Allie Joy has loved shiny things her whole life, even before her first rhinestone-studded dance costume. "I like to joke that I'm pretty sure I came out of the womb bedazzled," she says. Now, as an art therapist and licensed professional counselor in Milford, Conn., she's become an evangelist for the bedazzling renaissance happening on TikTok, at indie bookstores, and in living rooms across the country.
"I think it surprises people when I say, 'No, really, bedazzling has actual therapeutic benefits,'" Joy says. "They're like, 'You have to be joking.' But there are so many factors about what makes it really good for our mental health, and it brings people so much joy." For an instant mood boost, try picking one object — your phone charger, a paperback you love, the cap of your favorite moisturizer — and bedazzle it. The benefits, Joy says, are baked into the bling.
Why bedazzling is sneakily good for you
Here's the thing about gluing rhinestones to a book cover: It doesn't feel like therapy. It feels like something a 7-year-old at a slumber party would do, and that's part of the point.
Bedazzling is repetitive in the best way — pick up a gem, place a gem, pick up a gem, place a gem — and that rhythm is soothing. "Repetitive motions are very good for our nervous system, emotional regulation, and stress relief," Joy says. You'll feel your brain settle and your shoulders drop as you shimmer your way into a meditative state.
It's also unusually grounding. Bedazzling is tactile — you're handling tiny objects and pressing each one into place — and that sensory engagement keeps you tethered to the present moment. "When I'm doing it, I don't even think about my phone," Joy says. "I'm just so involved in the process."
Bedazzling fits into a broader cultural turn-back toward analog hobbies, the kind that demand your full attention and reward you with something you can hold. "Getting involved in a creative project can really help us disconnect and get into the present moment," Joy says. At her workshops, almost no one is on their phone — except to snap a photo of what they're making.
And then comes the payoff. Many creative projects give you a single hit of satisfaction when you finish; bedazzling keeps tipping you a little dopamine every time you glance at your bejewelled masterpiece afterward. Joy bedazzled her weekly vitamin organizer because she hates taking vitamins, and now opening it is a small pleasure. "I still don't like taking my vitamins," she says, "but at least it's sparkly."
But I'm "not a sparkly person"
Think you're more darkle than sparkle? You might be surprised: Bedazzling has range. "You could do one rhinestone if you want. It doesn't have to be 'the most.' It doesn't have to be picture-perfect, Instagram-worthy."
Bedazzling is also accessible to any age or skill. Joy has run workshops with kids, with adults who haven't done anything creative since middle school, and with people of varying physical abilities. "You don't have to be a super-talented artist to bedazzle," she says. If you can pick up a rhinestone, you can do it.
How to get started
The barrier to entry is low. You can pick up a beginner bedazzling kit at craft stores or online for under $20. Here's what to look for: a wax pencil to pick up individual rhinestones; a grooved rhinestone tray that flips gems right-side up with a wiggle; resin rhinestones for beginners, glass or crystal for special projects; and a non-toxic glue that dries clear. Since many glues produce strong fumes, work near an open window or with a fan.
A few minutes of surface prep will help everything stick — lightly sand slick surfaces, then wipe with an alcohol wipe. Give the finished project 24 hours to fully dry before moving it around.
What to bedazzle
Start small: your phone charger cube, a pair of headphones, an AirPods case, a medication bottle. "You can truly make the most mundane or everyday things so fun and beautiful," Joy says.
Think about what you already love. A favorite paperback is a natural starting point — bedazzle the title, scatter rhinestones around an illustration, or commit to the whole cover. Same goes for a vinyl record sleeve, journal, or magazine you can't bring yourself to recycle.
Find your people
Bedazzling is satisfying solo. It can be even better in a room full of other people. Joy runs popular monthly book-bedazzling workshops at an indie bookstore near where she lives. People who just moved to the area show up to make new friends. One regular librarian was so inspired she started her own bedazzling program for teens.
These events are popping up across the country — at bookstores, libraries, and craft shops. Search for one near you. And if nothing turns up, consider starting one yourself.
"Being curious is a skill that, I think, we sometimes really lose as adults," Joy says. "Let yourself play and have fun."