Choosing The Correct Glue To Use

I have been a collage artist for over 30 years now and have experimented with many different kinds of glue and most have failed in performance. Hot glue and super glue were at the top of the list of the worst glues never ever to use!! The reason is if you drop your piece accidentally there will always be something that pops off. Or if in the sun the glue can remelt as with the case of hot glue. With making jewelry or collaging you can not use a glue that dries rock hard. It has to be able to expand and to move with the piece. I have used the glue called the welder for at least 25 years. I also think e6000 is ok but I hate the tip and I think it does not last as long as the welder.
   Once when giving a class in my bead store I demonstrated with 3 glued brooches with collage pieces. I threw them against a rock wall as hard as I could. The brooches made with super glue and hot glue flew into pieces. The brooch with the welder was intact and had no damage at all. Because the glue was able to move to absorb the shock.

The Best Way To Glue A Cameo

If you are just making Plain Cameo brooches have your cameos and frames ready. If you have a cat take some kitty litter and put in a dish or pan and set aside about 2 inches deep. Take your glue and lightly squeeze an S on the frame being careful not to get too much glue..less is best! If you are doing several brooches at once glue all the frames at one time. Let the glue rest for 10 minutes then gently put the cameo on and press down.
   You will notice the cameo start to slip down because of the pin back. Take your glued cameo on the frame and set down in the kitty litter and reposition the cameo making sure it is centered. Press down in the litter until the frame is flat. Do the same with each brooch. If you do not have access to kitty litter you can also use hard beans or rice. Come back in 30 minutes and check each brooch to make sure it is flat in the littler and the cameo has not moved. Cure overnight