Holden Angie - Hot Glue Hacks and Crafts: 50 Fun and Creative Decor, Fashion, Gift and Holiday Projects to Make with Your Glue Gun

Table of Contents Text and photographs copyright 2018 Angie Holden and Carolina Moore except as noted below. Design and concept copyright 2018 Ulysses Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized duplication in whole or in part or dissemination of this edition by any means (including but not limited to photocopying, electronic devices, digital versions, and the internet) will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Published by Ulysses Press P.O. Box 3440 Berkeley, CA 94703 www.ulyssespress.com ISBN: 978-1-61243-853-5 Library of Congress Catalog Number 2018944072 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Acquisitions editor: Casie Vogel Managing editor: Claire Chun Project editor: Claire Sielaff Editor: Lauren Harrison Proofreader: Shayna Keyles Front cover and interior design and layout: what!design @ whatweb.com Cover photographs: Angie Holden and Carolina Moore Interior photographs: Angie Holden and Carolina Moore except Embellished Pillow (page 43) Gina Luker; Fun Frames for Kids (page 45) Kara Rodgerson; Floral Art Decor (page 46) Jen Goode; Mason Jar Lid Wreath (page 48) Jessica Hill; Stamped Fabric Pillow (page 79) Carissa Bonham; photo of Kara Rodgerson (page 127) Shades of Green Multimedia; photos of Carissa Bonham (page 127) and authors (page 128) Amanda Fomaro Distributed by Publishers Group West IMPORTANT NOTE TO READERS: This book is independently authored and published and no sponsorship or endorsement of this book by, and no affiliation with, any trademarked brands or products mentioned or pictured within is claimed or suggested.

All trademarks that appear in this book belong to their respective owners and are used here for informational purposes only. The authors and publisher encourage readers to patronize the quality brands and products pictured and mentioned in this book. To Randy, who puts up with my constant crafting. To Rebecca and Matthew, who are always willing to inspire me and lend a hand. To Elizabeth: without you, I wouldnt have a home for any of my wreaths.And to Cain: you keep me young. AngieTo Jason, Logan, and Brandon, who inspire me every day.

To my mom, who taught me to question limits.And to my dad, who gave me my love of books. Carolina Contents Youll never look at a glue gun the same way again! From everyday uses to unbelievable hacks to faux creations made with hot glue, weve created the ultimate guide to stretching your glue gun to its limits. Hot glue is a go-to for most crafters because it is inexpensive, easy to store, and easy to use. A quick dab of hot glue can be found in thousands of crafting projects. But this book uses much more than a few dabs! We wanted to go beyond even our own preconceptions of how hot glue could be used. Any crafter will tell you that hot glue is a nearly ideal adhesive.

Its simple to use, quick to dry, and creates a strong bond on most materials. But for this book, we didnt limit hot glue to the role of an adhesivewe made it the star of the show. Using colored glue or glitter glue, painting the glue, or letting the translucent glue stand alone, the projects in this book show you how a simple glue gun and a few sticks of glue can create wonders. As professional crafters, we have our own hacks, our secret tips that were now sharing with you! Do you know how to make hot glue pliable again after it has cooled? What are the best tips for hot glue crafting with kids? How can you do more with hot glue than form blobs? We answer these questions and so many more in the project hacks. As you go through the pages of this book, we hope you not only make some of the 50 designs we have shared, but that you are inspired to create even more with hot glue! A glue gun is a handheld device that heats a glue stick to its melting point. The melting point varies depending on the type of glue stick and glue gun that you use.

After cooling, the glue bonds various surfaces together. The glue gun is a handy tool in your craft arsenal because it is so fastthe gun heats up quickly and once applied, the glue is super quick to cool. Always remember that a glue gun is HOT! Use caution and appropriate safety equipment when crafting. While we have done our best to mention all safety rules on each project, always use common sense and extreme caution when working with anything that is hot or sharp. You can purchase a glue gun almost anywhere, from dollar stores to craft stores to hardware stores. However, you may find variety limited at brick and mortar stores.

Widen your options by looking for specialty guns online. Here are a few features that you may want to keep in mind when searching for the glue gun of your dreams. The outer shell of the glue gun is designed to protect your hands from heat, but higher-temperature glue guns can still become warm to the touch. You never want to touch the tip (where the glue comes out of the gun) with your hand. Depending on the glue gun you purchase, there are a wide variety of tip options. Keep this in mind for your projects, as some tips offer more control over the flow and placement of the glue.

Look for guns that say detail or precision on the packaging if you require this accuracy. A high-quality glue gun will not drip continuously. There is a stopping mechanism that holds the glue behind the tip until the trigger is pulled. With these guns, you should only experience a small drip before the flow stops when not in use. Less expensive glue guns do not have this mechanism and allow the glue to drip continuously. There are two main types of triggers.

The first uses a single finger to activate and the second allows you to use your entire palm. People with diminished grip strength may want to shop for a glue gun with a larger trigger. Otherwise, choose whichever is more comfortable during your crafting. You will insert your glue sticks into the back of the glue gun. There are mini- and full-size diameters, depending on which glue gun you purchase. Most color and glitter hot glue sticks come in only mini-size, so consider this when purchasing a hot glue gun.

Finally, you have the cord of your glue gun (or the lack of cord, in some cases). A cordless glue gun is a great option for crafting on the go or when you dont want to be hindered by a wall outlet. The kind of glue gun you buy will depend on what projects youre working on. Variations in temperature, size, and precision are all factors to consider. Heres a look at some of whats on the market: High-temp: These glue guns get up to 400F, which produces a strong bond but can cause serious burns. Not recommended for use with children.

Low-temp: Sometimes you need a lower temperature. When dealing with foam or working with children or inexperienced crafters, be sure to pick up a low-temperature gun. Keep in mind that these get up to 120F, so youll still need to use caution. Multi-temp: These are glue guns that can switch between low and high temp. If you are looking for a single glue gun for your craft room, this would be a great option. Mini-size: If you want to use the mini-sized colored or glitter glue sticks, this is the perfect option.

Full-size: These are nice when using a large amount of hot glue, as you get more glue per stick. Professional: Want to take it up a level? A pro gun is the way to go. From interchangeable tips to built-in stands, you will never want to go back after using one of these guns. Specialty: From glue pens to glue pots, there are options on the market you may have never seen. Look for projects in this book using specialty equipment for ideas as to what these will do. Pick and choose from the factors above to make your glue gun wish list.