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I'm putting together the annual craft day that some of my extended family do and need advice for pick up tools. Many of my aunts are well into their 80's and there are issues with arthritis and I'm wondering if this could help them expand some of the techniques they've had to stop over the years. And I also have a sister with brain damage and anything that would help bring down her frustration level would be wonderful.
Thanks is advance!
Vivian P
Go to the model department of Hobby Lobby, there are some pick up thingies that model builders use. They are quite tacky (and I don't mean they wear loud clothes) and can be used over and over, BUT you must use another item (a pin or toothpick) to get them to release. I usually detacky them but putting my fingers on it. They come in a package of 10? or more.
I have the blue pick up type tool it has a point thingy on the end that detaches and use it to hold item for release.
You can make your own with qtips and Aleene's tacky glue. I use the pointy qtips found in the makeup area of Albertsons/ Walmart/ Walgreens...etc.
Last edited by southgirl; 07-21-2014 at 08:02 AM..
Wow, those are some great ideas. Even the make yourself will meet with approval from the Great Depression era survivors! I certainly have plenty of time. Thanks
southgirl- I loved your model builders tacky comment. I busted up laughing.
I do a lot of nail art. I have a tool that picks up rhinestones. I use that. I also use a toothpick with a dot of Aleene's Tack it Over and Over on the top of the toothpick.
southgirl- I loved your model builders tacky comment. I busted up laughing.
I do a lot of nail art. I have a tool that picks up rhinestones. I use that. I also use a toothpick with a dot of Aleene's Tack it Over and Over on the top of the toothpick.
I love the idea of a toothpick and tack it over and over...Small area less mess?
And you are right it is tack it over and over glue not tacky glue. lol
For someone with a disability, you might want to get them reverse-action tweezers. You squeeze to open them and when you let go, it clamps. I love mine!
I use a skewer with a dab of two-way glue on the end of it. I have to renew the glue every once in a while (I use this home-made tool a lot!!) but that is no problem. Depending on your Aunty's finger mobility you could use the pointed end of a lollypop stick...it's a little bigger around. (or sharpen one end of a piece of 1/4" dowel.
I love the Silhouette Pick Me Up tool. It is filled with floral clay (putty?) which stays tacky and you can use it again and again. The same thing is available under the Cricut brand. You find it near the electronic die cutting machine supplies. When it runs out of clay, you can refill it yourself very cheaply, now that I've told you the secret of what's inside! http://www.amazon.com/Silhouette-Pic.../dp/B0046BTZ8W
I love the Silhouette Pick Me Up tool. It is filled with floral clay (putty?) which stays tacky and you can use it again and again. The same thing is available under the Cricut brand. You find it near the electronic die cutting machine supplies. When it runs out of clay, you can refill it yourself very cheaply, now that I've told you the secret of what's inside! Amazon.com: Silhouette Pick Me Up Tool
You have made my day. I was thinking of getting one of those or even trying to make a knock off one. I couldn't figure out what that putty was. Big Thank You!
Hi!
I like the Cutter Bee products. They have 2 different pairs of little scissors, one for cuts and one with black blades that are non stick, saves frustration when cutting foam tape, etc.
I like the Tweezer Bee tweezers, they squeeze to open and clamp on well to what you are holding. I even use it when heat embossing smaller images, saves my fingers.
Also, there are finger tip protectors for glue guns now, combined with the Tim Hotlz mats you can hot glue a lot more safely now, and keep your fingerprints.
Quik Stick tool is also a must. Same as described above.
Good lighting, nothing is more frustrating that not being able to see well, regardless of age or disabilities. Even magnifying glasses are a big help, they have some on stands in the Cross Stitch section. I do a lot of Cross Stitch and good lighting is a must.
Good lighting, nothing is more frustrating that not being able to see well, regardless of age or disabilities. Even magnifying glasses are a big help, they have some on stands in the Cross Stitch section. I do a lot of Cross Stitch and good lighting is a must.
I can't live without good lighting. I am cross stitcher too. I was so happy when I started stamping and have a perfect lighting setup since it was all ready for my stitching. I have three lamps in my room.
I live in Denmark, and here we have a tool, that�s just likea normal pencil, and it�s sharpend just with a normal pencilsharpner too, but the led in it is such a sticky thing, which is awesome to pick up almost anything not too heavy, and if it�s rhinestones, you just ad them to the glue, and as soon as it touches it, it�ll release the pencil. Unfortunately I don�t even know any name for them, excet we call them rhinestonepencils, so not sure if you can get them in other countries, but why shouldn�t you, if we can get them ehre? And they�re very cheap we only pay a couple of $ each for one the size of a new pencil and it last for years.
You can also use Embellie Jelly by ScraPerfect. It's simply a thick tacky jelly substance that you tear a little piece off from the square you get, then roll it in to a little ball and squish on to the end of the wooden stick they give you. Use it to pick up small items, such as paper pieces, gems, etc. I have arthritis-like issues in my hands, so this was very helpful for me. The little ball of jelly lasts a long time before it loses its tackiness, at which time you throw the jelly ball away and simply roll up another little ball of tacky jelly from the package. It's less expensive than the Silhouette Quick Stick here in Canada, I think it lasts much longer than the Quick Stick, even though it doesn't look as fancy. It's a very basic tool, but you can make the ball as big as you need, and you just press it on to your project and roll it off to release it. I have both the Quick Stick and the Embellie Jelly, and I actually prefer the stiffness of the Embellie Jelly version. Here's some more info on it:
I use the Quik Stick all the time. It has a scrapper on one end to loosen things like rhinestones and paper. This end also pulls out and there is a sharp piercing tool. The sticky end has quite a lot of the sticky stuff in it. It is well worth the money.
I love the Silhouette Pick Me Up tool. It is filled with floral clay (putty?) which stays tacky and you can use it again and again. The same thing is available under the Cricut brand. You find it near the electronic die cutting machine supplies. When it runs out of clay, you can refill it yourself very cheaply, now that I've told you the secret of what's inside! Amazon.com: Silhouette Pick Me Up Tool
I've only used my Quick Stick a handful of times and the putty side is flat and won't pick things up anymore. I see more "stuff" in there but don't know if it actually comes out?? Doesn't seem to have a retractable tip. I kind of expected this thing to last more than a month.
I love the Silhouette Pick Me Up tool. It is filled with floral clay (putty?) which stays tacky and you can use it again and again. The same thing is available under the Cricut brand. You find it near the electronic die cutting machine supplies. When it runs out of clay, you can refill it yourself very cheaply, now that I've told you the secret of what's inside! Robot Check
Another one is the QuicKutz, The Quicker-Poker-Picker-Upper that also has the tacky paste in one end that twists up for more when the first bit gets dirty or nonsticky. the other end has a pokey tool that reverses to a chisel end.
For DIY - do you remember the blue sticky tack for posters? Pull off a chunk, roll, flatten , and put on the corner of a poster to hang? Use the same stuff on a stick to pick up things just like that gellie item.
I used the QK blue tool for years until I twisted up all the gummy stuff. Then I used a toothpick and Aleene's, until I saw a woman on the Crafters Companion videos using a wooden shishkobob skewer and a glue stick. Tried it, works great. All of them work great, for rhinestones, glue dots, alpha "i" dot diecuts. I'm just happy to have an alternative to having to buy a tool when I already have what I need to McGyver it, LOL. ;-)
I live in Denmark, and here we have a tool, that�s just likea normal pencil, and it�s sharpend just with a normal pencilsharpner too, but the led in it is such a sticky thing, which is awesome to pick up almost anything not too heavy, and if it�s rhinestones, you just ad them to the glue, and as soon as it touches it, it�ll release the pencil. Unfortunately I don�t even know any name for them, excet we call them rhinestonepencils, so not sure if you can get them in other countries, but why shouldn�t you, if we can get them ehre? And they�re very cheap we only pay a couple of $ each for one the size of a new pencil and it last for years.
I know what pencil your talking about. The White Pencil. I love to use those for my nail art to pick up my teeny rhinestones. I don't have one in my nail art tools right now. I lost it in a move. I need to get another one. Those are great pencils.
I use a dental tweezer that is really small on the ends, for placing brackets on each tooth for braces.
I also have the stick like tool that is sticky on the end, but don't like it that much.
__________________ Ginny , A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be. -Douglas Pagels
I live in Denmark, and here we have a tool, that�s just likea normal pencil, and it�s sharpend just with a normal pencilsharpner too, but the led in it is such a sticky thing, which is awesome to pick up almost anything not too heavy, and if it�s rhinestones, you just ad them to the glue, and as soon as it touches it, it�ll release the pencil. Unfortunately I don�t even know any name for them, excet we call them rhinestonepencils, so not sure if you can get them in other countries, but why shouldn�t you, if we can get them ehre? And they�re very cheap we only pay a couple of $ each for one the size of a new pencil and it last for years.
I just started reading this thread...alot to read. Has anyone found this pencil thing? would like to check it out.
I have a quick stick, it's bigger around and perhaps easier for older fingers, but my fave. at the moment is the marvy jewel picker (look in the bead dept.) So, for making your own, do you get mail with that gummy stuff holding down the flap ? I am thinking the costco mailer etc. Could you put a glob of that on the bbq skewer ? Or maybe rubber cement.
@Hobby Sue: I just googled for the rhinestone pencil Maryannla was talking about, and found one on Amazon.com. It's called the Pixiheart Wax Rhinestone Picker Pencil and is only $1.28 +free shipping. Here's the link: Robot Check
I have a quick stick, it's bigger around and perhaps easier for older fingers, but my fave. at the moment is the marvy jewel picker (look in the bead dept.) So, for making your own, do you get mail with that gummy stuff holding down the flap ? I am thinking the costco mailer etc. Could you put a glob of that on the bbq skewer ? Or maybe rubber cement.
Oooooo...yeah the goopy stuff my son when he was little called boogers on the mail! LOL That would probably be a great idea since I'm assuming quite a few of these are needed and it would be really inexpensive. Good idea! I'm going to file that as a great tip!;)
I've only used my Quick Stick a handful of times and the putty side is flat and won't pick things up anymore. I see more "stuff" in there but don't know if it actually comes out?? Doesn't seem to have a retractable tip. I kind of expected this thing to last more than a month.
I had the same experience, complained and it got replaced with another that is just as useless. The sticky stuff is in there but it won't come out. AND the pointy tip broke off the first time I used it.
Not sure what it is called, but I use a plastic stick slightly wider than 1/16" with what feels like wax on the end. I have several, but have only used one. If it seems to get "un-sticky" I just warm it a bit with my fingers and it's good to go. I love that it is tiny for those little bits of stuff that are so difficult to pick up with just fingers.
Not sure what it is called, but I use a plastic stick slightly wider than 1/16" with what feels like wax on the end. I have several, but have only used one. If it seems to get "un-sticky" I just warm it a bit with my fingers and it's good to go. I love that it is tiny for those little bits of stuff that are so difficult to pick up with just fingers.
I have a set of these, they are pink, and I saved the package, called "Perfect Positioner" by Western Crafts, in Van Nuys, CA. Maybe you guys could contact them about how to fix the end when it is no longer sticky....:lol: I love mine.
__________________ Ginny , A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be. -Douglas Pagels
Recently I discovered that a regular ol' crayon does the trick. Roll it between your hands to warm slightly. Use white if you don't want color to get on your gemstones.
__________________ Debbie "Make it work, people." - Tim Gunn My Gallery
Recently I discovered that a regular ol' crayon does the trick. Roll it between your hands to warm slightly. Use white if you don't want color to get on your gemstones.
This is exactly what I do! I actually keep the clear and white crayons that come with egg decorating kits for Easter. They don't leave any color on the crystals and pearls.
I just use a chopstick with a glue dot on the end that I tap on my jeans a few times to remove some of the stick. I just peal off the glue dot when I'm done.
I love the Silhouette Pick Me Up tool. It is filled with floral clay (putty?) which stays tacky and you can use it again and again. The same thing is available under the Cricut brand. You find it near the electronic die cutting machine supplies. When it runs out of clay, you can refill it yourself very cheaply, now that I've told you the secret of what's inside! http://www.amazon.com/Silhouette-Pic.../dp/B0046BTZ8W
Pick Up Tool Recommendations
