Methods In Buying Swarovski Flat Back Crystals 0
The art inclined types are likely already familiar with the rhinestone- a decorative object that is cheap to buy and looks great on clothing, electronics, and other objects. But some who take pride in their creativity aren’t aware of one of the best kept secrets in rhinestones: the Swarovski flat back crystal. It’s a shame, for this crystal in particular has many applications.
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.
Generally, there are two methods in applying a Swarovski flat back crystal to a surface. The first method is to obtain a hot fix crystal, which has glue already applied to the back of the crystal. In order to make it bond to another object, the artist will have to heat the crystal to a considerable level for a certain amount of time. The other method, silver foil back crystals, require that special glue be applied to the object first, and then the placement of the crystal is done.
Silver foil back crystals are used most, since they don’t require excessive temperatures in order to bond the object to the crystal. Instead, they require a glue gun that bonds the object to the crystal without heating either object up too quickly. Generally, silver foil crystals will take 24-48 hours in order to make an appropriate bond with the object, so try to allow time for the glue to finish bonding the objects.
Because the glue can sometimes become weak, it is best to avoid washing clothes with Swarovski flat back crystals when possible. In fact, it is actually best to avoid dry cleaning altogether. If you do wash the clothing and find that the crystal has moved or fallen off, you may apply glue to the old spot again and allow another 48 hours for the glue to finish the bonding process between the crystal and clothing.
Instructions should come with the crystals bought online or at local retail stores. If there isn’t, be sure to consult a hobbyist or go online to learn about how to correctly apply glue, the crystal, and what can or can’t be done. Leather, for instance, is going to be sanded down before applying since it has many oils within it.
In Conclusion
A Swarovski crystal has a lot of applications to make use of. To get the best available result, try looking online for more creative options, tips, and advice on such crystal art projects.
Learn more about Swarovski flatbacks and Austrian crystals.