Tumblers are the project that pulls most people into rhinestones, and they are also where most first attempts go sideways. Stones slide, glue strings, rows wander. My two-hour live tutorial below walks the entire process with Colorize 2-part epoxy, start to finish, mistakes and all. Over 131,000 people have watched it. Grab a coffee, it is a full class.
Why 2-part epoxy for tumblers
A tumbler lives a hard life. Hands, bags, dishwater, car cup holders. Two-part epoxy cures into a bond that shrugs all of it off, and it gives you working time to set rows straight before it grabs. Watch the video for my mixing ratio and timing, because epoxy waits for no one once the clock starts.
What you need
- Glass rhinestones in your fill sizes. KiraKira glass is what I use for cup work: consistent sizing, foil that survives washing.
- 2-part epoxy, mixed in small batches.
- A Crystal Katana for pick up and placement. SS3 to SS40, no residue on your stones.
- A turntable or something to rotate the cup, painter's tape for row lines, and patience.
The process in five beats
- Clean and prep the surface. Oil is the enemy of every glue ever made.
- Mark your starting line so rows stay level around the curve.
- Mix epoxy small. Work one section at a time.
- Place stones with the Katana, snug but never touching. Stones need breathing room or the rows buckle.
- Cure fully before the cup touches water. Full cure, not "looks dry."
The video covers every one of these in depth, plus the questions the live audience threw at me along the way.
Get the goods
Shop KiraKira glass rhinestones and the Crystal Katana at crystalninja.com. Want my full tumbler math, fill patterns, and every class I teach? Join VIP at RhinestoneArtist.com.
