Carolyn J. Braden • 4 Minute Read
How to Make a Dolly-Inspired Giant Rhinestone Butterfly Claw Clip
Get ready to sparkle like Dolly herself! Learn how to make a Dolly Parton–inspired giant rhinestone butterfly claw clip that brings big hair energy and country glam to your everyday look, wedding hairstyles, prom hair and more. This DIY tutorial walks you through every dazzling detail — from picking rhinestones to creating that oversized, show-stopping butterfly design. Perfect for festivals, photo shoots, or adding a little flashy flair to your everyday style!
Shop the Post
Coming soon: get everything you need to make this via my Amazon Shop AND see the video tutorial.
My Amazon shop: https://www.amazon.com/shop/carolynbraden
This is pure DOLLYCORE!
The Creative Inspiration
Just like Dolly Parton, I’ve always loved butterflies and glittery things. When a friend visited Dollywood in Tennessee recently, he sent me photos and I could see her fun and glittery branding and her favorite butterfly symbols all over the park.
In knowing how transformational the butterfly is (it starts out as a caterpillar and then turns into something is gorgeously colorful and can fly… the coolest transformation in nature IMO!), this butterfly clip I got months ago spoke to me during a time of pivoting in my life recently. It’s almost like it called my name…..saying “bling me up…it’s time!”.
See my Butterfly Soft Pretzel tutorial here, as it was inspired by the pretzel at Dollywood!
I left the underside bare so it would not get too heavy
Butterfly Symbolism
Butterflies are often a universal symbol for transformation and change, and with feeling and creating lots of changes in my own world, I decided it was time, in fact, to bling it up. When I wear it, it represents the good changes I am making in my life and of course, my love of making things even better than they already are.
See my magical butterfly moving clip hairstyle below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
No Apologies
I watched a 60-minute interview where an interviewer asked Dolly Parton about why she looked the way she did. She has always been very honest about her style, her plastic surgeries and her life philosophies. As I listened to her speak, she gave no apologies for her decisions. She wanted to look a certain way, and made it happen.
Wearing it in a half-up hairstyle
Did you know that she had no facial work done until she was 40? She said she did have a breast augmentation earlier, but was very clear about not going overboard and how important it is to pick a very good doctor that won’t let you. See the inspiring interview via YouTube here.
When Dolly Became “Fancy”
She grew up rather poor and didn’t have access to “fancy” things, but when she saw a lady come into town with red lips, she knew she was onto something. That began her thinking about how she wanted to look and went with it. And it works for her.
She said she always was “fancy” and even rubbed berries on her lips as a little girl so they’d have color as she didn’t have money for cosmetics. Being “fancy” is who she is at her core, and I know that’s how I am too and this is why her story resonates with me.
It’s beautiful in a messy bun too!
You Do You
The butterfly claw clip was simply beautiful on its own, but I knew it would be even prettier to me if it sparkled, so using Dolly’s headstrong philosophy about wearing what you want and looking how you want, I blinged it up and never looked back. I will not apologize for who I am at my core (I was extremely fascinated by makeup beginning around age 4!), which is a bit “fancy” like Dolly. My philosophy is to wear what makes you feel good, look how you want to look as long as it’s for YOU.
The side view of the clip in a bun hairstyle
Why Make This Craft?
I could see someone making a white or iridescent version to wear on their wedding day or for bridesmaids. I could see a little kid wearing it in their hair for the holidays. I’ll be wearing mine to walk the dogs…lol! You can make this as a gift or for yourself and because of all the color options, it can be tailored for many events and themes.
Check out my 1-minute video tutorial for this project on my TikTok now or coming soon here and to my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden!
The completed butterfly clip
✨ How to Make a Dolly-Inspired Giant Rhinestone Butterfly Claw Clip — Glam Hair Just Got Easier! 💖
Now for the easiest tutorial ever! This giant butterfly claw clip took me about an hour to bling up using my same process as I use for many of my rhinestone craft projects. My links will take you to either Amazon, Walmart, Target or Temu, where I get many of my craft supplies. Using my Temu links will give you 30% off if you are new user.
This claw clip is fairly lightweight even though it’s large, which makes it great for many hairstyles! It also sits flat after you attach it to your hairstyle.
Supplies
Giant Butterfly Claw Clip (They come in many colors)
Mixture of Rhinestones and Pearls (I used a rainbow mix I had on hand that had various sizes which is perfect for this project)
Liquid Fusion Glue
Optional: pointy cotton swabs
The supplies
How-to:
Add a thin layer of Liquid Fusion glue on the butterfly wings. I blinged only the outer “wings” as the clip has two layers of wings. I also only blinged up the wing that faced outward. You can do both sides, but the more rhinestones you add, the heavier it will become. I also worked in small sections at a time so the glue wouldn’t dry on me too fast.
Beginning the bling!
Used a wax tip pencil to apply rhinestones and pearls one at a time, using the pencil to move them around as needed. Some larger ones may require you to apply them with your fingers. I altered the size of the rhinestone or pearl, depending on the space I needed to fill. Use pointy cotton swabs to remove excess oozy glue.
Adding the rhinestones and pearls took about an hour
I let them dry overnight and then wore it in my hair in a half up hairstyle, in my messy bun hairstyle and will experiment with more ways to wear it! It’s simply beautiful!
The clip in a messy bun is cute and simple!
Take Action
I encourage you to try the project with your own creative twists and share your creations on your social accounts! If you tag me using @carolynsbloomingcreations or @carolynjbraden, I’ll see it! Or tell me about it in the comments below.
If you loved this article, then we know you’ll love this one too: How to Make a Butterfly Tiara
Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.