Ask the Costume Goddess:

Gluing Rhinestones

by Dina Lydia

The Question

Dear Costume Goddess:

I am the teacher of a baton group that marches in parades. This year, I wanted all the girls to wear special, pierced earrings that are studs with a tiny rhinestone. Is there a way that I can glue the rhinestones directly to the earlobes of the one girl that doesn' t have pierced ears, thus making it look like she is wearing the same earrings as the rest of the girls?

Also, in parades, the girls get hot and sweaty, so those stones would have to be attached really well.

--Nickie

The Costume Goddess Responds

Dear Nickie,

Rhinestones and other decorations can be glued to the skin with spirit gum, available in costume supply or theater supply shops (I use the Ben Nye brand), and it sticks so well you should buy the remover too. Rain or sweat should not affect it.

Belly dancers might like to affix rhinestones or glitter on the skin, or a jewel in the navel if you care to get silly. It will glue lightweight objects like feathers too. In theater it's used for attaching false facial hair, not that most of us would have much use for that! The photo shows my Black Widow persona with red jewels glued on as spider eyes.

Let a drop or two of the gum remain on the skin for a few minutes until it gets very tacky, then affix the decoration.

--The Costume Goddess

About the Costume Goddess

Dina has been sewing for more than twenty-five years (yes, she started as a toddler!)

She's also an artist (Maryland Institute of Art) and perfected her sewing techniques apprenticed to various designers, freelancing for small theaters, restyling vintage garments, and altering wedding gowns.

Dina fell in love with belly dancing costumes upon her very first lesson. Now the pleasure of wearing her own designs, and seeing others wear them, offers as much pleasure as dancing. She's become expert as well in altering those troublesome ready-made Egyptian costumes, and modifying designs to flatter individual figures.

She holds workshops in Seattle to teach design and construction of cabaret costumes, and analysis of figure characteristics. She will also give private lessons, or resize or repair a secondhand costume. She's thus earned her Costume Goddess title.

Photo of Dina Lydia, The Costume Goddess

The Costume Goddess Tells All Costuming Books

Dina has published six books of her own on belly dance costuming as well as writing nearly all the costuming section for The Belly Dance Book. For information on her series of books, The Costume Goddess Tells All, see her web site at www.costumegoddess.com. For reviews here on Shira.net of some of her books, see:

Volume 1: Flattering Costume for Bellydancers. Advice on designing a belly dance costume that will look flattering for your figure type.
Volume 2: Easy Costume for Bellydancers. Explains how to create easy-to-make costume items if you have very little sewing experience.
Volume 3: Cabaret Belt and Bra for Bellydancers. Detailed instructions for making your own bra/belt set. Emphasis on the beaded/sequined look, but some coin information too.
Volume 4: Arm Costume for Bellydancers. Creative ideas for sleeves, armbands, gauntlets, and drapes.
Volume 5: Tribal Toppings for Bellydancers. Cholis, vests, and other tops suitable for U.S. Tribal costuming.
Volume 6: Thrifty Chic for Bellydancers. Transforming thrift shop bargains into belly dance costume pieces.
Volume 7: Headpieces for Bellydancers. Many simple, inexpensive ideas for costuming from the neck up.

Costume Goddess Photos

To view a photo gallery featuring pictures of Dina, costumes she has designed, and her friends, either click on the choices below or visit her web site: