Christmas Tree WUH 'beads'

Seeing as how it is only ONE tree, think I best stick with the glue Leslie mentioned. I don't need to mess up--and knowing my luck I WOULD buy the unusable stuff. Don't have crafty neighbors to share the stuff with.

Read the 'ad' on the site..it just sounds a bit too dangerous for my hands and my safety. About the only thing I dare handle is the hot Glue gun--and that only when someone is home..and no not on beads.

Conga Rats on winning your Title once again: ) Got pix? Did you get to wear a crown with lots of bling?

Butterfly (thanks for responding. I don't need 'costly' at this point, just something to safely get the job done)

Thanks Sherry, forewarned is forearmed. I'll think Ill stay with glue--I can go into the garage and turn teh fans on if it is too smelly.

Butterfly

For just one project I would just use glue. Much cheaper than buying a fancy tool that will only apply special baubles made for use with the tool. It does hold up over time too. Twenty odd years ago Grandma made a stiffened wall hanging of a Christmas tree made of jewelry stones, beads, and findings glued onto a velvet background. She used plain Elmer's white glue to glue on the baubles and it is still intact. BTW, she used cardboard to stiffen the WH.

You could also use hot glue, but it would be a messy process and the glue might melt if the project is stored in an attic or other hot area, leaving you with an ugly blob when you found it next year. Debra in VA See my quilts at

Debra, the ends are shaped/sized to "hold" different crystals/studs that have a hot melt glue on them. They are used to apply these crystals to fabric, to add glitz. Lots of fun for wall hangings and artsy type quilts, but not too cuddly. And yes, they are very much like a soldering iron/woodburning tool.

Pati, > >

Thanks. The hot glue gun will not be used. hadn't thought about the storage part.

Butterfly

I don't have the Marie glitzer--mine is EZ Glitzer, I think, and it came with assorted tips. Not sure about the Marie one but it does sound like it comes with just the one tip.

I was in WalMart this afternoon and bought some "iron-on" rhinestones. You set them in place and use a hot iron to set them. Okay for a wallhanging, but not very washable according to the package. Another thought for your project.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Will email you once I get this quilted:) I won't be buying the glitzer with your offer as it would only have been for this one project.

Looks like I have a bit more homework to do before I put anything on the front. Have tried the 'puffy' glue and another type of glue on a vest years ago. Every year I find a few more 'vacant' spots where things have fallen off.

Butterfly

I have both of these and have used them both. I prefer the Gem-Tac for setting larger things like rhinestones, metallic studs, etc. The Unique Stitch is good for smaller things like seed beads, sequins, bugle beads, etc. but just didn't seem to do quite as good a job with the chunkier stuff. Of course that's just IMHO so YMMV. Butterflywings -- whatever you decide on, keep us posted. Since you are doing a WUH *and* this is basically a one shot deal for you, the less expensive Unique Stitch might work just fine on the chunkier stuff. I was working with clothing that would be worn & laundered much more often than a Christmas WUH! Also, if you haven't ordered from Home Sew, they are a great company. I order "gorpy" stuff (mostly fancy-schmancy trims, lace, buttons, etc.) from them all the time and get great service. OH YES -- for sure you MUST quilt before adding the "good stuff". Most of the HUG Quilts I have done have had either 3D blocks or ones with buttons and other treasures on them and it's certainly a challenge to quilt around this stuff :-). CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

Actually, I was thinking about the ones that are wee little tubes, not the ones that are silver backed. The backed ones have stayed pretty very well. The ones that have silvery innards are the ones you have to avoid. Polly

"Leslie & The Furbabies in MO." < wrote > Polly, I wonder if the silver backed 'jewels' were applied with that rubbery

It'll be going to the LA CA area AFAIK (As far as I know)...........

Butterfly (one never knows with Kidlets that are foot-loose and fancy-free these days )

Will check my meager bead, jewel, bling collection as I may end up adding to it. My, My! This is really turning into a neat project.

Butterfly (having more fun than a barrel of monkeys and I'm not even fully awake this AM!)

Thanks Pati! I never heard of this product before. Debra in VA See my quilts at

I wouldn't think about it either except a friend had an unfortunate melted hot glue mess to deal with one Christmas. Debra in VA See my quilts at

Would it work well for the little Clover iron? Debra in VA See my quilts at

I am planning on checking that out soon. I *think* so, but not sure what the opening is like, or how soon it gets how narrow... haven't even opened the box yet.

Pati, in Phx.

Debra wrote:

This one is a 3' X 5' panel. Old fashioned tree with 'candles' where I'll put the diodes, has one 'strand of beads that I'll put large round beads on to cover them, then I'll just decorate. Went to our LQS today and was the ONLY customer....really nice....it's their annual Sale this weekend. It's a small store so she didn't have any billing.

Butterfly (My Folks got one of those Christmas trees for their 50th Anniv--had jewelry from all of us kidlets on it. Course mine was a Butterfly : )

My Grandma's jewelry tree shape is a little more fancy than a triangle, but yes it is very 60ish. Hers doesn't have holes for lights, but what it lacks in lights it surely makes up for in gaudiness. The background is red velvet, the outline of the tree is metallic gold rick rack (Grandma loved rick rack. Mom and I hate the stuff.) , a "pearl" necklace (probably from the 5 & Dime) is the garland, and the star at the top was a rhinestone brooch with a broken clasp. Every possible "jewel" was used on it; old earrings, charms from bracelets, semi-precious stones, necklace pendants, Scarabs, and Moonstones. As a child I looked at it for hours, delighting in all that shiny stuff, especially the faceted crystal beads with that fancy opalescent finish. I haven't seen it used in quite some time, but it is still in her attic. Nice memory. Debra in VA See my quilts at