Those of you who know me, know I like my guns. Growing up in the country in the South, it’s crucial to know how to use them safely. So why is it that finally, at the ripe old age of urmph-urmph, I got my first glue gun? I’m pretty sure I’m the last hold out. Every female in my family will gasp in awe and wonder, trying to figure out how I’ve survived this long without one of the craft essentials of the South.
While putting together my author and raffle baskets for the Southern Magic Readers 
Luncheon, I used sticky dots to attach burlap to cardboard and prizes to burlap. Fail! The next day, the sticky dots had come unstuck. I fumed and huffed and puffed until Hubba-luv, the wise problem-solver at the White House, suggested I break down and purchase a hot glue gun. Well darn. How come I didn’t think of that?
Shopping for the gun overwhelmed me. There were about fifty models at the craft store. Corded or cordless? Mini sticks or regular sticks or glow-in-the-dark sticks? Single temperature or dual temperature? Red or blue? I had to defer to the recommendations of other shoppers on my aisle who clearly knew what they were talking about. They also advised me to buy glue sticks at the dollar tree for a fifth of the price the craft store charged. Thank you, ladies.
Once I got my new gun home, I couldn’t wait to fire it up. I read the directions carefully and discovered that other than safety information, it didn’t really tell me where to put the glue for greatest adhesion. It was time to learn by trial. It also helped that Mama Dear, the craftiest woman on the planet of which I didn’t inherit much, was the queen of hot glue during my formative years. I dug into the recesses of my mind while the gun heated. When I began to squeeze the trigger, something unleashed inside me. It felt right. The next thing I knew, I had hot glued everything in The Lady Cave, a.k.a. The Writing Cave. Now, I have to figure out how to pry the pages of my calendar apart without losing vital information. 😉
Needless to say, I love my new piece. I’m packing a whole new kind of heat these days. If you’ve been a hold out and are ready to get into the craft game, I can vouch for the 10 watt, dual temperature Surebonder which shoots 4 inch mini glue sticks. That’s right. Bond (er), Sure Bond (er).
What crafts do you use your hot glue gun for?
Holiday wreaths, all kinds of floral arrangements, just be careful with the acorns- dot the glue then place the acorn. Do not and I repeat Do not try to put glue on the acorn.
Great idea! Thanks for sharing. 🙂