But What Glue Do You Use?

Ten year anniversary, last week for Konjac Glue, and sale on Big and Little!

Hello dear friends and curious readers,

This week was the ten year anniversary of my book, The Art of Expressive Collage: Techniques for Creating with Paper and Glue¹.

Collage was my first love.

Regardless of the other mediums I explore, somehow I always come back to collage; folding each new technique or interest into the piles of fodder spilling over the worktable. Combining these elements has heightened my excitement for collage as a medium capable of containing energy and deeper meaning.

These scraps and bits of fodder are a metaphor for the many seasons and chapters of our lives. Piecing elements together, we see the big picture. The whole and complete person, with all of the hard and beautiful things encountered over the years.

We don’t know what the future will hold, any one of us. But oh, how exciting are the possibilities with collage!

With gratitude,
Crystal Marie

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But what glue do you use?

It’s one of the most frequently asked questions I get as a collage artist.

Over 15 years ago, I came up with a blend that’s been my go-to ever since. I’ve shared it in workshops, books, articles, and online forums—It’s thick and sticky and lovely. If you’ve ever taken a workshop with me, you know exactly what I mean.

Lately though, I’ve been fascinated by Konjac glue. The clear, versatile paste used in the ancient Japanese craft of hand-kneading paper known as Momigami, feels like it has no end to what you can do with it. The more I explore, the more it reveals.

If you love the feel of materials in your hands, you’ll find my time-tested adhesive blend—thick, tactile, and dependable—included as a demo in my prerecorded course Big and Little: Mastering the art of collage, on sale this week.

For the subtle, silky pull of Konjac glue, and all it’s many uses, my upcoming workshop covers a variety of applications.

Both offer a chance to dig in, get your hands messy, and learn through the materials themselves. Read on for details . . .

This live online workshop was recorded and is now available to purchase for those who would like to slow down and explore the techniques, review the lessons, and create at your own pace!

Konjac (or konnyaku) powder, when mixed into a clear paste, has been used for centuries to strengthen paper and create beautiful, rich, and tactile textures.

Learn how to make Konjac glue, traditionally used in the ancient Japanese art of Momigami, and explore its use as a versatile medium for collage and mixed media techniques.

Techniques & Uses Covered in this workshop:

✔️ Creating, using, and storing Konjac Glue
✔️ A review of a variety of papers, salvaged materials, and textiles suitable for use
✔️ Strengthening and/or sizing agent for paper
✔️ Techniques for creating interesting textures and layers (momigami and more)
✔️ Thickening agent for inks, creating patterns, and marks on paper
✔️ Stiffening, staining, and shaping textiles and papers
✔️ Bonding agent for collage works on a variety of substrates
✔️ Layering collage elements and/or embedding other elements and objects.
✔️ Displaying finished works.

This workshop includes:
• 4 hours of instruction recorded live. Edited into 4 videos, each approximately 1 hour long
• A Supply Video, Supply List and Resource Links
• Access to stream the recordings through June 1, 2026
• Ability to download recordings if you wish to keep them

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Big and Little: Mastering the Art of Working Large in Collage is designed to help stretch participants out of their comfort zone, into the realm of creating large works suitable for any show or gallery.

Gain the confidence that comes from understanding how to scale up without losing the integrity of the design.

Whether experienced artist or novice, this course will dare you to let go of expectations and ignore the rules; infusing freedom into your creativity and tapping into your inner voice as your personal guide.

With tips, tricks, and techniques for working in the art of collage, whether for personal or professional development, this class will help you grow as an artist.

10 hours of instruction covered in 27 Lesson videos!

Purchase $125

1. The original publisher is now defunct, but the book is still available as an ebook through Penguin Random House. Details here.