Thank you for this, I really appreciate cost saving tips. I am on a small pension and get so jealous and frustrated watching videos where the makers have access to all sorts of expensive products for this and that, when I have to save up just to get the regular white craft glue... So THANK YOU
Thank you for showing us how to make this Gel medium,and the different uses for it, also the tip of spraying with a fixative (as a n inexpensive hair spray).You are an Angel.
I am new to your channel, but I all ready love your way of doing things. I appreciate your tips on saving money and really love that you disregard the RULES that others insist on. Love it for me, who really is just learning about some of these crafts.
I've only heard one other person mention this but I think it's important to maybe look into: the problem with using Glue All or any Elmer's white glue which is a PVA, polyvinyl acetate, is that it is NOT acid free and could ruin your work in the future. Using PPA, though more expensive makes a better base to create all your DIY gesso's, gel medium's, molding paste, etc. Something to look into.
Mental Monarchy yes in newer videos i make sure to let everyone know---glue sticks are acid free--- ty so much for commenting and sharing your knowledge!!!!
hi kelly never commented befor to anyone. watching youtube on blue ray but came to computer to tell you thank you for saying that you are disabled. i too am disabled and its great to see others. for those who say you shouldnt say you are disabled are probalby not dsiabled. YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the fantastic video. It sure helps to find out things to help money wise. I'm disabled to and it's great to hear that there are others out there doing art. Like Nancy said 'YOU GO GIRL'.
I love all the art supply hacks, I have 3 kids and I do art to de-stress I can't de-stress if I feel like my paint is liquid gold and I can't waste any.
That is certainly relatable to me! I have paint sitting in a room waiting to be used. I watch YT videos hoping to learn "everything" before I use it because it costs too much to waste it on mistakes.
Thanks for this tutorial, I have been using washable pva glue and the paper did buckle but it would eventually dry flat but still duller or no shine compared to the mat mod podge.So I will try using non washable glue.
Gel Medium is acrylic (That's Acrylic Polymer Emulsion). White glue is PVA (Poly Vinyl Acetate). These are two different binders that are completely different from each other. MOD Podge is PVA, Elmers is PVA, Ross, is PVA. Gel Medium is made by paint companies because it is the main base material in acrylic paints.
I have read that making a gel by cooking corn starch and water together makes a gel medium. I need a heavy gel that will glue heavier pieces to a canvas. I am wondering if mixing the school glue with the cooked cornstarch would create the heavy gel ?
Another tissue paper lover,crinkle it,roll it,shred it,fold it then apply a medium and sit back and enjoy the way it forms,make a balsa wood frame and cover with tissue,shrink it up like a model aeroplane and place in a natural light it really is a lovely material toexperiment with. Look for it wrapping oranges and in packing of all types wet strengthened or not it all works on craft projects.
Great video is this a gloss gel? Is there a way of making matt? I agree the gels are way expensive golden being one of highest in uk. Great to see how you help us crafties fight back and make our own. Look forward more wonderful videos of your work.
Thanks for this video, it was really helpful. I'm wondering if it dries tacky like mod podge? I see you touching it, but didn't hear if you said it was sticky when dried? Thanks much! I've been a subbie for awhile but had to change to get your updates.. :) xoxo Jen
The problem I have with these glue and water formulas is that the extra water cause my paper to buckle even more. I also miss the added shine that Mod Podge adds but this does work. and is certainly a cheaper alternative which I appreciate.
I am running low on liquitex gel medium I use with acrylic craft paints on my Gelli plate as an extender and to slow dry time. could this be used as a substitute for that?
I have napkins. I guess you could use the other layers to create a similar effect. I don't have a lot of Mod Podge so I've been using gel medium. I guess when I run out of that, I can try this combo
Didn't mean to sound like a jerk...I was thinking of something you could use for picture transfers...my apologies the stuff you make here is great I make my own all the time. But it doesn't work well for transfers. ..:/ again I'm sorry wasn't trying to be mean... be blessed
Okay to things first gel medium is nothing more than water down Elmer's school glue? Isn't that the same as Mod Podge? Secondly Elmer's glue is water soluble you said not to use anything water-soluble right?
why add water to the glue, I remember putting glue over my art cards 30 something years ago to make the colors pop, just wondering why you couldn't use it without adding the water?
My mistake was using dollar general WASHABLE glue, but I have to say it worked fine to decopauge paper to chipboard to make little file folders. It left VERY little residue on top though.
so many people had complained that dollar store glue was a terrible thing to use that brand name was better-----wonder if that was the reason-it was washable?
No. Elmers comes in a washable and non washable formula. So many moms now want washable that is what most stores stock. The washable was great for gluing paper to paper, sealing edges, and general decopage but it left literally zero residue on top. It was a bit stiff, but other than that nothing. I think I could still stamp on it. Putting it over stamps could smear things though with the washable formula. Will buy Elmers all purpose next time.
Elmers has two white glues the one that's needed for this is the all purpose white Elmers glue NOT the school glue (washable). Can't say school glue since it's washable. I made that mistake.
?? do you happen to know how to make diy fabric medium? It is the stuff added to paint to keep it soft on fabric when it drys..... I'm looking at painting 2 chairs and buying the little stuff in the jars will be way too costly..... Please let me know!!
***** awesome!!!!! I need so much for these chairs and buying by the 2ounce btl would cost enough to reupholster..... kwim?? :) I REALLY REALLY appreciate your help!!!!
Apologies as I haven't researched this but I don't have time right now. Would home made chalk paint be a good place to start? You can use Annie Sloan chalk paint on fabric, however, I'm not sure if it has an added ingredient to make it work on fabric also. This is an area I would like to research further myself too. If I come across any more info then I will post. Has anyone got some home made chalk paint they can test on a scrap piece of material? If so, would you mind posting some results please?
i have looked everywhere and only come up with the bottles of the 2 oz bottles which would be used with 2 bottles of acrlyic paint. they also have 8 oz bottles of it so you would use that with 16 oz of paint. i have looked everywhere!!!! it is the fabric medium by the paints themselves
i would have tot ry that as i havent tried that on wood. I will do that in the beginning of the year! you can test it on a small piece of wood first though
Kelly, Love your videos! You know I have watched this many times and just realized that this is the same as mod podge. Is there a difference? I was looking for a diy on the gel medium so I would not have to buy it. I have already made up a jar of the mod podge.
Southern Angel Btq. Tammy Dameron im sorry what is the same as mod podge the white glue? yes-its a at home supply you can make to get the same as mod podge :)
I waas confused about the white glue & waater mix. does it make mod podge or gel medium or both? I was saying I have made some mod podge already from the white glue & water and have it in a jar. I also have some very old acrylic paint that is very watery. How can I thicken that up so it is not so runny?
oh yes it makes mod podge-AND a-gel medium-- as gel medium is a glue---i would put a small bit of powder in the paint-it wil make it a bit thicker and have a bit of texture-but you can try that and see if it works-or leave it sit out for a few minutes so the water in it dries a bit
Ok.. got it! So it can make gel medium too. That's what I was trying to figure out. I just love learning these diy's! they save me so much money so that way I can use it for other craft items that i need! I have been up all night learning or relearning diys for crafting. Some things I new but just forgot about. I want to get started in doing an art journal. I have one but have not started in it yet. Right now I have been working on my craft room and my closet. Trying to get everything organized so that I can find what I need when I need it. I have recycled a lot of stuff so I have been having to organize it. I also make all my storage to save me money for other items.
yes you can- mod podge is good to use as well. and i have transferred to wood before. school glue is cheap and works-some people cant afford mod podge so i like to show other ways to do things
Evelyn Vega: Did it work for your photo transfer? As the base layer between the paper and the wood? I want to do the same thing. Can't find any gel medium for less than $25, so I'd like to use this if it worked for you.
***** What knd of photo transfer did you mean it would work for? I'm trying to do the laserjet transfer, that has a layer of gel medium between the paper and the wood, then the paper is rubbed away. Will it work like a gel medium for that? Thanks so much :)
will the white glue work like a gel medium on laser printer? i dont know......i can try it with a magazine picture and see. I am using inkjet printer so thats all i really know about.
Kelly Donovan Knittingandthings thank you Kelly!!! I CANNOT afford not get to a store that sells the Gel Medium (nor many different prep-finish types). TY
Hi Kelly, I love this background, and was wondering if you could give me the link to see the finished project? It would save me about an hour of searching through videos and facebook to find it (or not find it). Thanks :)
Barbi Tvrdik when i get a chance i will look for it---i think i started a quote on it--that was 2 years ago and i have tons of vids! lol ty for watching!!!!!!!!
Do you mean Decoupage [adhering the actual photo to the wood]? Or, do you mean transferring, and painting the photo image? See: 'Decoupage on wood', or 'transferring a photo to wood' in a Google search, if that is what you mean. There are many ways and mediums to do so. If you mean the second, it depends on other factors [i.e., if only wanting use a 'clear' shellac or something like that on the wood, as transfer lines may show through. Generally, you can just use a thin photo paper or regular printer paper to scan or print the photo, as your original will be ruined by"transferring" [the old-fashioned way]. Regular Photo Print papers will be too thick to transfer using the following methods. Next, cover the back of the photo rather heavily with a 'regular', or 2B [soft] pencil. Use the 'side', rather than the 'point', as in 'shading', for quicker and more even coverage. Then, align the photo to where you want it on the wood. Watch for slippage, but while holding or taping it in place, lift the image after you begin to draw over the photo to make sure you have enough pencil on the back, so that your lines are coming through; onto the wood. Use enough pressure with, say, a ballpoint pen, but without tearing the paper. You are going to carefully trace over the actual photo, and the pencil should transfer onto bare or non-glossy wood , but only as a light outline. Wood, if bumpy or grainy, might be a challenge, especially with tracing sharp lines. Hopefully your wood is smooth. Pencil transfer might indent softer woods due to the pressure. Light matte painted wood might still take a pencil transfer. If not, some use Carbon Paper, or dressmaker's transfer sheets, which come in colors and are compatible with acrylics and other paints. The dressmaker transfer sheets are found in the fabric department of most major stores. The Dark Blue might work best. If you want to enlarge the photo, you may be able to get it large enough on a printer/scanner. If not, print out the photo in sections, then overlap and tape them together. There are other ways of enlarging [recall those 'You can draw!" coloring books and such? You make a grid of 1" squares and draw a grid on your photo, then draw each section of what you see in each square. For more ideas, Google: carbon paper vs carbon paint paper and a ton of transfer materials & youtubes [for wood too] will come up. Hope this helps. Best of luck!
Hope it helps. If you have an inkjet printer, there are even more ways of transferring photos onto [usually smooth] wood. Google: transfer photo onto wood with inkjet printer Best of luck!
Depending on the wood's smoothness and its thickness, and the thickness of the photo, you can used "Mod Podge" and glue the photo onto the wood, by using a brush.. If you have a "DOLLAR TREE" store near you, you can buy a a small bottle of "Mod Podge" [in "matte" or "glossy"], for only a $1. Larger stores carry "crafts" or you could buy it from online.] Do you have "Walmart" , or any craft stores where you live? You should be able to find either "Mod Podge" and esp. White glue. You can use white glue mixed with a bit of water to thin. White '"school glue" which dries clear,; brand name is "Elmer's Glue-All", or "Elmer's School Glue". Basically, White glue mixed about 50:50 with water is almost same as Mod Podge. This would be using the "Decoupage" method. First. brush some "Mod Podge", or White glue on back of photo. I'd probably brush some glue on the wood too, before adhering the photo. Let both dry just a little, so that when you place your photo on the wood it sticks better. You then brush over the entire piece with "Mod Podge" [or White Glue mixed with water] to seal it, and remove any air bubbles. Let dry. You may want to apply another coat or so after drying. If you don't want to seal it, just brush white glue onto back of photo, and smooth it without getting any glue on top of photo. IMPORTANT: The photo must be printed on paper with PERMANENT inks, or the photo might dissolve or smear, especially if it gets wet, if too wet, or smear, Do some tests. First try gluing old magazine photos on wood, Then, if you have another photo printed on the same paper as the one you want to put on wood [one that you don't want] test that photo first. You may find Elmer's WOOD GLUE works best for just gluing the photo to wood. There are also spray adhesives which might work. It's hard to help you without more specific info. Best of luck!
Hello, I enjoy your videos very much. Just one suggestion , say "hi, everyone" instead of "hi, guys." Men are not the only viewers and women endure enough passive negation of our existence. We don't need other women referring to us as guys.
A lot of these commercially produced 'mediums' can be replicated with generic substitutes. 'Extender' for instance, can be substituted for KY Gell, or 'lube'. A famous (infamous) art forger suggested this together with using household acrylic paint instead of the tiny tubes. A UK art store told me long ago, when I'd remarked on the price of supplies, that a lot of stuff wasn't really necessary. I believe only GOOD oil paints, which use the original pigments, and pastels, are worth the money. Having said that, the end result in this vid doesn't exactly inspire confidence.
+tamsinthai thank you for your comment and criticism.I went on to your channel to see how it is supposed to be done--and wouldnt you know it.....you have no videos! have a great day!
***** What? On RU-vid??? :D Nah. YT is for craft and faux 'abstract' crap. I did see one or two decent watercolour demos produced decent results .. But watercolour not my oeuvre :D
