Hot Glue Crafts: 15 Surprising Things People Are Making With a Glue Gun Right Now
Hot glue crafts are having a real moment, and the results look nothing like the stringy blobs you remember from school. In the past two weeks, craft creators on Instagram turned plain glue sticks into a sparkling clear Christmas tree that earned more than 62,000 likes, and a golden glue succulent and a painted cactus that pulled in hundreds of thousands of views within days. Once it is painted or left clear, dried glue can look like glass, ceramic or carved metal. Almost everyone has a glue gun in a drawer, and glue sticks cost very little. Below are 15 surprising projects to try, with simple supplies and steps. Use a low temp glue gun, a silicone mat and adult help, and never let young kids use a hot glue gun alone..
Hot Glue Crafts That Look Like Glass and Ceramic
The big surprise with these projects is how fancy they look when they are done. A few creators, like the artist behind these popular glue gun reels, have shown that clear glue can shine like glass and painted glue can pass for ceramic or gold. The trick is to work slowly, in thin lines, on a surface the glue will not stick to. Gather a few glue sticks, a silicone mat and some paint, and your table can look like this by the weekend..
You will need: A low temp glue gun, clear glue sticks, a silicone craft mat, parchment paper, acrylic paint, a small brush, finger guards.
How to make it: 1. Set up a silicone mat and plug in the glue gun on its stand with an adult nearby. 2. Practice thin lines and dots on parchment paper. 3. Let pieces cool fully before you peel or paint them.
A Clear Christmas Tree on a Paper Cone
This is the project that went viral this month, with more than 62,000 likes on a single reel. Glue is piped in loops and swirls over a paper cone wrapped in parchment, and when it cools, the cone slides out to leave a hollow, sparkly tree. Put a battery tea light or a string of battery LED lights underneath and it glows like glass. It is a lovely mantel piece or table centerpiece for December. How tall would you make yours?
You will need: A paper or foam cone, parchment paper, tape, a low temp glue gun, clear glue sticks, fine glitter, a battery LED light.
How to make it: 1. Wrap the cone in parchment and tape it in place. 2. Pipe loops and zigzags of glue all over, leaving small gaps, and sprinkle glitter while warm. 3. Let it cool, slide out the cone and set it over a battery LED light.
Hot Glue Crafts With a Gold Succulent
A golden succulent made from glue passed 189,000 views in just two days, and it looks like a piece of metal art. Each leaf is a little teardrop of glue, layered around a center until it forms a rosette. A coat of gold paint finishes the trick. Set it in a small pot wrapped in twine for a gift that will never need watering. Would you paint yours gold, silver or soft green?
You will need: A low temp glue gun, glue sticks, parchment paper, a small pot, twine, gold acrylic or metallic paint.
How to make it: 1. Pipe teardrop shaped leaves on parchment and let them cool. 2. Glue them in rings around a small center, working outward. 3. Paint gold, glue into a twine wrapped pot and fill the top with small pebbles.
Hot Glue Snowflakes Traced on Paper
Snowflakes are one of the easiest hot glue crafts for beginners. Print or draw a snowflake, slide it under parchment paper and trace the lines with glue. Add glitter while the glue is warm, then peel it off when it is cool. Hang them in a window with fishing line or tie them onto gifts. Every one comes out a little different, just like real snow. How many will you make?
You will need: A snowflake drawing or printout, parchment paper, a low temp glue gun, clear glue sticks, white or silver glitter, fishing line.
How to make it: 1. Place the snowflake drawing under the parchment. 2. Trace the lines with glue and sprinkle glitter. 3. Let it cool for a few minutes, peel gently and hang.
Glue Drip Icicles for a Winter Mantel
Among winter hot glue crafts, these are the simplest: long drips of clear glue look just like icicles hanging from a mantel or shelf edge. Make them on parchment paper first, then glue them to a ribbon or a strip of garland. Add a string of battery LED lights behind them and they sparkle in the evening. Never put real candles near glue, because it can soften with heat. Battery lights are the safe and cozy choice. Where would you hang your icicles?
You will need: A low temp glue gun, clear glue sticks, parchment paper, a wide ribbon or garland, battery LED string lights.
How to make it: 1. Pipe long thin drips on parchment, thick at the top and narrow at the bottom. 2. Let them cool and peel off. 3. Glue the tops to a ribbon and hang with battery LED lights behind.
A Stained Look Sun Catcher
Clear glue colored with permanent markers turns hot glue crafts into a bright sun catcher that glows in a sunny window. Draw a simple design like a flower, a heart or a star, trace the outline with glue, then fill each section with thin glue and color it once it cools. It is a fun project for older kids with an adult nearby. Hang it where the morning light hits it. Which shape would you pick?
You will need: A low temp glue gun, clear glue sticks, parchment paper, a simple drawing, permanent markers, string.
How to make it: 1. Trace the outline of the drawing with glue on parchment. 2. Fill each section with thin glue and let it cool. 3. Color each section with markers, peel off and hang with string.
Hot Glue Lace on a Plain Glass Vase
A plain glass vase gets a fancy makeover with a pattern of glue dots and swirls that looks like lace. Pipe the pattern straight onto the glass, then paint the whole vase in a soft matte color. The raised pattern catches the light and looks carved. It is a perfect way to reuse jars and bottles too. Fill it with dried flowers and it makes a sweet gift. What color would you paint yours?
You will need: A clean glass vase, jar or bottle, a low temp glue gun, glue sticks, spray or acrylic paint, a brush.
How to make it: 1. Clean the glass and draw a light pattern with a marker if you like. 2. Pipe dots, swirls and lines of glue over the pattern and let it cool. 3. Paint the whole vase and let it dry.
Raised Dot Planters That Look Like Pottery
Rows of glue dots on a plain plastic or tin planter turn it into something that looks like handmade pottery. Once it is painted in a creamy white or terracotta color, nobody guesses it started as a cheap pot. This is one of the most useful hot glue crafts because it upgrades things you already have. Make a set in different sizes for a windowsill herb garden. Which plant would go in yours?
You will need: A plain pot or clean tin can with smooth edges, a low temp glue gun, glue sticks, matte acrylic paint, a brush.
How to make it: 1. Pipe neat rows of small glue dots all around the pot. 2. Let it cool fully. 3. Paint two coats in a matte color and add your plant.
Hot Glue Crafts That Bloom Like a Cactus
A painted glue cactus with little yellow flowers pulled about 568,000 views in a few days. The shape is built from layers of glue over a small foam or paper base, then painted green with tiny dots of yellow for blooms. It looks bright and cheerful on a desk and never needs care. Make a little group of them in different shapes for a desert garden. Would you add pink flowers instead?
You will need: A small foam egg or rolled paper base, a low temp glue gun, glue sticks, green and yellow acrylic paint, a small pot, sand or pebbles.
How to make it: 1. Cover the base with lines of glue running top to bottom to make ridges. 2. Add tiny dots along the ridges for spines and let it cool. 3. Paint it green, add yellow flowers and set it in a pot.
Faux Wax Seals for Gift Wrap
Wax seals make any gift look special, and hot glue crafts give you the same look without a flame. Use a colored glue stick or paint the glue after, then press in a seal stamp while it is warm. Make a batch on parchment paper and stick them onto cards and gifts later. They are perfect for holiday wrapping and wedding invitations. Which color will match your wrapping paper?
You will need: A low temp glue gun, colored or plain glue sticks, a seal stamp, parchment paper, metallic paint, double sided tape.
How to make it: 1. Pipe a small coin sized puddle of glue on parchment. 2. Wait a few seconds and press in the stamp, then lift it when the glue sets. 3. Paint the top gold if you like and stick it to a gift.
Glitter Stars for the Christmas Tree
Shiny glue stars make light, shatterproof ornaments that are safe to hang near little ones. Trace a star shape under parchment, outline it, fill it with thin swirls and dust it with glitter while warm. Add a loop of ribbon and they are ready for the tree. Make them in gold, silver and clear for a mix that sparkles under the lights. How many stars will your tree need?
You will need: A star template, parchment paper, a low temp glue gun, glue sticks, gold and silver glitter, ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Trace the star outline with glue on parchment. 2. Fill it with swirls and add glitter while the glue is warm. 3. Peel it off when cool and glue on a ribbon loop.
A Textured Picture Frame Painted Gold
A plain wooden frame turns into an ornate antique style piece with a few lines of glue, and it is one of the best hot glue crafts for gifting. Pipe swirls, leaves and dots around the edge, then paint the whole thing gold or bronze. It looks like carved wood or old metal from a vintage shop. Pop a family photo inside and it makes a heartfelt holiday gift. For more easy crafts made from simple supplies, try these popsicle stick crafts. Who would you give one to?
You will need: A plain wooden frame, a low temp glue gun, glue sticks, gold or bronze acrylic paint, a brush.
How to make it: 1. Remove the glass and pipe a pattern of swirls and dots around the frame. 2. Let it cool fully. 3. Paint two coats of gold and put the glass back in.
Hot Glue Crafts for a Last Minute Halloween Table
Halloween is just days away, and glue spider webs are a quick fix for a spooky table. Draw a web on paper, trace it with glue on parchment, and peel it off when it cools. Paint it white or silver, or leave it clear and lay it over a dark tablecloth. Add a few toy spiders and battery LED pumpkins and your table is ready. Will you hang yours in the window too?
You will need: Parchment paper, a web drawing, a low temp glue gun, glue sticks, white or silver paint, toy spiders, battery LED pumpkins.
How to make it: 1. Trace the web lines with glue on parchment. 2. Let it cool, then peel gently. 3. Paint if you like and arrange on the table with toy spiders.
A Moon and Stars Mobile for a Kid’s Room
A soft mobile of glue moons and stars is one of the gentlest hot glue crafts and makes a dreamy decoration over a reading nook or above a dresser. Paint them pale gold, cream and silver and hang them from a small hoop or stick at different heights. The grown up makes the glue pieces and the kids can paint and arrange them. Hang it out of reach of babies and toddlers. What would you add, clouds or planets?
You will need: A low temp glue gun, glue sticks, parchment paper, moon and star templates, paint, a small embroidery hoop or stick, fishing line.
How to make it: 1. An adult traces and fills moon and star shapes with glue on parchment. 2. Peel and paint them once cool. 3. Tie them to the hoop with fishing line at different lengths.
Hot Glue Crafts Safety and Setup Tips
A safe setup makes these projects much more fun. Choose a low temp glue gun, keep it on its stand and work on a silicone mat. Silicone finger guards help when you press or shape warm glue, and a bowl of cool water nearby is handy. Grown ups should always handle the hot glue for young kids, who can paint and decorate the cooled pieces instead. Unplug the gun when you take a break. Which project will you try first?
You will need: A low temp glue gun with a stand, a silicone mat, silicone finger guards, parchment paper, a bowl of cool water.
How to make it: 1. Set up on a flat table away from little hands and pets. 2. Keep the gun on its stand and unplug it during breaks. 3. Let every piece cool fully before you touch, peel or paint it.
