Rhinestones, a popularized form of decoration that is considered relatively cheap, have long been a favorite among artists. The Swarovski flat back crystal in particular has become an icon for its exceptional shimmer, cut, and wide range of applications. To best make use of your next art project, consider adorning it with the appealing look of Swarovski crystals.
A quick way to tell a Swarovski from a normal rhinestone is to count the number of facets it has. A Swarovski crystal has 14 facets, as compared to the 8 facets that other rhinestones still commonly use. Swarovski crystals also usually have a chemical coating or high lead content to help create a unique sparkle, shine, or glimmer. This encourages artists to use such crystals in more creative ways.
There are different types of objects that will require different applications when applying a Swarovski crystal. Because of this, there are two main applications of Swarovski crystals: silver foil back crystals and hot fix crystals. The hot fix crystal is easy, since it already has glue on it and only needs to be heated up next to an object. The silver foil is used most, however, and is applied with special glue supplied by the artist. Knowing which method to use is important in applying the crystal.
Hot fix crystals are generally applied to objects that have a high capacity for heat. A bad example for this would be electronics- especially mobile phones. The high heat may damage the surface or inner electronic components and make an expensive paper weight. Instead, use hot fix crystals on objects such as jeans, which have high tolerance of heat and will benefit from the extra durability.
Generally, it isn’t safe to wash most clothes that have Swarovski crystals applied for up to a week after. Crystals applied to things such as mobile phones should be left alone for at least a 24 hour period, to ensure the glue sets correctly. Dry cleaning is usually a bad idea even after the glue has dried, and usually results in crystals falling off and making unsightly glue stains left behind.
In most cases, there will be an informative packet of information that tells a consumer what they should do with the crystal in regards to applying it to an object. There should also be important safety information that should be followed in the process of the art project. If you aren’t sure on what to do, consult Internet help forums, reading resources, or even others that have experience doing such things.
Final Thoughts
Crystals are always fun to make part of an artistic project. Swarovski flat back crystals are the cream of the crop when it comes to rhinestones, and they are inexpensive to boot- so have fun with them!
Learn more about flatback Swarovski crystals and flat back crystals.