Rhinestones, gems ...

Hi there !!!

Long time no see   
I hope everyone is doing great and looking forward to Christmas and new Year's Eve ??

I'd like to ask you a few questions...
I've been looking for about a week on the internet to buy rhinestones. I'd like to give it a go on certain of my designs and create new ones using them.
My trouble is that I can't find anything other than rhinestones for nail art which means very very small ones....and it drives me nuts !!   

So my first question is... Is there anyone here who could tell me where they get their rhinestones from ? I should tell you that I live in France so websites names only would be awesome  

And second question.... What would you recommend to stick them on children? Is spirit gum ok or is it better to use eyelashes glue ?

Thank you !!!

Dear Saske:
Welcome to the Forum!
When I use rhinestones, I use ProsAide. Spirit Gum requires Spirit Gum Remover. I feel that eyelash glue is a very good replacement. I aim for latex-free glues, as I never know who may be allergic, or sensitive to latex.

xoxo

^^^^^^^^totally agree...

as for gems, I get them everywhere, even the dollar store. I'm sure they are available even in your country from the local tiny shops.

personally I love the super tiny stones....I have a hard time finding them.i think they stick better than the larger clunkier ones.

Thanks a lot fesspenter and nikkili26!!!

That's what I thought for the spirit gum as I tried on my hand and after I took a shower, it was still on my skin so I was a bit concerned.
I will use eyelash glue or ProsAide.

@ nikkili26: Well, I've search for gems to local shops in my neighbourhood and I have to say that I am wondering if they know it exists   
I went to shops that specialises in make-up, hairdo, etc and all I can find is bags of 10 gems for about 10€ which is in my opinion way too expensive for me !!   

I looked on ebay but I am afraid of the quality but that's maybe just me freaking out about the safety for children...  

So, do you think that gems for nail art are perfectly fine for face paint designs ?

Thanks again to both of you, it is very kind of you.
xxx

I buy from here... all sizes, qualities and prices.. http://www.rhinestonesu.com/

They are an actual wholesaler, so you have to send them a business tax number, but theya re awesome to deal with and if you keep an eye on their sales you can get SUPER deals if you're not locked on a given color or size.

Acrylic is better for FP IMO as the crystal COULD break and cut a child- also, acrylic is MUCH cheaper. But Schwarski is pretty!

Joanne and Michaels are very good to find it.

Saske, have you tried scrapbooking or craft stores in France? A lot of crafters use gems on their creations   
I've picked up loads from a scrapbooking store - they are usually with the "embellishments"

Liz Colorful Faces wrote:Joanne and Michaels are very good to find it.

Who is or what is Joanne and Michaels?   

gymhk74 wrote:Saske, have you tried scrapbooking or craft stores in France?  A lot of crafters use gems on their creations   
I've picked up loads from a scrapbooking store - they are usually with the "embellishments"

Yes I've tried, that's where I went first but they do not have gems... yeah go France! 
I'll keep looking but to be honest I am quite fed up not having things for face painting in my country that is good quality all you can find is Snazarroo's horrible face paint...I hate this brand !!  

Saske wrote:

Liz Colorful Faces wrote:Joanne and Michaels are very good to find it.

Who is or what is Joanne and Michaels?   

it's a store here...I hesistated to tell you because I once ordered something from YOUR country and it was an extra $25 JUST FOR SHIPPING!!!

so since the jewels are already $3 a pack, that is nutzo pricing!but try it out-they may have free shipping over a certain amount-and if you really can't find them locally, it may be worth it to purchase in bulk.

nikkili26 wrote:
it's a store here...I hesistated to tell you because I once ordered something from YOUR country and it was an extra $25 JUST FOR SHIPPING!!!

so since the jewels are already $3 a pack, that is nutzo pricing!but try it out-they may have free shipping over a certain amount-and if you really can't find them locally, it may be worth it to purchase in bulk.

25$ for shipping that's crazy!!! I know that when you order within the country it isn't really expensive it's even free when you order for a minimum of 15 or 20€ but I think that when you buy from an overseas country shipping is really expensive wherever you live. I once ordered something from the USA or was it Canada I don't remember and when I saw they asked me 43$ for shipping I just deleted everything from my cart.   

Thank you, I'll that out and see if I can order from them. 

Shipping has gotten terrible BUT don't blame it on the shops. I run a mail order business, and to send a Flat Rate Envelope from US to EU now costs $25 Which is nearly triple what it was 3 years ago.

It has genuinely hurt business though.

I do not blame the shops for having very high shipping rates it's not their fault  It is the same everywhere and I agree with you it does hurt business a lot unfortunately...

Hi saske, you should look at the really cheap stores, here in Belgium you can buy really cheap and pretty gems at some really cheap stores, like 'incroyable maid vrai'

Thank you Tineke !!   

try www.orientaltrading.com
they have jewels and such

Thanks a lot novice tammy !
I'll check that out