• You can make many creative things with hot glue.Hot glue gun isolated image by Marek Kosmal from Fotolia.com
  
  One of the most useful tools in the craft box is the hot-glue gun. Hot glue will secure almost any surface and is very durable. Hot-glue sticks are available in decorator colors or with glitter dispersed throughout. Hot glue can also be a creative project all on its own. Use hot glue to create stand-alone projects just from the glue itself.
  
  

Glue Masks

• Create decorated masks using a basic mask template and some hot glue. Find glue sticks in contrasting colors, a nonstick material like wax paper and an eyes mask pattern. Place the first color glue stick in the hot glue gun and wait for it to heat up. Place the mask underneath the wax paper. You will be able to clearly see the mask underneath. Lay down a bead of glue to outline the pattern of the mask once the glue is flowing well. After you have completely outlined the mask (don't forget to outline the eye holes), fill in the mask with the hot glue. When the first color glue stick begins to shorten, insert the second color. Continue filling in the mask with the second color. Swirl the glue to make interesting and attractive patterns. Use your hot glue to make two small rings on each side of the mask. After the mask is cool, carefully peel the wax paper from the back and connect a length of ribbon to each ring.
  
  

Hot-Glue Bugs

• Make cute hot-glue bugs with colorful hot glue and some waxed twine. Place a piece of wax paper on a clean, dry surface. Cut several equal lengths of waxed twine to serve as the bug's legs, and arrange the twine in rows. Use three lengths of twine if you want your bug to have 6 legs. Add more twine lengths for more legs. When the hot-glue gun is ready, quickly squeeze a sphere of hot glue in the middle of each length of twine. Squeeze a larger sphere at one end of the bug for its head. Add two short lengths of twine for antennae if you want. To flatten your bug, place a piece of wax paper on top of the bug and gently press it with an iron on medium heat. Peel off the wax paper after the bug cools. Continue to decorate your bug with different color glue, or glue on eyes.
  
  

Scallop Shell Lights

• Use scallop shells found at the beach to make natural night-lights. Find a string of clear decorator lights similar to Christmas lights and enough scallop shells to cover the front and back of each light on the string. Clean and dry each scallop, and match them up as closely as possible by size. Stretch the length of decorator lights on a counter or table, making sure that there are no twists or kinks in the wire between the lights. Start at either end of the wire and place a scallop shell under the light. Position the light so that it points downward toward the center of the shell. Apply hot glue to the wire to secure it to the shell. Apply a generous amount of hot glue to the flat top of the scallop shell and place a matching shell on top. Hold the shells tightly together until the glue dries, and repeat this process for each light. Spray the shells lightly with a clear acrylic paint to bring out their natural color and luster.