What A Difference A Hot Glue Gun Makes!
by Jenners • 11/17/2012 • Creative Pursuits • 71 Comments
I’ve shared my horrific and amateurish crafts with you in the past. Now that I’ve been taken under the wing of an experienced crafter, I realize that my entire problem was that I DIDN’T HAVE A HOT GLUE GUN!!! What a difference it makes! (And yes … I have already burned off one of the whorls on my thumbs already. They don’t lie … that glue is HOT.) The first two projects were under my mentor’s tutelage. I then branched out on my own … even creating my own craft that involved Mod Podge. Here are the results. (And for once, I’m not completely embarrassed by them.)
PROJECT 1: ORNAMENT SNOWMEN
This is pretty self-explanatory. Get plain white little ornaments and paint faces on them. The red was supposed to be cheeks but mine looked weird so I turned them into ear muffs.
Click on photo for link to the original source for the craft
PROJECT 2: PAPER TREES
You need paper cones (two different sizes might be nice), a punch, and different scrap paper. Punch out a variety of shapes, curl them on a pen, hot glue them to the tree. I think these are adorable.
Click on photo for source of original craft
PROJECT 3: BUTTON LETTER
This was a combination of two crafts I saw on Pinterest. Basically, I took a wooden letter (in this case, the first letter of our last name) and glued buttons and jingle bells and rhinestones to it for a festive feel. Now that I think about it, it might have been better to do a small holiday word like JOY but whatever. I love it.
PROJECT 4: SCRAP CHRISTMAS TREE
This was the craft that I invented on my own (though I’m sure I’m not the first one to do this … I just mean I didn’t see it on Pinterest or something). Basically, I bought a Christmas tree shape at Michaels and then ripped up Christmas-themed scrap paper and randomly glued them on the tree and then put Mod Podge all over it. I think it came out pretty nifty. I see a lot of Mod Podge projects in my future.
So there you have it! Holiday crafts done by a complete amateur that don’t completely suck! Trust me … if I can do it, you can too.
Got any more simple craft ideas for me? Include the links in the comments. Also, I’m doing Pinterest now. My user name is MrsFligs or you can find me here.
Oh my goodness! I’m really proud of you! Our amateur crafter has grown up! In all seriousness though, those all look amazing. Bravo!
Aww..thanks. I’m blushing. However, if you looked close enough, you’d see a lot of amateur crafting mistakes!
Looks like you’ve been having a lot of fun with your new hot glue gun. Just be careful not to overdo it because I’ve known people who’ve had their glue guns confiscated by their husbands and kids.
I shall be careful not to exceed my recommended daily allowance of hot glue gunning. And I wonder if you are speaking from personal experience???
You impress me with your craftiness!! I see Pinterest has inspired you. If you ever get sick of that gorgeous P you know who shared an affection for that letter!
checked out your board (very briefly. it is the day before thanksgiving you know) and love the orange and brown room. Our family room is orange and brown
Do I see you writing a crafts book in the future?? Who knew the twists your life would take?
Remember…a LOW temp glue gun! Repeat after me…low temp glue gun. It’s hot but not scald-your-fingerprints-off-your-fingers-hot. I can use it in the classroom and not feel like anyone will die. Sacrificing 4th graders may seem like its something I want to do at times, but death by glue gun…well, on second thought….
You’ve set the bar high, my friend. And you find time to read too. You truly are my super hero.
I didn’t know there was a low temp glue gun! I guess I didn’t read the labels close enough. It might definitely be safer with a lower temp one — especially when BB is around. Plus I’m not the most careful crafter so I’d be in safer hands with a lower temp one. Thanks for the advice!
Yay … I’m glad I’m not the only one with an orange and brown room. I like that combo. It is very cozy. We have all orange walls (more terra cotta) and brown furniture. Finding curtains has been a nightmare. I’ll have to make sure I’m following you on Pinterest. I didn’t “get” it for the longest time but now I do. I go through spurts of pinning. It can be a total time suck!
Your projects definitely do not “suck” You are quite an accomplished crafter – go girl!
These don’t suck. But my previous projects most assuredly did!
Wow, these look fantastic! My husband already collects too many Christmas decorations, so I don’t need to make my own, but now you’re making me want to craft.
How are you with fall crafts … or Valentine’s Day? The possibilities are endless!
You rocked these crafts. Pretty impressive! I found you on Pinterest and I love that profile photo.
Thanks. I’m pretty proud of my crafts … especially since I rarely get anything to turn out right. And my profile photo on Pinterest was my FB profile for a bit … I love that photo of us.
Great projects! I love my glue gun. There’s no better way for me to totally seashell my whole house!
I imagine you would need a rather large glue gun for that! : )
Great idea on going with he ear muffs…and love those trees. But you are right…that glue is HOT!
Burning hot. Scalding hot. Like I might have to wear gloves hot.
I can attest to the power of a hot glue gun–my mini one has been very useful over the past five years!
Love these projects! They are very cute and clever.
I have a mini one too and that is all I really need. The key to successful crafting is to find good and simple ideas that you can’t really mess up.
I am SO impressed with your crafting! You have inspired me to perhaps do some over the Winter holiday with my daughter (and yes, we have a hot glue gun)
Oh goodie!! Any of these would be doable — you could do mother-daughter trees. I hope you post about them.
First off – how have you lived to 40-ish without a hot glue gun! Honey, I didn’t know you were so deprived.
And I’m impressed with your projects – I’ll be stealing the paper tree idea. And very creative of you to change “weird” cheeks into cute earmuffs. Good crafting save!
I made paper stars over the weeekend – made from 1/4″ strips of old book pages. All you need is regular old Elmers glue and some glitter. I’ll have a post up on them soon, but you should really try them – they look complicated but they are so easy. Wonder how they would work with hot glue? (You can find the stars on my Pinterest Christmas board if you can’t wait for me to get the post written.)
Going to check out your Christmas stars now. I’m not very patient. And it is amazing I’ve lived this long without a hot glue gun, isn’t it?
Wait … what is your Pinterest user name?
I am wiping away tears from pride right now, yea you did it, you became a crafter!!
Love love the paper tree, and the cone trees. Those are so so cute!! And I am a huge snowman fan, one of the main elements of my Christmas decor. Great great job!!
I’m glad to make you proud. I feel like I’m really doing it … just like the big girls!
These are all awesome! You did a great job. I really love both the paper trees and the scrap paper tree. I think I may have to try to make those. I wonder how they’d be made with fabric pieces
I think the Mod Podge tree would work fabulously with fabric. Not sure about the paper trees … might be too heavy or not have the curly ends. But hey — experiment!
Okay,I plan to follow you on Pinterest just so I can see you and your husband holding hands on the Segway (is that how you spell that?) again! I miss that from your old header. I say always have a back up glue gun, because you will inevitably try something that will backfire and ruin your gun….in my case crayon art with crayons in place of the glue sticks. Project turned out great….the the glue gun died a tye die kind of mess!
But it sounds like the glue gun died in a blaze of crafting glory!! And they are so cheap — it is the glue sticks that are pricey!
Totally cool! See, all you needed was that glue gun. Looking forward to seeing more crafty stuff.
I’ve got the crafting bug now! Watch out world!
Great job!! I got my hot glue gun for one of my kids’ projects but do not use it all that often. it does intimidate me a bit. I have never felt the desire to bring it out for something not school-related. I am very impressed!
I’m just loving it. It opens up all kinds of possibilities. Regular glue just doesn’t work all that well. It has been a major problem for me in the past.
Great job Jenners! These are all cute but I really like the ornaments in a jar idea. Too cute!
Isn’t that a great way to present them? So simple but it looks so awesome.
I am not crafty..back when I was scrapbooking I had to follow a design idea to the letter…no imagination…ugh.
I’m very impressed…I like the little cone trees the best…nice!
I think the key is that you have to be willing to make mistakes and mess up to find happy accidents. I can get overwhelmed by things that are too complicated so these simple focused crafts worked for me. Plus I need to see results fast.
Good job! When are you opening your etsy shop?
Keep up the good work and you’ll be an expert crafter in no time.
I think the snowmen are my favorite, though.
Haha on the Etsy shop. These are one of a kind for my home only. I can’t imagine cranking out tons of these! : )
Pingback: Crafty by Jenners! | snipewife
Wow! I haven’t visited in a while and I love the changes. I also love that you started with my favorite–snowmen! And now I am inspired to make these for all my friends!
Hi!! Good to hear from you. I’ll be popping by for a visit when I’m done writing you back. So easy to lose track of bloggers, isn’t it? I hope you do make the snowmen. They were so easy and so cute.
You are a genius Jenners. I have no creative ability, but when my daughter was about 3 (30= years ago) we painted a walnut red, attache felt and a string and made it look like a strawberry…LOL (see what I mean)
Genius is really stretching it. I’m a crafting newbie who needed someone to find me crafts in my skill range (beginner). I suspect you need the same!
My mom has a holster for her glue gun. Hem of your pants falling down, hot glue….curtain rod not screwing in properly to the wall, hot glue….any project you can think of really?
Glad you are part of the crafty crew Jenners
I really like the paper trees.
That is hilarious!! A holster for her glue gun!!??? I love how she thinks outside the box. Now I’m seeing all kinds of things I could be doing. WATCH OUT!
I am so impressed!! All of these are really, really cute!
We just had the holiday bazaar at our church a week ago, but maybe next year you should come participate.
My mom and grandmom were always the ones who were in charge of such things but the crafting gene skipped me. They are smiling down on me now … but saying “No no no … you’re not ready for a holiday bazaar.”
Jenners, you are scaring me here. I am about the most uncreative person on earth. However, because I have kids, I DO have a glue gun (two in fact). I cannot tell you how many times I’ve burned the crap out of myself.
No one gave me my hot glue gun when I gave birth! I feel ripped off. I had to discover it on my own. Harumph.
Wow, I am impressed (the P really stands for Petty, right?) though knowing the damage I can cause with normal glue Husband dearest is likely to confiscate any hot glue gun that made its way into the PW household.
Uh oh … you figured it out. That is your Christmas present .. HAHA. My husband was leery too but feels better now that the house hasn’t been flooded by glue.
Wow – you are very CRAFT-Y – when did you get so good?
I got “good” because I finally tried crafts in my skill range — BEGINNER!
Very impressive but personally I would not admit on a family blog that I had gotten a “hot glue gun.”
Hmmmm…what am I missing here?
Those all look absolutely fabulous! And I love the cute snowmen earmuffs! I’m thinking that I might be beyond help in the crafting department. We own a glue gun and it hasn’t seemed to help me much. I wish I could boast of such lovely crafts as yours! I have been thinking about making some ornaments for our tree though, so we’ll see. I’m thinking maybe Doctor Who themed (because nothing says “Happy Holidays” like Daleks and the Tardis).
I’m positive you could find some simple Dr. Who ornaments on Pinterest. They have EVERYTHING!
You did awesome!! They all look great. Out of my mom, me and 3 sisters, I’m the only one who isn’t crafty. But I’d love to be, so I might just find a craft and do it. If it turns out half way decent, I might even try another one.
I am in the exact same boat as you. The key is to find a simple craft in your skill range — like these were for me. I encourage you try one!
That’s really neat! I like all your projects but the scrap Christmas tree is my favorite. I did a decoupage project once, on a small hand held fan. It was a lot of fun.
Oh I bet that looked nice. I will admit to you that I was picking excess glue off my hands for days.
What great crafts!!! I especially live the snowmen, and I think the earmuffs look great!
Live/Love… You know what I meant!
I think they look good too. That was definitely a “happy accident.”
Oh my gosh! you did great.
Thank you! Coming from you — a very experienced crafter — that means a lot.
You’re rockin’ the craft world now! I’m afraid of hot glue guns.
Well, you do need to respect the glue gun. I just had to see just how hot it was and paid the price.