Brads - what and why?

[MazdaUK]

OK, I think I have a couple of brads I got in a grab bag, but how do you poke them through the paper? And how do you make them stick? I can cope with paper fasteners (split pins?) but I just keep getting mine out and looking at them, then putting them back. And are they acid free?

I've gone a whole year and never used one once, so i can manage without, but I have a couple of tiny cute dinosaurs I'd love to use on my AK pages.

 

[maria34a]

OK, I think I have a couple of brads I got in a grab bag, but how do you poke them through the paper? And how do you make them stick? I can cope with paper fasteners (split pins?) but I just keep getting mine out and looking at them, then putting them back. And are they acid free?

I've gone a whole year and never used one once, so i can manage without, but I have a couple of tiny cute dinosaurs I'd love to use on my AK pages.

Ok first you have to make the hole in the paper, then you put the brad in, then there is this tool that you buy that you put on top of the opening of the circular part of the underside on the back of the page. Then you take a hammer and pound it down. It then splits and kinda spreads out like a flower on the back side of the paper and that holds it in place. When you turn the paper over, you will see your dinasaur in place with his little hole in his belly!

The best thing to do is to buy a few plain brads and a brad kit and practice on a piece of paper first. It is really easy! It's a great way to tac down papers, pictures, mats, and any other kinds of stuff to your pages! They are really cute! Also if you can get the Crop-a-dile, this tool is great!!!! It is a silent setter and works wonders!!!! It is so easy and no hammering!!!! It also does lots of other things!!!!

 

[Mickster]

There are brads (like the "Old fashioned paper fasteners) - they have two prongs on the back that you can open once you punch a hole (or if you are unwilling to find a tool to punch the hole you can just poke the prongs through - Not that I have ever done that, of course... )

The other type is an eyelet. For those you need a special tool, like Maria said. It is called an eyelet setter. Great for getting out your frustrations, not so good if everyone is sleeping. They are good for attaching papers together (especially vellum) or putting in the holes of a tag.

I don't know if they are acid free. Just don't use them on an actual picture and cover them on the back. I often cover them with the adhesive to stick the element down.

Good luck! I use them every so often, but not on every LO. I would say think of them like a sticker. Make a border of the dinos to add to an AK page. Or a photo mat border.

 

[ddavis860]

I use both brads and eyelets alot. I just like the way they look, and it's another little detail to add to my pages. But I do agree, they are embelishment only, and I don't put them directly on my pics.

After many years of hammering, I got a crop-a-dile at Mike's with a 50% off coupon...LOVE IT!! I can sit there and do eyelets in the same room as my family, and not get the "eyes" from them as I set. My only complaint is when I'm doing a swap, and setting like 60 of these things, my hand gets tired...but I still won't go back to the hammer...I think it gives a better set.

The little dinos sound so cute!

 

[4greatboys]

With brads you simply need to poke a hole in the paper and slip the brad in then just open the legs so it will stay in place.

Eyelets are what you need to use the hammer with. I dont use them because I dont care for all the hammering and stuff.

I have found a lot of really cute brads and they so easy to use.

 

[nikkistevej]

I use a push-point to poke the hole through the paper, then push the brad through. I could never push the hole through with the brad, it always bent the paper or the brad.

 

[MazdaUK]

Thanks for all your help. I'll have a look round our craft shop (yes, shop in the singular! How I envy you Michaels etc. !!!) and see what I can find.

As I bought embossing powder even though the heat-it tool was out of stock (and then didn't want to pay the £18 to get one! ) I have a slight history of unwise purchases, so I didn't want to get the wrong thing. Anyone want a set of embossing powder plus 2 stamp pads plus top-up liquid (or whatever its called)? Perhaps I need a pre-Christmas e-bay session.

Hint: using a hairdryer on embossing powder is not a good idea!

 

[patchchild]

Hairdryers are definately a bad idea. You do have some other options before you sell off the embossing powder. You can (CAREFULLY!!) hold the paper over the toaster or an electric stove. Don't try it over an open flame though, that's just asking for trouble.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Mazda, that was so funny. For me, probably not for you when you had to clean up all the embossing powder that went everywhere.
I too have purchased the powder and the versamark ink before buying the special heating tool. I'm hoping to get it for Christmas. And then, woohoo, guess what your swapping items will have on it from me?

 

[Honeybehr1]

I have the embossing powder, the ink, stamps and even the tool but I cant figure out how to use them. Not too good with new techniques

 

[marlynnp]

I second the use of a toaster to set embossing powder!

 

[phantom728]

I use brads on my pages (not everyone), but find that sometimes it just adds the right detail. If they are not specific design brads (like round ones) then I don't secure them after splitting, but if they are then use a piece of acid-free tape on the back.

I also find that they work well for securing ribbon to pages as well.

Enjoy!

 

[MazdaUK]

Using a toaster! Genius!!!!!!

Do you place the item on the bun warming rack (or whatever its called) or just hold it over the slots?

 

[marlynnp]

I just hold it about an inch above the slots

 

[MazdaUK]

And then, woohoo, guess what your swapping items will have on it from me?

Idea!!! Are there any Mickey/disney stamps around? (I bet you lucky poeple have access to loads!)

Is embossing powder acid free though? I don't mind using it on cards and stuff.