Turn Flatbacks & Appliqués Into Interchangeable SnapCharm™ Designs

How I turned a butterfly appliqué and glitter resin rose into interchangeable toppers using the Chibi SnapCharm™ system.

That flatback sitting in your craft stash doesn’t necessarily have to become a permanent part of just one project.

In this tutorial, I’m taking a metal butterfly appliqué and a Blue Glitter Resin Rose flatback and turning both into interchangeable designs using Chibi SnapCharm™ Character Mounts. Once mounted and fully cured, the designs can move between compatible Chibi SnapCharm™ projects instead of being committed to one finished piece.

That means one design can become part of a pen collection, Jumbo Ready Pen, Side-Mount Base Bead project, keychain, wristlet, phone chain, display, and more.

What I Used

• Butterfly appliqué
• Blue Glitter Resin Rose flatback
• Chibi SnapCharm™ Character Mounts
• Diamond Bead Reamer
• Loctite Extreme Glue
• Alcohol wipe for removing surface debris before adhesive application
• Rhinestones for additional embellishment

Shop the Diamond Bead Reamer Tool Set

Shop Chibi SnapCharm™ Character Mounts

Step 1: Prep the Surface

Many resin flatbacks and embellishments have a very smooth, shiny back. I use the Diamond Bead Reamer to lightly rough up the attachment area where the Character Mount will sit.

We aren’t trying to reshape the piece. We just want to remove some of that slick surface and give the adhesive a better prepared area for attachment.

After scratching the surface, I used an alcohol wipe to remove the shavings and debris and allowed the area to dry completely before applying adhesive.

Important: I use the alcohol during surface preparation before gluing. Avoid alcohol wipes or aggressive cleaners around the finished adhesive area once your piece has been assembled.

Step 2: Add the Character Mount

For this project, I used Loctite Extreme Glue to attach the Character Mount. Apply your adhesive according to the manufacturer’s directions, position the Character Mount, and make sure everything is aligned before leaving the piece to cure.

Be Careful With Metal Embellishments

Some metal appliqués can interact with the magnetic components while you’re trying to position everything. If the magnetic pull moves the pieces unexpectedly while your adhesive is still wet, you can end up shifting the mount or pushing glue where you don’t want it.

In the video, I show how I carefully held both the butterfly appliqué and Character Mount while positioning them so I could control that movement and keep the adhesive where it belonged.

Step 3: Let It Cure

This is not the step to rush. I allowed the adhesive a full 24-hour cure before treating the finished pieces as interchangeable designs. Always follow the adhesive manufacturer’s cure instructions for your project.

Step 4: Make the Mount Part of the Design

The Character Mount doesn’t have to disappear behind your embellishment. For these pieces, I chose dark blue Character Mounts to coordinate with the navy butterfly and blue glitter rose.

Then I brought in rhinestones to show another option: decorate the exposed edges of the Character Mount and make the mount itself part of the finished design.

From One Embellishment to an Interchangeable Collection

You may already have resin flatbacks, appliqués, acrylic pieces, charms, and embellishments sitting in your craft room. Instead of permanently attaching every piece to one product, ask: Could I turn this into an interchangeable design?

Create coordinating toppers. Build matching pen and keychain collections. Give customers multiple designs they can collect and swap instead of requiring them to purchase another complete product every time they want a different look.

Want the Finished Version Instead?

The Blue Beauty Butterfly Collection brings the look together with the Silk Blue Jumbo Ready Pen and coordinating finished interchangeable designs, so you can enjoy the collection without making the pieces yourself.

Shop the Blue Beauty Butterfly Collection

Whether you’re here to make your own or collect the finished designs, that’s the fun of an interchangeable system. One base can keep changing as your collection grows.

Safety Reminder

Chibi SnapCharm™ components contain magnets and small parts. Keep magnets and small components away from small children and pets. If you sell finished magnetic products, include appropriate magnet safety warnings with your products. Use adhesives according to the manufacturer’s directions and allow the full recommended cure time before use.

Now look through your flatback stash. What would you turn into an interchangeable design first?