There’s something incredibly satisfying about taking a standard hardcover and injecting it with a bit of your own personality. Adding some dazzle to your book covers is the ultimate way to customize your reading experience and upgrade your arts and craft skills at the same time!
It’s about taking those well-loved pages and giving them an exterior that feels just as precious as the words inside.
If you’re planning on adding some glam and dazzle to your book covers, here is a step-by-step guide on how to achieve that:
Choose a book you want to design
The best part about this hobby is the versatility of your canvas. Whether you are picking up a brand-new book or something that has been sitting on your shelf, any book is fine. A new one offers a smooth, crisp surface for the stones to grip, while an older readadds a layer of sentimental value to your custom artwork. As long as it has a sturdy enough coverto support the weight of the gems, you are ready to go.
Prepare your materials
For this sparkly DIY project, you’ll need to gather a few essentials before you begin. Start by getting a Diamond Painting kit (or kits), A.K.A. the star of the show! Each kit typically includes resin drills, a stone tray, an applicator pen, and wax.
You will also need a strong, clear-drying craft adhesive if your kit doesn't already have a self-adhesive backing. While the wax helps the stones stick to the pen, the adhesive is what secures them to your book. Having a pair of fine-tip tweezers on hand can be helpful for those tiny corners where the wax pen might be too bulky.
Let’s Get Crafty: The Bedazzling Process
Now that you have your book and your kits ready, it’s time to get crafty and bedazzle!
- Step 1: Coordinate your palette. Begin by choosing diamond colors that match or complement the area and existing cover design to make the artwork pop.
- Step 2: Prepare your tools. Transfer your chosen diamonds into the tray and gently shake it to align them. To get your pen ready, press the tip into the wax; this is what allows the tool to grab the diamonds easily!
- Step 3: Apply the adhesive. Focus on the book itself by carefully applying your clear-drying glue to the specific area you want to design. It is important not to cover the whole book at once — work in smaller sections so the glue stays tacky.
- Step 4: Bring the sparkle to life. Using your prepped applicator pen, start adding the diamonds according to your liking. You can follow the lines of the characters, highlight the title, or create an entirely new pattern. Simply repeat these steps, placing one diamond at a time, until your book sparkles exactly the way you imagined!
- Step 5: Secure the design. Once the cover is fully bedazzled, let it dry for at least 24 hours. You can also giveit a gentle press by placinga heavy, flat object over it to make sure everything is locked in place.
Now that you know the secrets to the perfect bedazzled cover, grab your wax pen and give your favorite stories the shine they deserve!
Looking for Diamond Painting Kits? Find them at National Book Store in select branches nationwide! You can also find them at www.nationalbookstore.com, Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.
Need a video guide on how to bedazzle your book? Watch the video below!
For more updates and to follow the latest winners, connect with National Book Store’s official social media accounts: @nationalbookstore on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok, and @nbsalert on Facebook, X, and YouTube.
