The Big glue issue

I am often amazed at how many people are so misinformed by retail outlets regarding the glue thing. The worst thing about this is that in the end people get so confused as to what glue to do what with, they generally end up with a stock of every glue under the sun and rarely use any of them.

I don't know about every glue that there is on the market, yet I know enough about what to use on what to give you some basic fail-safe tips.

Glues with Nozzles:

Even though we sell a glue with a nozzle called Fast Tack glue, I again have never been able to get much success at getting the glue out of the nozzle in an arty fashion and have never been able to successfully use the nozzle as a pen nib.

Normally after about two or three tries I cut the top off, but then the glue dries up in the nozzle, I have tried many different types and still have never been able to successfully use a glue with a nozzle.

With Fast tack glue I just take the whole nozzle off and apply the glue to my projects with a paint brush, this is so much quicker and easier and I save myself the whole red faced steam coming out of ears bit because I cannot use the nozzle.

What do I recommend!

Well most of the time I use a Uhu Stick
Although they don't last too long, I don't mind this as you are always using a fresh glue, there's very little waste, it never goes off, you can't spill it and it's easy to clean.

What do I stick with UHU glue.

Handmade paper to card blanks
Metallic confetti's to card mounts.
Die cut shapes
Vellum papers and Mirror board
Glitters and accent beads
I thoroughly recommend it for all craft work, plus the best bit is no residue shows if you go over the edges.

Fast Tack glue:

I always have one of these on the go, again it works with all the above and it takes a few minutes to dry.
I tend to use Fast tack when sticking 3D shapes, things that may be a bit heavier like Paper Roses, I use an art brush to sliver a line of glue on the rose, I then press the rose on and it is stuck in moments
I also use Fast tack with beads/ miniatures etc. It's a very fast, strong glue.

Tulip 3D paints.

These are fabulous not for gluing things to one another but for use as a glue for glitters and accent beads. Tulip paints have a nozzle, you can get great results with a small amount of practice.

Practice drawing some simple dots in a pattern i.e. a heart. Then when finished sprinkle glitter or accent beads all over and then tap the excess off, leave to dry. You'll be amazed at the results.

You can use Tulip paints on any surface including fabric, they are so much easier to use than any glue I have come across, no mess, no globbing and you can get nice fine lines with practice.

Plus you can buy a selection of different types of nozzles so you can change the nozzle pattern which is great.

When using Tulip paint:

Always bring the pen towards you: To get straight lines
You can mix colors when wet, they do not run into each other
They will hold all glitters accent beads, pixie magic and look fantastic.
Once opened put a pin in the head and screw the top on:
Store upside down.
Their shelf life seems to be forever! Although after a few years you may need to give them a good shake!

Verse

Want to use verse in your cards but can't string two words together!

Well there is an easier way, it's called the public domain, you can find verse and poetry from some of the best authors of all time, you can use snippets or gain inspiration.

In the UK Copyright in literary lasts until 70 years after the death of the author, in the USA any work published prior to 1923 is also in the public domain.

Here's a list of web sites where you can find verse and poetry.

The complete works of Shakespeare
LionHeart A database of 1,000 love poems
bartleby.com Verse, fiction and non fiction
American Verse Project offers over 50 volumes of poetry published before 1920 by American poets.

Copyright © kookykards 2002