Ad Tech Glue Guns, Walmart, and Great Balls of Fire

This afternoon I was tinkering away gluing this to that, when suddenly, right beside me, something pretty frightening happened.

A ball of fire shot out of the glue chamber of my glue gun, the chamber continued to flame for a few moments, then subsided and gave way to the acrid smell of burning plastic. 

This is the gun that I was using: Ad Tech Hi Temp Glue Gun purchased at Walmart less than a year ago. It had been plugged in for about 30 minutes and I was using the recommended glue sticks.

I immediately searched the brand and found the following within just a few minutes:

Report 1

Report 2

Report 3

Amazon review of an Ad Tech glue gun 1

Amazon review of an Ad Tech glue gun 2

"I just bought an adtech and had it explode 3 weeks after I bought it"

Yeah, this isn't an isolated incident despite this canned reply from the company: "AdTech is committed to safety, and its products have an excellent safety record."

So I dutifully made my way to the Walmart website, the place I purchased the product, and left this review "A literal fireball came out of the glue chamber followed by the acrid smell of burning plastic. I'm a professional artist/crafter and have used many similar products and never had anything like this happen before. A quick internet search revealed this is not an isolated incident with this brand. I would absolutely NOT recommend this brand and question the safety of this product." Basically everything I've just explained to you.

The review was rejected by Walmart. I've asked for their reasoning and will post if they reply.

Until then, I really and truly hope that you will think twice before buying Ad Tech brand glue guns. I'm sure it appeals to a lot of thrifty crafters, it's pretty cheap and widely available... but maybe the few extra bucks for something that doesn't catch fire or explode would be money well spent. After all, if you're crafting near paper or other flammable materials it could spell disaster. Heaven forbid this happens while someone is holding the thing and someone gets injured.

Just because something is value priced, doesn't mean it should burst into flames.

Craft safely, friends!

Edit: I did contact AdTech and told them of the incident. They never replied. Walmart asked to see the rejection message they sent to me and still has not supplied a reason for the rejection.

Paper Caravan Template & Tutorial

Every time I post a little paper caravan I get a few requests for a 'how-to'. I've FINALLY drafted a streamlined pattern to create a basic, simplified version. The template and tutorial are available as an instant download from my etsy shop.

A few important notes about the design. 

• The design does NOT include wheels. I recommend 2" Fancy Wheels from GinasDesigns.net Gina designed them at my request, and they are perfect for this project. Great value, easy to use, and lightweight.

• The design DOES include one template PDF and a three page instructional PDF.

• You can complete this project with just one 12" sheet of scrapbook paper if it has a random design. If using papers that have repeating patterns (or a specific orientation) you will need more than one sheet to ensure that everything is facing the right way.

• More notes on paper: double-sided would be best to use as the reverse can be peeked at! Thick paper / card is recommended.

• Dresden borders are your friend. These will absolutely add the feeling of ornate detailing to your project.

• A scoreboard is highly recommended for this project. Scoring helps your folds to be neat and straight. If you do any sort of paper crafting, spend the $20 - $30 and invest in one. It's one of those things that will leave you wondering how you crafted without it.

The paper I've used on this caravan is from Tim Holtz Wallflower 12x12 Paper Stash. You will want to use a heavy weight paper / card for this project. My favourite papers for making caravans have been these super thick Sanctuary Scrapbook Papers. 

If you've got a bit of crafting under your belt and want a project that you can alter and make your very own... this is for you. Easily changeable with paper selection, color choice and embellishments used. For those even braver, change the window shape/size, the window box, the shutters, the edging and make this project your very own. 

Go on then! What are you waiting for?! Go make some tiny paper Gypsy magic!

Paper Caravan Tutorial and Template listing

Old Timey Tuesday

Old grungy pictures from my personal collection for use in your art and craft projects.

You may NOT sell, give or distribute the images, digitally or printed, alone or as part of a collection, collage sheet or group.

Violators will be turned into toads... I mean it... It won't be pretty.

A Card for Romantic Weirdo's

I saw a post the other day celebrating Morticia and Gomez Addams' romance. Sure, maybe they are a couple of weirdos... but they love passionately and give the rest of us weirdo's something to aspire to. 

I thought that this quote from the Addams's would make a great card to give your "Cara mia" or "Mon Cher" on Halloween... or if you're a true romantic, any time!

"Last night - you were unhinged. You were like some desperate, howling demon. You frightened me. Do it again!"

How fun! Petaloo's little Chantilly-Velvet Hydrangeas are totally lush and perfect for this project. I've also added a couple of small Burlap Blossoms and a length of Burlap Trim tied in a bow.

  

Finish off with some distressing and skull charm, and you've got just the thing to let your weirdo know you love them. :)

Here's the supply list: 

Chantilly-Velvet Hydrangeas 

Burlap Blossoms 

Burlap Trim 

Skull & Crossbones Charms - Copper 

Wallflower 12x12 Paper Stash 

Chipboard Fourishes

Mercury Glass Stickles* 

Moony house shrine

I've been busy chipping away at my holiday makings but I'm trying to hold off posting Christmas projects until after Halloween. On one hand I understand that posting wintery/Christmas stuff sets people into a panic... but on the other hand posting early gives people enough time to order supplies and make stuff. What a conundrum! What do you think? To post or not to post? Ugh.

ANYWAY here is my latest non holiday piece.

The shrine part of this piece is from Gina's and can be found HERE. (I know that I'm on Gina's DT but I really do love her stuff and do order from her for personal non-dt goodies.) The exterior of the shrine has a texture created with gel medium. The roof is natural bark collected from around Pixie Hill. Inside is lined with music sheets from a vintage hymnal.

Those little red roofed houses inside are from the batch that I pit fired in the back garden a few weeks ago. I'm pretty smitten with them. The moon and mushrooms are Creative Paperclay. And here are the links to the Roses and Tim Holtz Mirrored Stars.

And if you want a really good look inside...

This piece is currently listed HERE.

Old Timey Tuesday

Old grungy pictures from my personal collection for use in your art and craft projects.

You may NOT sell, give or distribute the images, digitally or printed, alone or as part of a collection, collage sheet or group.

Violators will be turned into toads... I mean it... It won't be pretty.

Simple Sparkly "Dream" Tutorial

Today I have a new tutorial created just for GinasDesigns.net. This month I thought we'd create something fun and simple. A quick project that doesn't take a lot of time or products but still has a 'wow' factor. Some glittery goodness to keep you inspired, or maybe a little bit of glam to cheer up a friend.

I've used a sturdy chipboard sentiment, a brand new design from Gina's, available soon. I've chosen the word "Dream" but other inspirational words will also be available.

To kick up the glam factor of this project I've covered my pieces in ultra fine glitter. You can see exactly how I apply it, and tips for a flawless flat glittery finish, in my tutorial video for this project. 

Finally, those sweet shooting star elements, another new design from Gina's, and adds even more whimsicality.

Are you ready to create your own bit of sparkly magic?!

HERE is the video tutorial and here is a list of all the products I used:

Gina's "DREAM" chipboard sentiment *Available Soon!*

Gina's chipboard stars *Available Soon!*

4 large beads
black acrylic paint
white acrylic paint
ultra fine glitter
star tinsel
bamboo skewer

glue