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Member since 3/2/04
Posts: 2073
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Posted on: 1/13/05 6:16 PM ET
I watched a sewing show on tv that used this:

"D'Lorna HotFix Nailheads & Rhinestuds Decorative Touch Wand"

This looked pretty kewl...a soldering-iron-type-tool that picks up and heats a glue-backed rhinestone or stud or pearl, etc. The heat tool or 'wand' is used to place the stud onto the fabric. Each application is said to take 2-3 seconds. These, they said, can even be attached to very stretchy fabric and still hold great.

From my search online, it looks like this is only available from a Husqvarna Viking dealer.

I'm curious as to how well it works, cost of wand, cost/quantity of studs, rhinestones, etc...if anyone knows?
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Ardis

the lefthanded daughter of a lefthanded mother
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 372
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Posted on: 1/13/05 6:30 PM ET
I've seen this notion but under a different name...perhaps Kandi Kane?
This notion is a variation of something thats been around for awhile. If you notice, it sorta looks like a woodburning tool. I have a tool similar to it specifically for swaravski crystals that have glue on the back. You heat up the tool then place it onto the crystal after placing the crystal where you want it on the garment. The heat melts the glue which attaches to the fabric. I've used only swaravski crystals since only glass can take the high heat necessary to melt the glue. I got crystals and the tool from a now defunct crystal "middle man" who sold specifically to the ballroom dance community.
The only caution I have is...besure the fabric you'll be using it on can tolerate the high heat or else you'll melt the fabric.
  
Member since 3/2/04
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Posted on: 1/13/05 6:46 PM ET
Thanks for your reply, Nancy.

This tool is a little different, in that the rhinestone or stud is heated on the tool, then touched to the fabric. They emphasized that almost no pressure was needed. They applied studs to nylon netting [on a teflon sheet] and to a little girl's one-piece swimsuit [lots of stretch and made from lycra].

The way your tool is used, I can imagine that it shouldn't be used on anything synthetic or the fabric could melt. This may be the 'new improved model' like yours?
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Ardis

the lefthanded daughter of a lefthanded mother
  
Member since 1/26/03
Posts: 3678
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Posted on: 1/13/05 8:07 PM ET
In reply to SewVeryTall
Maybe someone has reviewed it on epinions or on a crafting site. Try googling the gadget and see what comes up.
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Member since 3/2/04
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Posted on: 1/14/05 2:45 AM ET
In reply to Stitchology
Google is where I was searching...the only return was for the Husqvarna Viking site I mentioned.
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Ardis

the lefthanded daughter of a lefthanded mother
  
Member since 4/11/02
Posts: 10809
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Posted on: 1/14/05 3:23 AM ET
The L'Orna is the exact same thing as the Kandi Kane and a third, which I forget right this second -- (not the Bejeweler). They are the same company, just different packaging for different markets.

While you *can* heat the jewel on the tool as you saw on the show, in practicality, it's easier to lay the jewel on the item and place the flat head of the tool on the jewel. It takes closer to 10-15 seconds per jewel to melt the glue.

There are other heat-set embellishments besides the crystals that are not affected by the heat of the tool, including nailheads (studs) and pearls. The glue holds quite well through laundry and on all sorts of surfaces, including synthetics.

I used to run a coop for Kandi Kane items, until I had a bad experience with the owners of the KK company (which is local to me). The products are good. I can't recommend the people behind it. Your mileage may vary.
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--
"I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner
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Member since 3/28/04
Posts: 1666
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Posted on: 1/14/05 10:32 AM ET
I got the "Kandy Kane" & a supply of crystals at the Expo in Puyallup a couple of years ago & have had a ball with it. Mostly highlighting machine embroidery. I've done this on all kinds of t-shirts and they hold up great going thru the washer & dryer. Sue's Sparklers is a source, too.
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PVA (Pat)  "A girl can't have too many scissors!"
If I don't have time to do it right, when will I have time to do it over?
  
Member since 4/4/02
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Posted on: 1/14/05 10:56 AM ET
I have the Kandi-Kane - it's so cool! I had a hard time with it until I learned to place the stones first and then heat. Those hot little suckers were flying all over the place!

I ordered the KK and my crystals and nailheads from Sue's Sparklers. I've had such good service and fast shipping from them - the crystals are also *much* less expensive from Sue's than they are locally.
  
Member since 3/2/04
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Posted on: 1/16/05 4:55 AM ET
Thanks Gigi and Pat for the heads up on Sue's Sparklers. That's a neat site...even jeweled zippers!
Now I really wonder about the different tools to apply these hotfix goodies. I see Sue sells a 'bejeweler' tool for about $17. but no directions about its use. Sue's site also talks about applying these with your regular iron...hmmm.
I'm still looking....
-- Edited on 1/16/05 6:00 AM --
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Ardis

the lefthanded daughter of a lefthanded mother
  
Member since 1/4/05
Posts: 37
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Posted on: 1/16/05 5:28 PM ET
I work at a quilt shop, and we just got some of these tools and the Swarkowski (sp?) crystals that go along with them. I'm not sure what brand it is, but we're selling it for about $16 and the packs of crystals for about $2 or $3. I tried it out on a quilted bag I had made (a beautiful oriental print with metallic on it) and used just a few to accent the fabric. It worked really well - I set the crystals on the table, crystal side up, touched the tool tip to them, let them heat for about 20 seconds, and then touched it to the bag. The crystals stuck with very little problems (there were one or two that I think didn't have quite enough glue on the back of them). They seem pretty firmly stuck on there, but I'm not sure how it would handle being washed.

But much fun, and after I did the bag, my boss and I were roaming around the shop looking for other things to try it out on. Apparently the crystals come in all sorts of different colors, and you can adhere pearls too, but all we have are the white crystals right now. They really catch the light when you walk by them!
  
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