Use Glue as a Medium to Craft Embossed Surfaces

One of the essential tools of a crafter is a glue. Hot glue works great for attaching items quickly and the glue holds well once it has cooled, and craft glue provides a more permanent bond on slick surfaces or those items that may be handled a lot.

Did you also know that these adhesives can be used as a medium in a craft project? Craft glue or hot glue can be applied to the surface of items to make an embossed pattern. Either one will work for this technique. I like craft glue for more intricate designs, but hot glue dries (cools) more quickly.

Decide what you would like to emboss. Jewelry boxes, jars, buckets, journal covers, the glass on picture frames or old windows, or wood furniture that needs a little embellishing. I know you will come up with a few ideas of your own. The ideas are endless.

Find a shape or pattern you would like to use for your embossing. Cookie cutters, children's coloring books, designs on fabric, appliques from fashion accessories and even sports logos can provide the pattern or inspiration you are looking for to create the perfect embellishment. Trace them and enlarge or reduce their size. Transfer the image to lightweight cardboard and cut out. This will allow you to trace the image onto your project. If your project is clear glass, you may not need to cut it out. Taping the image behind the glass will work just fine.

Step 1
Trace the image onto your project using a pencil. Some inks may bleed through the finished embossed piece, giving an undesirable shadow. If taping behind clear glass you will not need to trace.

Step 2
Position or place the piece so that the image lays flat. Outline the traced shape with your chosen glue. While the glue is still wet or hot, fill in the image with more glue. Work quickly if you are using hot glue, as it doesn't take long to cool. The finished shape will have a texture. Allow the glue to dry or cool before moving or turning it.

Step 3
Tear 2 to 3-inch pieces of tissue paper. It can be recycled tissue paper, but use white or a natural-beige paper to prevent dyes from bleeding through when you paint. Apply the tissue paper to your project using a decoupage medium. Cover the embossed design and the whole surface of the piece. Allow the medium to dry thoroughly.

Step 4
Paint the whole piece with a base coat of your choice. Allow the paint to dry. Dry brush over the paint with a brown acrylic paint. The dry brushed paint will pop out the texture and the embossed image, making it more visible and giving the entire piece an aged look. Paint a clear sealer over the finished project if desired.