On my online workbook this week: You Say Tomato I Say Tomato

Dear

This week's inspiration is knowing where the frustration is coming from… and addressing that..

First let me just say… if you know of a great alternative to the OASIS floral glue please, please let me know.

If you struggle with some of the glue techniques… it might just be the glue. I have been using the OASIS floral glue for years. But I have to add, once a year I order a box full all the way from Europe. Why? Well because the American version of the glue is… weird.

The American version of the glue is runny gum yellow and it oozes out of the tube and becomes more elastic to the point where the flowers in the design flops about in a gummy blob. The clear glue in the above picture is the European version. You can place the design details exactly where you want and use just the tiniest bit. Wow… completely different and… frustrating!

But it is good to know. If you are struggling with a technique… make sure you experiment so that you blame the right thing. Try a different glue, different snippers or different plant material. This is exactly how we fine-tune our own style, find what works best for us and create our unique work.

My tip for you this week is to use a cocktail skewer as an applicator when applying floral glue. It fits neatly into the opening of the glue to stop it from oozing or drying out and then you can paint the exact right amount onto the plant material to seamlessly glue it in place.

For tiny stems I add a half a tiny drop of glue. Allow it to become tacky and then add another half a drop (the smallest amount possible) drop before pressing it into place. This way you create a foot for the tiny stem and it will neatly nestle into position without much hassle.

Well worth investing in the European version though. Using the wrong tool for the job is just a frustration. So my bonus tip is- if you discover something is not working, find the best possible way to dispose of it and remove it as a design option immediately. Or find something you can use it for, somewhere else. If you let it be in your toolbox you are going to reach for this thing again and again and again. Rather use your creative energy to create.

Meanwhile the search continues for a more sustainable design solution. I will let you know what I discover. Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine