Thread: Blinging up a plain set

I've got a red fringed set I like, but think it'd look nicer with some crystals. How do you determine size, placement, color? Color-wise I'm trying to decide between clear or fire opal. Either round or pear shape. Do you just sprinkle yours across the cossie, or do you make a design with them?

Depends on the costume. I have an old Pharonics Sea Wave costume in gold which just seemed very plain to me. So I added a hand full of oval AB crystals and it woke right up!

I have another set where the previous owner went wild adding crystals and wrapping them with rhinestones by the yard! One last set - red Turkish with 3d beading - the previous owned did designs including adding crystals into the middle of the flowers!

So I guess the answer is it depends on what you are starting with and how much work you want to put into the set!

{{{HUGS}}}

I was thinking of doing the same thing to one of those basic Joharah bra & belt sets. Does anyone have before & after photos?

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

So I guess the answer is it depends on what you are starting with and how much work you want to put into the set!

{{{HUGS}}}

It's a basic workhorse Egyptian fringe set, with fringe on the diagonal. Not a lot of open sequined/beaded space to work with, but I think it'd spruce it up and make it not look like a plain workhorse (not that there's anything wrong with a plain workhorse, I just want my horse to have some bling, lol).

Take a look at some close-ups of Great Loops. They are mostly monocromatic and the design is focused on the looped fringe, but the little crystals (and big pear-shaped ones), bits of rhinestone chain, and a sprinkling of other round, color-coordinated beads add a lot to the tops of the cups and belt.

TanyaLV sold a basic set which she had blinged up a little while ago. IIRC she had appliqués and crystals between each diagonal. Personally, I would probably do single ovals or diamonds between each bit of fringe. I also prefer sew on crystals although they do require more s maintenance.

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The Great Loops for inspiration is a good idea, thank you!

I'm looking at sew on crystals - hot fix might be easier, but for this set I think sew-on would be more appropriate since it's a beaded base.

Now leaning towards crystal instead of AB, though I keep waffling. Each length of fringe attached has gold sequin across the top of it so there are gold 'stripes' (for lack of a better word) on the diagonal where the fringe is attached to the bra/belt.

I'm one of those who needs who usually needs to see things together to make a decision; trying to visualize what crystals from online pictures will look like on my set is a bit tough. Stuck between choosing either pear and round shape (like Great Loops) or oval and rounds. Considering some rhinestone chain, too, if I could get some in a gold tone base/setting. The gold sequins on this are throwing me off a little - that's why I considered colored stones. I can't tell if crystal or AB would 'clash' if that makes sense?

Not sure if you can see this, but my great loop is gold and it has AB crystals and rinestone chain *set in silver* I believe. I think going with a plain/clear crystal would just blend in and you need something that would pop.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Not sure if you can see this, but my great loop is gold and it has AB crystals and rinestone chain *set in silver* I believe. I think going with a plain/clear crystal would just blend in and you need something that would pop.

The reason I was thinking a gold tone setting is because it's red fringe with gold sequins along the top of the fringe, which is attached on the diagonal in several spots so it's almost like gold stripes. I've got some loose rhinestones in silver setting laying around that I laid on it just to see. I liked the clear rhinestone, but not the silver setting. But, I also held an AB earring against it & was surprised it looked pretty good, so now I'm back to the AB vs. clear debate. Each would give a different look.

Andalee that's so pretty. I just love the Great Loop set. TexasRuya, show pics!!! It will be cool to see the progress.

okay, i took a couple of pics to show what i'm working with. click on the thumbnail & it'll take you to my photobucket where there are 3 pics of the top. Open to suggestions on crystal shape & color. I'm kinda leaning toward clear, but AB might could work, too, I dunno. Thoughts?



I have already removed the really long (on me) fringe drape. I'm too short waisted for crazy long drape. Makes me look short & oompa-loompa-like. I'll either put a bit of the removed fringe on the cup connector piece and/or use it in making some sort of accessory..necklace, cuff, headband, etc.

I can't wait to see what you new blingee is going to look like.

Calico Garden has some rhinestone chains and other blingee things you could put on your costume on sale.

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/belly-danc...hing-more.html

I would definitely go ab, especially on a colored costume. i know what you mean about the clashing though. it will feel like it clashes until you see the whole effect and trust me, the ab will really make it look great. abs have a lot more sparkle than most other crystals. don't worry about the gold. it just gives you more color to play with in your skirt.

about shape....i would maybe buy smaller ovals and run them down three in a line along the fringed edge.

good luck and i'd love to see the finished project.

Any luck with the blinging??

totally forgot about this thread, lol

Yes! I went with oval AB sew-on crystals and it definitely dressed it up nicely. I put large ovals all the way around the belt, one large of the same size on the bra cup connector but turned sideways instead of up & down like on the belt. On the cups I just put a couple of smaller ovals on them. Not a lot of bling, but a touch. I only had 6 smaller crystals, 3 for each cup, so I did two on the inside part of each cup and one on the middle/outer. It looks okay, not ZOMG, but I do have 12 even smaller crystals and may at some point either add a few of those to the cups as well or add to the cups and a couple to the straps. Can't decide.

I was asked not to post the pictures on my website or anything yet, but this is a link (I think it should work) to the photo album of the facebook page for a local magazine that came & took photos the night I wore it. They were doing an article on the hookah place & took pictures of me & the other dancer. I'm in pictures 2, 9 & 10. You can see the crystals best in #9, but #2 isn't bad. #10 I'm way in the background. Click the images to see bigger pictures.

M&P Magazine's Photos - Shisha Lounge | Facebook

Actually, that is very nice! even though it doesn't scream "BLINGTASTIC!!!!!" is does wake it up!

{{{HUGS}}}

ruya, i love it! there is alot of beauty in simplicity

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Not sure if you can see this, but my great loop is gold and it has AB crystals and rinestone chain *set in silver* I believe. I think going with a plain/clear crystal would just blend in and you need something that would pop.

How pretty Andalee! Great pics!

Ruya - your set came out beautiful!

[QUOTE=TexasRuya;489619]okay, i took a couple of pics to show what i'm working with. click on the thumbnail & it'll take you to my photobucket where there are 3 pics of the top. Open to suggestions on crystal shape & color. I'm kinda leaning toward clear, but AB might could work, too, I dunno. Thoughts?

[I]I vote for the AB crystals because of the gold sequin trim. I'd use three pear-shaped ones on bra cups; one in between bra cups, point "up" and put a pear shaped crystal above the fringe on cup of bra, just beneath where neck strap is joined to bra or maybe right on the neck strap. I'd also put more large pear AB's on side strap a couple of inches beyond bra cup because strap is just all red sequins. You could also have some smaller round AB's running up neck strap. Of course, you'd need to have pear AB'S on belt as well.
I like your idea of using the fringe you took off for arm bands and I'd put either one large AB on each arm band or run smaller AB's around the whole arm band.

Basically, it's a very pretty red costume but I'd break up all the continuous red and unless you have to wear it with a silver embellished skirt, I would choose AB over clear crystals for the bra/belt, again because of the gold sequin trim it already has.

On the other hand, I've seen bras/belts with both AB and clear crystals, but it can look "busy".

Whoops, just scrolled down and saw your AB enhancements - looks great and very elegant! ,r:;

I find some times sewing Ab crystals in costumes, the best because they can go with any costume. Just gold or silver tone depending on preference and costume. Andalee very pretty!
Ruya nice job!

Alrana

It looks great. I think I'll bling up one of mine :-) Thanks!