I am learning to think in layers of tiny lumber, like Basswood trimmed in skewers on the inside and outside of this shrine. The "studs" are Balsa wood, 1/16x1/4 inch.
When I first started the project, I slathered Elmer's glue on everything and waited for it to dry overnight before going on to the next step. Yawn.
I pondered why the videos and tutorials used Elmer's or wood glue and not hot glue which dries in a flash and reasoned that the hot glue was a bit uncontrollable for tiny gluing. But, this did not stop me.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cbOFJbYvXQGN52ixJmOvwwzgNuQZAtecHhvr1_xvf9j3-BFVxC7KEGiwi1kL-QGCvbSk8Thzev_QE2yZ7-dNcVatvCHNybVP4S6WAPKs3RQtXMLVfo3Xt2yZgfbT0wP-AbniWDIx0fY/s200/IMG_0691.JPG)
I used my hot glue gun to put together this altar. What a difference. It went together in no time, is very sturdy, and allows me to keep going when I am on a tiny building roll and ready to finish the piece. It takes patience and finesse to keep from applying too much of a good thing but it is instant gratification.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgv6IuvlV0_Su-mhJbV3wMpTXCVBYNoD-ezcUh4vV250VbTsnO1TDxUATv-OhVoomPrWGa-rAYp2SS7XjdN7ozOuNwvFQ5Cw_wV4zV7QnPS1_z29XleussM2gGTHkYPN9Gkl2kQ4WIhuA/s200/IMG_0692.JPG)
When I first started the project, I slathered Elmer's glue on everything and waited for it to dry overnight before going on to the next step. Yawn.
I pondered why the videos and tutorials used Elmer's or wood glue and not hot glue which dries in a flash and reasoned that the hot glue was a bit uncontrollable for tiny gluing. But, this did not stop me.
I used my hot glue gun to put together this altar. What a difference. It went together in no time, is very sturdy, and allows me to keep going when I am on a tiny building roll and ready to finish the piece. It takes patience and finesse to keep from applying too much of a good thing but it is instant gratification.