Given that this is another August Archive update, I wanted to take a break from the Resin Jewellery book I’m writing (65 projects and counting!) and share a tip on attaching 3-D items to cards.
Several people have asked me what glue I use to attach these items for cards. Really, my go-to glues are the ones always on my table: Liquid Fusion, Beacon’s 3-in-1 and Aleene’s Tacky Glue.
These three are the best I’ve found for gluing embellishments. Since I live in Poland, it’s impossible to find any of these glues in the shops, so I make sure to have plenty on hand. It’s super-frustrating if you find yourself in a bind and have to buy a cheap, non-craft glue that doesn’t work. Having said, one big trick is not necessarily the glue but the time and the pressure while the glue is drying. So here’s what I do:
1. Tie your bow/knot your ribbon/get your button and place it on the card. If the button has a shank (the bumpy bit on the back where you would thread) then you might want to make the back surface level by putting foam tape around the shank, like this:
2. Place the card on a flat, sturdy surface. I use giant clear acrylic blocks—they’re meant for those really jumbo stamps—and place my card on top. This is mainly so I can lift the entire piece off my work surface and place it somewhere else while it dries.
3. Glue the embellishment in place. Use enough glue to adhere it without oversaturating it. Some ribbons are absorbent and often change color when too much glue soaks in. Silk ribbon is particularly sensitive!
4. Place a second clear acrylic block on top. The reason I prefer a clear block to a book? Because too often I’ve used a book but not noticed when the embellishment has slipped or slid out of place—sometimes, a button moving even just a smidge will make a difference in the overall design. With a clear block you can see that the embellishment is “setting” in the right spot.
Clear plates from your embossing machine (I’m looking at my Cuttlebug) would also work.
5. Let dry. I usually give it 15-20 minutes before checking. It’s better to allow a bit more time instead of picking at it before it’s secure.
Hope you enjoyed the tip! Happy Wednesday!
Great tip! Thanks so much for sharing! I always wonder if things moved when I use a book to hold things down. And…if it did it’s too late. : ( Hugs!!