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Is Foam Hot Glue Really Worth the Cost?

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The last few days, I’ve been working on some new Fall-ish themed decor projects to share with you.  I found myself in the styrofoam section of Michael’s last week, and saw a package of glue sticks made specifically for styrofoam projects.

I don’t really do “crafts” very often, so perhaps this FoamGlue has been around for ages.  I have no idea.  But, I figured I would buy a package and do a little head-to-head test between it and ordinary low melt hot glue gun sticks.  At around $5 for a package of 15 sticks (as opposed to about half that for the same size package of low melt sticks), this FoamGlue was going to have to really perform for me to recommend it.

I cut a few pieces of styrofoam that I had left over from a package that was shipped to me.  The cuts were relatively straight and the pieces were relatively the same size.  I say that for you science geeks like me.

I started with the regular low melt hot glue.  I shot this photo right after I applied the glue to a piece of foam.  You can see that there are bubbles inside the glue, which is because the glue dries faster than the bubbles can escape (I think. Other science geeks can correct me on that.).  I know that high temperature hot glue melts styrofoam pretty quickly, but the low melt glue didn’t seem to cause those problems.

After I glued that piece to it’s mate, I moved on to the FoamGlue hot glue.  Here is my shot of that.

You will notice that the foam hot glue looks quite different than the low melt glue.  It is much clearer in appearance and there are no bubbles at all.  Why?  Well, I have no idea.  I’m going to guess that it’s because the FoamGlue melts at a lower temperature than low melt glue, so it’s not as thick.  That guess is a shot in the dark, though.

So, how did the two glues perform?  Honestly, about the same.  I felt like the FoamGlue’s bond was tighter than the bond from the low melt glue, but it wasn’t so different that I thought the foam hot glue was life changing.  The gap in the low melt sample in the photo below is because I think I stuck the wrong ends together and the cut didn’t completely match up.

Is FoamGlue worth the extra cost?  No, I don’t think so.  I think you should save your money for something more worthwhile.

Have you used foam hot glue before?  Tell us about your experience!

You Don’t Owe Anyone an Explanation

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I have a friend who always has a curious comment each time she comes into my home.  It’s clear to me that she doesn’t get my design asthetic, and the “Why?” question is usually the first thing out of her mouth.

“Why do you have a giant dead tree in your house?”

“Why is there a drum hanging from your ceiling?”

Living With Lindsay Pendant Drum Light Fixture

“Why would you spend all of that time painting patterns on your walls?”

“Why is your dining room chandelier made out of cardboard?”

When I see her at my door, I always brace myself for these questions.  I think, “Oh, surely she won’t say anything.  It is MY home after all.”  But even knowing of what is coming and bracing myself for it, I still bristle at her questions.

And then after I take a second to catch my breath, I always reply the same way.

There’s simply no better response than that.

I know that I’m not alone in getting the why questions.  Other than having more tactful friends and family members, there’s really not much that we bold design and fun idea folks can do about questions like that.  It’s really just a part of having a unique home that you love.  Your style might not be for everyone, so it doesn’t matter if they are on Team Bold with you or not.

I want you to know – right here, right now – that I am empowering you to stand confident in your design decisions.  The next time you are asked the “Why?” question, I want you to stand up straight and confidently reply, “Because I love it.”  

Your home is about you and your family.  It’s not about what the neighbor down the street or your sister-in-law’s cousin wants it to be.  Your home should be a place that you love.  Period.  And if you love it, or are working towards making it a home that you love, then you don’t owe anyone an explanation.

Do you get asked “Why?” about your decorating choices?  What has been your typical response?