The afternoon sun streamed through our kitchen window as my eight year old daughter carefully placed the last pink rhinestone into the wet resin. “Mom, do you think someone will really buy this?” she asked, her face glowing with anticipation. Six weeks later, when that very first wholesale rhinestone encrusted trinket tray sold on Etsy, her triumphant scream could probably be heard three houses down. This is how our unexpected family crafting journey began, one sparkle at a time.
From Boredom to Brilliance: Discovering Wholesale Rhinestone Crafts
It started during last year’s summer break when my children (Emma, 8 and Jacob, 5) were driving each other (and me) crazy with constant “I’m bored” complaints. I remembered seeing beautiful rhinestone resin art online and decided to order some basic supplies from a wholesale rhinestone supplier. When the package arrived with pounds of glittering stones in every color imaginable, the kids’ eyes widened like it was Christmas morning.
Our first project was simple, clear resin coasters with the kids’ initials spelled out in wholesale rhinestone letters. The process was messy (I’m still finding stray rhinestones in unexpected places), but something magical happened. As we worked together measuring resin, arranging stones, and waiting for our creations to cure, we found ourselves laughing, problem-solving, and creating together in ways we never had before.
Our Top 3 Family Friendly Rhinestone Projects
After months of experimentation, we’ve perfected these projects that perfectly balance child, friendly fun with sellable quality:
1. Memory Stone Paperweights
We collect small treasures from nature walks, pretty leaves, tiny flowers, interesting pebbles – and embed them in resin along with coordinating wholesale rhinestone accents. Jacob particularly loves creating “bug habitats” with plastic insects surrounded by green and brown rhinestones. These sell for $22-$28 on our Etsy shop, with nature loving customers especially drawn to the authentic childhood creations.
2. Celebration Plaques
For every family milestone, lost teeth, good report cards, sports achievements, we create small resin plaques with the date and event commemorated in rhinestone. What began as personal keepsakes became a surprise hit when we started offering custom versions on Etsy. We’ve now documented over 200 family celebrations for clients worldwide!
3. “Kindness Catchers”
Emma’s brilliant invention, small resin disks with a heart shaped rhinestone design. The concept: children write down kind deeds they’ve done and drop them in the hollow back. These have become popular with teachers and parents, with one school ordering 50 for their character education program.
The Unexpected Lessons in Every Rhinestone
Beyond the glittery fun, this rhinestone adventure has taught our family invaluable lessons:
For the Kids:
- Math skills through measuring resin ratios
- Color theory while designing rhinestone patterns
- Patience waiting for resin to cure (a challenge for my energetic 5 year old!)
- Confidence seeing their creations valued by strangers
For Mom:
- Rediscovering the joy of unstructured creativity
- Seeing my children’s unique perspectives shine through their designs
- The satisfaction of building something meaningful together
From Craft Table to Etsy Success
When we first listed items on Etsy (“Bella & Bros Creations”), I expected maybe a few pity purchases from relatives. The reality stunned us:
- First Month: 8 sales (mostly grandparents)
- Three Months In: 25+ sales weekly
- Six Months: Featured in Etsy’s “Gifts for Kids” holiday guide
Our secret? Authenticity. Our product photos show the kids’ hands at work, and our listings tell the story behind each creation. Customers frequently comment that they can feel the love in every wholesale rhinestone-studded piece.
Making It Work: Tips for Family Crafting Success
Through trial and (many) errors, we’ve learned how to make wholesale rhinestone projects enjoyable for all ages:
- Prep Work is Key – I pre measure resin components before involving the kids
- Embrace Imperfection – Some of our best selling designs came from “mistakes”
- Safety First – We have special kid sized gloves and goggles
- Keep It Fun – When attention wanes, we take breaks for rhinestone sorting “races”
Why Wholesale Makes Sense for Family Crafters
Buying wholesale rhinestone in bulk has been crucial for our family business:
- Cost Effective – Our 5lb mixed bag costs less than what we’d pay for small craft store packages
- Creative Freedom – More stones mean more experimental designs
- Teaching Opportunity – The kids learn about bulk purchasing and resource management
We store our wholesale rhinestone collection in clear, labeled jars that have become a colorful display in our craft area – and an easy way for little hands to find what they need.
The Real Treasure Isn’t in the Sales
While the extra income is nice (we’re saving for a family Disney trip), the true value of our rhinestone business can’t be measured in dollars. It’s in:
- The way Jacob proudly tells everyone he’s an “artist”
- Emma’s growing confidence as she explains our process to customers
- The special bonding time we share away from screens and schedules
- The life lessons about creativity, perseverance, and working together
Recently, when a customer emailed that our rhinestone suncatcher “brought joy during a difficult chemotherapy treatment,” we all cried at the kitchen table. In that moment, the kids understood their creations could touch lives far beyond our home.
Start Your Own Sparkling Family Tradition
All you need to begin:
✓ Basic resin starter kit ($30-50)
✓ Mixed rhinestone assortment ($20 for 1lb)
✓ Silicone molds (start with simple shapes)
✓ Willingness to embrace the glittery chaos!
As we plan our holiday collection (the kids are obsessed with creating wholesale rhinestone snowflake ornaments), I’m grateful every day for this unexpected journey. What began as a way to pass a boring summer afternoon has become our family’s most treasured tradition – proving that sometimes, the most beautiful memories come pre bedazzled.
www.lrisy.com
