Epoxy Saves the Day

Around here stuff gets broken all the time.  Since we work in production (decorating sets for commercials, TV shows, & movies) pretty often, we've basically created our own little prop house here at the shop.  We have shelves stocked with picture frames, lamps, curtain panels, tchotchkies, and a ton of other stuff.



We shuffle these items on and off the shelves when we are decorating a set and amidst all the movement, some of the breakables tend to get damaged.  Case in point, this black lamp. . .



Most of the time, clear glass objects that get broken have to be trashed, but with pieces like this lamp there actually is an easy fix!



Epoxy is found in the adhesives aisle at your local hardware store.  The directions are super simple and the results are more than satisfactory!  The instructions are on the packaging, but basically you:

1. Cut the plastic ends off the syringe.
2. Squeeze the two liquids onto a throw away piece of cardboard and mix together.
3. Use a popsicle stick to apply the mixture to your broken edges.
4. Put the piece back together.  (Since my lamp had a horizontal break, I was able to set the top piece back in place and walk away.  If you have a vertical break, you may have to hold the pieces in place for 5 minutes while the solution sets up a bit.)
5. Leave the item alone for 24 hours to allow the epoxy to reach maximum strength.

So, here's my lamp today!  All fixed up and back in working order. Even close up, you can't tell that it was ever broken!





Hooray for easy, inexpensive fixes!  What do you have that needs some repairing? Epoxy could save that special piece from it's imminent dumpster doom! :)

PS- I'm trying out a new "lampshade."  It may or may not stay. :)  See you tomorrow! :)