the fabric/suede/leather, giving them a much more secure bond.

Once you've added your base coat, let it dry completely. You can use a hair dryer to speed up the process so it just takes a few minutes.

Once the first layer of glue is dry you can begin adding the stones. Use a paintbrush and add small strips of glue at a time. I worked from the bottom up to keep the lines straight. You can use a rhinestone picker to grab the stones more easily, I just used my finger, and you want to apply them with a little pressure so they get a nice bond. I added quite a bit of glue to adhere my stones, and if you used Eco-Flo Leather Weld your glue will dry clear so don't worry if the glue gets on top of the rhinestones, you won't see it when your all done. (check out the pics if you need some proof!) : )

Repeat this process to add rhinestones to both heels.

Notes:

*When your working with glue its best to work in room temperature, if it is too cold the glue will not get a strong bond, and your rhinestones will be more prone to fall off.

*If you have had trouble with rhinestones falling off and given them up all together, definitely try applying them using a base coat first, it makes all the difference!!

Step 4: Add the Rhinestone Heart

Supplies Needed:

Tools:

• Paint Brush
• Hair Dryer
• Pen

Materials:

• Your Boots
• Rhinestones
• Glue
• Painters Tape

The first step here is to create your heart stencil, or design of your choice!

I used painters tape to create my stencil. I overlapped rows of painters tape to create a sheet that was large enough to draw on my heart stencil. Its best to do this on a smooth surface so that the tape will peel off easily. You could also use decal paper but I had painters tape on hand and it worked perfect!

Next you can draw your stencil onto your painters tape.

To complete the stencil you just need to cut out your design. I started by cutting a slit at the bottom of the heart, cut out the heart shape, then sealed the slit with more painters tape. Definitely easier that using an x-acto knife : )

Once your stencil is ready to go you can add it to your boot. I placed mine on the center front.

Now you can apply a layer of glue inside the stencil. Make sure that your stencil is pressed down firmly to avoid any glue leaking out the edges.

Once you've added your base coat remove the stencil, you want to remove it before the glue dries completely so the glue does not create a bond over the painters tape.

When the stencil is removed, let the glue dry completely, using a hair dryer to speed up the process.

After the glue dries you can begin adding the stones.

Use a paintbrush and add small strips of glue at a time. I created the heart border first to make sure the stones created a nice shape. Apply them with a little pressure so they get a nice bond using enough glue to make sure the fully adhere to your boot.

Continue this process to fill in the rest of the heart, then repeat for your opposite boot. I used a ruler to make sure my second heart was at the same level as the first.

Step 5: Wear and Enjoy!

The last step is to wear and enjoy! If you used the same rhinestones, your boots will be giving off a fun rainbow sparkle when the light hits them just right! : )