Maybe junkie isn't the best word. I just think that sticking stuff to other stuff feels good. Why is that? I don't know. I have tried many different adhesives and sealants in my day, and these are my faves that make up the contents of my shelf/crafting kit. There is nothing worse than being so ready to finish a project, then not having the right glue or spray, so I keep these in stock at all time. Please if you have one I've overlooked or you think I need to try, share it in the comments! Get the full low down on the Best Crafting Adhesives and Sealants after the jump...
World's Best Crafty Adhesives and Sealants That Should Be In Your Kit
*in my humble opinion*
Glue
Aleene's is one of those brands that you just know makes good stuff. If you're ever in doubt just get Aleene's and you'll be fine. No, they don't pay us to say things like that. But if you work for Aleene's and you want to send me a giant box of magical glues and sprays, please go right ahead. The ones I can't live without:
Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue
, $1.72 for four ounces. The fall back glue for when you don't know what to use. Super strong and it's very useful that it is clear when your attention to detail is poor like mine.
Aleene's Crystal Clear Tacky Spray
, $4.49. Spray Adhesive is one of those things you don't think you need until you use it, then you're like, oh i should have always had this. It allows you to glue paper to paper (or other non-pourous stuff) with no lumps and bumps, and dries almost instantly. I like this one the best because you also have a few seconds to lift the item and re-position it before it dries.
Aleene's Stop Fraying
, $2.88 for four ounces. This is a white glue that dries clear that you use for fabric edges to keep them from fraying. It is handy if you serge to place a dot where two stitch lines meet. Also useful if you have a tiny hole in something and you want to keep it from getting bigger. I also use it on the edges of cotton webbing (like when I made the replacement Doll Stroller seat). It's just a great thing to have if you sew.
Aleene's Fabric Stiffening and Draping Liquid
, $5.70. This isn't something you MUST HAVE but it's pretty fun. It hardens fabric, from a little hard to hard-as-a-rock depending on how you use it. You can make firm bows and doily bowls and snowflakes, which make lovely gifts and cost so little. Just a fun thing to have!
Best Test Rubber Cement 
- $7.19. Honestly I just love this because it reminds me of being a kid in school and getting it on my fingers and peeling it off into a little ball.
And of course a Hot Glue Gun
, $4.85. I've had a super cheap mini one for over six years and it's all I've ever needed - from little paper projects to my king size headboard.
Sealants
Krylon Clear Polyurethane
, $4.79. This sealer basically puts a plastic coating on top of whatever you spray it on. It's very thin but it protects your finished project from moisture and the elements. I have noticed over time that it turns a slight shade of yellow, possibly only visible to me, but I have stopped using it for mod podge projects that are white or bright. I think it is best for wood projects and things meant to go outdoors and get rained on, in which case it is invaluable. I just picked up the can and it says "adds a warm luster" so I think that means "turns it slightly yellow" ha.
Aleene's Spray Acrylic Sealer
, $7.02. This is what I now use to seal all those Mod Podge
coasters and
vases and
step stools any other
decoupage project. Dries quickly, easy to apply, keeps the moisture out and retains the original color. If you decoupage you NEED THIS. If you don't use it your decoupaged items can suffer water damage, or worst of all, melt.
Mod Podge. I'm not going to bore you by explaining why you need this again. Just get some in
glossy
and
matte
and make some stuff! Search "mod podge" in our search box for projects.
So, do you agree with my selections? And what am i missing?? Share in the comments and you could win the awesome Cotton Candy Stripe Paper Baking Cups pictured up there on the left!
Labels: Supplies, Tips, Tools
28 Comments:
Love this post! For some reason I hesitate to spend ~$5 for glue, so it's really nice to see a breakdown of what you've tried and liked.
Personally, I get my kicks from throwing things away - it's actually one of the reasons I love scrapbooking: it allows you to get rid of all the ticket stubs, bits of streamer, etc. that "might work" in the album - and buying dishes, especially bowls. What can I say? they make me happy!
I love glue too, I have whole shelf for it!
I really like e6000 glue for projects where I am gluing metal to metal! I use it for all of my cover button jewelry in my etsy shop: http://www.lovieandboo.etsy.com I am going to try Aleene's spray adhesive next time I need that kind of glue. Thanks for the suggestion!
I have a box of glues. It's a pretty big box.
Hammer & Thread
You're missing E6000! I personally am not a glue gun devotee. I tend to sourch myself and make a huge, drippy mess. And I feel that it's not that permanent. Perhaps it's just me. So, instead I use E6000 for everything. And there's no budging once it's dry!
Starred this one, just half-way through reading it! Great reference. I hope you get a big box of can't-live-without-sticky-stuff from Aleene soon! Maybe they'll send one to me too!
Okay I have a few that I love in addition ......... I use most of the ones you posted about!!! I love a Zig Pen ....... they come in a fine point for all those small papers. I also love my Xyron machine to make stickers ....... and I use it for small pieces too when I am doing a paper piece project. And I use Zip Dry for felt if I am doing an embellishment on a card or buttons ...... and I love love glue dots :)
My aunt used to work for Alene's! She was the person they used in instructional videos etc. Too bad I was only 5 years old and couldn't take advantage of the family discount :-D
i cant recall the name, but in art school i had to buy this insane glue (and thats all it was, was glue, not multifunctional in any means) it was sold in a metal container similar to brasso, just larger. on the front of the can in large letters in said, WARNING: VAPORS MAY CAUSE A FLASH FIRE!
im sorry, but how is that warning supposed to prepare me for anything? really?
and i had to use it on almost every project, along with all my other Design I inmates. because of that, i'm slightly afraid of glue!
Thank you for this ... it's great, and I often wonder what really works when there are so many choices out there! :)
Yeah! Let's stick something together this week. (hee, hee) Love it!!
For those of us who don't sew, Fabri-tac is awesome because it doesn't soak through fabric; we use it for all our felt crafts!
love all the advice on the different kinds!
what do you use for fabric to fabric gluing? I was thinking a spray is the best option for my project.
Seeing your picture reminded me of being 6 years old and covering the palms of my hands with my mom's tacky glue just to peel it off. Thanks for that memory!
someone mentioned fabri-tac. works great. especially at eating through 3 layers of paint on my coffee table. straight to the wood.
also, paper source's pva glue is great for paper crafting and bookbinding. kinda similar to elmer's glue in texture, but dries clear and literally plastic-y.
Wow! What an informative post. I am impressed you have all your sealants/glues together, mine are a bit spread out around the house...
This post was genius. Nay--supergenius. I'm so glad I'm not alone in my glue obsession. Who knew all of us were looking for the perfect way to stick to things together?
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Wish someone would do something similar to this for brands available in the UK. Unfortunately I don't have the means to try them all out.
I love Fabritac for little fabric repairs that I don't want to mess with sewing together, like purse lining. E6000 is absolutely the best repair glue ever, especially for pottery. You put E6000 on, but use hot glue to hold it together while the E6000 is drying. Then you can peel off the hot glue, and it holds forever. I use it weekly to repair things my toddlers got a hold off.
Love your breakdown. E6000 is also in my glue tub, along with Liquid Fusion from Duncan. Very strong like E6000, but isn't as thick and in a bottle-I can never use a whole tube of E6000 without it drying or punching a hole in the metal tube. I usually stay away from glue guns, but found Surebonder best stik and LOVE it!
Love your breakdown. E6000 is also in my glue tub, along with Liquid Fusion from Duncan. Very strong like E6000, but isn't as thick and in a bottle-I can never use a whole tube of E6000 without it drying or punching a hole in the metal tube. I usually stay away from glue guns, but found Surebonder best stik and LOVE it!
I learned the hard way that some Alenes will cause scrap paper to wrinkle over time>
Hi, I was just wondering what you would use to glue card stock or paper to plastic poker chips?
Hi I was just wondering...about gluing a picture to a piece of wood. I am making an ornament from the Christmas tree stud you saw off. Do I use mod podge and acrylic sealer? or just one of those. I noticed the mod podge made the picture milky and dried on it but wasn't quite clear. I don't know how to use it so I out mod podge on the front and back of the picture. This was just on the practice picture on a practice piece of wood. please help!
jennifer - mod podge will smear with a photo. print the photo on a laser printer (not ink jet) and coat with gel medium then mod podge. a layer of sealer over the top will keep the mod podge from melting if you think it will get hot and can't hurt, but isn't necessary otherwise. remember to do thin coats of mod podge and let them dry completely between coats. you can also gently sand the coats if they feel too textured for your tastes.
sarah, to glue card stock to poker chips i would probably just use aleene's tacky glue. i'd lightly sand the poker chip first and coat the paper with the glue, then attach. a multipurpose glue would work fine.
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