Homemade Glue & Paste Recipes
The following glue and paste recipes use a variety of ingredients and methods. Choose the one that best suits your project. For variety, add food coloring before using. Store all glues and pastes in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Glue
Materials
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 teaspoon white vinegar
Small saucepan
Small bowl
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3/4 cup cold water
Directions
Mix water, corn syrup, and vinegar in saucepan.
Bring to a full, rolling boil.
In bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water.
Add this mixture slowly to the hot mixture, stirring constantly until the mixture returns to a boil.
Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
When cooled, pour into another container and let stand overnight before using.
Homemade Paste
Materials
1/2 cup flour
Cold water
Saucepan
Food coloring (optional)
Directions
Add cold water to flour until mixture is as thick as cream.
Simmer and stir in saucepan for 5 minutes.
Add a few drops of food coloring, if desired.
This wet, messy paste takes a while to dry.
Papier-Mache Paste
Materials
1 cup water
1/4 cup flour
5 cups lightly boiling water
Large saucepan
Directions
Mix flour into 1 cup water until mixture is thin and runny.
Stir this mixture into lightly boiling water.
Gently boil and stir 2-3 minutes.
Cool before using
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No-Cook Paste
Materials
Bowl
1/2 cup flour
Water
Salt
Directions
In bowl, mix flour with enough water to make a mixture that's gooey, but not runny.
Add a pinch of salt; stir.
Homemade Modgepodge
Here's a great way to save some money on your craft addictions; make you own Decoupage! And it really works plus it's easy to do.
Materials
A jar
Elmers Glue
Water
Directions
Empty the glue into a jar. My jar is just an old Salsa Bottle.
Add Water. You need it to be 50% glue and 50% water.
Place lid on jar and seal tightly.
Shake until completely mixed.
Rice Glue
In Asia, rice glue is a well-known product. This extremely resistant adhesive can be used to glue all types of paper. It is used in traditional bookbinding and luxury cardboard products: papers bonded with rice glue are considered tear-proof. Though white when moist, rice glue becomes transparent as it dries. You can protect collages or drawings with a coat of this glue.
Materials
A jar
7 oz of rice or rice flour
1/3 liter (1 1/3 cups) of Water
Directions
In 1/3 liter (1 1/3 cups) of water, cook 7 oz of rice or rice flour* over low heat.
You can also use leftover rice that has already been cooked.
When the rice is overcooked, the starch it naturally contains will dilute in the water.
The liquid thickens and whitens.
Add a little water if necessary and reheat the mix.
Filter the glue and let it cool.
You can save the overcooked rice to make more glue at a later date.
Store the glue in a cool environment in a well-sealed container, such as a jelly jar, and it will last one week or longer.
Shake well before using.