{"id":296,"date":"2019-03-27T04:33:16","date_gmt":"2019-03-27T12:33:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/makeitagarden.com\/?p=296"},"modified":"2022-03-20T16:22:52","modified_gmt":"2022-03-21T00:22:52","slug":"2-of-the-best-glues-for-garden-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/makeitagarden.com\/2-of-the-best-glues-for-garden-art\/","title":{"rendered":"2 of the Best Glues for Garden Art"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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“Royal Tea Time” using GE Silicone II created by Make it a Garden<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Fail-proof adhesives for glass & ceramics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Creating your own garden art from dishware is both fun and rewarding. You’ve collected your special glass or ceramic pieces and are ready to get started. But did you know that the type of glue you use when making garden art is actually the most important part of your project?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common question I get at craft shows is “what glues do you use for your garden art?” Proof of how crucial using the right stuff really is. It’s not enough to know what<\/em> to use. It’s equally important to know why<\/em> it works, and how some products may be a little better to use in certain cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You put some time and effort into finding just the right materials so your garden pretty will be admired by friends and family. So, naturally you want it to hold up in all types of weather. Using the wrong glues may cause your dish flower or bird bath to fall apart and break and all the hard work you put into it is lost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The right glue for the right project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of course, you not only want to use the ‘right’ glue, but the very best<\/em> glues for glass and ceramics garden art. Believe me, this is a hot topic among artists. When I started making dish flowers and totems, I spent hours upon hours on the Internet learning about glue: what works, what doesn’t and why. I read about all the issues my fellow crafters were having as they experimented with a whole slew of adhesives in a variety of climates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The typical glues used for most indoor arts and crafts–like those that are applied with a hot glue gun–are not at all suitable for use outdoors. Even some of the stronger epoxies which are otherwise superb for interior use, may not be reliable in the variety of temperatures and weather conditions outside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That being said, here are the two glues I personally use for my own garden art based on experience. They also happen to be the most widely used by professionals as well as hobbyists who enjoy making these sculptures from re-purposed dishware. For your benefit, I’ve included a lot of details about the products and why you can have confidence using them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

GE 100% Silicone II<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Actually, silicone is not a “glue” at all, but a sealant. Silicone is most commonly used in the house in kitchens and bathrooms. It’s the water-proofing product that’s applied around the outside edge of a kitchen or bathroom sink, tub or shower. It keeps water from getting in-between the cracks which prevents water damage and mold and mildew from developing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The type of silicone to use for garden art is made for exterior use<\/strong>. It’s the one used for sealing the outside of a window. I have seen DIY videos that use the indoor version, so make sure the package says exterior<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why so many crafters love silicone<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The beauty of 100% silicone is that it dries to a tough, rubbery consistency, yet remains pliable. It’s the ideal product for exterior windows as well as for garden art because it is strong and 100% waterproof. It will not freeze and crack in the frigid cold nor turn to melted butter in hot climates. GE’s Silicone II says right on the package that it can hold up in temperatures from 60 below zero to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about this: you may have oven mitts and cupcake pans made from silicone that you can bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. It’s great stuff!<\/p>\n\n\n\n