Hello everyone. This is the first post I am doing under this Community. I don't have skills and talents worth posting about which would explain why I don't post here. But recently, my wife learned about Diamond Painting and how entertaining and relaxing this hobby can be. It's like cross stitching without the needle and thread. The final results actually look like a completed cross stitched piece but different in the sense that the picture or painting glitters like diamonds. Hence the name Diamond Painting.
Here's a diamond painting my wife recently finished.
Notice how the painting is glittering with hundreds of small diamond like jewels.
Diamond painting is a new art hobby popularized in the US and Europe in 2015. It involves applying hundreds of multi-colored rhinestones on a canvas. Each detail on the canvas is numbered, and you simply have to stick the corresponding piece of rhinestone to the detail.
Here's a sample of a fresh or unworked canvass.
A close up of the same canvass above shows the numbers or codes in every detail of the painting.
Each number or letter in the canvass corresponds to a different colored rhinestone just like in cross stitching where each section of the chart corresponds to a particular colored thread.
Diamond paintings come with kits that are made using two different types of adhesive. Some companies use double-sided tape, while others use poured glue on the canvasses. Both are transparent, but it seems there is a general consensus that the best brands are those that use poured glue.
And just like any other painting, this should be framed and hanged to adorn the walls of the house or office or establishment. The rhinestones are not guaranteed to stick forever so some may come off over time. When it happens some facelifting or repairs would have to be done. But for as long as the canvass is not displayed where it is exposed directly to sunlight, the painting would last for quite a while.
The canvasses, when ordered comes with the complete set of beads or rhinestones to fill up the painting. A plastic stick is also attached with which to pick up the beads. The tip of the stick is dipped in a small orange swath of wax to make the beads stick to it.
Basically, it is a hobby that can take one's mind away from the worries and hassles of everyday life. It de-stresses and creates peace of mind and a healthy mental attitude towards problems and hardship. It is also a wonderful gift idea to someone special. My wife is a very religious person so most of her canvasses are of that nature. Maybe a good friend 
We are from the Philippines and what my wife does is order from Shoppee. Delivery is fast and right at our doorsteps. For those in other countries perhaps Ali Baba or Amazon would be a good source for this.
Diamond Painting, anyone?
(All photos are mine.)
