Hi Ericka, welcome to SB.Com, you will love it here! There are a few ways to put a brad on your layout or project:
* Paper Piercer, handheld, like the green one below. You use said tool to pierce the paper, then insert brad. I always tape the back of my brad after putting on layout, holds secure and easier to take in/out of sleeves/page protectors, also prevents them from stratching the backside or such of another project.
* The Crop-A-Dile, it is made for eyelet setting but I have grown quite fond of using it for making my holes for brads, it is fast, has the perfect two sizes, and goes about it all around easier on your page, esp. w/thicker materials the paper piercer method can be a pain, cause stress to the paper etc. You can see where you want to make your hole, make a mark w/pencil and this makes a nice even hole. The crop a dile goes thru chipboard, mat board, foam, felt, fabric - you name it!
But honestly, large needles work in a pinch, almost anything of that size does and would, as long as you pierce before you try and insert the brad! I say this b/c I had someone actually try ramming a brad into their layout......
Paper piercer or even a push pin will work! You definitely don't have to have any special tool for brads. They're so easy to use and they can be used so many ways! I really like using them for flower centers.
Welcome Erika!
I just use a push pin, like for the bulletin board. It works so easy and is inexpensive. In fact I use a plastic thing with dividers to keep my brads in and keep a push pin in with them so I can always find one. Make a hole with the pin and put the brad thru and open the arms. I also keep a piece of dried kitchen sponge (brand new, not used) with my 'kit' to put the paper or cardstock on and make the holes without damaging a table or my fingers
Have fun!
I'm not sure how to include the above old topic into this reply, but a while back I posted a similar question and rec'd some great responses. Hopefully you can locate this topic by typing in the above number and get some great idea's from that thread!
A good way is to use the foamy thing that some brads come in. Put the foamy under the paper where you want the brad to go, poke through and then flip over, take off the foamy and fold the back open.
To answer your question, no, there is really no special or best way to put in brads. Although it seems easier to put a hole in the page first, rather than try to push the brad through. Usually the brad bends and/or the paper crinkles or rips.
I either us a razor knife (x-acto knife) to cut a small slit in my page to insert the brad, or use my Making Memories anywhere hole punch or hollow punch set with a hammer. I also just bought a cheap spring punch from Harbor Freight that I LOVE!
The best piece of advice giv en here is the one who said to flatten the "legs" after you've placed them. I don't use a hammer, but take the flat end of my paper piercer (or acco knife), and press firmly on them. It really makes a difference. (Oh yes, I use a push pin.)
A push pin to create a small hole; and then really flatten the legs to secure it to the paper. (I really like the idea of using a small craft hammer - good tip!)
If you want to get a nice line of brads and you don't have a piercing guide, you can use the holes at the top of a form, or the holes in a piece of notebook paper, or a piece of plastic needlepoint canvas.
Old mouse pads make great piercing surfaces for use with the push pin.
