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Knotting vs. Crimping


After running a poll on the forum, 60 percent of those who answered said they used knots over crimp beads when making elastic bracelets. But, which type of glue to do you use? I recently discovered a glue called Special T Illusion. It comes in a one ounce bottle and costs around $7. I got mine from Soft Flex, and I know most beading suppliers carry this glue also.

I have used this glue to make at least 30 elastic bracelets, and so far, I’m a convert. Before, I used super glue, and it went all over the place, and I usually ended up gluing my fingers together. The tip of Special T glue is nice and narrow, so the glue is easy to get right on your knot. Also, the lid closes nicely, keeping air out. With super glue, it often would dry up before I could use the hole tube. I have had to re-cut the tip of the T glue a few times, but I’ve been using it on and off for weeks now, so that didn’t really surprise me.

So, if you’re a knotter and not a crimper, you may want to give this glue a try.

Here's a printer friendly copy of this file.

All graphics created by Tammy Powley.

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