How to Make a DIY Glitter Cellphone Case

By
Stephanie White
Stephanie White
Stephanie White is a DIY expert who has over 10 years experience teaching design, art, and do-it-yourself projects. She has previously been published on Apartment Therapy and Ikea Hackers. When she's not writing, Stephanie is traveling the globe on the lookout for inspiring crafts and living spaces.
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Updated on 09/02/20
glitter phone case
@hahnee12 / Twenty20
Project Overview
  • Total Time: 1 hr
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $20

Add some sparkle to your cellphone case with this easy glitter cellphone case project. All it takes is some glitter and glue sealer to create a fabulous custom case that's more economical than a store-bought glitter cellphone case. You can even purchase inexpensive plain cases and turn them into custom glitter cellphone cases to give as gifts or sell at craft fairs.

10 DIY Phone Case Ideas

What You'll Need

Materials

  • Cellphone case
  • Fine glitter (in colors of your choice)
  • All-in-one glue sealer and finish
  • Disposable bowl
  • Disposable foam brush
  • Dish soap

Instructions

  1. Clean the Cellphone Case

    Lay down a drop cloth or layer of newspapers before you begin this project, as glitter can be messy. If the cellphone case is in use, remove the phone and set it in a safe place. Then, clean the cellphone case with dish soap and water to remove any dirt or dust. It is important to start with a clean surface; otherwise the glitter won't properly stick to it.

  2. Mix the Glitter and Glue Sealer

    Pour a small amount of glue sealer in the disposable bowl, and then pour the glitter into the bowl. Start slowly when adding the glitter. You want there to be enough that you can see the glitter but not so much that it becomes so thick that it will be difficult to paint with. If you find it hard to stir the glue sealer and glitter mixture, then you will need to add more glue sealer.

    To judge whether there is enough glitter, note that typically the glue sealer will take on the color of the glitter. For example, if you are using green glitter the glue sealer will no longer look white but green instead.

  3. Paint Your First Layer

    Paint a thin layer of the glue sealer and glitter mixture onto the back exterior of the cellphone case using your disposable foam brush. Allow this coat to dry to the touch.

  4. Paint Another Layer

    After the first coat has dried, paint another thin coat of the glue sealer and glitter mixture on the back exterior of the case.

  5. Paint the Sides and Front

    After the back of the case has dried, flip it over to paint the sides and front. Use the same process as you did for the back: painting one thin layer, waiting for it to dry, and then painting another layer.

  6. Look for Touch-up Spots

    Once the front and sides have dried, lightly tap the case to remove any loose glitter. Touch up any spots where the glitter appears too sparse with a thin layer of the glue sealer and glitter mixture.

  7. Paint a Final Coat of Glue Sealer

    For extra durability, paint one final layer of just the glue sealer on the exterior of the cellphone case.

Variation on a DIY Glitter Cellphone Case

Instead of using glitter, you can also use cut-up pieces of tinsel to decorate your phone case. But be aware that with pieces of tinsel, you still will see the original color of the cellphone case whereas glitter can become quite opaque depending on how much you apply. If you wish, you can paint your cellphone case with an acrylic paint to change the color before adding the tinsel. Then, follow the same painting process, replacing the glitter with tinsel.