TIPS AND TRICKS:

GEMS:

Gem Size: 1 millimeter is equal to .039 Inches. We have tried to include a ruler with all gems, so you can easily see the size. For reference: a dime is roughly 18mm, a nickel is roughly 21.25mm, and a quarter is roughly 24.25mm.

Gem Color: Due to monitor brightness/contrast, there may be slight differences in colors. Product pictures were taken in natural light and were not color touched up or saturated. Our goal is to present the best possible representation of our products.

AB Color vs Standard Color: AB is an iridescent coating that gives a subtle shimmer/color variation on the gems. It is named after the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights). So, a Blue AB gem would reflect several different shades of blue, whereas a Blue Standard gem would only have one shade of blue.

Blacklight: UV/Blacklight/Glow Party? We tested our starter line of gems for blacklight use. Not all gems have a separate picture showing them under blacklight, so we made a group picture here. This picture is not an all-inclusive picture. As we add gems we will test them for blacklight, but we may not post pictures of new gems under blacklight.

Gems from Top to Bottom (A-F), Left to Right:

Row A: 9×18 Neon Horse Eyes: Yellow, Pink, Orange, Blue, Green; 9×18 Neon Teardrops: Yellow, Pink, Orange, Blue, Green

Row B: 18mm Pearl Rose: Pink, Rice White; 18mm Glimmer Edged Flower: White, Purple, Pink, Blue, Rose Red, Yellow, Orange

Row C: 12mm Pearl Rose: Rice White, Purple, Rose Red, Blue, White, Yellow, Pink; 5mm Assortment Mini Flowers; 19mm Pearl Starfish: White, Light Pink; 12mm Round with Flowers: White; 12mm Carved Heart: White

Row D: 56x15mm Fabric Wings: Purple, Pink, Blue, White

Row E: 56×15 Fabric Wings: Rose Red; 12mm Fabric Butterfly: Purple, Pink; 15mm Golden Edged Rose: Pink; 13mm Flower: Light Pink; 13×18 Standard Teardrop: Light Pink; 18×25 Peacock Teardrop: Rose Red; 11×22 Peacock Horse Eye: Rose Red; 10×20 Peacock Teardrop: Rose Red; 8×12 Peacock Teardrop: Rose Red; 7×15 Peacock Horse Eye: Rose red; 8mm Striated Heart: Pink 

Row F: 20mm Cyclone: Rose Red; Unicorn Cabochon; Skull and Crossbones; 7×15 Pearl Horse Eye: White; 8×12 Pearl Teardrop: White; 6×10 Pearl Teardrop: White, Blue; 10mm Pearl Round: White, Sea Green; 8mm Pearl Round: White; 6mm Pearl Round: White; 4mm Pearl Round: White, Blue

MEDICAL TAPE:

Medical Tape Advice: Medical Tape adheres best to clean, dry skin. Before painting, wipe the client’s skin with a bit of dry paper towel, apply Bling, then paint. Some painters use an alcohol wipe to clean away sunscreen or oils on the skin. I have not tried this, but it seems sound. You may apply Medical Tape over paint, but it doesn’t stay as well, especially in hot weather. Should you choose to place tape over paint, be sure the paint is completely dry. Medical Tape Bling is reusable, just as non-tape-backed bling is. Your client can use eyelash glue to reapply the Bling.

Sealing Medical Tape Bling: Some painters feel the need to seal their completed Bling when using Medical Tape to cut down the “sticky” in places without gems. There are several options: place gems closer together to eliminate the need altogether, use an iridescent glitter, or spray the cluster with sealant. The last is my favorite, but be sure to test your sealant first on some trial gems. Some sealants remove the visible shine. The below is the sealant with which I have had the most success:

TUTORIALS:

Here are links to several tutorials that can be found on the Happy Place Bling Facebook page:

Medical Tape Bling Tutorial: https://www.facebook.com/1062126733938896/videos/528180000943393/

Unicorn Horns and Medical Tape: https://www.facebook.com/1062126733938896/videos/1851089371639094/

Tools for Cutting Medical Tape: https://www.facebook.com/1062126733938896/videos/729490417419847/

Side Eye Template Hack for Medical Tape: https://www.facebook.com/1062126733938896/videos/1412288605541395/

MISCELLANEOUS:

Helpful Groups: If you haven’t already, join Jewel Junkies and Bling and Things on Facebook. There is a wealth of knowledge and support in both groups.

Leslie’s Favorite Tools/Supplies:  

Best tool for cutting out medical tape clusters: Fiskars Fingertip Swivel Knife

Best Silicon: Decorator’s Solution Clear Translucent Dimensional Silicone

Best tool to pick up gems: Pick-Me-Up tool **In stock early October**

Tips to attach Bling to Bling Display Cards: To attach Medical Tape backed bling to Bling Display Cards, put a small dot of silicone in the center of the Bling Display Card. Place finished cluster on top of dot. Some people have used a dot of fabric paint with success. I find glue dots and double-sided tape don’t work that well due to the fact that they don’t want to stick to the backing of the medical tape.

How many Bling clusters fit on one sheet of medical tape? It depends upon the size/shape of the bling and how close you can build them.