How to Make a Clear Glue

Make your own envelopes and seal them with this glue.

Commercially sold glue is generally pretty cheap so why would you want to make your own? Well, if you are a crafter making your own envelopes and stamps, whether for resale or personal use, making your own glue might be an option to explore. This clear glue recipe is especially good if you are making lick-to-stick items and is easy enough for kids to help with and use to make their own stickers and stamps.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl
• 1/4 ounce unflavored gelatin
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• 3 tablespoons boiling water
• Spoon
• 1/2 teaspoon white corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

Instructions

1. Put cold water into a bowl and sprinkle with unflavored gelatin. Let sit until softened.

2. Pour boiling water into the softened gelatin and stir until completely dissolved.

3. Stir in the corn syrup and lemon extract; mix well. The lemon extract repels bugs that are attracted to the starches in this recipe.

4. Use while still warm and store in an airtight container. The mixture will gel once cooled.

5. Soften for future use by placing the container in warm water.

References

• The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions: More Than 65 Wacky, Wild & Crazy Concoctions; John E. Thomas & Danita Thomas; 1998