Resin Glue stuck on you ...??
I make a lot of different things, Sometimes I have the need to use resins, or strong adhesives, or maybe waterproof washable fabric glue. I have experimented with a variety of adhesives and resins over the years, and have come up with a list of favourites for others who may suddenly have a pressing need for adhering that large heavy glass cabachon to that flimsy piece of tin bezel... or something.
This is MY OPINION ONLY, so don't blame me if you use the glues and end up sticking your nose to a pane of glass while mixing resins in a hot room with no ventilation and being committed to an institution for the criminally insane .......
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Best Jewellery Glue: E6000 Info on E6000 glue This stuff needs to be used in a WELL VENTILATED room, the vapours are noxious and I have read that they may contain a known carcinogen, so BE CAREFUL. You will be fine if you don't SNIFF the glue.. or use it in a tiny shut room with no air.
This glue is very strong, and is great for gluing metal jewellery findings, wood, most plastics, leather, glass, and other jewellery items for a very strong, need to be the Incredible Hulk to pull apart after setting type of glue.
I use this glue for the jewellery I make, and any hair slides or hair accessories that require gluing, this stuff is very strong and ideal for jewellery making.
It is expensive, but you only need a small drop , I believe it to be stronger than 'super glue' and glues more types of items than two part epoxy resin, it is also slightly flexible when dry so it is not likely to crack with use.
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Best all round Glue: Selleys Aquadhere PVA interior. Info about Selley's Aquadhere interior
This is an all round good glue, it is opaque and dries clear. I use it for felt projects that I am in no hurry to glue, it is great for decoupage both to glue paper/fabric on and to water down to use as a sealant for the project prior to varnishing. note that it cannot be sanded, so don't use it if you need to sand it back afterwards.
This glue is considered to be safe (non-toxic with no known nasties to hurt you in it) and as long as you wash up before the stuff sets, it can be cleaned up with water.
Useful for wood, felt, fabric, paper, comes in a variety of bottle sizes and a small amount goes a long way.
Also great watered down to use with paper for papier mache.
NOTE: not to be used for projects to be used in/ meant for areas where there may be prolonged contact with water (steam, ice.. water in all its forms..) the glue is water proof when set, but long term contact with water can make the glue go soft and the item may fall apart....
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Best Dimensional Glue/Resin: Magic Glos UV Resin info on Lisa Pavelka's magic glos UV resin No I didn't miss-spell gloss... The name of the resin is Magic-Glos UV Resin ...
I recently started using this after some unsatisfactory results with two part resins, and some other dimensional glue stuff that was cloudy, took too long to cure, or stunk the house out.
This stuff is brilliant, it needs UV light to cure, but I don't have a UV lamp and have used the very strong sunlight streaming through the lounge room window successfully, placing my items to cure on the window sill, this maybe doubles the time it would take to cure in a UV electric light, but still works well. Example, a thick coating of the resin may take five minutes to maybe seven minutes to dry under UV lamp, but ten to fifteen minutes to dry on the very sunny windowsill. It is still fast curing time for dimensional resin/ glue! If you are intending to place items to cure on the windowsill, make sure the sun is streaming on it, and keep the cat away...
It is non-toxic, doesn't stink, actually it has no discernible odour, and it cures to a slightly domed, clear, hard surface. I deal for creating cabochon effects on decoupaged bezel pendant settings! I also use it to make raised effects on fancy pictures on cardboard....
Watch Point: please make sure you have used a NON-WATER BASED varnish or sealant on the item you wish to cover with this, as it doesnt set well on water based stuff.
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Best Fabric Glue: Helmar Wash n Wear Glue info about the wash n wear fabric glue here
This glue is great for gluing appliques onto fabric, or to glue felt onto other felt or fabric if the item is intended to be able to be machine washed and dried. This glue once cured , which takes baout 48 hours, dries from opaque to a clear washable bond. It remains slightly flexible when dry so it is great to use with fabric that is meant to be moved.
NOTE: do not soak fabric that you have used this glue on (if you want the item to stay stuck on), although this is washable glue once cured, and can also be put in a machine drier, it is advisable not to soak items it has een used on as this may weaken the glued bond.
This is an Australian owned company and the glue is made in Australia.
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I have other items that I am currently reviewing for my own craft use, and will blog about them another time.. I have more glues to list as well... but I shall unstick myself from the keyboard and go and make a coffee....
If anyone else has a glue or resin they think is worth a mention please comment on this blog, I am always interested to hear about glues, resins, varnishes... stuff.. for craft.
/\^^/\
This is MY OPINION ONLY, so don't blame me if you use the glues and end up sticking your nose to a pane of glass while mixing resins in a hot room with no ventilation and being committed to an institution for the criminally insane .......
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best Jewellery Glue: E6000 Info on E6000 glue This stuff needs to be used in a WELL VENTILATED room, the vapours are noxious and I have read that they may contain a known carcinogen, so BE CAREFUL. You will be fine if you don't SNIFF the glue.. or use it in a tiny shut room with no air.
This glue is very strong, and is great for gluing metal jewellery findings, wood, most plastics, leather, glass, and other jewellery items for a very strong, need to be the Incredible Hulk to pull apart after setting type of glue.
I use this glue for the jewellery I make, and any hair slides or hair accessories that require gluing, this stuff is very strong and ideal for jewellery making.
It is expensive, but you only need a small drop , I believe it to be stronger than 'super glue' and glues more types of items than two part epoxy resin, it is also slightly flexible when dry so it is not likely to crack with use.
Best all round Glue: Selleys Aquadhere PVA interior. Info about Selley's Aquadhere interior
This is an all round good glue, it is opaque and dries clear. I use it for felt projects that I am in no hurry to glue, it is great for decoupage both to glue paper/fabric on and to water down to use as a sealant for the project prior to varnishing. note that it cannot be sanded, so don't use it if you need to sand it back afterwards.
This glue is considered to be safe (non-toxic with no known nasties to hurt you in it) and as long as you wash up before the stuff sets, it can be cleaned up with water.
Useful for wood, felt, fabric, paper, comes in a variety of bottle sizes and a small amount goes a long way.
Also great watered down to use with paper for papier mache.
NOTE: not to be used for projects to be used in/ meant for areas where there may be prolonged contact with water (steam, ice.. water in all its forms..) the glue is water proof when set, but long term contact with water can make the glue go soft and the item may fall apart....
Best Dimensional Glue/Resin: Magic Glos UV Resin info on Lisa Pavelka's magic glos UV resin No I didn't miss-spell gloss... The name of the resin is Magic-Glos UV Resin ...
I recently started using this after some unsatisfactory results with two part resins, and some other dimensional glue stuff that was cloudy, took too long to cure, or stunk the house out.
This stuff is brilliant, it needs UV light to cure, but I don't have a UV lamp and have used the very strong sunlight streaming through the lounge room window successfully, placing my items to cure on the window sill, this maybe doubles the time it would take to cure in a UV electric light, but still works well. Example, a thick coating of the resin may take five minutes to maybe seven minutes to dry under UV lamp, but ten to fifteen minutes to dry on the very sunny windowsill. It is still fast curing time for dimensional resin/ glue! If you are intending to place items to cure on the windowsill, make sure the sun is streaming on it, and keep the cat away...
It is non-toxic, doesn't stink, actually it has no discernible odour, and it cures to a slightly domed, clear, hard surface. I deal for creating cabochon effects on decoupaged bezel pendant settings! I also use it to make raised effects on fancy pictures on cardboard....
Watch Point: please make sure you have used a NON-WATER BASED varnish or sealant on the item you wish to cover with this, as it doesnt set well on water based stuff.
------------------------------------------------------------
Best Fabric Glue: Helmar Wash n Wear Glue info about the wash n wear fabric glue here
This glue is great for gluing appliques onto fabric, or to glue felt onto other felt or fabric if the item is intended to be able to be machine washed and dried. This glue once cured , which takes baout 48 hours, dries from opaque to a clear washable bond. It remains slightly flexible when dry so it is great to use with fabric that is meant to be moved.
NOTE: do not soak fabric that you have used this glue on (if you want the item to stay stuck on), although this is washable glue once cured, and can also be put in a machine drier, it is advisable not to soak items it has een used on as this may weaken the glued bond.
This is an Australian owned company and the glue is made in Australia.
------------------------------------------------------------
I have other items that I am currently reviewing for my own craft use, and will blog about them another time.. I have more glues to list as well... but I shall unstick myself from the keyboard and go and make a coffee....
If anyone else has a glue or resin they think is worth a mention please comment on this blog, I am always interested to hear about glues, resins, varnishes... stuff.. for craft.
/\^^/\
why sell on etsy
etsy, the site to buy and sell hand crafted or vintage items and supplies first went live to the internet in June 2005, some people have actual businesses on there, and their etsy shop frionts are either as well as or instead of a physical store. Others list on etsy as a hobby, or visit the site to locate some cool unique handmade items, vintage wares, or craft supplies to buy for themselves or as gifts for others.
Im on etsy for a bit of fun, i make stuff all the time , give stuff to friends and family, keep some stuff for myself, .. and as i make so many often quite diverse items, I thought i would try to sell my overflow of handmade things on etsy. I have had one sale in the month i have been on etsy, and as this is a hobby and not my source of income, that's fine.
For some people, etsy is where they hope to make a real go at a business, and if sales are slow to start can be put off by the lack of interest in their wares.
The etsy community, i think, is more than a group of people who buy or sell hanging out in a virtual place that sells things. It is a place where like minded people can interact and discuss their handicraft interests, and provide support and encouragement to each other, their fellow craftsmen and women.
In the month I have been on etsy, I have met (in a virtual sense) people from all over the world who have similar interests to me, or who have brilliant ideas and creativity that they are happy to share with others, or people who have had really bad times and are using etsy as an outlet to help them to relax and rejuvenate their minds.
I think that etsy has grown into something even more than first envisioned by the small company who dreamed it up, iospace. ever thought it would.
Im on etsy for a bit of fun, i make stuff all the time , give stuff to friends and family, keep some stuff for myself, .. and as i make so many often quite diverse items, I thought i would try to sell my overflow of handmade things on etsy. I have had one sale in the month i have been on etsy, and as this is a hobby and not my source of income, that's fine.
For some people, etsy is where they hope to make a real go at a business, and if sales are slow to start can be put off by the lack of interest in their wares.
The etsy community, i think, is more than a group of people who buy or sell hanging out in a virtual place that sells things. It is a place where like minded people can interact and discuss their handicraft interests, and provide support and encouragement to each other, their fellow craftsmen and women.
In the month I have been on etsy, I have met (in a virtual sense) people from all over the world who have similar interests to me, or who have brilliant ideas and creativity that they are happy to share with others, or people who have had really bad times and are using etsy as an outlet to help them to relax and rejuvenate their minds.
I think that etsy has grown into something even more than first envisioned by the small company who dreamed it up, iospace. ever thought it would.
reusable gothic gift bags
Today I am working on reusable gift bags. Making them out of acrylic felt so that they are sturdy , i think our American friends could also use them as 'trick or treat' bags.. but i think reusable gift bags works for me...
A smallish mass produced paper and cardboard gift bag from a shop costs around $5 , I am selling these handmade unique and quality bags for $5 ... yet they are so much better than the mass produced flimsy stuff in shops!
ETSY LISTING: reusable gift bag $5 AUD
A smallish mass produced paper and cardboard gift bag from a shop costs around $5 , I am selling these handmade unique and quality bags for $5 ... yet they are so much better than the mass produced flimsy stuff in shops!
ETSY LISTING: reusable gift bag $5 AUD
Blank Blog syndrome
I am tired, no, i am beyond tired. I have got to the point where it makes my brain 'hurt' to have to think out anything more complex than the innate actions of breathing, swallowing .. possibly walking.. make that kind of staggering......I am exhausted.
I opened the blog page, and thought I will relax my tired mind by writing some prose of little merit but of a cathartic value to myself, but then I was struck with the whiteness of the blog field on the screen.. could not bring myself to type..anything... and my mind could not think of one single thing to write......it was at that moment that I realised I had been afflicted with blank blog syndrome... (cue dramatic music)
At times in my life I have had blank canvas syndrome... when I had been asked to paint something specific for someone, got all my paints ready.. and then just stared in terror at the pristine blankness of the stretched canvas... then there has been conventional writers block.. at work, when i need to finish a report, i have all the data ready, open up a word document.. and then get that clutch of fear as I realise.. the words arent there!!!
So tonight I fear I have blank blog syndrome...
and because of that I think i shall go and open a bottle of apple, lime, strawberry cider, grab a book, and go and relax.
<end transmission>
I opened the blog page, and thought I will relax my tired mind by writing some prose of little merit but of a cathartic value to myself, but then I was struck with the whiteness of the blog field on the screen.. could not bring myself to type..anything... and my mind could not think of one single thing to write......it was at that moment that I realised I had been afflicted with blank blog syndrome... (cue dramatic music)
At times in my life I have had blank canvas syndrome... when I had been asked to paint something specific for someone, got all my paints ready.. and then just stared in terror at the pristine blankness of the stretched canvas... then there has been conventional writers block.. at work, when i need to finish a report, i have all the data ready, open up a word document.. and then get that clutch of fear as I realise.. the words arent there!!!
So tonight I fear I have blank blog syndrome...
and because of that I think i shall go and open a bottle of apple, lime, strawberry cider, grab a book, and go and relax.
<end transmission>
Just Discovered Artist Trading cards (ACEO/ATS)
I have just started doing quick 'art' pieces on thick cartridge cardstock that is 2.5" * 3.5", similar to the size of collectable trading cards. They are called ACEO or ATC.
ACEO = Art Cards Editions and Originals also known as Artist trading cards or ATCs are collectable once off piece of art works that began in the tradition of business cards, but with a personal, artistic and most of all UNIQUE twist.
I will experiment with different media, I have just completed an acrylic paint ACEO of my zombie cat character, and will be working on other themes, images, and media as i experiment with ACEO.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4808983_collect-miniature-art-_aceo_.html
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| Freda the Fruitbat ACEO |
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| Halftail the Cat ACEO |
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| Greenwich the Zombie cat ACEO |
DON'T bring on the clowns
Hands up who finds clowns creepy??
Personally I have always been quite terrified of them. Some unknown humanoid form in baggy pants and face completely covered... who knows what was lurking behind the white face and clown pants??? My clown paranoia has often been laughed about (excuse the pun), however it appears I am most definitely not alone.
I read a report about children disliking and/or being scared of the clown images used in medical facilities... the aim by the well meaning adults was to make the kids feel less intimidated by the medical surroundings, however that appears to have backfired.
see the report here http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7189401.stm
Join me people.. say NO to clowns!!
Personally I have always been quite terrified of them. Some unknown humanoid form in baggy pants and face completely covered... who knows what was lurking behind the white face and clown pants??? My clown paranoia has often been laughed about (excuse the pun), however it appears I am most definitely not alone.
I read a report about children disliking and/or being scared of the clown images used in medical facilities... the aim by the well meaning adults was to make the kids feel less intimidated by the medical surroundings, however that appears to have backfired.
see the report here http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7189401.stm
Join me people.. say NO to clowns!!
Resin and how it sets
I use resin in some of the items i make, casting resin usually as it is strong, stays clear, and has a lovely finish to it. This type of resin will set eventually on its own...think 10 months or so in sunlight and air.... however to speed the process up one uses a catalyst. In this case i used a small amount of MEK peroxide to accelerate the process of heating and setting of the resin.
If I had ever been in any doubt about how hot the resin gets as it sets, I can assure you all, that subsequent to spilling a large blob of mixed resin on my hand... the heat generated is extreme and is fast to get to maximum heat.... resin in its liquid state is also highly corrosive... just as well i was the only human in the house at the time.. as i *may* have screamed like a bratty two year old, with the pain of the chemical burn on my hand....
even as it was burning me.. the first aid certified part of me was yelling in my head...'rinse with water rinse with water..quick' .. oh please do you really think i listen to myself????
After al that.. here is a pic of a necklace i made... it is a portrait of a character i have created called Greenwich the zombie cat.. set in resin topped with a glass cabochon and fixed to a satin green cord.
If I had ever been in any doubt about how hot the resin gets as it sets, I can assure you all, that subsequent to spilling a large blob of mixed resin on my hand... the heat generated is extreme and is fast to get to maximum heat.... resin in its liquid state is also highly corrosive... just as well i was the only human in the house at the time.. as i *may* have screamed like a bratty two year old, with the pain of the chemical burn on my hand....
even as it was burning me.. the first aid certified part of me was yelling in my head...'rinse with water rinse with water..quick' .. oh please do you really think i listen to myself????
After al that.. here is a pic of a necklace i made... it is a portrait of a character i have created called Greenwich the zombie cat.. set in resin topped with a glass cabochon and fixed to a satin green cord.
Why do weekends go faster than the working week?
Don't get me wrong, most of the time I enjoy my job, I work with computers and data a lot, and that is just right for me. On weekends I spend a lot of time designing and creating things, which I have a feeling I enjoy far more than my real job....
Weekends go super fast.. I am hectically drawing designs and working out what resources I need to realise my ideas into ..things... the weekend zooms past while I am engrossed in creativity.. and then suddenly its Monday morning.. and my husband yells out ' hey get up are you going to work' .. as he is already clothed and almost out the door to get to work..
If only I could put independently wealthy and could spend my days being creative.....
see my latest item, a bat gothic type messenger bag, on etsy.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80573281/halloween-gothic-messenger-bag-with-bat
Also a nifty reusable notepad cover with mini notepad included
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80
Weekends go super fast.. I am hectically drawing designs and working out what resources I need to realise my ideas into ..things... the weekend zooms past while I am engrossed in creativity.. and then suddenly its Monday morning.. and my husband yells out ' hey get up are you going to work' .. as he is already clothed and almost out the door to get to work..
If only I could put independently wealthy and could spend my days being creative.....
see my latest item, a bat gothic type messenger bag, on etsy.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80573281/halloween-gothic-messenger-bag-with-bat
Also a nifty reusable notepad cover with mini notepad included
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80
welcome to my Blog
Years ago, when the www was kind of new and people were still in awe of this new fangled internet thing, I had started a web journal. I soon lost interest in it and went back to reading, playing with my pets, playing music, and making stuff.
This weekend I started to sell my hand made stuff on etsy, (/www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat ) and it was then that I noticed people writing about all sorts of things blogging about their handicrafts, writing about their pets, sharing pictures, recipes etc....and whether what they say interests others or not, i suppose it is kind of cathartic to rave online to an anonymous audience. I figured I will try my little gothic paws at web logs.. or blogs once again... technology has improved so much since I first tried a web journal.. so why not give it a go!
This weekend I started to sell my hand made stuff on etsy, (/www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat ) and it was then that I noticed people writing about all sorts of things blogging about their handicrafts, writing about their pets, sharing pictures, recipes etc....and whether what they say interests others or not, i suppose it is kind of cathartic to rave online to an anonymous audience. I figured I will try my little gothic paws at web logs.. or blogs once again... technology has improved so much since I first tried a web journal.. so why not give it a go!
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