12 Must-Try Glitter Crafts and Easy Hacks To Clean It Up

Learn all about glitter — from fine, medium and coarse variations to edible, synthetic and biodegradable, too. Then, try your hand at a dozen easy (and kid-friendly!) sparkly DIYs from classic glitter slime to fashionable accessories and shimmery glitter garland.

By: Rachael Jones and Hannah Slaughter

Show: HGTV Handmade

Related To:

Everything That Glitters

Let’s gab about glitter — and the fact that you'll find it in every nook and cranny long after the DIYs are over. At HGTV, we’ve been making glittery, sparkly and glamorous crafts for decades. So we’ve rounded up the need-to-know glitter basics, a dozen of our favorite glitter DIYs and quick tricks for easy cleanup.

Watch The Video: The Best Glitter for the Job

Glitter Types

Glitter comes in several different forms, like sugar, glue, plastic, mica and glass. And the most common glitter types are available in fine, medium and coarse varieties. Fine craft glitter works best for anything with small details or indentations. Medium craft glitter is the most popular and common size; it’s big enough to really sparkle from a few feet away, but small enough to work on lots of different surfaces. And coarse craft glitter is super chunky, which makes it great for creating a really dramatic 3D effect.

Watch The Video: The Best Glitter for the Job

Synthetic Mica vs. Plastic Glitter

Typical craft store glitter is made of plastic, so it shouldn’t be washed down the drain or used in beauty products. But, you can still be super sparkly and eco-friendly by using the original glitter: synthetic mica — a lab-made, sparkly mineral that we like to call ''nature’s glitter.''

Watch The Video: The Best Glitter for the Job

Many Uses of Mica

At HGTV, we prefer synthetic mica for lots of DIYs, especially ones that involve soaps, bath bombs, makeup, lip balms and eyeshadow. Mica is safe to use for beauty products, safer to wash down the drain and available in lots of different colors.

Watch The Video: The Best Glitter for the Job

Glass Glitter

Glass glitter is another eco-friendly option. It’s usually a bit more sparkly than plastic glitter and can create a bit more volume to give crafts a chunkier look. Here at HGTV we like to use glass glitter for Christmas ornaments and jewelry making.

Watch The Video: The Best Glitter for the Job

Contain + Seal the Sparkle

When crafting with glitter, one of our favorite hacks to contain the sparkle (from literally getting everywhere) is to place a piece of craft paper on top of a baking sheet. Do the glitter craft on top of the baking sheet, then simply pick up the paper and tap excess glitter back into the bottle. Just as important, be sure to use a sealant spray to hold the glitter in place. We prefer Krylon Glitter Blast clear spray to seal our crafts. Plus, it comes in multiple colors, too.

Watch The Video: The Best Glitter for the Job

Try It: Glittery Mica Bath Bombs

Now that we’ve covered the must-knows about glitter, try this super glam glitter bath bomb recipe using blue synthetic mica. In a medium glass bowl, mix 1 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup epsom salt and 1/2 cup citric acid. Then, combine 2 tablespoons coconut oil, 30-40 drops of essential oil (like lavender) and 3-5 drops of food coloring. The texture target should mimic wet sand. Next, take a cotton ball and dab a layer of colorful mica around the bath bomb mold. Last, add spoonfuls of the wet sandy mixture into the molds, press them together and let them dry overnight.

Watch The Video: The Best Glitter for the Job

Try It: Gold Glass Glitter Cuff

Make a sparkly statement cuff with several coats of chunky glass glitter. First, apply glue to the cuff, then sprinkle on a generous amount of gold glass glitter. Shake off the excess and then wait for it to dry. Once dry, apply another coat of glue and add more glass glitter around the cuff. Shake off the excess and wait until dry. Continue the steps until the cuff is fully covered in glass glitter. Then spray the cuff with clear Krylon Glitter Blast to seal.

Watch The Video: The Best Glitter for the Job

Try It: Glitter Glue Slime

Glitter glue is a great way to carefully baby-step kids into using glitter. HGTV designer Hannah Slaughter shares a quick and easy recipe for purple glitter slime using Elmer's Glitter Glue. To make glitter slime, you need two ingredients: a whole bottle of glue and 1/4 cup liquid starch. Mix the two ingredients together with your hands — or have the little ones help.

Learn More: 14 Ways to Make DIY Slime and Homemade Play Dough

Try It: Glitter Sensory Jars

For an even less messy DIY that’s perfect for kids, try these really satisfying glitter sensory jars by HGTV’s Marianne Canada. The glitter is suspended in glycerin and the colorful, swirly jars make perfect stress relievers for adults, too.

Watch The Video: DIY Glitter Stress Relievers

Try It: Glitter Nail Polish Phone Case

Make this trendy ombre phone case using two different types of glitter nail polish in complementary colors. First, coat one layer of fine glitter nail polish all over the case. Then, starting about halfway down the case, apply one more layer of fine glitter. Next, use the thicker nail polish to create additional layers.

Watch The Video: The Best Glitter for the Job

Try It: Glitter Card Stock Props

If you’re looking for another option where glitter is contained, think of glitter card stock. You can use it in all sorts of places where you can’t put glue, like on gift bags or graduation caps. Use glitter card stock to make these cute photo booth props. Simply cut out a glasses shape and affix it to a wooden skewer with double stick clear tape.

Watch The Video: The Best Glitter for the Job

Drink It: Edible Glitter Liqueurs

One of the most popular glitter DIYs out there are shimmery, edible glitter liqueurs. Note: Glitter must specifically be labeled as edible and meant for food and drink. To make shimmery liqueurs, first choose a corresponding Pearl Dust color for the cocktail drink of your choice, like pink for watermelon liqueur. Mix 1-1/2 teaspoons of pearl dust into 3 cups of liqueur and enjoy.

Get the How-To: All That Glitters Is...Booze? How to Make Shimmery Rainbow Liqueurs

Eat It: Edible Glitter Candy Bars

Another fun use for edible glitter is to dress up desserts. Pearl Dust is popular on fancy cakes and bakes, but you can add it to candy, too. Sprinkle two different edible glitter colors into a candy mold. Then, melt white candy pieces and stir in pink food coloring. Add a thick layer of melted candy to the mold and let it set for a few hours before eating. Gift it or snack on the glittery candy solo.

Watch The Video: The Best Glitter for the Job

Wear It: Beauty Glitter Makeup

Hannah is no stranger to glitter glam makeup. For a temporary glittery look, she recommends using clear lip gloss or petroleum jelly and then applying glitter over it. For a semi-permanent look, like for a music festival, use lash glue and paint on the glitter color of your choice. To remove, use an oil-based makeup remover wipe, or make your own by mixing a 2:1 ratio of coconut oil and witch hazel. Note: Only use glitter that is specifically made for beauty products and meant to be worn on the body.

Watch The Video: The Best Glitter for the Job

Display It: Glitter Unicorn Garland

Make this glittery unicorn garland for your next magical gathering. Start by snagging a pack of miniature horse party favors. Make unicorn horns for each one using air dry clay. Once dry, affix the horns to the horses with a low-temp hot glue gun. Then add a jump ring to each piece. Paint the unicorns with decoupage glue and dunk each one into a bag filled with colorful glitter. Seal each unicorn with Krylon Glitter Blast. Then add a silky blue rope, hang it up and enjoy!

Quick Fix: Krylon Glitter Shimmer Spray

Two of our favorite things in one bottle: glitter and spray paint! Use Krylon Glitter Shimmer Spray to dress up thrifted pieces, jars, candlesticks or garland in no time at all.

Watch The Video: The Best Glitter for the Job

For Writing: Deco Just Glitter Premium Markers

Here at HGTV we are suckers for a good glitter pen or glitter marker. When we found these, we couldn’t resist sharing with you: Deco Just Glitter Premium. They come in a variety of colors and are perfect to dress up a party invitation or daily BuJo.

Get the How-To: Bullet Journal Ideas: How to Start a Bullet Journal

Glitter Cleanup Hack: Static Electricity

Blow up a balloon and rub it on the carpet to generate a little static electricity. Then hold the balloon over the glitter to collect it in batches. This trick works great for carpet, rugs and sofas.

Watch The Video: The Best Glitter for the Job