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Beading Lesson
All About Adhesives

By: Katie Hacker

Sponsor: Beadalon®

For tools and supplies
visit Beadalon.com


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There are four different adhesives that every beader should keep on hand. In today’s beading lesson, we’ll tell you what they’re for and show you how to use them.
BeadFix™ (cyanoacrylic glue) is heat resistant and waterproof. It dries super fast, so use it when you need a quick set. You can use it on almost any surface. Use it to glue end caps to memory wire, or to glue the last few beads together on a memory wire design. Hummingbird tips are now available that allow for more precision when gluing beads. Just remove the bead cap and replace it with the hummingbird tip for easy application.
G-S Hypo™ Cement (jeweler’s cement) has a precision tip that allows you to place a small amount of glue exactly where you want it. It is commonly used for gluing knots because it dries clear and remains somewhat flexible. When knotting pearls, you can use it to glue the last knot before snipping off the extra silk. Use it to make stretch cord knots extra secure.

Industrial-strength glue (E6000) is best when you need a thick, almost gelatinous glue. Use it to glue two non-porous surfaces together, like when gluing beads to a glass votive holder. For best results, spread glue on both surfaces and then press them together.

One-time-use packets make epoxy accessible and easy to use. The packet contains the proper amounts of both ingredients. Just fold the packet, cut off the top, squeeze the contents out and mix them together. The consistency should be thick, sort of like pudding. Once it’s completely mixed, you only have about 5 minutes until it starts to cure, so you have your project ready.
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