Bedazzled Cow Print Starbucks Tumblers Become A Viral Craze

The Cow Print Starbucks Tumbler Craze

Starbucks tumblers with flashy cow prints and bedazzled embellishments have become a popular accessory and collectible item in recent years. The craze began when Starbucks released limited-edition plastic cups with various cow patterns for the holiday season. People began customizing these cow print cups by adding glitter, faux gems, metallic decals, and more to create their own unique "bedazzled tumbler." A new trend was born, sparking interest and demand for these customized drinking vessels.

The Origin Story of the Cow Print Starbucks Tumbler

In November 2019, Starbucks launched a special-edition holiday cup line featuring green, merlot (red), and blue background colors with fun cow patterns. The cow prints included different polka dots, hearts, and plaid designs. These seasonal disposable cups were only available for a few weeks in the lead-up to Christmas.

Some creative Starbucks fans decided to repurpose the cow print holiday cups by transforming them into reusable plastic tumblers. Using various craft materials and embellishments like glitter, gems, fabric, paint, and more, they essentially bedazzled the tumblers into unique fashion statements.

Rise of Bedazzled and Customized Cow Tumblers

Photos of these newly bedazzled cow print Starbucks tumblers began popping up on social media with the hashtag #BedazzledTumbler. The trend quickly took off, with more and more people trying their hand at decorating and customizing the seasonal cow cups from Starbucks after the holidays in 2019.

Independent sellers and small businesses got in on the craze too, sourcing plain cow pattern tumblers in plastic and stainless steel to decorate and market their own glittering creations. The #BedazzledTumbler hashtag evolved into entire Etsy shops, Facebook groups, and side hustles dedicated to these custom starbucks cow tumblers.

Why the Cow Print Starbucks Tumbler Blew Up

The perfect combination of timing, craftiness, and clever branding through social media has led to the viral spread of these bedazzled cow tumblers. The novelty holiday cups from Starbucks provided the initial spark of inspiration as the ideal blank canvas. The cups themselves were affordable but limited-edition, making them precious commodities. The cow print motif appeals to a wide audience with its playful, quirky vibe.

The bedazzling and customization concept allowed endless creativity and self-expression when altering the cups. Photo-centric platforms like Instagram and TikTok enabled crafters to easily share their one-of-a-kind designs. The cutesy hashtags created a defined branding identify that made the trend instantly recognizable online. And the overall accessibility and affordability compared to luxury brand name tumblers made participating in the craze simple for the average consumer.

How to Make Your Own Dazzling Cow Print Starbucks Tumbler

Want to test your creativity by blinging out a cow pattern Starbucks tumbler or travel mug? The process is simple but fun. Follow these steps:

Supplies Needed

First, assemble your cow print cup or tumbler along with all the crafty decor materials you want to use. Necessities include:

• Plastic or stainless steel cow pattern tumbler/cup/mug
• Embellishments like fake gems, glitter, metallic vinyl, lace, fabric
• Craft glue like Mod Podge, E6000, or superglue
• Foam brush for gluing
• Scissors for cutting materials
• Embroidery floss, colorful string, ribbons (optional)

Design and Prep

Plan out the style and overall look of your bedazzled cow tumbler before getting started. Gather inspiration from social media images or craft sites. Clean and dry your cup thoroughly to prep the surface for decorating.

Time to Dazzle!

Start applying any glitter, gems, ribbons, fabric cut outs, vinyl decals, lace trim, or other bling materials to your cup using tacky craft glue. Get creative with patterns, clusters of color, asymmetric designs. Add some razzle dazzle with metallic markers or acrylic paint if desired. Let fully dry.

Seal and Protect

Once your design is complete, seal the materials by brushing on a few coats of clear acrylic sealer. This protects the integrity of your creation so gems don't fall off with use. Now your bedazzled #CowTumbler masterpiece is ready to impress!

Tips for the Perfect Custom Cow Cup

Making your own cow tumbler takes a bit of trial and error to master. Use these top tips for best results:

Find Good Base Cups

Source plain blank stainless steel or durable plastic cow print tumblers. They provide better surfaces for applying embellishments versus cheaper paper cups.

Thoroughly Prep

Wash and dry cups well first. Rough up smooth surfaces lightly with sandpaper so decor products stick better.

Apply Glue Carefully

Use tacky glue and choose products specifically made for the materials used. Apply a thin, even layer across entire decoration surface.

Seal Everything

Acrylic clear coat seals your design. Add multiple layers, allowing to fully dry in between. Durable epoxy resin works too.

Don't forget to show off your custom #CowTumbler on social media to keep fueling this creative craze!

FAQs

Where can I buy a plain cow print tumbler as a base for customizing?

Many online retailers like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay sell affordable plastic and stainless steel cow pattern tumblers perfect for custom bedazzling projects.

What type of glue works best for attaching gems, glitter, and other embellishments?

We recommend using a tacky craft glue specifically formulated for gluing glitter and gemstones, such as Beacon 527 Advanced Craft Glue or Aleene's Jewel-It Embellishment Gel.

How do I seal my decorated cow tumbler properly?

Finish off your fabulous blinged-out cow cup by brushing on a few coats of clear acrylic spray sealant. This helps protect the materials and keep everything securely attached, even with heavy use.

Can I decorate and bedazzle a reusable plastic Starbucks cup?

Yes, the reusable plastic Starbucks cups can work great as blank canvases for these DIY glittery tumbler projects with the proper glue and sealants.