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By the Dozen: My Go-To Crafting Tools

December 6, 2011 By Amy @ Positively Splendid

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I recently had a reader write to ask about which tools I would recommend for new crafters wanting to get their feet wet. With Christmas fast approaching, I thought a post like this one would be perfect for helping you round out your lists for Santa! 🙂

An email from PS Reader Jennifer:

 I was wondering if you have ever done (or would consider doing) a post about the basic supplies needed for crafting?  Basically a list of the best and most used products and tools to get started in the crafty world?  I know each project is so different but I am working on a Christmas list and would like to add some of the bigger ticket items… Such as, do I want a silhouette machine or a circuit machine!?  What is the difference?  This week you mentioned a cutter to use for the coke can… What other projects might I use that for?

Great questions, Jennifer! It can be so, so daunting when you’re first starting out as a crafter, or even when you’re an experienced crafter wanting to expand your arsenal of tools. Today I’ll be covering my twelve favorite basic tools that I find myself always reaching for project after project.

one. Paper Trimmer

A high-quality paper trimmer is essential for any crafter. In just the last few weeks, I used my trimmer for a handful of projects, including my Photo Christmas List Ornaments. I love my X-Acto rotary trimmer. It is substantial enough to hold up to repeated use, but portable enough to tote easily.

two. Die-Cutting Machine

There are two options in the way of die-cutting machines: electronic and manual. I own both the Silhouette SD, an electronic machine, and the Epic 6, a manual machine. I am often asked which one I would recommend most if your budget only allows you to choose one or the other, and I have to say that it all depends on where your crafting interests lie. 

Here is what I like about each machine, and what I use it for most:

Silhouette

  • Home decor projects including adhesive vinyl designs, such as my Ceiling Medallion Wall Clock and my Cable Art Display
  • Fabric and wearable projects including heat transfer designs, such as my Ruffled Birthday Cupcake Tee and my new Whimsical Christmas Stockings 
  • Projects that require cutting many of the same design, such as my Honeycomb Nursery Wall Canvas

Epic 6

  • Cutting unusual materials like felt or metal, as I do when making stamped metal tags from Coke cans
  • Letterpressed paper crafts, such as my Holiday Gift Tags or my Hands Memory Book
  • Unique paper designs, such as my Bewitching Cupcake Toppers or my Paper Rosette Christmas Ornaments
In a nutshell, I personally would recommend the Silhouette to someone more interested in home decor and sewing projects, and the Epic to someone who prefers traditional and paper crafting.
So what’s my take on the Silhouette vs. Cricut debate? After having owned and used both, I absolutely recommend the Silhouette, the primary reason being that the Silhouette is capable of cutting any font your heart desires, without having to use peripheral software. The cartridges required by the Cricut are very limiting, and very pricey.
three. Sewing Machine
You might wonder why I’m including a sewing machine in my list of crafting must-haves. The answer is simple: sewing machines can be used for so much more than making garments or pillows! I love to use mine to add a homespun feel to wall hangings and handmade cards. I have a Brother SE350 (the older version of the SE400), and I love it!
four. Rotary Cutter and Mat
I use my Fiskars Rotary Cutting Set all. the. time. You can not only cut fabric with this setup, but also paper, which makes it extremely functional, and I love the clear ruler that comes with it. (Just be sure to use a different blade for cutting fabric and paper, labeling each with a Sharpie to keep them straight, as cutting paper will dull your blade very quickly!) The self-healing mat is also handy for placing on your work surface when making jewelry items that need to be measured, since it is ruled on both sides. My recommendation here would be not to skimp on the size of your mat and ruler here. There is a set with a smaller mat and ruler available, but I have found this 18×24″ size to be just right for my needs.
five. Hot Glue Gun
My hot glue gun and I are truly BFFs. I have had the same one since my sorority days when I pulled many an all-nighter to make crafty creations to decorate the house for rush parties. It’s still labeled with my maiden name. 🙂 Truly, as a crafter, you should never leave home without your glue gun. I use it in paper crafting, home dec projects, and so much more.
six. Adhesives
There are many, many categories of adhesives, but these are the ones I use the most frequently, aside from my trusty hot glue gun above:
  • Adhesive Runner. I have tried many, many acid-free tape runners, and I have found the Tombow Mono Adhesive runner to be my absolute favorite. Having an acid-free product is particularly important when you’re making things like memory books that you will want to preserve for years to come.
  • Dimensional Foam Dots. Dimension is essential in creating handcrafted items that don’t scream, “I made this at my kitchen table!” I absolutely love using these little guys to up the ante in my paper crafts, such as in my Framed Silhouette Vignettes. I have found the product I like most in this category are the Sticky Doos Adhesive Foam Dots from Hobby Lobby.
  • Heavy-Duty Adhesive. E6000 is my go-to product when I need to count on something being held together tightly, such as in the cable art display I linked above. I love that this product can be used on anything from wood to fabric. It really is great stuff!
  • Spray Adhesive. This can be used to secure stencils temporarily or adhere things like fabric permanently, as with my diaper box canvas bins.
  • All-Purpose Craft Glue. Sometimes a little clear-drying Aleene’s is just what the doctor ordered! You can’t beat it for adding embellies like pom-poms or beads to non-wearable crafts.
seven. Good Scissors
If you are a crafter who works with both fabric and paper on a regular basis, you need at least two pairs of scissors: one for fabric and sewing, and one for paper. Paper wreaks havoc on blades, dulling them very, very quickly! My sewing and paper shears are both made by Mundial, and I love them!

eight. Retractable Tape Measure

This will save you so much time by not having wind up a traditional tape measure every time you craft or sew, and it helps keep your supply stash so much tidier!

nine. Heat Tool
I use my heat tool for everything from speeding up drying time projects to the traditional use of heating embossing powders used with stamped images.

ten. Book-Binding Tool

If you are a paper crafter and you love to create keepsake memory books, recipe books, or any other type of bound book project, this is a terrific tool to have in your arsenal. I have a Bind-it-All machine, and I love it for its simplicity, portability and functionality. 




eleven. A High-Definition Light

These are a bit pricey, but preventing your poor eyes from becoming strained in dim conditions makes having a good light essential! OttLite makes a great line of lights, and many of them are portable so you can tote them with you wherever you happen to set up shop. 

twelve. Organizing Tote

If space is of the essence and you need a place to store your small crafting supplies like adhesives, buttons, ribbon, etc., I highly recommend investing in a couple of portable organizers. I have a Creative Options Rack System caddy, and it is so handy!


What would make your list of essential crafting tools?

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P.S. I am guesting over at Miss Lovie today for Allie’s one-year anniversary celebration. I hope you’ll stop by to say hello!

Amy @ Positively Splendid
Amy @ Positively Splendid

Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you’ll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.

EVEN MORE GREAT IDEAS JUST FOR YOU!

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Filed Under: Crafts Tagged With: By the Dozen, Crafting Tools, Reader Questions

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jen @ My Own Road says

    December 6, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    Thank you for the awesome breakdown of supplies. I especially love that you explained the benefits of the different adhesives. That’s something that I’ve always wanted more info on!

  2. Kari says

    December 7, 2011 at 1:44 am

    I agree with this list Amy! All of these are must-haves in my stash, too. I would have to add an exacto knive and Mod Podge!

  3. Steph @ Crafting in the Rain says

    December 7, 2011 at 4:46 am

    Looks like a good list!

    I like to have an assortment of random embellishments around too–never know when a project will need some buttons or small metal pieces.

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