Looking to elevate your everyday hair accessories? This crystal cherry claw clip strikes the perfect balance between function and flair. This guide shows you how to embellish a claw clip with premium Swarovski non-hotfix crystals in a sweet cherry design, adding instant shine whether you are heading to a casual brunch or dressing up for a night out.
It is an easy, beginner-friendly project and simple to personalise with your own colours. Here is everything you need, then the full method.
Project at a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Time: Around an hour, plus at least 12 hours to cure
- Crystals used: Swarovski flatbacks in Siam (cherries) with Emerald rounds and marquise (leaves)
- Best crystal type: Non-hotfix flatbacks, glue-set to the clip
Watch the tutorial
See this project come together. Watch the full make below, then scroll down for the kit list and step-by-step instructions.
What you'll need
Quantities suit a medium claw clip, so scale them to yours. Add the crystals, glue and tools to your cart from the cards below. The picker and tray are reusable across every project, so browse the full range of tools and accessories to build your kit.
- Claw clip blank (acetate or plastic)Your base, see note below1
- Swarovski Non-Hotfix Flatbacks SS7, SiamCherries50
- Swarovski Non-Hotfix Flatbacks SS12, SiamCherries50
- Swarovski Non-Hotfix Flatbacks SS5, EmeraldLeaf detail50
- Swarovski Non-Hotfix Marquise 2201 4mm, EmeraldLeaves20
- E6000 Glue KitAdhesive with syringe1
- Wax Crystal Picker PenPlacing crystals1
- Magic Sorting TrayOrganising crystals1
Shop this project
Everything you need for this build. Quantities are a guide, so adjust to your design.
From £2.23 Excl. VAT
£9.53 Excl. VAT
£1.95 Excl. VAT
£5.12 Excl. VAT
Not sure how many crystals you need? Use our Crystal Calculator to estimate by surface area.
How to make a crystal cherry claw clip
Step 1: Gather your supplies
Tip your flatbacks into the sorting tray, keeping the colours separate so they are easy to reach. Make sure the tip of your wax picker is sharp, which makes lifting each crystal easier, then load your E6000 glue into the syringe.
Step 2: Map out your cherries
Before gluing, plan where each cherry will sit. With small shapes like cherries, spacing matters, so leave enough room between each one (and for the leaves) so the design does not look crowded.
Step 3: Place the crystals
Apply the glue a little at a time, using just enough to hold each stone, as too much looks messy. Start with the red Siam crystals as the cherries, placing a small dot of glue for each. Once the cherries are down, add the emerald marquise and small rounds as the leaves and stems, lifting each crystal into place with the wax picker.
Step 4: Inspect and adjust
Once everything is placed, check your work and nudge any crystals into line before the glue sets. It is far easier to adjust now than once it has dried.
Step 5: Leave to cure
Leave the clip to cure for at least 12 hours so the bond is fully set before you wear it.
Where to buy genuine Swarovski crystals
As an Authorised Swarovski Distribution Partner, Bluestreak Crystals supplies the complete genuine range of Swarovski flatbacks, sourced directly from Austria with consistent batch quality, reliable colour matching and full lead-free compliance, so your claw clip sparkles with authentic brilliance.
Frequently asked questions
How do you bedazzle a claw clip?
Clean the clip, plan your design, then glue flatback crystals on one at a time with a strong adhesive, lifting each with a wax picker. Map the layout first, place the crystals working from the main shapes outwards, then leave it to cure fully before wearing.
What kind of claw clip works best for crystals?
A smooth acetate or plastic claw clip with a flat or gently curved surface gives the glue the most to grip. A slightly matte finish holds better than a high gloss one, and a wider clip gives you more room to lay out a design like cherries.
What glue holds crystals on a hair clip?
A flexible, industrial-strength adhesive such as E6000. It bonds well to acetate and plastic and stays put through everyday use and handling. Apply it sparingly so it does not squeeze up around the edges of each crystal.
How do you make a cherry design with flatbacks?
Place the red round crystals first as the cherries, leaving space between each so they do not look crowded. Once the cherries are down, add a marquise crystal as a leaf beside each pair and a fine line of small crystals for the stems.
Should I use hotfix or non-hotfix crystals?
Non-hotfix, glue-set flatbacks. Hotfix crystals need heat to activate their backing, which can warp or melt a plastic or acetate clip, so glue-set non-hotfix crystals are the safe choice for hair accessories.
How many crystals and which colours do I need?
It depends on the clip's size and your design. This cherry layout uses red Siam rounds with emerald rounds and marquise for the leaves. Use our Crystal Calculator to estimate by area, and remember any colour mix works. We used premium Swarovski; you can also use Czech-made Preciosa, our own Austrian-made Serinity, or budget Estella.
Make it your own
Swap the cherries for hearts, flowers or initials, or change the palette entirely. For more crystal accessories, see our crystal hair accessories guide and bedazzled top projects, or explore the full Craft Studio.
