When I went to my client's home to assemble the drawer memory boxes, I really didn't know what I would want to use to affix the wide variety of items that would create the 3D collages. And when I'm somewhere other than home, I like to bring absolutely everything I may need. I thought I'd show you what was in my bag of tricks on this installation day. Maybe some of these will be new to you:
Adhesives:
Mod Podge: Great brush on glue for paper and fabric. I used it for all the photographs and paper ephemera. Can also be used as a sealant layer over the top for protection.
Tack 1000: Spray adhesive. I've used it to adhere maps to hardboard. Is great for large surface area. I didn't need it for this project.
Tacky Glue: For fabric and trims. Great for adhering fabric to wood or fabric to fabric.
Hot Temp Glue Gun: Easy, quick adhering, but I always burn my fingers! Strings of glue will disappear with a hair drier. Glue doesn't hold well with extreme temps like outside weather. I used it quite a bit for the drawers.
E6000: Strong hold glue similar to a super glue. Long dry time, which can be a negative. Strong hold with disparate materials like metal, wood, glass. I used it to glue picture hanger teeth to the back of the dolly plates, so they could be hung from a nail.
Scissors:
I brought a regular one, a fabric one, and a pinking shears. My client also had a deckle scissors that came in handy to give some of the photos a vintage edge.
Measuring:
I like both a measuring tape and a good old wood ruler. I tend to eyeball everything, but sometimes you just need to be exact. Like when the D hooks needed to be attached to the back of the drawers.
Paper punches:
In several different sized holes. I didn't need them, but you just never know when you may want to make a mini bunting...
Extra paint:
I painted the drawers in Valspars Lincoln Cottage Black, one of my favorites. But I added Vintage Storehouse chalk paint powder to it, which I've come to love. No primer is needed, and it really increases the durability of latex paint on furniture. I sealed the outsides with General Finishes wax to give it some protection. I left the inside raw, so I could glue the items on. Luckily, the drawers had fared well getting their plexiglass cut at Lowe's, and didn't need any touching up.
Tying on:
Bindwire: A raffia, covered wire used by florists. It comes in handy for a lot of applications. Comes in green or tan and is very strong.
String: Good old fashioned look that has function, and time-honored charm.
Fishline: Strong and invisible. I used this quite a bit in the drawers for the items with depth. I wound and knotted it around nail heads, and looped it through eye hooks. It's whats holding the dollys in place, and also the rolling pin and quite a few other items. Also works great to suspend items from ceilings to make them look like they're floating in space.
These items start overlapping with my handy dandy drill bag, but that's a whole other post...
Eye hooks and D hooks:
Eye hooks come in a myriad of sizes from super tiny to rather large. You usually need to drill a little starter hole, but once you start turning, they slide into wood pretty easily. I put a small one on either side of the dolls waistline, and then used fishline to secure them.
D hooks are so much stronger than picture hanging teeth. They're easily installed on the back of heavy items. To make hanging easier, use a wire to span the distance between two of them.
Nails, Screws, Picture teeth, anchors:
Just handy to have a variety, plus a good screwdriver with phillips and straight ability, and a little hammer for those little projects. Everyone has a regular sized hammer, but not everyone has a little one!
Hope your horizons have been opened with some of these handy tools of the trade!
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