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How to Apply Studs to Shoes

Dec 25, 2011 / By Elizabeth Arnold

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Make a pair of heels on your own by applying studs.

Photo: Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images

If you love the look of sexy, studded shoes but don't want to pay boutique prices, you can make your own customized footwear using a few craft items. When working with hot-fix studs, which feature heat-activated backings, getting crafty has never been so stylish. You can find the rock star-inspired embellishments, as well as the specialized hot-fix tool, at any craft store. You can also apply studs to shoes using pliers. In a few minutes, you can transform anything from leather heels to canvas tennis shoes into personalized foot candy.

Hot-Fix Studs

Remove a gold or silver metal stud from its packaging and place it onto the shoe at the desired location. The studs feature self-adhesive backings and will stay in place once applied. Do not peel the plastic off of the studs just yet.

Attach a flat tip to your hot-fix tool, plug it in and allow it to heat up. Press the tool onto the stud, over the plastic, for 10 seconds to attach the embellishment to the shoe. Peel the plastic off the stud.

Continue adding studs to the shoes in the same manner until the design is complete. Add studs just around the rims or over the entire shoes, depending on your preference.

Regular Studs

Embellish canvas shoes, such as sneakers, using regular, non-adhesive studs as another option. Press any size, any shape gold or silver metal stud onto the shoe at the desired location.

Open a pair of pliers and place its jaws around the stud. Squeeze the pliers to secure the stud onto the canvas.

Use the studs to create designs, such as hearts, stars, or just random patterns on the canvas shoes.

1.Hot-fix or regular studs

3.Pliers (optional)

2.Hot-fix tool (optional)