I’ve been admiring loads of awesome looking rhinestone embellished booties and boots online that were thousands of dollars and well beyond what my bank account could handle.
Instead of shelling out some big bucks I chose to DIY rhinestone booties on my own.
Initially I was looking for booties via thrift stores but didn’t have any luck. For the rhinestones to adhere properly the boots should be fabric or suede and the heels should be covered with the same material. Leather is too slick and the rhinestones may not hold.
When I came across some pretty pink booties at TJ Maxi I knew they would be perfect so I forked out the $40 and gathered my supplies.
DIY Rhinestone Booties
Supplies Required
Fabric or suede boots or booties. *NOTE* The heel must also be covered in fabric or suede
Rhinestone glue or E6000 glue
Tweezers
Rhinestones and or vintage brooches or earrings
I used some cheaper rhinestones and some expensive Swarovski crystals for my boots. The crystals are MUCH nicer, but very expensive. I picked up all the supplies from Michaels except for those vintage earrings which I already had in my stash.
As far as choosing colours for your embellishments I recommend using colours you wear often. Choose some neutrals and combine them with some brighter accent colours.
I would recommend trying a few different designs with your rhinestones by laying them out as best as you can on the heels prior to using any glue.
Once I decided I was going to use two vintage earrings the rest of the design materialized organically.
I wasn’t too worried about getting each heel to match exactly. They are similar, but not exactly the same.
*WARNING*
The glue will stain the suede, so be careful when applying not to smear the glue. Go slowly and be deliberate. Make sure you don’t use too little or too much glue, I suggest trying on a bit of paper prior to working on the actual boots. The rhinestone glue I bought was great because it came out of the tube in very small droplets. If you are using E6000 glue it is stronger but quite messy to work with.
In the end I figure these DIY rhinestone booties cost me about $65 and I have one-of-a-kind boots that I love with a bit of vintage incorporated.
What do you think of the finished booties?
Of course the best view of these is from the side or the back. I call them my “subtle, gaudy Elton John boots”.
I wore them out the first time to a fun blogger meet-up with the wonderful, warm hearted and cute-as-a-button Sherry from Petite Over 40.
The photo below isn’t brilliant because it was taken in the dark without a flash.
Sherry looks very tiny, and she is but don’t forget I’m wearing my boots : )
Isn’t it fun how we are both wearing bows around our necks? Total fashion fluke.
Linking up with Visible Monday, I Will Wear What I Like, Shoe and Tell, Turning Heads Tuesdays, My Whims Wednesday, What I Wore, Fun Fashion Fridays, Hat Attack
Ooooh! Cute cute cute cute CUTE!! LOVE IT. I may be stealing this. Those boots are such a great color and it really makes that look extra cool. Love the bomber jacket as well! Brava!
Thanks Kristin : )
OMG I’ve been waiting for so long to see these! Suzanne you’ve done such an amazing job to them. I would love to try the same, but will have to find the perfect boots first… Please let me know if you ever tire of them. Aaah, I think I’m in love.
Anna
http://www.annasislandstyle.com
Yes, take some time finding the right boots if you’re going to spend some money on quality rhinestones.
These are def 30 minute boots. I couldn’t see myself walking for longer than that, and I may need a little sit-down break at the 15 minute mark. The heels are 3.75″…much higher than my regular 2″.
I’m in love with sock booties. They look the best on my legs. I need to snatch up as many as possible while they are still in style.
Thanks for the DIY Suzanne! Your boots are awesome!
Thanks Sue : )
Wow! So pretty. You’re darn talented, my friend. Add that to your other attributes and you’re a real catch. 🙂
You are too kind Ally : )
These are just GREAT Suzanne. Your use of the term “organic” to describe the placement of the stones doesn’t cut it. Clearly your artistry is on display.
I think Zoe deserves a matching collar.
Perhaps in her holiday stocking? ?
Great idea! I’ll have my assistant get on that right away. It’ll take her forever. She is all paws.
Love this idea! The finished product is amazing. Using the brooches lended some great design! Love the outfit with the bomber jacket and bow scarf!
Inspiring and well done.
I agree with Marille, Zoe should get a new collar for Christmas!
xx,Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com/blog/
It really made more sense to me with the vintage earrings as a focal point.
Love these! Such a great idea to make something completely unique and personalized. I doubt that anyone else who bought these same boots new will cover them with rhinestones 🙂
The Artyologist
The picture of you and Sherry – so lovely! I adore your boots – such a beautiful piece of artwork! I would botch it for sure – I really would :).
That’s such a brilliant makeover, those boots were lovely plain but with added bling you’ve taken them to another dimension.
That’s a lovely photo of you and Sherry – doesn’t it feel good to be the tall one for a change? I know I love that! xxx
These are incredible, LOVE this idea!
Mary
http://www.marymurnane.com
Truly a DIY lover’s dream Suzanne!!
I think the best part is that they are on the back of the heel—so it’s more subtle yet so impressive.
Now I thought you couldn’t wear such high heels??? Are you going to sell these? Not that I should buy them, but I know I’d like to!!!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
These are not hiking boots, that is for sure, but I can manage an afternoon out for tea without incident as long as I don’t need to walk two kilometres back to where I parked the car ; )
I don’t have any intention of selling these right now. Like some of my more complex necklaces I’ve made I find I simply cannot ask enough for the piece to pay for the time that went into creating them.
Wow, wow, wow! First off, great idea that I must try. But really, how the heck do you find such amazing boots all the time? You obviously have great shoe shopping karma! I have never seen anything in my local TJ Maxx even close to as fabulous as those are.
I am a boot hoarder and have a sixth sense when it comes to boots. I *may* have a problem. LOL. I find boots easiest to walk in so half of my shoe collection is boots, maybe even more.
Dear Suzanne, I looooved your boots, a subtle Elton John pair of boots 🙂 I love this DIY and your boots really turned to be amazing! I already loved the color, but with the embellishment they look even better! And you look amazing as well! If we ever meet, you will see that even with heels I am short 🙂 5’3″ 🙂 Maybe 5’2″ during the day 🙂 Hope you have a nice week!
DenisesPlanet.com
The boots are absolutely gorgeous, Suzanne. You’ve done a really professional job there, well done! It may have cost you $65 but I bet you’d pay $165 if you bought those in a store! I like how you styled the boots with the three outfits; they’re very versatile boots I can tell.
Enjoy your week
Veronica
vronni60s.blogspot.com
in love with these boots!!!! xxx
stylentonic.com
Nicely done! I really like the colour of the boots, and they look lovely with the added sparkle on the heels. Maybe I should try embellishing a pair of my Converse with some rhinestones 🙂
I remember seeing these on instagram, right? They’re fabulous to say the least! I wanted to jump right over and kind of borrow them, since I know we wear the same size. I’m totally kicking myself because a few months ago as I was purging my closets I finally gave away a pair of suede brown booties. All they needed was a Suzanne upcycling creation.
You know how much I love these boots, Suzanne! The design you’ve added can’t help but bring a happy smile (and a covetous look from my envious eye). ?? I think you know how these boots are inspiring my own beading project. I’m gathering the materials I need now and hope to have something to share with you before the Spring!
Meanwhile, I hope we get a chance to see one another again before too long. I still can’t believe how fast the time passed during our meet-up! It was so much fun!
Hugs,
Sherry
http://www.petiteover40.com
I loved the boots when I thought they were plain. But with these rhynestones they are absolutely fecking fabulous. Great job. Ann of KrembdelaKremb would love these (another enthousiastic DIY fashion blogger).
Greetje
They are to die for, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Soooooooooooooooooooo clever.
Sorry if I do not leave a comment every time I visit, having you on Instagram I have become lazy and comment there, not good.
Much love , dear friend
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O…MG!! I want a pair!
Ah! I see now. The design is only on the outside, therfore no scraping of the rhinestones onto the pavement and tripping on them as I was picturing after seeing them on FB!
Just beautiful. Xo Jazzy Jack
This is simply SPECTACULAR Suzanne!!!! Love, love,love this idea and you did a stellar job! I’m adding it to my pinterest board of projects to try out 🙂
-Joi @INMYJOI
inmyjoi.blogspot.com