How do I add Swarovski crystals to the Havaianas on the strap that has the raised lettering of "Havaianas"?

If you add crystals to the strap as is then it looks uneven. Has anyone ever sanded down the lettering ar anything like sanding?? I was thinking of trying one of the type dremel tools... Any ideas?|||keep all your crystals in a display cabinet they are too pretty and delicate to have them on a strap of any kind.