Aleene's Story

Never one to settle for the norm and always believing there is a better way, creative pioneer Aleene Jackson’s determination and demand for superior quality prompted the creation of an adhesive that fueled the crafting industry and has been the glue holding it together since the 1950s.

The Original Tacky Glue creator, crafting industry trailblazer and educator began her career in the 1950s as a florist, working in a hotel flower shop before purchasing her own at the age of 20. After a few short years, Aleene grew her business into a floral supply store, where she also taught classes on flower making, floral arrangements and more. Always one step ahead with a business-savvy nature, it didn’t take Aleene long to make a name for herself in the floral industry, between weekly television appearances showcasing how to make floral crafts, stories in publications and classes at her shop that attracted people from all over.

There was only one problem: Aleene needed a thick glue that could not only hold her floral arrangements together, but last as well. And because she couldn’t find one that met her expectations, Aleene created “Glue d’Aleene,” which she began using in her classes. The tacky white glue became so popular that she started bottling and selling it, eventually modifying the name to “Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue.” She chose the gold bottle that is still used today to reflect the premium quality of its contents – the gold standard of adhesives – which has been the glue of choice for generations of crafters, hobbyists and households since its inception.

From that first gold bottle of Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue to today’s variety of more than 60 unique adhesive options, every Aleene’s product is formulated to deliver premium quality and performance that loyal Aleene’s consumers expect and rely upon.

From our family to your family … for all of life’s creative moments.

A History of Quality

A History of Quality

Since the 1950s, Aleene’s has been making memories last with its line of premium-quality adhesives. What started out as one glue is today a variety of more than 60 adhesives.

The Gold Standard

The Gold Standard

Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue® in the distinctive, classic Gold Bottle has provided crafters and hobbyists with a premium-quality, dependable adhesive for 50 years.

We Value Your Feedback

We Value Your Feedback

We stand behind the quality of our adhesives. If for any reason you are not satisfied with the performance of one of our glues, let us know! Contact our Customer Loyalty Team here.

Picture with a mix of Aleene's products

“You can't use up creativity. The more you use the more you have.” -- Maya Angelou

Aleene's on her tv show with 2 other women doing crafts
Article about Aleene's

Aleene Jackson: Craft Industry Trailblazer

Aleene Jackson – entrepreneur, inventor of Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue and craft industry icon – was featured in the January 5, 1953 issue of LIFE Magazine because her Fibre & Floral Supply Company was regarded as one of the fastest growing and most successful businesses of the time.

During this same time period, she began making regular appearances on local Los Angeles and West Coast television shows, including Art Linkletter, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Gypsy Rose Lee and Dinah Shore. In the late 1960s, Aleene launched her Craftmaker’s Caravan, traveling to various cities and teaching people the art of affordable crafting at home. People lined up around the block everywhere the Craftmaker’s Caravan went. This wildly popular venture essentially launched the DIY crafting industry we know today!

Aleene’s Creative Living Show

Forever an entrepreneur, Aleene launched yet another venture – the Aleene’s Creative Living Show – in 1985. The show was all about DIY crafts and aired on TLC, Lifetime and The Nashville Network (TNN) for more than 15 years, becoming TNN’s top-rated show during its tenure. Two of Aleene’s daughters, Tiffany Windsor and Heidi Borchers, who’d grown up under the tutelage of their highly creative mother, were show hosts along with Aleene. To this day, the Aleene’s Creative Living Show is a vintage fan favorite among crafters!

Aleene's Timeline

Aleene arrives!

1924 - Aleene arrives!

Earliest photo in the archive. Aleene Jackson, born January 20, 1924. Photo likely from mid-1925 with her mother Vera.

The marriage

1942 - The marriage

Here are pictures of Mom and Dad around the time they married in 1942. Mom would have been around 18 and Dad would have been around 20 years old.

Where the business started

1944 - Where the business started!

This is Mom's Seller's Permit dated 7-31-44. This would have been the date that she officially opened her first business - Arcadia Florist in Arcadia, California. She was 20 years old.

Baby Candace arrives

1944 - Baby Candace arrives!

Here's a great 4 generation photo taken in May 1947 of baby Candace at 4 months along with Great Grandmother Nettie Alice Evans Jackson, Vera Jackson, and Aleene.

Family

1948 - Family

Photo from July 1948 after the birth of our brother Fred. Candace is the toddler and that handsome man - he's our wonderful father, Woody Hershman.

Aleene's Make Your Own Corsage Kit

1949 - Aleene's Make Your Own Corsage Kit

On April 1, 1949, the Aleene's Make Your Own Corsage Kit was announced. The kit included materials to make 25 corsages and sold for $2.95.

Aleene's Floral Supply new store

1950 - Aleene's Floral Supply new store

Aleene started her first business in 1944 at the age of 19, a florist shop in Arcadia, California. She later started teaching flower arranging classes out of her home.

Aleene's Wood Fibre - the history

1950 - Aleene's Wood Fibre - the history

While the earliest wood fibre instructions date back to 1951, it was in the August 1954 issue of The Petal Pusher that the first full article on Wood Fibre appeared.

The start of Aleene's television career

1951 - The start of Aleene's television career

Sometime around 1951, Aleene began her venture into television with her "Make Your Own Corsage" kits.

Aleene on KTTV - HIA Television

1952 - Aleene on KTTV - HIA Television

Around 1952, Aleene began booking hobby model guests for segments on a show hosted by Dick Whittinghill on KTTV in Los Angeles.

Aleene's Fibre & Floral Supply Co. New Location Grand Opening

1952 - Aleene's Fibre & Floral Supply Co. New Location Grand Opening

In November 1952, Aleene's opened their new location in Temple City California with an event that included searchlights and television coverage.

Rose Parade Television Coverage

1953 - Rose Parade Television Coverage

On New Years Day 1953, Aleene joined Ray Maypole (KTTV) for color commentary of the line-up of Rose Parade floats. Aleene described for the viewing audience, the various floral decorations on the floats lined up on Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena, California.

Life Magazine

1953 - Life Magazine

1953 started off with a bang for Aleene when her business was featured in the January 5, 1953 issue of Life Magazine. The entire issue was devoted to the American Economy and Aleene's Fibre & Floral Supply Company was featured in this issue.

Aleene on Al Jarvis TV Show

1955 - Aleene on Al Jarvis TV Show

Aleene & Betty White on the Al Jarvis Show (1954). Why does this photo look like this? It is a photograph of the image on the actual television set of the era!

The Petal Pusher Newsletter

1955 - The Petal Pusher Newsletter

In 1955, a monthly newsletter called The Petal Pusher served as the source of information for the Aleene's customers. The topic of the time was fresh vs artificial flowers and encouraging words were given to the students to "be as proud to display the exquisitely hand fashioned flowers from wood fibre in your home, as you would be to display an original painting, for both have been created by artists."

Aleene on Art Linkletter TV Show

1962 - Aleene on Art Linkletter TV Show

In the early 1960's, Aleene's popularity grew and she continued to make regular television appearances on top national daytime talk shows of the time. Here she is pictured with her signature wood fibre flowers which she demonstrated on the Art Linkletter Show (CBS).

Aleene on Tennessee Ernie Ford TV Show

1965 - Aleene on Tennessee Ernie Ford TV Show

It was after Aleene had been in the world of television for awhile that that she had enough "gumption" to approach Tennessee Ernie Ford, who at the time had one of the most popular shows on national TV (The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show 1962-1965).

Aleene on Tom Frandsen FYI TV Show

1967 - Aleene on Tom Frandsen FYI TV Show

Aleene became a regular on the Tom Frandsen FYI show on NBC in 1967, leading to significant exposure for the Aleene's Craft Caravan.

The Aleene's Craftmaker's Caravan

1968 - The Aleene's Craftmaker's Caravan

The idea for a Craftmaker's Caravan was a major success for both Aleene's business and the crafts industry as a whole.

The Aleene's Craftmaker's Caravan 1972

1972 - The Aleene's Craftmaker's Caravan

During her first appearance on the Dinah Shore show in 1972, Aleene shared the spotlight with Burt Reynolds.

Aleene's Creative Living Television broadcast on TV

1985 - Aleene's Creative Living Television Broadcast

Aleene's Creative Living Television was broadcast on TLC, Lifetime, and TNN for over 15 years, becoming TNN's top-rated daytime show.

Aleene’s Creative Living Magazine

1985 - Aleene’s Creative Living Magazine

Aleene’s Creative Living Magazine was a top-rated monthly print craft magazine with significant circulation.

Aleene Jackson

1985 - Aleene's Family Legacy

The Aleene’s on-line museum features photos and content documenting Aleene's rich history, continued by her daughters Tiffany Windsor and Heidi Borchers.

Aleene's 90th Birthday

2014 - Aleene's 90th Birthday

Aleene celebrated her 90th birthday and was inducted into the CHA Hall of Fame. Her legacy continues through her famous brand of adhesives.

Aleene's Original Tacky Glue Award

2021 - Aleene's Original Tacky Glue Hall of Fame Induction

Aleene new logo

2024 - Aleene's New Logo

Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue has been a staple in crafters' toolkits since the 1950s. Now, in 2024, we're taking a bold step forward with a refreshed logo that reflects both our heritage and our future in the crafting world.