We generally just think of glue as a medium to stick items together, yet glue makes a great support and can be decorative also.  There are many coloured glues on the market now to choose from and experiment with. Make sure you buy a good quality glue gun preferable with differing nozzles for making a variety of patterns.  Here’s how to make a simple glue bowl. Take care though as hot glue burns, read the safety instructions first.

Step 1 - Heat the glue gun and place on a ceramic tile or similar protective surface.
Step 2 - Dampen the glass bowl keeping it well away from the glue gun and sockets.   Step 3 - Turn the bowl upside down and place on tile.
	Step 4 - Keeping the nozzle of the glue gun well away from the bowl, start to drizzle glue over the surface of the bowl.   Step 5 - Use a combination of coloured glue to build up a pattern.   Step 6 - Ensure there is a good amount of glue around the edge of the bowl for stability.   Step 7 - The more layers of glue added the stronger the finished bowl will be.
Step 8 - When there is sufficient glue added, leave the glue bowl until it is cooled.   Step 9 - Unplug the glue gun and leave to cool before putting away.
Step 10 - Once the glue has set spray the bowl with water. Do this well away from glue gun and sockets.
	Step 11 - The water will loosen the glue meaning it is easy to remove from the glass bowl
Step 12 - Decorate the glue bowl as desired with beads, bullion and grasses.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE & DISCLAIMERS

Lynda Owen accepts no responsibility for personal injury, damage to property or financial loss caused by your or others intended, accidental or instructed actions during this workshop. You are responsible for your actions and their effects on others or to property.

Before we start there a few safety details which need to be pointed out to ensure the risk of personal injury or property damage is kept as low as possible.

USE OF HOT GLUE GUNS
1.    HOT GLUE BURNS! The glue you are about to use is heated to temperatures of 170c.
2.    Do not touch the glue guns nozzle when in use or for approximately thirty minutes after being turned off and unplugged. Always use assume the nozzle is hot!
3.    Always take care when using potentially hot tools and avoid contact with flammable and meltable materials.
4.    Avoid skin contact with hot adhesive.
5.    Do not force the glue sticks into the gun.
6.    Always protect the work surface by using a non flammable mat or tile.
7.    Always use the glue stand.
8.    Keep the glue gun and any electrical tools away from water.
9.    Keep all adhesive products, and dangerous materials or tools away from children.
10.  Stop all works using hot tools one hour before leaving work. This will ensure that any fire caused by the hot tools coming into contact with flammable materials is spotted and can be tackled quickly.
11.  Ensure the glue gun has fully cooled before putting away.

First Aid Treatment
Treat contact with hot glue as a burn! First Aid Advice from British Red Cross can be found here and is used at your own risk. Ask your work's qualified First Aider for more information.

Copyright © 2009 Lynda Owen. All Rights Reserved.