how to melt glue sticks

How to Melt Glue Sticks.

Glue sticks can be melted down for a number of applications. Whether used in crafts, manufacturing, packaging, fashion, or in any other creative function, glue sticks are a cheap and easy to come by product. All-purpose or school glue sticks and hot glue gun sticks can both be melted in the microwave, and hot glue gun sticks can, of course, be melted in a glue gun. If handled carefully and done properly, the processes are extremely quick and can help you adhere all kinds of surfaces to one another.







Microwaving Glue Sticks







Remove the glue sticks from their original packaging. All-purpose or school glue sticks can be unscrewed and pulled or broken off from their plastic casings. Hot glue gun sticks simply need to be removed from any packaging or wrappers.

Make sure there are no plastics or other wrappings in or on the glue you want to melt. Most wrappings and plastics are not intended to be melted and can be unsafe to do so.

If your glue stick has a plastic piece through the center, carefully cut the glue away from the plastic using a knife.



Put the stick(s) into a microwave-safe dish. Since the glue will be very messy and hard to clean, use a single-use paper bowl. If you are dedicating the dish to the craft of melting glue sticks, a ceramic or glass mug or bowl will also work.

Be sure the glue sticks are fully inside of the dish. If they overhang the mug or bowl, they will melt outside of the dish.

Start with smaller quantities to test how long your particular glue takes to melt.



Microwave the glue on full power in 20-second intervals. Depending on your microwave and amount of glue, you should at least be able to partially melt the sticks. If there are still solids, microwave the glue for an additional 20 seconds after stirring it with a craft stick or plastic spoon.

Do not leave the microwave unattended. If something goes wrong, you should be there to stop the microwave.

Do not heat the sticks for extended periods of time. It may look like nothing is wrong while it heats, but overheating the glue can create fumes that are unsafe.



Remove the glue from the microwave carefully. You should use it immediately, but be careful as the glue will be quite hot. Depending on how long it was heated, the dish can be hot as well.

Use the glue fresh out of the microwave so it will be easy to apply.

If the glue re-hardens, simply microwave it for another 20 seconds.







Melting Glue Sticks with a Glue Gun





Obtain a glue gun at least as big as the glue sticks. Only use hot glue sticks intended for glue guns—not all-purpose or school glue sticks. If the sticks won’t fit into the glue gun, you cannot melt them. If the sticks are too small, you will just have to use your hand to feed them through.

Make sure your glue sticks are meant for a glue gun. You should not use other types of glue sticks because they can damage your glue gun.



Plug in the glue gun over cardboard or newspaper. As the tip of the gun heats, the gun may start to drip as it melts. By putting a piece of cardboard or newspaper underneath, you can protect your working surface.

Always follow the instructions specific to your glue gun regarding electricity and timing.

Do not leave a glue gun unattended. They can tip over or otherwise cause severe burns if you are not careful.



Squeeze the trigger of the glue gun to feed the sticks. If the sticks match the size of the glue gun, the trigger will allow the stick to press and feed through the heated tip. The glue will then melt and drip out wherever you point the gun.

Do not touch the metal tip of the gun or the melting glue. They will both be extremely hot.

If the glue is not feeding through, it may either be too large of a stick or may still be heating up.

If your glue stick is smaller than the glue gun, you will have to push from the back end of the stick to feed it through.

Use gloves to protect your hands from the heated materials.



Insert another stick once the first no longer feeds through. If the gun or your fingers can no longer safely feed the first stick through the rear of the glue gun, use another glue stick to press it through. It will then be caught by the plastic feeding mechanism and continue melting.





Warnings.

Do not touch melted glue. It will be extremely hot and adhere to your skin, making the burn worse.

Do not inhale melted glue fumes. Some glues are non-toxic, but not all of them are. Regardless, the fumes can be dangerous, and you may need to wear a respirator while working.

November 13, 2019

How to Make a Pom‐Pom Polar Bear

How to Make a Pom‐Pom Polar Bear.

This winter, you and your family can make an adorable family of polar bears with just a few pom-poms and some chenille stems. With a little glue and a pair of scissors, you can craft an adult pom-pom polar bear as well as a cute baby bear. You can also make a scarf wearing pom-pom polar bear to use as a decoration.

Method 1 Crafting an Adult Pom-Pom Polar Bear.

1. Make the four legs. Take two white chenille stems and cut them in half. Then coil each half-stem around a half-inch (1.25 cm) diameter marker. You will wrap the stem around the marker about five times to create an individual leg. Repeat this process with the remaining stem halves and then glue them onto a two-inch (5 cm) white pom-pom so that they resemble the four legs and body of a polar bear.

2. Put together the head. Cut a chenille stem in half and twist it around the back of a one-inch (2.5 cm) white pom-pom. Coil the ends of the stem towards the pom-pom to create the bear’s ears.

3. Glue the head to the body. Apply some glue to the back of the head where you attached the ears. This will give you plenty of space to make your bear’s face. Then attach it to the front side of the body.

4. Add the face and tail. Glue a half-inch (1.25 cm) sparkly white pom-pom to the front lower section of the bear’s head. Take a mini black pom-pom and glue it to the front end of the sparkly pom-pom to create a nose. Then glue two mini black pom-poms above the nose to create the bear’s eyes. Finally, attach a half-inch (1.25 cm) white pom-pom to the back of the bear’s body to create a tail.

Method 2 Making a Baby Pom-Pom Polar Bear.

1. Glue together the body. With your hot glue gun, attach a half-inch (1.25 cm) white pom-pom to the bottom side of a one-inch (2.5 cm) white pom-pom. Add three more half-inch pom-poms to the same side to create the baby bear’s legs. Once attached, the legs should support the larger pom-pom and hold it off the ground.

2. Attach the ears and head. With a pair of scissors, cut a three-inch (7.6 cm) piece of chenille stem. Bend the stem into a heart shape, with the ends curling in towards each other. Glue the heart-shaped stem between the front end of the body and a half-inch (1.25 cm) sparkly pom-pom to create the head.

3. Make the face and tail. Glue a mini black pom-pom to the lower front section of the head to make a nose. Attach two mini-black pom-poms slightly above the nose to create the eyes. Cut a half-inch (1.25 cm) piece of white chenille and glue it to the back of the body to serve as a tail.

Method 3 Building a Sitting Pom-Pom Polar Bear with a Scarf.

1. Make the body. Glue a one-inch (2.5 cm) pom-pom to the top of a two-inch (5 cm) pom-pom to create the head and body of your bear. Then take two mini white pom-poms and glue them to the top of the head to make the ears. Be sure to keep a little space between the ears.

You can find pom-poms, wiggly eyes and chenille stems at your local crafts store.

2. Attach the face. Glue a mini black pom-pom to the lower front of the bear’s head. Slightly above the nose, attach two small wiggly eyes. The eyes should be about halfway between the ears and the nose.

3. Add the limbs and a scarf. Glue four mini pom-poms to the front side of the bear’s body to make the legs. Attach a fifth mini pom-pom to the back for a tail. Make sure that the two bottom legs and the tail allow the bear to sit and keep it upright. Finally, wrap a three-inch (7.6 cm) piece of red or silver chenille stem around the bear’s neck to serve as a scarf.

When you attach the scarf, do not get it so snug around the bear’s neck that it pops the head off.

Things You’ll Need.

Assorted sizes of white, black, and sparkly white pom-poms, A half-inch (1.25 cm) diameter marker

Silver and white chenille stems, Wiggly eyes, A hot glue gun or craft glue, Scissors.

Warning.

Because the hot glue may burn them, it is important that you monitor your children if they are making the pom-pom bears.

Desember 03, 2019

how to make seashell fish easy craft

how to make seashell fish easy craft

You’re home from the beach with a collection of shells.  And now you need something to do with all of them! While we have these adorable seashell creatures on the blog, the kids will love making this school of seashell fish too! They’d look great in a shadowbox frame on your child’s bedroom wall.



Fish made out of sea shells.



SEASHELL FISH.

No trip to the beach this summer? Doesn’t matter! Seashells are readily available at craft stores, but you can also find them at garage sales, thrift stores, and even flea markets. Often times they are sold in big bags, which is how I found most of mine. I always look for them when I’m out at garage sales though!



We love seashell crafts, we even have one for adults, pretty seashell wine charms! They make great party favors or to have just because.





Seashell Fish with googly eyes.



WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE SEASHELL FISH.

Assorted seashells.

Googly eyes, various sizes.

Hot glue gun or instant grab.



To make these fish, you’ll need seashells in assorted sizes; big ones for the bodies and smaller ones for the fins. You’ll also need googly eyes and some hot glue. You can also use instant grab glue if you prefer not to use a hot glue gun with the kids.



White craft glue is a little harder because it takes longer to dry and the shells may not stay put, so look for a fast drying type.







Lay the shells out first, deciding how you want your fish to look.



Then simply glue them together and add your googly eyes!

November 03, 2019

how to make a paper bag turkey

How to Make a Paper Bag Turkey.

Looking for a fun way to celebrate this holiday season? Whether you’re crafting homemade decorations for Thanksgiving dinner or just want to get into the spirit of autumn, making a turkey from ordinary paper bags is a quick, simple and creative activity that is sure to please children and adults alike. This project only requires a few simple materials and will add a bit of thrifty Fall flair wherever it’s displayed.

Part 1 Making the Turkey.

1. Gather your materials. For this project, you’ll need only need a handful of basic items—3 brown paper bags (1 large paper grocery bag and 2 smaller standard paper bags), 1 sheet of white 8 ½” x 11” typing paper, a few sheets of newspaper, a pair of scissors and a hot glue gun or some craft glue. Any additional materials will be up to you, depending on how elaborate you want the presentation of your finished turkey to be.

Your turkey will be made of just three easy pieces: one big bag for the body, and the two smaller bags to serve as the “drumsticks.”

Making a paper bag turkey only takes a few minutes from start to finish, leaving you with plenty of time in your day to finish playing, decorating or tackling other crafting projects.

2. Form the body of the turkey. Take the large paper bag and fill it ¾ full with crumpled newspaper. This will help fill out the body, giving it a plump appearance and preventing it from collapsing once it's ready to be displayed. After the bag has been stuffed, fold the corners down diagonally and glue them in place. Tuck the folded tab down one more time and glue it to the underside of the turkey.

Shape the body of the turkey by hand until it’s smooth and round. Be sure to work out any square edges of creases from the original bag.

Be careful not to tear the bag while sealing or shaping it.

3. Shape the drumsticks. Grab the two smaller paper bags—you’ll be using these to craft the “drumsticks” of the turkey. Make one hand into a fist and stick it into each bag, molding the opening of the bag around your wrist. This will give the bag its recognizable drumstick shape. Remove your hand from the bag and fill the rounded end with newspaper. Twist the opening of each bag shut and secure it with a dab of glue.

Like the body of the turkey, the drumsticks will need to be filled in order to hold their shape.

4. Cut the booties for the drumsticks. Your drumsticks aren’t complete until they’re dressed with a pair of frilly white booties, like a traditional Thanksgiving turkey. Cut your sheet of typing paper in half lengthwise, then fold each piece in half, again lengthwise. Use your scissors to make a series of cuts in the open edge of the paper to create a neat fringe.

Try to make your cuts about ¼ inch apart.

Your cuts only need to be about half the width of the paper.

5. Put it all together. Wrap a paper bootie around the end of each drumstick and secure them with glue. Then, place the drumsticks on either side of the sealed end of the turkey and glue them down. That’s it! The result is a quirky, lifelike baked bird that you might just mistake for the real thing.

Attach the drumsticks to the tapered sides of the body where you folded down the edges of the big bag. This will give the turkey a more realistic look.

The different parts of the turkey will have a little weight to them once they’ve been filled. Use enough glue to make sure that everything holds.

Part 2 Finding Creative Ways to Present Your Turkey.

1. Put it on a platter. Arrange your paper bag turkey on a serving platter over a bed of parsley or tissue paper garnish. Surround the turkey with fallen leaves for a splash of vibrant color. With the right details, you’ll have a mouthwatering craft turkey worthy of a fantasy feast to show off to your friends and family.

If you don't have a real serving platter lying around, make your own out of cardboard, construction paper, and colored markers.

Make sure to let everyone, especially small children, know that your paper turkey is not for eating.

2. Add colorful designs. Before you fill the paper bags, decorate the outsides for a more artistic, funky finish. Use crayons, markers, washable paint, stickers or glitter and customize your turkey with polka dots, swirls or dazzling patterns using your favorite colors. Grab a friend, sibling, parent or child to decorate your turkey with, then compare and display them together when you’re done.

If you’re using paint or a felt-tip marker that might saturate the paper bags, allow them to dry before stuffing or shaping them.

When making paper turkeys with your kids or students, have them write down one thing they’re thankful for somewhere on the big bag.

3. Fill it with “stuffing.” For an unexpected tasty twist, ditch the newspaper and fill your turkey with popcorn, candy or other easy-to-eat finger foods instead. You can then have someone “carve” the turkey by cutting a flap in the top and have something to snack on until the main course is served. This imaginative serving style is sure to be a hit at holiday parties!

Popcorn makes a simple stuffing because it’s light and takes up a lot of space, but you could use just about any snack food, like chips, pretzels or chocolates, to fill your turkey.

Try filling the drumsticks separately with caramel corn to make “dark meat.”[6]

4. Put your paper bag turkey on display. In addition to being a fun and easy project to do with your friends or loved ones, your paper turkey will make a unique arrangement for the coffee table, arts and crafts desk or kitchen counter. It will look especially good surrounded by other festive Fall decorations. Best of all, you can store the playful papercraft away or simply make a new one the next time the holiday season rolls around.

A paper bag turkey will fit nicely with other homemade holiday decorations, such as hand turkey cutouts, popsicle stick snowflakes, and construction paper pumpkins.

Tips.

This will make a great activity for parents and teachers to do alongside their children or students.

If the paper bags you’re using have any logos, writings or markings on them, carefully turn them inside out before you begin crafting.

Line the inside of your turkey with wax or parchment paper to prevent splotchy grease stains if you plan on filling it with buttered popcorn.

Make sure you have enough of whatever food item you choose to fill the large bag.

Hot glue is preferable to other adhesives because it dries quickly and creates a strong, lasting hold.

Warnings.

Take caution when working with the hot glue and scissors. Kids should ask an adult for help with the cutting and gluing portions of the project.

Staples should be avoided, as there's no way to use them to secure the different parts of the turkey without mashing them.

Things You'll Need.

3 brown paper bags (1 large and 2 small), 1 sheet white typing paper, A few sheets of crumpled newspaper.

Scissors, Hot glue or craft glue, Popcorn or other small snack foods (optional), Various decorating supplies (optional).

Desember 14, 2019

how to make a paper bag turkey

How to Make a Paper Bag Turkey.

Looking for a fun way to celebrate this holiday season? Whether you’re crafting homemade decorations for Thanksgiving dinner or just want to get into the spirit of autumn, making a turkey from ordinary paper bags is a quick, simple and creative activity that is sure to please children and adults alike. This project only requires a few simple materials and will add a bit of thrifty Fall flair wherever it’s displayed.

Part 1 Making the Turkey.

1. Gather your materials. For this project, you’ll need only need a handful of basic items—3 brown paper bags (1 large paper grocery bag and 2 smaller standard paper bags), 1 sheet of white 8 ½” x 11” typing paper, a few sheets of newspaper, a pair of scissors and a hot glue gun or some craft glue. Any additional materials will be up to you, depending on how elaborate you want the presentation of your finished turkey to be.

Your turkey will be made of just three easy pieces: one big bag for the body, and the two smaller bags to serve as the “drumsticks.”

Making a paper bag turkey only takes a few minutes from start to finish, leaving you with plenty of time in your day to finish playing, decorating or tackling other crafting projects.

2. Form the body of the turkey. Take the large paper bag and fill it ¾ full with crumpled newspaper. This will help fill out the body, giving it a plump appearance and preventing it from collapsing once it's ready to be displayed. After the bag has been stuffed, fold the corners down diagonally and glue them in place. Tuck the folded tab down one more time and glue it to the underside of the turkey.

Shape the body of the turkey by hand until it’s smooth and round. Be sure to work out any square edges of creases from the original bag.

Be careful not to tear the bag while sealing or shaping it.

3. Shape the drumsticks. Grab the two smaller paper bags—you’ll be using these to craft the “drumsticks” of the turkey. Make one hand into a fist and stick it into each bag, molding the opening of the bag around your wrist. This will give the bag its recognizable drumstick shape. Remove your hand from the bag and fill the rounded end with newspaper. Twist the opening of each bag shut and secure it with a dab of glue.

Like the body of the turkey, the drumsticks will need to be filled in order to hold their shape.

4. Cut the booties for the drumsticks. Your drumsticks aren’t complete until they’re dressed with a pair of frilly white booties, like a traditional Thanksgiving turkey. Cut your sheet of typing paper in half lengthwise, then fold each piece in half, again lengthwise. Use your scissors to make a series of cuts in the open edge of the paper to create a neat fringe.

Try to make your cuts about ¼ inch apart.

Your cuts only need to be about half the width of the paper.

5. Put it all together. Wrap a paper bootie around the end of each drumstick and secure them with glue. Then, place the drumsticks on either side of the sealed end of the turkey and glue them down. That’s it! The result is a quirky, lifelike baked bird that you might just mistake for the real thing.

Attach the drumsticks to the tapered sides of the body where you folded down the edges of the big bag. This will give the turkey a more realistic look.

The different parts of the turkey will have a little weight to them once they’ve been filled. Use enough glue to make sure that everything holds.

Part 2 Finding Creative Ways to Present Your Turkey.

1. Put it on a platter. Arrange your paper bag turkey on a serving platter over a bed of parsley or tissue paper garnish. Surround the turkey with fallen leaves for a splash of vibrant color. With the right details, you’ll have a mouthwatering craft turkey worthy of a fantasy feast to show off to your friends and family.

If you don't have a real serving platter lying around, make your own out of cardboard, construction paper, and colored markers.

Make sure to let everyone, especially small children, know that your paper turkey is not for eating.

2. Add colorful designs. Before you fill the paper bags, decorate the outsides for a more artistic, funky finish. Use crayons, markers, washable paint, stickers or glitter and customize your turkey with polka dots, swirls or dazzling patterns using your favorite colors. Grab a friend, sibling, parent or child to decorate your turkey with, then compare and display them together when you’re done.

If you’re using paint or a felt-tip marker that might saturate the paper bags, allow them to dry before stuffing or shaping them.

When making paper turkeys with your kids or students, have them write down one thing they’re thankful for somewhere on the big bag.

3. Fill it with “stuffing.” For an unexpected tasty twist, ditch the newspaper and fill your turkey with popcorn, candy or other easy-to-eat finger foods instead. You can then have someone “carve” the turkey by cutting a flap in the top and have something to snack on until the main course is served. This imaginative serving style is sure to be a hit at holiday parties!

Popcorn makes a simple stuffing because it’s light and takes up a lot of space, but you could use just about any snack food, like chips, pretzels or chocolates, to fill your turkey.

Try filling the drumsticks separately with caramel corn to make “dark meat.”[6]

4. Put your paper bag turkey on display. In addition to being a fun and easy project to do with your friends or loved ones, your paper turkey will make a unique arrangement for the coffee table, arts and crafts desk or kitchen counter. It will look especially good surrounded by other festive Fall decorations. Best of all, you can store the playful papercraft away or simply make a new one the next time the holiday season rolls around.

A paper bag turkey will fit nicely with other homemade holiday decorations, such as hand turkey cutouts, popsicle stick snowflakes, and construction paper pumpkins.

Tips.

This will make a great activity for parents and teachers to do alongside their children or students.

If the paper bags you’re using have any logos, writings or markings on them, carefully turn them inside out before you begin crafting.

Line the inside of your turkey with wax or parchment paper to prevent splotchy grease stains if you plan on filling it with buttered popcorn.

Make sure you have enough of whatever food item you choose to fill the large bag.

Hot glue is preferable to other adhesives because it dries quickly and creates a strong, lasting hold.

Warnings.

Take caution when working with the hot glue and scissors. Kids should ask an adult for help with the cutting and gluing portions of the project.

Staples should be avoided, as there's no way to use them to secure the different parts of the turkey without mashing them.

Things You'll Need.

3 brown paper bags (1 large and 2 small).

1 sheet white typing paper.

A few sheets of crumpled newspaper.

Scissors.

Hot glue or craft glue.

Popcorn or other small snack foods (optional).

Various decorating supplies (optional).

Januari 27, 2020

how to make plastic spoon monsters

HOW TO MAKE PLASTIC SPOON MONSTERS.

Monsters and Halloween go hand in hand. They don’t always have to be scary though, like my monster bookmarks, which are pretty darn cute! All these plastic spoon monsters want to do is go trick or treating! So what do you say? Want to make some cute monsters of your very own?



MAKE FUN PLASTIC SPOON MONSTERS.

This easy craft for kids has Halloween written all over it… seriously. Did you see the trick or treat bags?? The kids can make these plastic spoon monsters and display them in a diorama, just poke the handles into some foam!



They can also double as puppets so kids can put on a Halloween puppet show. Either way, it’s a fun afternoon of make-believe!



You can decorate their faces however you like, though I am partial to the cyclops look. One eye, one eyebrow, and usually one fang!



I also think monsters with multiple eyes are super cute! I like making their eyes go in different directions.



Seriously, if one of these cute little guys walked up to you, you would totally take them trick or treating, right??



Ok, enough chatter. Let’s get on with it. Gather your supplies and get ready to make these cute plastic spoon monsters!



I made five plastic spoon monsters, but the instructions below are for just one. I chose five different colors and matched them all up. You can mix and match and do whatever you want! For paint, I used Americana in Bright Orange, Sour Apple, Bright Yellow, Lavender, and Red Alert.



SUPPLIES FOR ONE PLASTIC SPOON MONSTER.

Felt in color of your choice, cut into a 4″ x 3″ rectangle.

Pipe cleaner (same color as felt).

Plastic spoon.

Acrylic craft paint in black, white and color to match your felt.

Paintbrush.

Scissors.

Round sponge applicators (spouncers).

Hot glue gun.

For trick or treat bag.



1/3 gold pipe cleaner.

Paper bag cut into 2″ x 1.5″ rectangle.

Fine point black marker.



Paint the back of the spoon and halfway down the handle. Allow to dry and repeat for a second coat.



Use spouncers dipped in white and black paint to add eyes. Allow to dry completely.



I like the double-ended spouncers. There are two different sizes in one. Check your local craft store to see what they have.



Use the handle end of a paintbrush to add circles that are smaller than your spouncers.



Meanwhile, while the paint is drying, fold the felt rectangle in half lengthwise and cut a small slit 1/2-inch from the top.



Unfold felt and trim off excess above the slit. Be careful not to cut it too close.



Cut around the edges of the felt to create fun shapes for the monster costumes.



When the paint is completely dry, insert the handle of the spoon into the slit of the felt so that the handle ends up behind the felt. Use a dab of hot glue to secure the felt to the “neck” of the spoon monster.



For the next step, you will need to lift the felt and move it out of your way which is why the painted faces should be completely dry before you do this!



For the arms, fold a pipe cleaner in half and twist around the middle of the spoon handle. Stretch pipe cleaner arms to the left/right. Bring the felt back down and secure it to the spoon handle with hot glue.



Write “TRICK OR TREAT!” on the paper bag rectangle. Bend the gold piece of pipe cleaner in half and curve the bend to look like a bag handle. Hot glue the handle to the back of the treat bag.



Twist the end of one of the arms around the treat bag handle. Position the arms however you like!



I hope you had fun making these cute little monsters from plastic spoons! I have some other crafts you will probably enjoy like these plastic spoon bugs and these plastic spoon snowmen! And I told you I love to make monsters.

November 03, 2019