SUMMARY FROM TONIGHTS CLASS 3/17/2026 · RHINESTONE UNIVERSITY

SUMMARY FROM TONIGHTS CLASS 3/17/2026

Summary

Rhinestone Design and AI Training

Ray welcomed participants to the meeting and discussed his previous training sessions on rhinestone design, templates, ChatGPT, and AI usage over the past three months. He explained his journey of creating the Rhinestone University group to connect with like-minded individuals and shared insights about different rhinestone application methods, including hand-setting and heat pressing. Ray also mentioned capturing meeting transcripts going forward and welcomed new attendees, including iPhone who was attending their first meeting.

Rhinestone Design and Class Updates

Ray demonstrated a rhinestone design on a shirt featuring a Ferrari logo, explaining the process of measuring the shirt and setting up the workspace. He announced that the new class starting date has been moved from May 1st to April 1st, and discussed plans for upcoming training sessions where founders will showcase their skills. Ray encountered some technical difficulties while searching for specific design templates, highlighting the importance of proper file naming practices.

Corel Draw Training and Restructuring

Ray demonstrated Corel Draw's auto-backup feature and discussed design techniques, including gang sheeting to optimize vinyl and rhinestone flock usage. He explained how to create mock-ups and showed different color variations of a car design, emphasizing the flexibility of rhinestone template creation. Ray announced plans to restructure the training program into a more school-like environment with structured lessons, leaderboards, and pre-released designs, while congratulating participants for joining the RHINESTON journey.

Design Class New Member Orientation

The meeting served as an introduction session for new members of a design class led by Ray. Several participants, including Lola, Sharon, Shonda, Iris, and Juana, shared their experiences working with Ray and using the Corel Draw and TRW Design Wizard software. Ray advised continuing to use Corel Draw 5.0 Pro until it is no longer supported before transitioning to version 6.0. Participants discussed the software requirements and subscription options for the latest versions.

CorelDraw Subscription Benefits Discussed

Ray recommended getting CorelDraw Graphics Suite 2026 with a subscription for future-proofing, especially for new users. He explained the benefits of monthly subscriptions over purchasing outright, including easier payment options and flexibility. The discussion touched on the recent price increases of CorelDraw and the potential for future price changes. Ray mentioned his current version (25) and considered upgrading to 2026 for access to new features, particularly the 6.0 Wizard, though he hasn't felt the need to upgrade yet.

TRW Software Version Installation Issues

Ray and Annie discussed differences in their TRW Design Wizard software versions, with Ray using version 5.12.3 and showing limited vinyl options while Annie had version 5.10 Pro with 35 different vinyl selections. Iris joined the conversation to report issues installing version 6.0 on a new PC, as the software kept rejecting her email address despite using the correct credentials. Ray offered to help Iris troubleshoot the installation issues, suggesting it might be related to Google Drive files and proposing to work together to resolve the problem with TRW support.

Rhinestone Design Training Restructure

Calverick discussed his work on integrating rhinestones and embroidery, using software like InbrEO and John Deere's EL for digitizing. Ray shared his experience starting with men's rhinestone apparel designs and praised the group's creativity with scatter patterns. Ray announced plans to restructure future trainings into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels to better accommodate different skill sets and ensure more focused learning.

Hat Design and Manufacturing Challenges

Calverick discussed his challenges with adding rhinestones to his hat designs, noting issues with scorching and exploring alternative methods like using a satin stitch. Ray shared his experience with hat presses, mentioning his ongoing search for the right equipment and expressing interest in a multi-attachment press for different hat types. Calverick also expressed interest in purchasing an industrial sewing machine to enhance his hat-making capabilities, including the potential to create custom designs and leather patches.

Children's Brand Preference Trends

The group discussed children's preference for trending brands over custom or homemade clothing. Ray shared his experience trying to encourage his children to wear custom-made items, but they preferred popular brands like Jordan and LeBron. Annie and Heyyyyy added that this behavior is common among children due to peer pressure and societal expectations, noting that even unique clothing can lead to teasing. Heyyyyy also mentioned their personal shift away from buying popular sneakers and toward supporting independent brands.

Uniforms, Tech, and Craft Insights

The group discussed peer pressure and school uniforms as a solution, with Sharon sharing her experience of implementing uniforms to reduce brand-related pressure on her children. The conversation then shifted to technology and crafting, where Ray emphasized the importance of niche specialization, using examples like Crystal who specializes in rhinestone cars. The discussion concluded with Sharnon asking about trade shows for crafters, to which Ray confirmed their existence and indicated he would provide more information soon.

Trade Shows and Small Build Update

The group discussed upcoming sewing and craft trade shows, including the applique event in July and various Sewing and Quilt Expos happening throughout the year in different cities. Ray shared his experience at a printing trade show in Las Vegas, highlighting advanced machinery. The conversation also touched on Baby's Booty's annual bling fling event. Ray announced that the group's small build journey was nearing completion with two seasons remaining, and future updates would be shared through their school platform.

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