Festival season is nearly here, which means it is time to sort your outfits, and there is no need to buy new boots when you can transform a pair you already own. This step-by-step guide shows you how to bedazzle festival boots with Swarovski crystals, picking out the ankle seam for a simple but bold look that stands out in the crowd.
You can adjust the colours and crystal sizes to suit your own style, from a classic clear crystal to an all-out custom mix. Here is everything you need, then the full method.
Project at a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Time: 1 to 2 hours, plus at least 12 hours to cure
- Crystals used: Swarovski 2088 flatbacks, SS12 Crystal AB
- Best crystal type: Non-hotfix flatbacks, glue-set to the boot
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 an ankle-seam design, so scale them to your boots and coverage. Add the crystals, glue and tools to your cart from the cards below. The picker, tweezers and trays are reusable across every project, so browse the full range of tools and accessories to build your kit.
- Boots of your choiceYour base, clean and dry1 pair
- Swarovski 2088 Flatbacks SS12, Crystal ABThe sparkle250
- E6000 Plus Glue KitAdhesive with syringe1
- Wax Crystal Picker PenPlacing crystals1
- Bent TweezersPositioning crystals1
- Magic Sorting TrayOrganising crystals3
Shop this project
Everything you need for this build. Quantities are a guide, so adjust to your design.
From £2.60 Excl. VAT
£1.95 Excl. VAT
£5.12 Excl. VAT
£9.53 Excl. VAT
Not sure how many crystals you need? Use our Crystal Calculator to estimate by surface area.
How to bedazzle festival boots
Step 1: Gather your supplies
Tip your flatbacks into the sorting trays so they are easy to reach, and make sure the tip of your wax picker pen is sharp, which makes lifting each crystal easier. Load your E6000 glue into the syringe ready to apply.
Step 2: Plan the design
For this look we follow the sewn seam around the ankle of the boot. Choose a crystal size that covers most of the seam's thread work, so the line of crystals reads cleanly along the boot.
Step 3: Glue and place the crystals
Apply a thin line of glue along the ankle and leave it about ten minutes to turn tacky, which stops the flatbacks sliding as you work. Avoid using too much, as excess glue looks messy on the finished boot. Then place your flatbacks along the seam, using the bent tweezers to nudge each one into position.
Step 4: Inspect, adjust and cure
Once everything is placed, look over your work and reposition any crystals now, while the glue is still workable, rather than after it sets. Then leave the boots to cure for at least twelve hours before wearing.
Shop 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 festival boots get authentic sparkle that lasts.
Frequently asked questions
How do you put rhinestones on boots?
Run a thin line of strong flexible glue along the area you want to embellish, such as the ankle seam, leave it about ten minutes to get tacky so the crystals do not slide, then place each flatback with a wax picker. Work in small sections and let it cure fully.
What glue works best for boots?
A flexible, industrial-strength adhesive such as E6000. It bonds to leather and synthetic boots and flexes as you walk rather than cracking off. Fabric or canvas boots do better with a fabric glue, and the surface must be clean and dry first.
How many crystals do I need for boots?
An accent design along the ankle seam, like the one here, uses around 250 SS12 flatbacks per pair, while full coverage needs far more. Use our Crystal Calculator to estimate by area before you buy.
Will the crystals stay on when I wear the boots?
Boots flex and take knocks, so press each stone firmly into a strong flexible glue and let them cure for at least twelve hours, ideally overnight, before wearing. Keep a few spare crystals to touch up the odd one over a festival season.
Can I bedazzle any type of boots?
Most, yes, from leather and faux-leather to suede and fabric. Match the glue to the material, and lightly clean or degrease a very smooth surface first so the crystals grip well.
Which crystals should I use?
We used premium Swarovski in Crystal AB here for maximum sparkle and that signature rainbow shimmer. You can also use Czech-made Preciosa, our own Austrian-made Serinity, or budget Estella, depending on the finish you want.
Make it your own
The ankle seam is just one option. Try the heel, a scattered gradient up the boot, or a two-tone mix to match your festival look. For more footwear, see our guides to adding rhinestones to shoes and bedazzling high heels, or explore the full Craft Studio.
