Need a new hobby to work on? Give diamond painting a try. The unique art form started in Asia ten years ago. During the pandemic, crafters looking for a way to be creative have become more interested in it. It’s a stress-free thing to do that makes you feel better. Jennifer Chu, director of sales and e-commerce for Diamond Art Club, says, “It doesn’t take much effort and can be very addicting. This creative outlet is great for relaxation, stress relief, and overall mental health.” Even though it’s called “diamond painting,” it has nothing to do with regular brush strokes.
What's diamond painting?
Sunley says that diamond painting is a mix of cross-stitching and painting-by-numbers. “You use an applicator to put hundreds of glittering resin rhinestones on a color-coded adhesive canvas painting one by one,” she says. The result is a bright, sparkling piece of art. You can frame each piece and hang it in your office, give it to a friend, or keep it for yourself to enjoy.
Materials and Tools
There are a lot of companies that sell kits with everything you need to get started. What’s in a Diamond Art Club kit (starting at $10, fashionDiamondPainting.com): canvas, adhesive, an applicator pen, tray, paddy wax, and colorful resin drills. Sunley Zhang, who sells her diamond painting creations in her online website, says that diamond painting is like working with beads, except you use diamond. The formal name for rhinestone diamonds is “drills.” They are flat on one side and have a round top.
“Additional diamond art painting accessories include a great light pad to help ease any eye strain, a great diamond organizer to store and keep track of all your colored diamonds, and some washi tape to help keep dust or lint from getting on your adhesive while you’re applying it,” says Sunley. Crafters who like to do diamond painting may also like to use a few stylish multi-applicator pens and a crafting area that is comfortable to use.
How to Choose the Best Kit for Your Level of Skill
Some companies, like Fashion Diamond painting company, sell round diamond kits that are great for people who are just starting out. Larger square canvases, like the Danilena Supplies Peacock Diamond Painting Kit ($16.45, etsy.com), are fun for crafters with more experience. “Round diamonds are easier and faster to put on the canvas, while square diamonds have a snap that makes them fit together neatly with no gaps,” says Sunley.
You can also buy a kit that has a theme that you like. Sunley says, “Fashion diamond painting group has a lot of themes that anyone can try.” “We have everything from classic landscapes to motivational quotes to abstract art to portraits, as well as other images that don’t fit into any one category.” Plus, there are many ways to make it your own with accessories. Mergy says, “You can diamond paint things like notebooks, hair clips, bookmarks, pictures, night lights, bracelets, stickers, key chains, etc.”
How to Diamond Paint
