Post # 1
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5667 posts
Bee Keeper
For those who haven’t been following my strassing escapades, I’ve documented the process with first two pairs of shoes (Cobalt wedding shoes and Volcano rehearsal dinner shoes) here, here, here, and here. Now I’m on to round three, a pair of Black Diamond Swarovski crystal shoes for my Maid/Matron of Honor.
I am only having one bridesmaid, my sister as Maid/Matron of Honor, and she requested that her Bridesmaid or Best Man gift be a pair of strassed shoes. We went shopping and she found a pair of Stuart Weitzman Bowrey slingbacks for a steal at $99 (the original tag said $398, score!), picked Black Diamond Swarovski crystals as the stone of choice, and I set to work.
They’re patent leather so I scuffed them up with fine grain sand paper and traded my GemTac glue in favour of the heavier duty E-6000. Like the other pairs I used an assortment of sizes from 5ss up to 20ss. I started by outlining both shoes with 5ss, 7ss and 9ss which was very tedious. These shoes have quite a bit to edge out.
This picture shows the borders with the platform filled in.
Yesterday I finished the first shoe in it’s entirety. It’s amazing what I can do with a day off!
I’m super jealous of the way they’re turning out, I want a pair for myself! I’d steal these if they’d fit (they’re a 6.5, I wear a 9, boo). I ran out of glue but when I pick up some more I’ll try to knock the other shoe out and take some better pics. These were from my cell phone and the quality isn’t that great.
Post # 3
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5667 posts
Bee Keeper
Bump because I’m super excited about these! I may have to go get more glue tonight!
Post # 4
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4945 posts
Honey bee
I wear a size 6.5, you can send them to me! 
Very pretty! Do they really stay on with the Gem Tac and E6000? Are you having to glue each one by one, or are you buying the strips of crystals?
Post # 5
Member
5667 posts
Bee Keeper
@GFerg: I’m jealous of your small feet, there are always awesome deals on the smaller size shoes! The first two pairs I did with GemTac and they’re pretty sturdy! The E-6000 is even stronger so I don’t think the crystals are going anywhere. 🙂
Post # 6
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6256 posts
Bee Keeper
Oh, wow! These are really nicely done. Kind of makes me want to undertake some DIY!
Post # 7
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4945 posts
Honey bee
@Aure: I’ve used E6000 for a lot of craft projects. I bet you were high by the time you were done! That stuff is strong smelling! 😉
Post # 8
Member
5667 posts
Bee Keeper
@EffieTrinket: Thank you! You should definitely give it a try. I strass while watching TV and I find it to be really relaxing.
Post # 9
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5667 posts
Bee Keeper
@GFerg: Luckily my living room is huge and pretty well ventilated but there were definitely points where I’d look up and the clock on the cable box was blurry, haha. GemTac is much less noxious.
Post # 11
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5667 posts
Bee Keeper
Post # 12
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393 posts
Helper bee
Wow! Those look amazing!!
Post # 13
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567 posts
Busy bee
Oh those are gorgeous! I’m jealous – I saw your cobalt ones and thought about trying it myself, but I don’t think I can be that patient. So I’ll just look longingly at yours!
Post # 14
Member
5667 posts
Bee Keeper
@Honu_36: Thanks!
@shooting_star5711: Thank you! You should give it a shot, it’s not as bad as you would think.
I did finish these a few weeks ago and handed them off to my sister (she was very anxious to get her hands on them) but here are a few cellphone pics I took before I sent them on their way.
My cats always manage to sneak into my shoe pictures, haha.
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