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DIY Hair Clips: Gem-Inspired Accessories with Hot Glue

Create your own DIY gem hair clips with a glue gun and silicone mold. You’ll love this easy fashion craft idea. They make great gifts!

Skills Required: Beginner. You’ll be filling silicone molds with hot glue, painting, and attaching to metal barrettes. These gem hair accessories are super easy, even for newbies.

DIY metallic gem hair clips

If you’ve ever glanced at your hair accessories and thought, “I could make something cooler,” then you’re in exactly the right place. Today, we’re getting our hands a little sticky and a lot colorful with a DIY project that’s as fun as it is fashionable: DIY hair clips.

But we’re not just stopping at any ordinary barrettes; I’m going to show you how to turn hot glue and acrylic paint into your new favorite fashion statement.

DIY Metallic Gem Hair Accessories You'll Love Wearing

And guess what? If you can squeeze a hot glue gun and use a paintbrush, you’re more than qualified. We’re starting with silicone molds to create an array of dazzling “gems” that you can produce in batches.

We’re talking beginner level here, with a process that’s as straightforward as filling molds with hot glue. Then you’ll add a splash of color, and attach them to metal barrettes. It’s a simple way to dip your toes into fashion crafts without feeling overwhelmed.

Line of hot glue gems painted in rainbow metallic acrylic paint

Recently, I found myself experimenting with silicone molds and hot glue, and I was amazed at the potential. From seashells to birds to Aztec designs, the possibilities seemed endless.

But for our project, we’re focusing on gems because, let’s face it, who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle? These gem hair clips have quickly become my go-to accessories. They’re a little bit of shine and a whole lot of personality, all clipped into my hair.

So, if you’re ready to create something that’s truly yours, to step into the world of DIY with a project that’s easy, enjoyable, and ends with you having some gorgeous new hair accessories, let’s get started.

Glue gun, glue sticks, silicone mold, and acrylic paint

All you need is your glue gun, a few silicone molds, some barrette clips, and your choice of paint. By the end of this, you’ll have your very own DIY gem hair clips, each a tiny work of art that’s as unique as you are. Here’s what you’re going to need.

Gather These Supplies

  • Hot glue gun – what I have pictured above is the Mod Melter, which is no longer available . . . you can just use a hot glue gun
  • Hot glue sticks
  • Silicone molds (baking or resin section of the craft store; you could also buy gems in the jewelry section and paint them to get the colors you want!)
  • Metallic paint (I used Folk Art Metallics and the colors are GORG)
  • Metal barrette clips
  • Paintbrushes
Hot glue gems painted with a rainbow of metallic acrylic paint

Aren’t these metallic colors little stunners? I could look at this rainbow of gems all day.

How to make your own hair accessories

It’s so fun to use the silicone molds to create a bunch of different shapes and paint them to make something that is extra unique! Clip these little beauties in your hair and you’ll be BLINGIN.

DIY metallic hair accessories in a woman's hair

Get the printable how to card below:

DIY metallic gem hair clips
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DIY Hair Clips

Learn how to make unique hair barrettes with faux gems using hot glue! This is a very easy and inexpensive project.
Prep Time5 minutes
Active Time45 minutes
Set Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 35 minutes
Type: DIY Fashion
Yield: 4 clips
Cost: $3

Equipment

  • Hot glue gun
  • Paintbrushes

Materials

  • Hot glue sticks
  • Silicone molds
  • Metallic paint
  • Metal barrette clips

Instructions

  • Plug in your hot glue gun, turn on and insert a stick. Wait 5 – 7 minutes to heat up. Direct the tip of the hot glue gun in the center of the mold and squeeze the trigger directing the melted glue until the entire mold is filled. Wait until the gem is completely cooled, then pop out of mold. Repeat.
    Adding hot glue to a silicone mold with a hot glue gun
  • Paint the hot glue gems using the paintbrush. It took me about three coats on each to get the color intensity and coverage that I wanted.
    Painting hot glue gems with metallic acrylic paint
  • Using your glue gun, glue the gems to your barrette clip. Let cool and set completely before wearing.
    Hot gluing gems to a metal barrette blank

I love my new gem hair accessories! Such a fun little DIY to add a little glam to your wardrobe! Let us know if you make your own! And be sure to visit us as we blog about style, food, and the things we love over at the Pretty Life Girls. I’d also love for you to check out the following easy crafts:

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Maggie Wright

Friday 2nd of September 2016

I have been searching for how to make gems for a Halloween costume and came across this post on Pinterest. Thank you for showing what you used and how you did it.