We LOVE diamond painting. There's absolutely nothing better than unboxing a new kit, prepping your canvas and tools, and spending countless hours putting diamonds to canvas to slowly reveal a masterpiece of your own making.
Fortunately, we're not alone in our addiction to this amazing new craft hobby! The passionate folks over at the official Paint With Diamonds Support Group are always sharing progress, tips, and tricks that make paint with diamonds lovers absolutely giddy!
We've gone through hundreds of posts to find the best paint with diamonds tips and tricks. Read ahead for our favorites!
7. Use egg cartons to organize your diamonds
Raise chickens? Or did you just cook an omelette and use up all your eggs? Use the container to organize your diamonds! Courtesy of Niña Conklin.
6. Tape or glue your diamonds next to their symbol on the canvas.
Easily reference the diamonds you need at quick glance! Tip courtesy of Heidi Proctor and Angela Earley!
5. Use a marker to put the number or symbol on each diamond bag.
If egg cartons aren't your style, simply sort the diamonds into the plastic Ziploc bags included in your kit. Then write the corresponding number or symbol on the outside of the bag. Tip thanks to Kelsey Kelso Bjork!
4. Use a cutting board as a flat surface for your canvas.
Can't find a good surface to use to complete your paint with diamonds? Just tape the canvas to a normal kitchen cutting board! Just wash it first ;). Thanks for the tip, Suzie Pini van Deurs!
3. Use a multi-diamond applicator tool to speed up the process!
Don't be afraid to pick up more than one diamond at a time! Most of our kits come with a double-sided tool that lets you pick up one diamond at a time, or a bunch! Tip courtesy of Brooke Stubbs.
2. Flatten your canvas by sleeping on it. Literally.
This one comes straight from Ali King, who says, "put it between two pieces of cardboard. Put that under my mattress and sleep on it overnight. Works great! I do that once I'm done with it as well, just to make sure all the diamonds are fully adhered."
1. Stop static cling with dryer sheets.
Isn't it annoying when your diamonds stick to everything BUT the canvas? PWD fan Ariel Rocha recommends cutting up a dryer sheet and placing small pieces of it in whatever you are storing the gems in. Game changer!
Have an awesome tip that we missed? Leave it in the comments below! And don't forget to share this post with your fellow die-hard paint with diamonds fans!
Comments
Linda Tolman said:
I tape my canvas to my seamstress cutting board, then when I have to put it away for the day, I just stand it up behind my hutch. It doesn’t get knocked around and it’s ready to go next time. Too bad it takes so long to get the order. Can’t wait to get my next shipment.
January 15, 2019
nancya518 said:
If you plan to custom order a frame there’s a web site called frameit easy that allows you to order a frame to the exact measurements of the picture at very reasonable prices (e.g. $24plus approx. $10 for shipping). But be sure NOT to order a frame based on what size you ordered the painting. Rather wait until you get the canvas then measure the actual size of the painting excluding the border with color charts. The paintings are often NOT the size they are supposed to be. I got burned this way by ordering a frame the supposed size of the painting only to find it was an inch smaller on each size making the frame too large but not large enough to use a mat.
January 15, 2019
Wendy said:
I use Static Guard to spray my trays…and if need be, I spray a paper towel…after it is almost dry, I spread the drills out and push them around with my hand and if they are really stuck, I use a cap from the Static Guard to lightly push on them to separate them.
January 15, 2019
ELIZABETH MATTKE said:
Can you use something to hold the diamonds in place? I have a couple from last year that I refound again and they are not sticking very well anymore.
January 15, 2019
Linda Ramek said:
I have started my first diamond painting. Not all of the diamonds are squared and there may be some bits of light between the squared drills. Will this a difference when completed?
January 15, 2019
Michelle said:
I love doing these projects. I used pill bottles to keep my diamonds in. I label each bottle with the diamond number and if it is round or square. This makes it easier to add any diamonds that come with new projects and I don’t have to have new bottles for each project.
January 15, 2019
Kristine Everett said:
To lay your pattern flat, lift and peel back the protective paper about half way, lay back down on the adhesive pattern and repeat for other half. Lays flat everytime and no need to wait.
January 15, 2019
Lori Wiseman said:
I liked the look of really straight lines. So, I used the edge of a credit card to gently align the diamonds into straight rows.
January 15, 2019
Gtetchen said:
I just cut open the top of the diamond bag. Then, when I’m done with that color, I put the extra diamonds in the bag with the number facing and put it in the storage bag. Then when I go through at the end, I know which color is which. When I’m completely done, I put the extra in a storage container, I normally use a tackle box from Wal-Mart, under 5.00
January 15, 2019
Gtetchen said:
I just cut open the top of the diamond bag. Then, when I’m done with that color, I put the extra diamonds in the bag with the number facing and put it in the storage bag. Then when I go through at the end, I know which color is which. When I’m completely done, I put the extra in a storage container, I normally use a tackle box from Wal-Mart, under 5.00
January 15, 2019
Marie said:
I just purchased my first two kits & am feeling very intimated.. I would appreciate any information, suggestions, or tips.. Thank you
January 15, 2019
Nicole said:
I staple mine on a cardboard and it holds it and flattens at the same time
January 15, 2019
Gina K said:
I only do the really large size in order to really get some of the detail. When i frame I use glass to keep it sealed in, regular glass. Dont use nonglare if u want the sparkle. Dont be afraid of the big sizes, you will be thrilled at the results when you see the detail.
January 15, 2019
Michelle Day said:
I recently received my big beautiful Mastic Elephant painting. I have ticked of the diamonds that were sent but it is missing a couple. They are F -647 – 6 pkts
E – 648 – 4pkts
R – 796 – 2 pkts
> – 900 – 1 pkt
I would very much appreciate the sending on of these please. My order number is #P 25009ID on the 13 th October 2018 $28.00
LIEX4003237 Hope this all helps, thanking you
Michelle Day
January 15, 2019
Lois said:
If the canvas loses adhesiveness, putting clear Elmer’s glue on the surface works.
January 15, 2019
Linda meinheit said:
I can’t read my color chart to small and I can’t read it
January 15, 2019
Linda meinheit said:
I can’t read my color chart to small and I can’t read it
January 15, 2019
Sally said:
To Peggy A. I just finished a picture and used a product from Michaels called Aqua glue. Goes on clear easy to apply and inexpensive
January 15, 2019
Victoria said:
Dryer sheets not helping with static kling. I can’t do anything with this set of dotz.
January 15, 2019
margaret harris said:
Hi, I have my diamonds in small square containers with the numbers on top, and with all the leftover beads I use them on my own drawings which I stick them on with gemstone glue which i get from spotlight, they look great to.
January 15, 2019
Debbie L Warren said:
I use weekly pill organizers for beads, just label each day with symbol & number.
January 15, 2019
Kylie said:
In re: to framing, I too found it hard to find frames. So, I use foam board to glue my canvas onto, then another piece on top cut into a frame. This way I’m mounting the canvas between two pieces. Then I pin to the wall, and it looks really nice! Plus then there’s no glass to get in the way of the refraction of light on the ‘diamonds’.
November 20, 2018
Linda Fitzpatrick said:
Hi Deb August 3 2018 I can’t get frames to fit my paintinf either so I put them on shop bought canvases with frames I use fabric glue leave to dry over night then there ready to hang in nail or hook
November 20, 2018
Connie Bergeson said:
I store my drills in little plastic storage containers with lids. You can get them in Walmart…I write he symbol and number on the container and keep them in a flat box. It makes it very easy to identify the symbol and number at a glance.
November 20, 2018
Peggy Abbruscato said:
Does anyone have a silicone spray or something similar to spray over final product so stones can’t pop out?
November 20, 2018
Sarah said:
Instead of writing the numbers on the bags because it may come off the bag I just cut around the number and place the number inside the with the diamonds 😊
November 20, 2018
Sarah said:
Instead of writing the numbers on the bags because it may come off the bag I just cut around the number and place the number inside the with the diamonds 😊
November 20, 2018
Lucy said:
I use a plastic box for beads. I have one with 36 “holes”. I write the number and symbol on the cover. When canvas is complete, wipe clean with nail polish remover and you’re ready for the next one.
November 20, 2018
Margaret Kinder said:
Love all these tips. Thank you.
November 20, 2018
Margaret Kinder said:
Just starting. Very helpful.
November 20, 2018
Margaret Kinder said:
Wonderful help.
November 20, 2018
Margaret Kinder said:
Great help.
November 20, 2018
Denise said:
I used spray glue and put mine on a canvas
November 20, 2018
Denise said:
Quick easy way to flatten,especially if it was rolled up, peel back each corner, one at a time, to centre then stick back down, has worked with all mine regardless of size
November 20, 2018
Tiffannie said:
Im working on my 8th one. Only one have i had professionally framed (which was pretty pricey) for a christmas present. I have found that pill boxes work well and i use garage sale stickers as my labels. All the others i framed myself in frames a bit larger than the actal paintings and just used the black backing as the “back drop”. Cutting all edges off my painting and placing it center in the frame. It really doesnt look half bad. Hope that helps.
November 20, 2018
Barbara A Gowland said:
As for framing – Most craft stores have pieces (2 in a pack) of frame the size you need or close to it. If pieces aren’t right, mount picture to foam board or craft canvas as a mat. Trim edges of picture, use color foam board, paint a canvas to color mat you want, – so many options. Thanks for all your ideas, too !!!
November 20, 2018
Joan Braunberger said:
1. When resins have stuck together just put between two of the little trays that come with the kit and press together. You will hear the satisfying click of them separating.
2. I do my painting on an easel. Clip it to a canvas and place the light pad behind the picture. This will also show up the legend of symbols and colors.
November 20, 2018
Ken Cooper said:
We usually get frames at a Dollar store. Larger ones we get at WalMart or
Michael’s
November 20, 2018
Angela Ling said:
I like to fame my pictures after they have been completed. Could you give me any suggestions how. On a canvass or in a frame? Thank you n anticipation .
November 20, 2018
Loorae said:
When it comes to organizing the dots…I photo copy the color chart and then cut them apart and tape onto screw top containers for easy finding of the symbol color you need.
November 20, 2018
Kim Evans said:
I put the sheet under books every night and come the morning it is flattened
November 20, 2018
Marilee jacobs said:
What can u do with left over diamonds?
November 20, 2018
Linda Mogel said:
If glue is missing on.painting whst.can I do to fix this?
November 20, 2018
Kaye. said:
Love the hints. Could the kits come with bigger & better colour charts and instructions because they are so small and not all clear to read
November 20, 2018
Kaye. said:
Love the hints. Could the kits come with bigger & better colour charts and instructions because they are so small and not all clear to read
November 20, 2018
Patty said:
I use folder labels, I cut them in two, write the color number and symbol and place them on little storage bags.
November 20, 2018
Zoe Tollett said:
I have some diamonds that wont stick, how do I make them stay on the canvas
November 20, 2018
Sandra Dixon said:
November 20, 2018
Sandra Dixon said:
I use pill dossets for keeping the diamond pieces in while I’m working on a picture. You can put tape on each compartment and numers/ symbols to match esch color. I just pour out as many diamonds onto the tray as I feel I’ll need and pour the remander back into the dosset chamber. Works well for me.
November 20, 2018
Colleen Huddleston said:
I have the 28 containers and use the doc number stickers to mark beads
I also use a rolling pin when finished instead of pressing with a book
November 20, 2018