Frequently Asked Questions
What is strassing?
Strassing is the art of covering a material or object with Swarovski crystals. The process is very time consuming but the end result is simply breathtaking.
What types of shoes can be strassed?
Almost any shoe can be strassed as long as the fabric has a bit of traction. Suede, canvas, leather (kid/calf), or satin are the best types of finishes to strass. Patent leather is very difficult to strass due to it's varnished, glossy surface. If you would like me to strass a pair of patent shoes, I will need to roughen up the surface by sanding it before I add the rhinestones.
Do I strass other things aside from heels?
I am open to strassing other types of shoes: sneakers, sandals, flats, etc. Or other accessories: purses, clutches, belt, etc. Contact me for more info.
I would like to change the color of my shoe. Is there anyway you can change it?
I can dye or use high quality leather paints from established vendors to customize your shoe to the exact color you are looking for.
Exceptions:
I will not be able to change the color of black suede or black satin.
What is the difference between Crystal and Crystal AB?
AB stands for Aurora Boreale; a special coating that is applied to the surface of a glass stone or bead to produces a very light rainbow effect. This coating is most effective on crystal stones but also gives a beautiful depth and hue to other colors.
What are the different size names and sizes of the rhinestones?
Kindly refer to the size chart below.
How many rhinestones do I need and how much do they cost?
I will need to know what type and size of shoe you have to make a better estimate on the amount of rhinestones needed.
Below is an example on how to calculate the rhinestones you may need.
For this comparison, we will use 12ss, 20ss and 30ss rhinestones. A 12ss rhinestone is approximately 3.1 millimeters (mm), a 20ss is roughly 4.7mm and a 30ss is about 6.5 mm. One inch equals 25.4 millimeters (2.54 centimeters) and one square inch equals 6.45 square centimeters. The following chart shows approximately how many of each size you would need to cover either a one inch strip or a one square inch area.
Size Number Needed to Cover
A One (1) inch StripNumber Needed to Cover
One (1) Square Inch
12ss(25.4 / 3.1)=8.2(8.2 * 8.2)=67.24
20ss(25.4 / 4.7)=5.4(5.4 * 5.4)=29.16
30ss(25.4 / 6.5)=3.9(3.9 * 3.9)=15.21
So, using this example we would need 3 gross of 12ss rhinestones to cover a cell phone or PDA that measures 3" x 2." (3" * 2")=6 * 67.24=403 / 144=2.8 gross. Since 3 gross of crystals equals 432, you would have roughly 30 stones left over. It’s always handy to have a few extra stones on hand for future repairs.
How many crystals are in a gross?
A gross is 144 pieces (12 dozen). Rhinestones are usually weighed, not counted, so the numbers are approximate; but they are generally within a couple of pieces plus or minus
How do I prevent stones from falling off?
Crystals are attached using industrial strength glue and should stay in place under most circumstances. Be careful not to get the shoes wet, as this may weaken the bond of the glue. Do not to hit shoes against hard objects such as pavement, table or chair legs, etc. This could cause scratches and damage to the stones, as well as forcing the stones off the shoe.
What do I do if stones fall off?
Please send me a picture of the area where the stones are missing. If it is determined that the missing stones were caused by normal wear and tear, I will send you some replacement rhinestones at no charge.
If the missing stones are from the strassing process, I will do everything i can to find a solution to rectify the issue.
