In the early 2000s, glare exploded. From jeans and baby tees to phone cases and bandanas, no surface was safe from rhinestones. Celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake constantly wore rhinestones. The accessibility of this trend meant that anyone could participate in it, unlike most luxury trends of the era. Then came minimalism, and rhinestones were put away. So far.
Driven by Y2K nostalgia and a widespread revival of maximalism, bedazzled and rhinestone phone cases are currently at a ten-year high, and bedazzled objects have spread far beyond fashion to coffee machines, water bottles, canvases, and even medical inhalers. But why the sudden revival?
Why is the trend increasing?
Psychologists note that more people are actively looking for ways to slow down and step back from the constant pace of modern life. The constant switching between email, social media, and work has left many people mentally exhausted, leaving little room for uninterrupted thought. Practical creative hobbies, whether glitter making, knitting, pottery, or painting, provide exactly the same breathing space, focusing on the process rather than the outcome, with no pressure to rush. Most people find this calming in itself.
Mental Health Benefits of Glitz
To understand the apparent mental health benefits of glamping, we interviewed several psychologists and psychiatrists. Across all of them, there was a clear consensus: Works great because it combines focused attention, visible progress, and a sense of personal agency. These elements are often associated with improved mood and a sense of satisfaction. The repetitive, absorbing nature of the activity takes the mind away from anxious or intrusive thoughts, grounding it in the present, almost like mindfulness works without any labels. Completing even a small project activates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine and creating a real feeling of accomplishment.
Dr Jaya Sukul, clinical psychologist and founder of Headspace Healing Noida, explains that concrete progress from bedazzling can create a real sense of accomplishment, even if the project is relatively small. In his clinical experience, he has found that frequent hand movements can be surprisingly helpful for people struggling with anxiety, gently diverting attention from racing thoughts and grounding the mind in the present moment. Although such activities do not make anxiety disappear, they provide a welcome mental break and help people feel calm for a period of time.
Dr Desiree Samby, consultant psychiatrist at Sant Parmanand Hospital, believes that glitz reflects our need to make ordinary things personal and meaningful. He said, “Such creative activities engage multiple brain networks. The prefrontal cortex helps us plan and make creative choices; the motor cortex and cerebellum coordinate fine movements of the hands, while the brain’s reward system releases dopamine, giving us a sense of pleasure and accomplishment. This combination explains why simple creative hobbies can feel both relaxing and emotionally rewarding.”
Dr Bhavya K Barry, consultant psychiatrist at Manipal Hospital, elaborates on how bedazzling helps in exercising a sense of control and also gives a certain kind of pleasure. He talked about how our eyes are naturally attracted to bright, shiny and colorful objects. So when life seems too dull, the brightness and visual richness that this dazzle provides can create small moments of happiness and improve a person’s mood. It has been shown to have real medical benefits. It reduces stress by encouraging focus, improves mood through creative expression, provides a healthy distraction from repetitive negative thoughts and often creates opportunities for social interactions.
Note: All psychologists have stressed that it is important to recognize that while creative activities can support emotional well-being, they are not a substitute for professional treatment in individuals experiencing clinical anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. They are viewed as healthy coping strategies that complement overall psychological well-being.
What to keep in mind?
As Dr. Jaya Sukul said, “It is worth noting that not everyone experiences crafts in the same way. While some find repetitive tasks soothing, others may become impatient or frustrated.”
Dr. Desiree Samby emphasizes that excessive decoration can sometimes reflect underlying psychological processes such as perfectionism, compulsive personality traits, or difficulties with emotional regulation. The main difference is whether the activity remains a flexible, enjoyable hobby or becomes something that feels out of control or causes significant impairment. When a behavior is driven by compulsion rather than choice, or begins to negatively impact quality of life, it may require further psychological evaluation.
Dr. Bhavya K. Barry also notes that like any rewarding activity, glamming can cross into unhealthy territory if done in excess; Signs include an inability to stop, overspending on supplies, neglecting work, sleep, or relationships, or using it to avoid dealing with real problems.
real life experiences
Shanawar Khalid, a 26-year-old cardiologist, enjoys discovering new experiences “besides hanging out in cafes.” He was impressed by the popularity of the trend and signed up for a workshop at Earthly Trinkets. He participated in three workshops; In two of them, he glazed a canvas, and in the last, he glazed a Coke can, describing the experience as “It was a lot of fun” and “It’s like an art therapy for me.”
Roopsee Karanwal is another high-spirited woman working in a corporate in her 20s. He has described his amazing experiences as extremely therapeutic. “Putting together each luminous piece by hand certainly tested my patience, but it also gave me a whole new appreciation for handmade creations,” she said. She also mentioned how she did workshops with her father and believes he enjoyed it even more than she did: “We had the best time together, laughing and making new memories.”
Workshops in Delhi NCR
If you’re looking for similar experiences and plan to try glamping, check out the following organizations. These workshops are for people of all ages. People participate in groups and individually. They all commented that individuals who participated often felt connected to others.
Worldly Trinkets: Started by sisters Kamalpreet and Sukhpreet Kaur, this DIY workshop is conducted in cafes, studios and event spaces. According to him, many people come alone and leave with new friends, while others join them with family or friends. People who come alone seem to be more adventurous because they do not want company but come for a therapeutic and solitary experience. They organize workshops almost every weekend. Their next Bedazzling Workshop is on 11th July from 3 PM to 5 PM at Café Hawkers, CP, Delhi.
Doodle Den Delhi – Started by Gul Gupta and Niyati Nagpal, they host creative workshops and art experiences across Delhi. Their vision is to combine creativity with personalization. The workshops are led by our own trained team, and the experience is beginner-friendly and enjoyable. Their audience primarily consists of Gen Z and young professionals, but also families, couples, and corporate groups. They organize workshops at least once every month. Their next great workshop is on 26th July.
soluv scene – A creative community started by Arunima, that brings people together through exciting art workshops conducted at various cafes, restaurants and event venues across NCR. Their workshops are all about having fun without worrying about whether you’re “good at art” or not. These include college students, working professionals, parents, couples, best friends, and even entire families. They organize workshops every month. His next great workshop can be found on his social media handles.
How to dazzle your home
If you prefer your own company without an unfamiliar environment, this is for you.
what you need: Rhinestones (available on Amazon or any craft store), gemstone glue or E6000 adhesive, a wax pencil to pick out individual stones, the item you want to dazzle
step:
Clean the surface of your item thoroughly. Dust or oil will prevent the stones from sticking.
Plan your design clearly before you start. You don’t need to outline it, but have a rough idea of ​​where you want the stones to go. Or you can just take it with the flow.
Apply a small dot of glue to the surface – not the stone. less is more.
Use a wax pencil to pick up a rhinestone and gently press it onto the glue dot. Wait for a few seconds.
Work in small sections rather than applying glue to the entire surface at once – the glue dries faster.
Once done, leave it to dry for at least a few hours before handling it. Some glues take up to 24 hours to set completely.
Beginner Tip: Start with a flat surface like a phone case or picture frame before moving on to curved objects like bottles or glasses as curved surfaces are much more difficult to work with.
