When I saw a post on Pinterest about "homemade" glue dots it definitely got my attention. After all a box of 200 glue dots is around $5.00. I have always thought that was an outrageous price.....and on top of that you have to buy multiple packages to get different size dots! So I read several posts on the internet and decided to give it a try. I am Sooooooo glad I did!
Since I design and sell vinyl wall quotes I have an abundance of vinyl. So I just cut out some 3" x 4" rectangles out of the vinyl and then pulled off the vinyl. The paper backing for the vinyl has a plastic coating so the vinyl doesn't stick to it. This is what I put the glue dots on. You can also use paper that stickers come on or if you've already got a roll of glue dots just reuse the 1" round of paper they come on. (buy sticker sheets at The Dollar Store) You need a piece to put the dots on and a piece to put over the top of the dots after they have dried to protect them. Next time you order a vinyl wall quote just be sure to keep the stiff paper to use for this project. You could probably use the same papers over and over again.
(You can find our Vinyl Wall Quotes HERE )
This the glue that makes it all possible! I purchased this 4 oz bottle of Aleene's Tack-It Over & Over at Michael's. It was $6.99 but with my 40% off coupon from Hobby Lobby (yeah they take Hobby Lobby coupons at Michael's) I only paid $4.80. Then I cut out my rectangular squares 3" tall x 4" long. (just a random size) Then I started making my glue dots. Super simple! All you have to do is squeeze! The glue comes out looking like a white glue but is thicker and holds a circular shape. Yes, I an obsessive and didn't stop until I had emptied the entire bottle but you could just make a few sheets here and there when you need them.
This is what they look like after they have dried overnight. One of the great things is that you can make sheets with different sized dots. You know sometimes you need a big dot and sometimes you need a little dot and sometimes only a mini dot will work.(just think how many mini dots you could get out of one bottle!!!) Once they are dry just put another piece of sticker paper or vinyl paper over the top to protect them until you are ready to use them.
Okay, so don't think I'm nuts but I really wanted to know, and wanted to be able to report here in this post, just how many glue dots I got out of one 4 oz bottle of Tack-It. I pretty much put the same amount of dots in the same size on each sheet but I did run a tally. I ended up with 2,288 dots. Yes, I said 2,288 dots. The box of ⅜" dots is what I usually buy and I've seen it from $4.99 to $5.65. That box contains 200 glue dots. I would have to buy over 11 boxes to get as many as I was able to make. If I average the price at $5.00 that would be $55.00 plus tax and I only paid $4.80 for the bottle. Yes, there are the value packs of glue dots that are a little cheaper but still don't compare to making your own.
Above are the individual sheets of glue dots. I will not be running out anytime soon, which is the way I like it. And when I do I know the process in making more is relatively painless!!!
I found they work very well. They are a little more forgiving than store bought glue dots. If you have to pull two pieces of scrapbook paper apart after adhering a glue dot, it lets you without tearing either paper.
If you do decide to take on this simple project please leave a comment below and let me know how it worked for you. I'm thrilled to have on hand, as many glue dots and I need and at such a great price.
I have been doing this for years and absolutely love it. I tell all my customers and the savvy ones have tried it and thank me over and over. I only wish you could find that glue at more than Michaels, except they seem to have the lowest prices anyway.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. I'm glad to see you are also spreading the news about this money saving craft supply! I'm going to go get another bottle or two…..If they discontinue it we would all be sad!
DeleteTYSM! Great idea!!
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