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Magic Gels & Waxes

Part 2 will focus on the “wax/gel” genre of component grabbing tools. In Part 1 I reviewed decoden pencils. Again, as a control,  I used the same type of components with these tools in this blog post series. I mostly used rhinestones (sizes ranging in and between ss4-ss30) and light weight cabochons.

I am no expert. I will never claim to be one. These reviews are all based on my personal experience with these tools. I have purchased all these items with my own money. I will always be transparent as to whether or not I have received something to try or if I bought it myself. Rest assured that you are reading an unbiased review.

Embellie Gellie 

This is a fun one to say out loud. For the most part, this tool is pretty easy to come across at most craft stores. Embellie Gellie runs on the pricier end of these component picker tools. I purchased mine from the local bead store that I visit to get rhinestones. If you visit Joann’s (RIP) regularly and have coupons, I’d recommend doing that if you want to give this a try.

So why even bother with this? At that time, the wax setting tool I was using was leaving enough residue on my rhinestones to make you want to jump out the window. I needed a change and the shop owner recommend Embellie Gellie.

The package itself contains a smooth wooden stick with a tapered edge and a cute little sparkly pink container with the clear Gellie in question. I’d say if you lose the stick you could easily use a pencil in lieu.

I read reviews before I started to work on this post. After I had worked with it, I just didn’t agree. Although, the package doesn’t come with many instructions, after spending that much time and effort on getting the Embellie Gellie, you’d think people would give it more of a chance.

The most notable complaint is the gel is ortho wax. I’ll say this; It looks like ortho wax, but it SO IS NOT ortho wax. Take as little or as much as you feel comfortable working with, place it on the end of the stick and use it as if it were a pencil for component placement. I think people ripped off a chunk and stuck it on to use with no care or preparation. I took a small piece and rubbed it in-between my fingers until it was a little ball, just for a few seconds, and then placed it at the end of the stick.

When it was game time, I really liked the ease of use of this tool. No residue was left behind. I used more when I was placing bigger cabochons. After a few minutes of working I did have to reposition the gel and pinch it back into place. I’m assuming it was from the rolling motion I use when I lay rhinestones. When I was done for the night, I removed the gel, stuck it to the inside of the top of the case and put both the stick and container away in a drawer. Once the little bit of gel I was using got dirty, I threw it out but I could have kept using it. It just looked gross to me. LOL.

Pros

• No residue is left behind
• You can select how much you need
• Temperature does not compromise the gellie
• Gellie supply is long-lasting

Cons

• Price
• Small case and stick can be easily lost
• Repositioning of gellie if you work for long hours.

Magic Pink Gel

If Embellie Gellie (EG) is out of your price range, this Magic Pink Gel could be your perfect substitute. This mysterious gel definitely needs some major props. It has no formal name, comes in cubes/flat square/smashed circles, its pink and its cheap. I purchased this gel from eBay when I was starting college and it was dirt cheap. I recently bought this and they came sandwiched between two plastic like cards and were wrapped with a self sealing plastic baggy.

I used the stick that came with Embellie Gellie, however I could have used a pencil. I took a small piece of it, rolled it into a ball and placed it on the end of the stick. Great tool, no residue left behind on my crystal and plastic components. I did have to reposition the gel more times than with the EG. This Magic Gel seems a bit more malleable. Keeping that in mind, it seems like this gel’s lifespan may be just a little shorter. It appeared less dirty from use.  When I was finished for the day, I was a little bamboozled. I didn’t know where to store the Magic Gel that I did use for the day. I felt odd sandwiching it back with the pristine gel, but I did it. I just made sure it wasn’t touching.

Pros

• Reasonably priced compared to its counterpart
• Readily available online (you may have to get creative with search terms)
• Lasts a long time

Cons

• Storing it can be a problem
• Easy to misplace, they are small balls of gel

Jewel Setter/ Pick-N-Stick Wax Pickup Tool

I was introduced to this tool when I was rhinestoning dance costumes. Those gems tend to be the between ss34-ss48. They’re large and in my opinion unnecessary if the dancer is a good dancer, but that’s a whole different story. I’ve had a lot of experience using this tool because it was readily available.

I have used both the Jewel Setter and the Pick-N-Stick Wax Pickup Tool. They are the same thing just different colors. The wax has the same consistency and the sticks are just plastic. I have used these for a while as they are a good price. Also, people gave me them at work. They come two to a package. Some people chose to use it straight from the package. I remove some of the wax and use as much or as little as I desire, depending on the project.

The first thing I noticed about this tool is that the wax is very tacky. Whenever I would mold the wax I had the urge to wash my hands. The only out performing feature of this tool is its ability to pick up heavier components. It wouldn’t take much pressure and the size of the cabochons I could pick up were quite impressive. I primarily used rhinestones when I used this tool, both acrylic and crystal. Any component I would use had waxy residue on it. Even if i tried to wipe it off with a paper towel, it would still be a little cloudy. Think about it this way. If you were eating bacon (sorry if you’re a vegetarian/vegan reader) and you smear your fingers across a mirror. Then you try to clean it up with a paper towel. Cleaner in general, but you can see evidence of the snack you just had. At times, the wax wouldn’t let go of the gem I was trying to place. That is frustration at its best.

Pros

• Easily available for purchase
• Good price point
• Can pick up heavy components

Cons

• Leaves a lot of waxy residue
• Sometimes, it won’t let you set your cabochon or rhinestone

Waxy Gel Magic | Conclusions

This was a close one. It’s obvious that the Jewel Setter is not one of my favorites. As a matter of fact, this is the last one I had at my house. I had to search for it to take pictures. That’s why it looks like it has a few miles on it. Really, it’s just a major pass for me. So let’s examine the real competition. Embellie Gellie vs. Magic Pink Gel. At the end of the day, I would say the Magic Pink Gel is my favorite of these three tools. Even though the gel’s longevity can be in question and the storage can be tricky, it’s the best bang for its buck. It is just as tricky to store the Embellie Gellie. They’re small tools. Just one of those things!

In Part 3 of the Tools of the Trade, I will be reviewing more premium designer picker tools. Products by the CrystalNinja, namely the Crystal Katana and its cheaper counterpart the Tanto.