Not to be sniffed at

Quite often, on my trip around the desks, I see crafters who have a variety of glues. In fact sometimes, more glue that I have paint. It's funny how we're all wired so differently, yet practice the same sort of hobby.

I'm too impatient to use glue unless I absolutely have to. Drying time is always an issue for me. I still can't decide if this is because it means I have to leave things to dry and therefore they aren't finished - moving away from the desk with unfinished stuff is deeply dis-satisfying for me, or if it's simply because it has never occurred to me to use glue. I 'learned' card making and stamping from a couple of masters who used tape. And I use acid free tape in my scrapbooking, so I guess I've just not met a reason to change. 

A vignette from my work desk....my glue 'collection'

Neet said that her friend Mary has spent years (and therefore probably $$) trying out glues and only now thinks she's found 'the one'. It was that remark that triggered my thoughts on glue, really. I wonder how much she uses and if it's her adhesive of choice in any situation. At workshops, and probably at home as well, The Librarian uses photo glue for sticking even flat stuff. She says, and I really agree and think it's very sensible, that the wet glue gives her a few seconds to straighten or jauntily angle stuff that tape doesn't. True dat. I use wet glue for dimensional embellishments or where I think even the red tape wont be up to it. I have to think twice about using it though. Perhaps I'm clumsy.

I recognise and understand the need for glue, but because I'm a tape gal, I never thought it was that important, but in fact, even  in my small collection, each has different jobs. Obviously, the dimension gained by silicone glue is great. If you remember not to squash the damn item flat into the stuff because you aren't used to working with it. I often opt for this instead of foam pads when I'm doing scrapbook pages. No specific reason, I think somewhere at the back of my mind I think it may last into perpetuity. Totally don't know.

The PVA  (Aileen's) is there because we use it as home glue as well as it being the one I can control well enough to make a clean sticking of buttons and other non porous surfaces. And because we all like peeling it off our fingers once dried. Don't we? The little glue is a really cost effective one and for wet glue, relatively quick drying. Its by Dovecraft and was developed for quilling. Sticks paper to paper really well...but it is runny and I can make the most awful mess with it, quickly. Argh.
So that's a reveal isn't it? Something you didn't know about me? Perhaps the wet glue thing is the beginning of the reason why I don't do paints and journals and things too...I dunno. If there are any psychologists reading this, you're welcome to tell me what I think! As for you other nutters....tapes or glue? I'm really curious to know!