Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Whatcha Doin?

 

Mr. Spock and I were discussing glue. I know using glue depends on what is being glued. I can't seem to find a glue that is easy to work with except glue stick. Either the glue doesn't come out of the bottle because it's very thick (Crafter's Pick and Aileen's Super Tacky Glue), or it runs out and all over the place because it is very thin (Bearly Art Glue).

Jacqueline Sullivan, the instructor for the Book of Marks class I recently took had us use the Aileen's Super Tacky Glue. She said she prefers the Crafter's Pick because it is a "dry" glue and won't crack when dry. The watercolor paper in the book was good to use with the Tacky glue. She said the Crafter's Pick is getting hard to find.

The Bearly Art Glue boasted it wouldn't clog in its bottle. It lied. However, it hasn't clogged the Sugarbelle Icing Bottle, but it's very runny. Crafter's Pick doesn't come out its own bottle or out of the Sugarbelle bottle.

Glue sticks are wonderful for gluing thin sheets of paper. No fuss, no muss.

Not pictured is the tube of E6000 for heavy duty gluing of metal and stuff like that.

So you mixed media artists that glue papers and heavy duty papers like 140 lb. watercolor paper, small charms, buttons, ribbon. What glue do you use?

20 comments:

  1. I'm always looking for the perfect glue. One problem with glue sticks is many of them eventually cause your paper to pop up off the page. I have an Italian one right now (can't remember the name off the top of my head) that seems pretty good. What I want is a glue that doesn't get my fingers sticky but sticks on the paper. And doesn't run out from under the paper. I think Mr. Spock would agree because that would be logical-right? Happy Wednesday CJ.

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    1. Same here. The runniness is a problem with the Bearly glue.

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  2. OK I looked up the glue stick name I couldn't remember and it is Coccoina. Whether it will still be sticking in 5 years I don't know because I haven't been using it that long. But it sticks great. One thing I do like is matte medium. I am a fan if Dina Wakely brand, although it only comes in small jars which is a pain. I get mine on Amazon because I haven't seen it elsewhere. Under thick paper you need to use a lot of it. But it does hold down what you glue with it (you just have to push down on the paper to get it to stick) and it doesn't leave your hands as sticky as glue. The good news is it usually dries without any marks on the page (only if you leave a thick glob of it will you see it was there. Don't get glossy medium as you'll see the gloss. I also use Ranger's Glossy accents. It glues well, but if it leaks out from under something it leaves a glue mark, even if you wipe it off quickly. You can use it to make a clear somewhat shiny surface on top of paper. I put a pin or bent paperclip in the bottle's thin top opening to keep it from drying closed. It is fairly thick and not super runny. Occasionally I use something else like double sided tape or a sticky foam piece, but that's what I usually use.

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    1. I think not using enough of the matte medium was a problem I had once with thick papers.

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  3. When I was making my journals I used good 'ole Elmer's white glue. I bought it by the gallon and used brushes to apply. And then would either leave the glued pieces in a book press or under some heavy books until they dried. Hope this helps! 😊

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    1. Maybe the old-fashioned products are the best. Thanks

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  4. I remember when glue sticks were introduced. Or when I became aware of it anyway. So much easier with the kids than Elmer's.

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    1. Now if I can find a liquid glue with the convenience and no mess of a glue stick, I can die a happy camper

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  5. Now one would think gluing is easy... Bet Spock figures it out.

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  6. I use different glues for every occasion! Valerie

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  7. I'm with ya on glue not coming out of the bottle or being too thick.

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  8. Missed this post CJ! Most of my gluing is done with Liquitex Matte Medium.. I use that for most things paper related. If i need something a little more heavy duty i use Aileen's .. And heavy , heavy duty i use E6000.. Those are my go to's ... I like the convenience of glue sticks and less mess etc.. but glue sticks never stick well for me. Elmers Craft Bond extra strength has been the best glue stick i've used.. Hope you find something.. Hugs! deb

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    1. Thanks for the brands. I used the Liquitex Matte Medium for the Marks Book, but found that it didn't stick. Maybe I didn't use enough

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    2. I'am not sure why the Matte Medium would not stick. I have never had a problem... I often use it as a sealer too when i want a matte finish..

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  9. Crafter's Pick is my glue of choice when I want something to stay. I am still looking for it, too. I used to get it at Hobby Lobby. E6000 is my glue of choice for any and all things heavy. Both your glue sticks you showed work great. I used to be a UHU gluer, BUT getting the screw-on top off is hard for me due to my limited pinch grip. I got some Crayola glue sticks one time and it worked as good as the Scotch. The top was a bit hard to get off for me, but the nice thing is, it stands up and won't roll around on your craft space.

    I have never found a universal glue that actually worked for all my mixed media needs. When in doubt, I sew paper to paper and don't have to worry about glue!



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    1. Thanks CJ. The last time I bought it at Hobby Lobby it was $6.99 for 16 ozs. If Amazon is the only place I can get it, I will have to bite the bullet. BUT, for now, I'm going to check my local Hobby Lobby for a bottle that is less than half the price for twice as much.

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