Let’s Talk About Glue
I’ve been thinking about glue lately. Not in terms of sniffing or anything sinister, and I’m long past painting my palms with PVA, only to peel it off whilst sat on the school story mat at reading time.
It’s the one part of my jewellery-making process that nags at me a bit. The waxed cotton cord and wooden beads are both natural materials. The leaves and acorns gathered thoughtfully and sustainably. The packaging’s recycled and recyclable. But the glue? That’s where it gets a bit irritating.
I use a standard hot glue gun for securing stuff. It works well, and it’s what I’ve always used. But I know it’s not the most environmentally friendly option out there. And the stuff I use is definitely not vegan.
I’m not vegan myself, but I do care deeply about how my work impacts the planet. I often find myself wondering where each piece might end up in ten or twenty or years’ time. Best case: worn for a while and laid to rest on a home “altar” or in a display box. Worst case: dropped into landfill, glue and all.
So I’ve started looking into alternatives. Natural glues, plant-based options, supposedly vegan glue sticks. Trouble is, most of them either don’t work well with wood, don’t cope with moisture, or set too slowly for the way I work. I haven’t found a replacement that ticks all the boxes yet, but I’m open to trying.
Which brings me to the point of this post:
Do you have any experience with eco-friendly or vegan glues?
What have you tried? What actually works? Is there a miracle stick I don’t know about? Or is this one of those areas where compromise is still the only option?
I’d love to hear your thoughts, especially if you craft, repair, or make anything fiddly that needs to stay stuck.
Feel free to contact me via message, the Elemental Facebook page, or email (joanne@elementalretail.com). I’m keen to hear from you.
Vegan Adhesive Alternatives: Eco-Friendly Glues For Every Project Need | GreenTaste.shop
