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
Regina Bragg said:
I used 7 day pill box dispensers when I’m working on my project. I label the lid with tape showing the number or symbol. The lid snaps shut securing the diamonds.
November 20, 2019
Janet Jones said:
What do you do when you have a section that isn’t sticky at all?
October 18, 2019
IdiyPaint said:
Great information!! I really enjoy reading this blog information. Thanks for sharing this informative information.
October 18, 2019
Kathi Alfano said:
I right the number on small round stickers and stick on my container with one gem glued on top😊
October 18, 2019
Diana Ormond said:
I use 2 ounce lidded condiment cups for my diamonds. I cut address labels into many small pieces and label both tops and bottoms with dmc numbers and assigned symbol. It makes it so easy especially since I like full drill pieces which have up to 20 colors and lots of diamonds.
October 06, 2019
Denise Kelley said:
I’m disabled and it’s so relaxing. It makes feel useful when I give my pictures as gifts.
I usually get the pictures in no smaller than an 16×20. I find any smaller the picture doesnt come out right. It’s too pixelated.
October 06, 2019
Lynn said:
How do you apply the square diamonds. I find them very difficult to use and stick. Please advise..
October 06, 2019
Annette Woosnam said:
I always put my diamonds in labelled containers that I write in pencil. Sometimes I pick them up diamonds with tool from containers. Then sometimes I use grid tray for wider tool. I have flat crafting table to lay flat but you can tape the four corners of table with frog tape that you use for decorating. (Masking tape) This comes off easier and doesn’t leave any marks. I used light board half way through made images for diamonds easy to see.
October 06, 2019
Shirley Baggaley said:
To flatten your canvas, simply peel back the papers in the 4 corners and restick. The canvas stays flat and there’s no need to put it between your mattress.
October 06, 2019
Martha said:
I was just wondering, on the first kit I got the diamonds were round. The next ones have been a combination of star and square. Does it make a difference. I would prefer all one kind if I have a choice.
October 06, 2019
Kate said:
I number 1,2,3 down the line n put the beads in a sorting dish labeled 1,2,3 then I don’t have to change the numbers on storage every time and it’s easier to match color to number.
October 06, 2019
Katie said:
I went and bought little plastic reuseable zip lock bags at walmart. A couple hundred for a couple bucks. I then cut number out put in bag and all the beads with that color. I then just pour some in the tray and seal up the bag. Works rather nicely.
October 06, 2019
Chassity said:
After I have finished I keep the left over beads just in case I may need some in another painting. When storing them I use pill bags. You can find them in the pharmacy section at walmart. Its easy and cheap.
October 06, 2019
Marlene Baldwin said:
When I have completed a canvas, I cover it with a sheet of paper and use a rolling pin to go over the top and to make sure all the diamonds are held tight. Works great.
October 06, 2019
Kathy Dahlke said:
I have found that markers rub off of my containers too easily so I use the label maker to label my diamonds in their containers. It is so much easier to see and use.
October 06, 2019
Belinda Yakel said:
I bought little sorting containers in a box at Micheals. Cut the paper codes and taped them on the top. Then put containers in alphabetical and numerical order. Easier to find the right color that way.
October 06, 2019
Julia frost said:
Where can i find the multi diamond pen? It would come in handy.
October 06, 2019
Connie Mcclarnon said:
How do I get paper that has gotten stuck to my picture off without scraping off the glue?
October 06, 2019
Kay Thompson said:
What do we do with all the diamonds left over from other pictures
October 06, 2019
Lynnette said:
I keep cardboard boxes and cut them the size of the canvas I am doing and glue the canvas to the cardboard before I start if useing an overhead light or after if I am useing a light pad.
October 06, 2019
Steiny said:
Lexi
I totally agree with you. When I dump some into the dish then grab it, beads everywhere!!
October 06, 2019
dee said:
u could do what i have done buy small containers with lids to store them and mark with texta
October 06, 2019
Nicole said:
The easiest way to flatten the canvas that I have found is to lay it out flat and then peel the backing off almost completely, only leaving a very small amount covered. Then I just pull the canvas flat and reapply the paper backing. It instantly flattens my canvas with no wait! No need for books or cardboard! Just peel and restick!
October 06, 2019
Monica Aulich said:
I have used most of these ideas before I found this site. Also, I have discovered putting clear plastic rulers on top of the extra outside glue will start you with a perfect straight line when doing squares
October 06, 2019
Cathy Moore said:
I found it easy to cut one of the papers you remove from your paintings cut a thin piece the size you need to cover sticky areas around your picture to stay out of it! I also found using an old credit card to line up your diamonds and keep everything tight and in line!
I have done about 12 or 14 pictures so far I love doing them and I feel so much better!!!
October 06, 2019
Katherine Paschal said:
I put my diamond in containers from carry out. Beads stay in nicely
October 06, 2019
Tamara letson said:
I use ice cube trays for the Jem’s and only put in what I’m going to be using so the rest stay in the bag with the letter in the cube that is it’s letter.
October 06, 2019
Elaine said:
How do you use the dual side pen?
October 06, 2019
Mary said:
One I didn’t see, but may have missed it, is from doing counted cross stitch. For larger areas of the same color, outline the area then fill it in with no worries about the color.
October 06, 2019
Kara Page said:
My daughter got a paper stuck how do I fix it!!
October 06, 2019
DeAnn Burgess said:
I have a tip. If you have issues with wax loosing it’s stickiness or drying out, try blue poster tack. It stays sticky much longer and you don’t have to refill as often.
October 06, 2019
DeAnn Burgess said:
I have a tip: If you have issues with wax loosing it’s stickiness, try blue Poster Tack. It stays sticky much longer and you don’t have to refill as often.
October 06, 2019
Ramonda Richard said:
I also use the hint above where I put the number on the bags but instead of writing them on the bag. I use a piece of a file folder label from the dollar tree and tape it after I write the number so it stays on better and then I can remove it and reuse the bags also.
October 06, 2019
Dianna L Mostek said:
My Tip&Trick.Spill diamonds in a carpet. Take a cut off nylon socking put it on the vacuum hose with a little inside of hose. Hold on tight to nylon and suck up all the diamonds. Pull out nylon and empty in container to sort diamond colors ans maybe a little dirt.
October 06, 2019
Marlene Downing said:
the pics are measured in cm… and the frames in inches how smart is that? does that mean the actual pic?
October 06, 2019
Christine L Otto said:
I bought a bead album that has 8 long boxes with 5 compartments each from Micheals I have 4 albums so far need more it helps alot
October 06, 2019
GiGi said:
whαt dσ чσu αll dσ wíth thє lєft σvєr díαmσndѕ? í’vє fíníѕhєd 7 pαíntíngѕ αnd wσrkíng σn mч 8th σnє nσw ѕσ í hαvє quítє α fєw єхtrα díαmσndѕ.
October 06, 2019
Diane Lifrak said:
I have done over 60 diamond paintings in the last 18 months. I have used and tried most of the tips, however, I find that wiping the insides of containers with fabric sheets last FOREVER and you don’t have softener sheets all over. I also use painters tape to edge ALL my projects to keep diamonds in a straight line and keeps the canvas clean until the end. I also use the tape to label the container tops (which I got 3 for a dollar at dollar tree). I find I prefer the square diamonds to cover the entire design (however, if there are a lot of round edges in a design, such as birds, flowers, etc. round diamonds are better for that design). I also find that using a pen that can hold more than one diamond is NOT worth the extra work (I like mine in a straight row and evenly spaced). I usually have to go back and move them. Using a light pad underneath is a game changer. I use Cricut — because I own most of their other products. I do have an off brand light pad, but it is very small – Cricut’s bright pad is very large to work on bigger projects. I usually spend time the night before getting all prepared so the next day when I am refreshed I can get right to work.
October 06, 2019
Tracy said:
I use tic tac containers to store my extra gems
October 06, 2019
Michelle Hilmes said:
To make canvas flatten follow these steps. It works like a charm…
1. Tape down canvas to table.
2. Pull white sheet up from the corner and pull to the middle.
3. Flatten paper back down to cover sticky.
4. Repeat for all four corners.
October 06, 2019
Monica said:
Does anyone do these on an easel? I have a bad back and don’t like bending over.
October 06, 2019
Monica said:
Does anyone do these on an easel? I have a bad back and don’t like bending over.
October 06, 2019
lyn moulds said:
thanks for your tips
October 06, 2019
Jodi Field said:
I bought myself a bead storage kit at A.C. Moore for 55% off which made it $9 and then I bought garage sale price tag dots to add the symbol on the little box holding the diamonds. It’s been a complete game changer. HOWEVER I’m wondering if there are any ideas for when you run out, or lose 😒, the tool mud/glue to pick up the diamonds with. My pen is misshapen at this point and I really need the sticky to pick up the diamonds. Thanks so much!
October 06, 2019
Lillian Jett said:
I found out that the lip gloss containers at hobby lobby are great for storing your diamonds. Also I have ordered from Amazon the ultra thin tablet so that I can see better on those little numbers/letters waiting for it to arrive. Any suggestions on the lighting issues???
October 06, 2019
Diana said:
I use snack bags and a dymo marker, I put the labels on the bags,
and put the bead bags inside. I store the snack back in a cookie tin,
so simple, and they just all store compact. If the beads spill, they are
in a bag:)
October 06, 2019
Kirsten said:
A floating frame works really well for framing. Two pieces of glass or plexiglass that clip together. That way the picture doesn’t have to be perfectly sized to the frame.
October 06, 2019
Jean said:
I just ordered 6 more and I just love this hobby. Thank you 😊
October 06, 2019
Glenda Sheehan said:
To flatten canvas pull plastic down from one corner about 6 inches then stick back down. Do this to each corner. Your canvas will be flat and ready to use. This works every time. No waiting for it to flatten under mattress.
October 06, 2019
Sarah said:
After you are done is there a seal that you spray on it to make sure the bead stay on
October 06, 2019