Decorative Thumb Tacks with Flower Cabochons and Non Toxic Glue

I’ll spare you from the endless details, but this Product Test Drive post was complicated and convoluted from start to finish. It all started out with my DIY cork board project; people were interested in the decorative thumb tacks that I paired it with.

Now, in my haste to complete my cork board project, I used hot glue to make those thumb tacks. But when I went to pull them from the cork, they came apart! So, I knew I needed a stronger, better glue moving forward.

Initially, I gravitated towards the famous E6000 glue. Most of my jewelry-making friends rely on it, and I know it works like a charm. But I am all-too-familiar with the odor (which I HATE), and when I studied the actual packaging, there was a big, honkin’ cancer warning on the back. 

So, why risk it? I just need to make thumb tacks and I’d rather risk a failed craft project than failed health.

And so, I started to wonder if there were any strong and safe non toxic adhesives on the market. I mean, even my go-to super glue has its own warnings (not cancerous, but typical “don’t ingest or get in eyes or on skin” type warnings).

Finally came out with a contender:

Now that I had a nontoxic glue to try, I could get started on my decorative thumb tacks and put the glue to the test. Or rather, Product Test Drive.

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Using an Eco Friendly Glue to Make Decorative Thumb Tacks

To make my decorative thumb tacks, I used flower cabochons (from a craft store or on Etsy, where I got these).

I also found some vintage thumb tacks (also from Etsy) as my base.

I mean, I *had* to upcycle SOMETHING that was secondhand, otherwise it wouldn’t be very Sadie-esque, no would it?

Gotta love that retro packing, eh?

I was ready to get started with this non toxic glue and read the directions, which were pretty standard. 

Per the information on the back, I applied a touch of glue to both surfaces (the cabochon and the thumb tack head).

My initial thoughts on Tiger Bond?

• The smell wasn’t bad; it reminded me of plain Elmer’s white glue;
• Tiger Bond is runny! It comes out of the tube fast, so I was glad to be using a drop cloth over my work surface.

Now, the packaging said it would cure in 24-48 hours, but even after 48, I felt like I could still pry the thumbtacks from the flower cabochons. So, I let them cure 3-4 full days before doing anything else.

Glamorous and Chic Office Supplies with Non Toxic Glue

After those 3-4 days (which was, admittedly, a long time to wait), I set up my thumb tacks for spray painting. Which is no easy feat for little bitty objects that like to roll around! So, here’s my fail-safe method:

• I used a small, flattened cardboard box.
• Then, I attached packing peanuts to loops of painter’s tape on the box.
• I stuck the thumbtacks in the Styrofoam.

This way, I could hold the box like a paint palette with my thumb inside the box! 

This protected my hand from spray paint but allowed me to hold the box at every angle to ensure full spray paint coverage.

Speaking of spray paint, though…

I am OBSESSED with the color and metallic shine from it.

I mean, isn’t that absolutely gorgeous?

Either way, the Styrofoam peanuts held beautifully and worked like a charm. Now I just needed the decorative thumb tacks to dry!

Decorative Thumb Tacks with Flower Cabochons and Non Toxic Glue

They really are gorgeous and add such a glamorous touch to my home office!

My Product Test Drive conclusion?

Ultimately, I liked Tiger Bond, but would probably give it a B or B- as a grade. I know it’s not as strong as E6000 or my favorite, go-to super glue, but the non-toxicity really stacks up in its favor (for me).

So, I think that it would be great for craft projects, but probably not an alternative for jewelry-makers looking to get away from E6000.

Are there products on the market that you’d like to see me test out on a project? I’m always looking for new Product Test Drive suggestions, so please let me know!

If you enjoyed this upcycling idea for decorative thumb tacks for your home office, then you’ll love this upcycling idea for a password book!

Craft on!

S

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