Quick and Easy Crafts: DIY Bejeweled Summer Flip-Flops

Summer is a great time of the year to take out your favorite flip-flops and hit the beach or pool. With the economy the way it is, not everyone has the extra finances to feed their summer flip-flop and sandal habit. I have a quick and easy way for you to make your own bejeweled flip-flops without spending away your grocery money.

Right now is the best time to hit stores like Target, Wal-Mart and even Michaels Craft store in search of inexpensive flip-flops. At Target, they are usually located in the front of the store, in the bargain bins, or maybe in the shoe department. At Wal-Mart, they are in the shoe department and at Michaels, they are located in the front of the store in their 'Summer Specials' bins.

Right now they are either on sale or the shelves are fully stocked. If you wait too long then shelves will empty and with autumn right around the corner, many stores will not replenish their supplies.

Purchasing plain flip-flops are best because you can dazzle them any way you like. Flip-flops come in many different colors from bright and bold to darker shades, like black or brown, too. Instead of purchasing what the department stores want you to wear, why not purchase your favorite color and style and then head over to the craft area to spice them up!

Once I chose my flip-flops at Michaels, for around $2.00 each, I perused the store looking for something to make them flashy. While in the scrapbooking area, and I bumped into a display of beautiful little gems, spilling them on the floor. (Click here to see an example.)

I picked two multi-colored packs and began imagining what my new flip-flops would look like. My two year old also wanted a pair of her own, like mine, so I bought her teal and pink flip-flops of her own. I did not put the rhinestones on her flip-flops due to them being choking hazard for kids under 3.

For my blue flip-flops, I chose teal and purple rhinestones. (The stones are not made for clothing projects due to the adhesive backing as it will come off in the wash.) I placed each stone, in alternating colors, spaced roughly 1 inch apart. My daughter was so happy watching me do this, that she took out her brother's toy foam dart gun and tried to 'glue' my sandals on the table. She has watched me so many times with a hot glue gun that she decided to try it herself!

For the pink flip-flops, I alternated between pink and green gems. Both projects came out beautiful and I get complimented on them quite a bit. The best part is I made them to fit my personality, not what was sold in the shoe stores.

Now, let's recap: The flip-flops were $2.00 and the rhinestones were $3.00 a pack. So, for one pair of beautifully bejeweled summer flip-flops that are designed just for me, I spent a whopping $3.50. Both completed pairs of flip-flops, the pink and blue, was a total of $7.00. Now, where can you get two pairs of perfectly designed-to-you sandals, flip-flops or shoes for that price? Just use your imagination and you can create anything!

Keep in mind that because these jewels/rhinestones have adhesive backs, they should not get wet or the stones may come off. If you purchased flip-flops that have either non-smooth plastic thong, or fabric strap, then you might want to try this next idea.

In the beading/jewelry making area of your craft store, there is a section that has even more for you to dazzle your flip-flops with. (Click here). The Jewelry Essentials Acrylic Jewels in that link can be used with either a hot glue gun or even super glue on non-smooth surfaces. Test one or two before you do the whole shoe as you will want to make sure they don't fall off once the glue dries! If you are using your hot glue gun with plastic thong/straps, please be extra careful not to burn through the plastic; use low temp glue.

Also, if you like the acrylic jewels that do not have a sticker back, all you need is double sided tape. Cut and measure to the specs of your gem and have fun!

There you are. Great ideas for do it yourself summer flip-flops and sandals. I have colors for almost every outfit and, if I change my mind on the gems, I can remove them and add new ones! Enjoy!

Sources:

Personal ideas and experience

Michaels Craft Store and Michaels.com