The Search for the Sticky

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By Reporter Colleen Schaan

Any crafter knows that finding just the right adhesive can be a sticky situation (sorry for the pun…I couldn’t resist). In my opinion, many adhesive products offer promises they just can’t keep, so I am on a search for the sticky!

Wanna hear what my experiences have been? (Of course you do…many of you have had the same ones and misery loves company right?)

As a novice paper crafter, I used regular old Elmer’s…big mistake! Wet paper blobs and wrinkles ruined my projects no matter how little I used. I quickly moved to Elmer’s Craft Bond Rubber Cement. I liked the cost, the ease of application, and the ability to “move” layers for a few seconds after attaching. I liked how I could easily rub off any extra glue that seeped out after it dried by just gently rubbing my finger over it. I also liked the permanence of this adhesive…until I moved into a home with LOTS of windows in my craft room. All of the cards I created using Rubber Cement quickly fell apart after just a week or two in the sun. (Bummer Dude – I thought I had a winner!)

No longer a novice, I started using Stampin’ Up’s Snail Adhesive when I became a demonstrator. (I later found out that SU uses the Tombow Mono Adhesive brand product.) I LOVE my snail adhesive…so very easy to use. I hate getting gunky fingers and this was the perfect “clean hands” product. I can get adhesive exactly where I need it (except very small spaces) and there is no run-off when layers are pressed down. There are no wrinkles, bubbles, or wet spots. Again, I thought I found a winner in the search for the perfect adhesive…until the layers on my swaps started falling off.

I was so dejected! I had found two adhesives that I really thought were perfect. Why couldn’t they just HOLD? After all…they both said “permanent” on the packages. So my search continued.

I just recently found a new adhesive to try out. I wanted to give Tombow another try, so I purchased a Tombow Mono Aqua (Liquid Glue) with dual applicators. The pen tip is awesome at getting the glue into the smallest of spaces while the broad tip can be used for general application. Like the rubber cement, I like the fact that I can “adjust” a layer as I am attaching it due to the slower drying time. (This may not sound like a big deal, but as I don’t always get the layer on perfect, I often find myself making minor adjustments before I press down.) Even though it is a liquid, the broad applicator tip has minute “bristles” to spread the glue evenly, eliminating blotches and bubbles in the paper. The best part? Nothing (and I mean NOTHING) is going to fall apart after using Tombow’s Mono Aqua. (Why they can’t get that staying power in the Snail is beyond me.) The only complaint I have is that my cards are starting to curl…just the areas where I have used the Mono Aqua. My solution? I keep my card “pressed” under a stamp box for a night or two and that seems to do the trick. I am happier, but it is still not perfect.

My latest acquisition in the search for the sticky is a trio of UHU glue sticks. (Pronounced “You Who”) I have not had the opportunity to use them a lot, but I can tell you already…I don’t like ‘em. Why? Glue sticks = gunky fingers!

So for now I will stick with my Tombow Mono Aqua (sorry, I still can’t resist) until I read about something better. Glad gluing to you all!