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
Roberta Bellante said:
To Deb…..I go to the Goodwill or Salvation army for a frame and take everything to Michaels so they can make a matching matt. Looks great
November 20, 2018
Pat Quintana said:
How do you finish. It. Do you put a frame or hooks. I used a czrdboard
November 20, 2018
Kera Stambaugh said:
I taped mine down to a poster board, it holds it down and i can easily move it with me. I got the organizer trays from amazon really cheap and put scotch tape on the lips before labeling each one with the corresponding numbers. So next time i can take the tape off and re label if need be.
November 20, 2018
Cheryl C Lawson said:
I use a weekly pill container that has a.m. and p.m. for my pieces. Also tape a small paper on top number each one with pencil so can be erased ans used again.
November 20, 2018
Wilma Hawk said:
Put stuck together beads on a paper plate then put a paper to well over that and then roll a rolling pin over them to break them up, then fold the paper plate in half and slide your beads into your container works wonders
November 20, 2018
Sharon D Grice said:
Look up Top 10 tips for Diamond Painting with Studio Sam. I didn’t want to take credit for her ideas but hers are awesome. Never wait again on a flat canvas to start. Lay canvas face down press down, lift up adhesive on one corner then stick back down again. Do each corner and walla’ nice flat canvas, no waiting. Her other tips are just as awesome. Happy diamond painting!
November 20, 2018
Georgia said:
I use pill organizers from Dollar Tree, use marker on top which washes off when project is done, one holds 7 different colors
November 20, 2018
Debi 9-6-18....my birthday! said:
I keep seeing all the suggestions on how to store the leftover drills. I don’t understand what they are keeping them FOR? I haven’t found any suggestions on how to use them later for another craft idea?
November 20, 2018
Cynthia Simon said:
I just have a question. Can you tape your kit down onto the light pad?
November 20, 2018
Tammy said:
Here’s a couple of tips I haven’t seen yet.
Work from the top down. Much easier than going up because the fixed gems aren’t in your way.
Left handlers go left to right, right handlers go right to left. Your hand goes over the section already completed instead of over the adhesive or messing with the paper still in place.
I always put the paper on top when I’m done for the session, and run my tray over the area I worked. It will find some loose gems and either pop them in, or you know where one is and can fix immediately. And I think the tweezers work better at popping loose ones in.
Using a box to store the gems? Put it on a kitchen towel when it is open. If it tips over, the gems won’t fly as far.
Best tip I got? Alternate colors. If you finish your area with red gems, then do the green ones in that area. Doing black? Do white or yellow next if you can. Don’t do like two shades of grey back to back, unless there is no choice. Makes it easier on the eyes by doing drastic changes.
November 20, 2018
Tammy said:
I am about half way done with my first one. Paris After Rain. Got the 20×24 size. I love it so far. I’m not sure why people say they aren’t detailed or look like the picture. They do.
Best tips?
To uncoil, like the others, remove the paper and put it back down. Doesn’t make sense, but it works!
Buy one of those craft lights to put under it. Makes it easier.
Find little containers with lids (I have bead boxes) to put each color in, and label with the number and symbol.
Put washi tape around the edge. Doesn’t stay perfectly clean, but it helps.
Are your diamonds stuck together? Get a 2nd tray and put the 2nd one on top of the one with the diamonds. Push down. Helps unstick.
I keep mine on the dining room table, keep the paper on it even if that part is done, and cover it with a kitchen towel when I’m not working it. Keeps it safe, and potentially clean if a minor spill
November 20, 2018
Sherry said:
I go to a lot of garage sales for frames. If to big i go to dollar store and booster board and cut to size of frame for a boarder. Looks great. Then cut out picture and use double sided tape to adhere to poster board. Love it.
November 20, 2018
Liz said:
How about some pictures from “Gone With the Wind”?
November 20, 2018
Nancie said:
My kit came with small round fabric circles (like a hair tie) what are these for.?
November 20, 2018
Holly Borgen said:
Upon completing a picture. Use a rolling pin to go over your work to ensure the drills are on securely while prepping it for framing. To frame mine, I use float frames. I cut each corner at a diagional closest to the drill. I then fold each side back so no excess shows & secure with duct tape. I use either float frames or larger than project size & put a piece of paper to size behind it. This simulates a matted & framed work of art.
November 20, 2018
Megan said:
Frames: my daughter and I are on our 4th& 5th painting- we’ve been getting the slightly oversized window box ones from ikea& michaels. They work really well as you can cut the mat comes with it to size of the picture and finishes it off cleanly to a custom framing situation(for cheap).
November 20, 2018
Sandra J Frazier said:
At Deb from August 3, 2018
Re: Framing
I first tried making a frame to fit the PWD picture, but found the work tedious. So I started buying pre-made, square frames when they on sale. I then design a card-stock overlay framing mat on my Cricut. I have a couple projects posted on my Pintrest page and Facebook Blog page, if you’re interested.
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/SandiiJosCorner/
Facebook: search @SandiiF
November 20, 2018
GAYLE FORTUNE-GARDNER said:
THE GLUE IS PUT ON ABOUT 1/4" PAST THE PICTURE AREA. I PULL BACK THE COVER SHEET ON ALL 4 SIDES OF THE PIC AND CUT ABOUT A 1/4" OF THE PAPER AND PUT WHERE THE GLUE IS SHOWING. I WAS USING WASHI TAPE AND IT WORKS OK.
ALSO A GREAT FRAME VENDOR IS : POSTER FRAME DEPOT — PRICES ARE REALLY GOOD AND THE WOOD FRAMES ARE FANTASTIC.
November 20, 2018
Nita Lewis said:
Deb, I found a lot of larger size frames at Goodwill. Got 5 framesvwith glass for $31
November 20, 2018
Jeanette said:
I got a bead organizer box from Michael’s and used a label maker to put the letter or symbol of the bead color on the cell in the box. It’s a great way to keep all of the beads organized and in one place without using the bags.
November 20, 2018
Renee L Candalino said:
What is the best way to separate the diamonds that are so stuck together?
November 20, 2018
Danielle Bennis said:
Im literarly obsessed with these kits and have done a bunch now but am still in the process of figuring out how to turn them into gifts for people without having to buy exspensive frames. where can i look for the right frames or even canvas while on a budget?
November 20, 2018
Linda Marrello said:
I have tons of those little day of the week pill cases from my husband. They are great to use for the stones too.
November 20, 2018
Jessica McCluskey said:
I put the diamonds in a small zip lock bag then I cut the number or symbol of the plastic bag they came in and either put it in the zip lock bag or tape it to the bag. Easy peasy!!!
November 20, 2018
Candia martel said:
I use lockable pill tray’s for my diamonds. Make sure they the separated by strip ones. Easier to pour into the boat.
November 20, 2018
Lauren Katz said:
I love my kit! My question is how do you keep the diamonds aligned avoiding tiny spaces between them.
Also, how should they be finished? With polyeurthane? Sealing Diamonds in place?
Lastly, any mounting suggestions?
November 20, 2018
Joni said:
To answer the frame problem. I get a mat cut to fit the painting, then I can get any frame that is a bit larger.
November 20, 2018
BETTIE MADSEN said:
I purchased condiment container w/lids, to store the drills. Printed a sheet of the color numbers to tape onto the lids. With the easy ‘snap on, snap off tops’ it is a res game changer! You can get a supply of 125 cups and a supply of 125 for about $5.00 at your local restaurant supply.
November 20, 2018
Teresa said:
I have poor near sight so it’s hard to read those tiny letters numbers and symbols. I take a picture of the area I’m working on with my iPad Then I can enlarge it and I never have to guess again. Next section…..new picture. 🤓
November 20, 2018
Idalia Irizarry said:
To flatten the canvass, I unpack the project, straighten it and place it under the rug also after it is completed.
November 20, 2018
Natja Kaaekuahiwi said:
I use the 28 compartment container I cut the symbols and use double sided tape to put it on top of each compartment slot I also cut fabric softener in squares and put them in each container I also use the absorb moisture packets in each organizer to keep everything nice and dry
November 20, 2018
Patty Archer said:
I put them in the supply bags write the number on them and symbol then I put scotch tape over it so it doesn’t rub off
August 03, 2018
Patty Archer said:
I put them in the supply bags write the number on them and symbol then I put scotch tape over it so it doesn’t rub off
August 03, 2018
Deb said:
Where do you folks find frames to fit your finished pictures? I am on my 7th painting now and I have only framed 2. I cannot find frames to match the size of my finished product.
Thanks! Deb
August 03, 2018
Donna Hillen said:
I hang my canvases up on hangers with clips, keeps them flat and easy to reach. Also I use a piece of shelf liners (rubber kind) to hold my boat while I working.
August 03, 2018
Marie Daniels said:
I use the point of a Zacto knife to flip over the “diamonds” works great. I also put a scrap of fabric in the little plastic tray to keep them from jumbling up if I happen to the tray.
August 03, 2018
Darci Bloom said:
I found that I can put the diamonds in little containers with lids and magnets on the bottom. Then attach them to a cookie sheet and they don’t get knocked over or spilt.
August 03, 2018
Michelle said:
If you need extra lighting to see your canvas, buy the Cricut BrightPad!! Works extremely well for this and is great on other crafts!! Reasonably priced, found on Amazon!
August 03, 2018
Kara S. said:
Instead of using the pink wax, use tac putty! Inexpensive and lasts much longer in between uses!
August 03, 2018
Kara S. said:
To flatten your canvas, simply unroll it and pull back the protective layer from each corner! The canvas automatically lies flat again!
August 03, 2018
Carla Woods said:
It is hard to find frames to use. I had to cut down my picture to frame it. No way can I afford custom framing. I did put one of on double layer foam board and framed it with bronze duck tape. Looks good, but not professional. Would like to see pictures of Mt Rainer in Washington state of pictures of the Oregon coast, Mexican themed. Thanks. Have done 6 pictures so far.
August 03, 2018
Barbara Lefleur said:
Karen , I found that keeping the pink”glue” covered with plastic wrap kept it from drying out. I also kneaded it a bit between my fingers before using. Hope this helps.
August 03, 2018
Stacey Gray said:
Instead of using a book to set the diamonds as you go, my sister and I have found that by using a rolling pin with paper covering on top sets the diamonds as you go and “rolls” out any wrinkles your project may have come with.
Another tip is to get sticky Tak and put it on the bottom of your green diamond tray to keep it from accidentally bumping your diamonds all over the table. It’s sit enough to survive an accidental bump yet easy enough to pick up and move around or shake your diamonds into submission 😂🤣
August 03, 2018
Lynn anderson said:
You have my shipping address wrong
Should be-
3489 Rainbow Lake Drive
Lot # 9
Lakeside, Az 85929
November 20, 2018
Deborah said:
To flatten your canvas quick and easy, just raise a corner of the film than put it back down, than do the same one at a time with next 3 corners, works great!
For hard to see symbols, just take picture with cell phone, save to photo gallery and enlarge picture.
August 03, 2018
Deidre Rogers said:
For all of you who are asking, TO FINISH AND SEAL: use glossy Mod Podge water base sealer, glue & finish and brush on a coat or two after completing your pictures to bind all the diamonds together and seal before framing. Give it a few days to dry really well, then proceed with framing your picture!
August 03, 2018
Sheryl Fowler said:
You can use painters tape and attach your diamond painting project to foamcore to move your project around, also try enlarging and color copying your diamond key to adhere to your pill boxes.
August 03, 2018
Linda said:
do you have frames for the pictures
August 03, 2018
Geri Jamison said:
I have round diamonds I’m working with and some of diamonds are stuck together is there an easy way to separate them?
August 03, 2018
Sherri said:
I write on the small plastic containers with a marker and then use nail polish remover to take it off before I start a new canvas.
August 03, 2018