Wednesday, 29 May 2013
In my time being a crafty busybody, I have tried various types of glue. Some worked, some did not.
So I'm going to share a few types that I've used, some pro's and con's, and my personal opinion on what to use.
- Hot glue gun - Hot glue guns are great!
I love them when I'm working with ribbon, or decorating containers with paper or fabric.
I've found that using hot glue for jewellery is a very big no-no. It doesn't provide the strength you need for the intricate details that go into jewellery, not to mention it it's highly unsightly.
- AB 2 part epoxy glue - When people say price matters, it's definitely the truth with this glue. AB epoxy is a 2 part glue that is super cheap (only $2-3) but is terrible! The initial hold is great, but I've found that it doesn't tend to stay that way.
Not to mention the smell. Pee-Yew!
- Craft glue - Definitely a glue you would want to keep in your arsenal if you like working with fabric, embellishments or scrapbooking.
Not a great glue for jewellery work though as it's not strong enough.
- PVA Glue - PVA is great for scrapbooking, fabric, mixing with paint or can even be used to make cold Porcelain clay.
Not a good choice for jewellery, but great for use with kids as it's generally non-toxic and washable.
- E6000 - E6000 is my weapon of choice when it comes to assembling jewellery. It's strong, dries clear and hard.
It does have a strong smell, so working in a well ventilated area is advised. It does dry relatively quickly, but you generally have at least a solid 10-15 minutes to move things to the desired positions. From experience, I recommend getting it in the smaller tubes as the larger ones have issues with glue getting stuck in the lid/around the tube and making it difficult to put the cap back on.
- Mod Podge - Mod Podge has often been described as an all-in-one glue, sealant and finish. It's water-based and non-toxic and incredibly versatile.
It can be used with fabric, for scrapbooking, for photo collages, transfers and more. It does come in many different bottles (for different uses) so remember to look before you buy!
I hope you have enjoyed this mini-tutorial. Please remember that I am in no way a professional and doing your own research is advised.
Keep calm and craft on, crazy crafters! Love Hannah xo
