Finding good adhesives is often difficult and local stores don't always carry them. I am glad to share my expertise with you, but please always test the products yourself on a sample first. Make sure you the result is as desired and follow basic safety precautions to help ensure that your application is successful and safe!

• Always test your glues and use them with caution on any work of heirloom quality as adhesives may fail over time.
• When applying from large tube to small area, place some glue on a piece of cardboard and use a small T-pin.
• Use only in a well ventilated room, outside or wear a respirator.
• Let glues cure 12-72 hours before wearing your finished piece

Health and Safety Issues :: Be careful when using any glue product and read the all the instructions on the packaging. Assume that the products are toxic, work in a well ventilated area to avoid breathing the fumes. Use a toxic fume respirator for long exposure. Make sure to keep the cap on the glue when you're not using it. This will help keep the glue from drying out and prevent any spillage if you were to accidentally knock the glue over. Keep all adhesive products out of reach of children and pets. And most importantly, be cautious – Glues bonds skin and eyes in seconds.
Click on images for safety info, MSDS on each product and for additional technical info

For Nylon/Silk Thread and Beads :: Originally designed for the watch repair industry. Comes with a precision tip applicator shown on bottom right of the picture great for application of just one mini drop. Stays flexible and very clear when dried. No discoloration of semiprecious beads or pearls. Sets in 10 minutes and dries within 1 hour. Shelf-life about 1 year.

For more technical information click on image.
Shipped by ground only!

Personal note :: For jewelry with nylon or silk thread, it is a good choice for securing knots next to beads as it does not discolor most beads. It can also be squeezed inside the bead hole to secure the bead to a specific spot on the thread without the use of knots. When used to terminate the thread I recommend two applications: glue before cutting the thread, let dry, cut thread as desired and then glue again. May have a limited lifetime, as failure over time have been recorded, so use with caution on heirloom quality pieces. See Fray Check... as an alternative.

For Leather/Micro suede and Cabochon :: A great rubber contact cement originally used for gluing soles in the shoe industry. It is great to glue leather, micro suede or felt to the back of your beaded or knotted piece and for the backing of cabochons. It is also great to repair shoes, sandals, purse straps, weather stripping...
Apply on both surfaces, allow to set 5-15 min., then press firmly together. Dries overnight. Stay flexible. Colored, yellowish in tone.

For more technical information click on image. Click here for MSDS
Shipped by ground Parcel Post or UPS ground only!

Personal notes :: I use this glue to bond leather to the back of cabochons and/or solidly knotted area where I fused ends of thread. Careful application is necessary as this glue is colored and it will discolor thread and leather!

For more technical information click on image. Click here for Epoxy Safety
Shipped by ground Parcel Post or UPS ground only!

Personal note :: I use this epoxy to glue my kumihimo braids into sterling silver tubular clasps. I mix mine with a T-pin on a piece of cardboard, coat the inside of the tube/barrel, then insert the kumihimo end. I let it dry overnight. Mix only small amount at a time as it sets quickly and make sure the quantity from each tube is even, otherwise the epoxy will not set properly.

Molded into an hexagonal shape with a bee in bas-relief.
About 2 1/2" (6.5mm) in diameter and 1/2" (1.5 cm) thick.

Great for thread conditioning to reduce fraying when beading and self-needles. Instructions for self-needles:
1. Loosen thread end and wax.
2. Fray with scissors blade, wax again.
3. Refray & shred with blade, removing some of the fiber until end thins.
4. Rewax and cut at angle.
Rewax as needed when stringing beads.

Personal note :: I have used this particular wax for many years, as it is a hard beeswax, not sticky so it holds well to the thread and not to the fingers. I leave it close to one of my light to warm it when working so it becomes softer. It smells good and is a natural product manufactured by our allies, the bees, the wonder workers! I keep several on hand and one in my traveling pouch.

A thin clear plastic liquid, similar to glue, to seal the ends of thread and keep them from fraying. It is colorless, smells like rubbing alcohol and has a new improved fine tip. When opening the bottle for the first time, poke a hole in the tip with a fine pin. Always test first. Allow 15-30 minutes to dry. Fray Check dries clear but may darken the color of the thread. On the plus side, it’s washable and dry cleanable.

For more technical information go to the Dritz website, and clik on image for written information on the box.

Personal note :: For self-needles, it is superior to super glue or nail polish, but I still prefer beeswax. I tested it on several nylon #18/C-Lon Bead Cord thread. It darkens light colors. It does not leave much residue on the fingers when smoothing along the thread, as it is a type of nylon suspended in rubbing alcohol. The alcohol evaporates and the product then dries on the thread or piece of fabric/ribbon on which it has been applied. Very good to secure knots and thread ends.

This liquid plastic prevents fraying and is also excellent for securing the ends of threads. Designed to dry clear to avoid discoloration, it also dries quickly and leaves fabric soft and flexible. Machine-washable or dry-able. Comes with an ultra-fine nozzle-tip which allows for precise application and helps get to hard-to-reach areas.

For more information click on image.

Personal note :: Great as a thread conditioner to add more abrasion resistance or more 'bond' to cord. When compared to Fray Check, Fray Block dried first, left a lighter feel on the thread and no discoloration whereas Fray Check darken the thread a bit. As a bond for knots, Fray Check is easier to apply as the bottle is clear.