What to use to make waterproof tops/accessories?

[thevirginiamermaid]

Hey everyone!! I recently made this mermaid crown out of starfish/shells and rhinestones from the craft store. I used hot glue to adhere all the bits and pieces onto the plastic crown wrapped in silver pipe cleaners. It's a beautiful piece and I don't plan to swim in it but can I even get it wet during photo shoots without it falling apart? I know merbellas makes BEAUTIFUL shell tops, and I'm interested in making my own and I was wondering what merbellas/ other tail makers use to make tops like that durable and swimmable.

[PearlieMae]

Considering what you've made it of, it can probably get safely wet for photos, but I wouldn't swim in it for any length of time.

Looks awesome, by the way!

[thevirginiamermaid]

thanks!!!! Is hot glue the best things to use to make tops and accessories that are swimmable?

[PearlieMae]

I don't think hot glue is ideal. Some would suggest E6000, but I find it gets hard and sharp edged, and degrades pretty quickly. I've used 100% silicone caulk as an adhesive for gluing shells to fabric, but only as embellishment, not for construction of something that needs to be as sturdy as a top. I use a bra base and sew stuff into it, then silicone to glue stuff to it. But that's just me. Some may have other suggestions.

There is a website about adhesives that is pretty comprehensive www.thistothat.com