If you have already
"Rocked your iPhone", then you need to make a purse to match. The concept is exactly the same. You will need a plastic or metal surface to work on (rubbery surfaces do not work well with the glue). I found this little vintage style purse at Goodwill. The surface is hard vinyl. Look for similar type cases to use. Small plastic or metal make up cases, or train cases would be perfect. I would compare this project to knitting, cross stitch, or a puzzle. It will take you some time to complete (took about 3 times the iPhone case), but it is very easy to do. Even my 8 year old Daughter worked on it. In many ways this is most like doing a puzzle. It is fairly mindless work, requires your eye to pick out the right sized gems to fit into your working area, and is very satisfying when you are done. Plus it is a project that you can show off. Since using my iPhone cases I love when someone says "cool phone case" and I can proudly say "thanks I made it!" I am looking forward to seeing the response I get from the purse. I am just trying to decide what to bling next?....wallet, shoes, belt buckle?....we shall see!
For This Project You Will Need:
Hard Surface Purse (look at metal or plastic make up boxes, and train cases for example)
Flat Back Gems (You will need a lot of gems so buy the large wheel of gems $2.99 or the box of gems $4.99 at Michaels, or buy a bulk bag of gems off Etsy under "supplies".
Cabochons- I use all types of items for my big bling. I like the "Princess Gems" in the kid craft area. I also used buttons with the shanks removed, and adhesive "bling" stickers with the sticker backs removed. Look up "cabochons" in the "supplies" section of Etsy for 1000's of choices. I purchased the gem skulls and the large plastic roses on Etsy.
Gem Pick Up Tool
E6000 Glue (use a fresh tube so the glue is easy to work with)
Toothpicks
Glue down all of your large cabochons to the top of your purse. Make sure you like the placement before drying. If they dry and you change your mind you can pry a gem off with a flat sharp knife.
Continue gluing all of your large cabochons over the purse. Again decide if you like the look before they dry. I decided to switch the lavender skull for a black one for example.
OK now the fill in starts. Put on your headphones and zone out while adding the small gems. Take a toothpick and spread out about 1" of glue onto the surface. Don't do more than 2" or 3"or the glue will dry too quickly.
Use your gem pick up tool to pick up and stick gems onto the glue.
Fill in the glue area and then take a look to make sure you like everything before moving on to another 1"or 2" area.
Continue on until your entire purse is covered to your liking.
I rotate small and big gems but that is up to you. You could use all the same size gems as well. Make it your own.
Once completed give your purse a good polish with a slightly damp cloth with water or windex. This will get off any glue strings and wax pencil that stuck to the gems. It will also make sure all of your gems were glued down securely. In case a gem pops off you can touch up.
Happy Holidays!
XOX,
The Rebel Crafter
