So there you were, browsing thru Pinterest and you seethe most brilliant DIY project ever that you wanted to try it too. But before you can start creating, you realize you are missing the necessary materials. You’d probably find papers and glue stocked up somewhere, but I doubt that you’d have pinking shears or glitter glue on the ready. Thing is, creative people do have a little or two of the items they often use, be it cute buttons, diverse ribbons, and even washi tapes.
I did an inventory of the things we have at home, and here’s what I found. Stock up on some of these essential tools and supplies to keep in your craft box/corner rather than rushing out to the store every time you have a brilliant new idea.
Table of Contents
Printers
Most households have printers used for basic needs like printing school write-ups, letters and such, but with the ease of emails, most have also opted to not have them. But for crafters, their printers frequently have a range of capabilities that make them perfect for use with creative projects, and they are typically smaller and more portable than regular printers. When working on intricate craft projects, for instance, many printer models for crafting have integrated scanners and copiers.
Furthermore, a lot of these printers come with unique paper trays that are made to hold specialty papers, including those used in scrapbooking or other kinds of crafts.
Ink Printer
If you have a Cricut, ink printer is better to have, as Cricut printable materials are incompatible with laser printers. Images printed on these materials should only be done so using inkjet printers. Inkjet printers print the ink at ambient temperature, while laser printers employ heat to melt the printer toner onto the material surface.
Laser Printer
Laser printers can print much faster compared to inkjet printers, they also tend to print sharper images that’s why they are preferred by many users.
3D Printer
Back in the days, 3D printing was thought to be solely useful for producing functional or aesthetically pleasing prototypes, that it was called rapid prototyping. People can now afford and use 3D printers due to their quality and affordability, entry-level printers of reasonable quality can be purchased for less than $200 USD.
You don’t have to have this at home, but it’s cool to have. My husband prints many useful stuff with it.
Cutting Tools
Shears
Long scissors, little scissors, microtip scissors, left-handed scissors, pinking shears—any number of scissors is OK as long as they aren’t worn out. For specific cuts, you’ll need a different pair of scissors.
Cutters
Cutters and knives, in the senses of both words, may be equivalent depending on where you are. But for the purposes of this article, let’s call the cutter a paper trimmer or guillotine.
Additionally, there are circle cutters available in various diameters, which makes cutting circles much simpler.
Knives
Some people could mistake a Stanley knife for a cutter when it is actually referred to as a utility knife. The “nap-off blade” utility knife is the one with which we are most familiar. Then there is the Stanley hobby knife, also known as the X-acto knife, which my husband frequently uses.
Cutting Machines
You can get a Silhouette Cameo or a Cricut Explore for cutting methods that are more complex. From both, you can cut out a lot of lovely designs and a gazillion other things.
Laser Cutter Engraver
A more complex cutter that has been seeing a boom because of ease of use for novice crafters and professionals alike is the laser cutter. Compact, simple, powerful, the Flux Beamo is the world’s smallest CO2 Laser Cutter. Well, like the 3D printer, you don’t have to have this, but it’s really neat and fun to be able to cut cute stuff with different materials, and engrave your favorite images on many surfaces too.
Cutting Mat
To preserve the space where you work, mats are crucial. The ideal option is to get a self-healing cutting mat, which will shield your work surface from blades, writing items, and other creative supplies. As the name suggests, the mat self-heals, which means surface wounds mend and maintain a consistently smooth surface for all cutting tasks.
Printables and Crumplers
There are many different shades, thickness, and textures of crafting paper. It can be used for a range of paper crafting tasks, including producing cards and scrapbooks. Every craft paper is different from others and has a special set of qualities that make it ideal for a particular type of crafting.
You can use a variety of papers for your creations, including crepe paper, colorful construction paper, and cardstock. Knowing what your craft project requires and how to utilize it best is vital because each type of paper may be used for a variety of tasks. Some we use the most include Origami Paper, Washi Paper, Crepe, Watercolor Paper, Cardstock, Construction Paper or Sugar Paper (colored cardstock).
Adhesives
Different kinds of adhesives adhere to different kind of materials.
Glue
And just like above, different kinds of glue sticks to different materials. There are many different types of glue in our room and the kids’ room, including liquid glue, glitter glue, and superglue, even wood glue. Each comes handy whenever the kids have school projects, or when something breaks at home.
Hot Gun and Glue Sticks
If there’s one tool that I probably avoid using the most. it’s the glue gun/hot gun. I’ve experienced my fair share of hot glue burns due to my disorganized thinking.
Tapes
We collect tapes because they are frequently on sale, no matter what use they serve or what color and visibility (clear, opaque, or brown) they may be.
Washi Tapes
Who doesn’t love the colors of washi tapes? They’re a joy to look at! My daughter and I loves looking around art stores for the prettiest ones.
Coloring Supplies
Paintbrushes
We use paintbrushes to apply paint or ink. Bristles are typically attached to a handle with a ferrule to create paintbrushes.
They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Thinner ones are better to use for showing details, while thicker ones are used to fill in the gaps. They can be further split into brushes for visual artists and brushes for decorators, who use them for painting and decorating. Crafters also have them too, I found hubby’s airbrush in his creative cabinet and he uses it once in a while (when the kids and I are out for long).
Sponges
Sponges are versatile tools used in art for applying and blending paint, creating textures, and adding effects. They can be natural or synthetic and are often used in watercolor, acrylic painting, and mixed media.
Acrylic
Acrylic paint is a fast-drying paint made of pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion. It is water-soluble when wet but becomes water-resistant when dry. Acrylics are known for their versatility, vibrant colors, and ability to be applied to various surfaces.
Colored Pencils
There are three different types of colored pencils: wax-based, oil-based, and water-soluble. The best sort of colored pencil for you will depend on your needs, intended application, and drawing style.
There are fundamental and sophisticated techniques used in the many applications. You can try using any to determine which you can use for particular projects. Yes, crafting can be an expensive investment.
Gel Pens
Gel pens use a gel-based ink that is smooth, opaque, and often brightly colored. They are popular for their precision and vibrant hues, making them ideal for detailed drawings, illustrations, and embellishments.
Watercolor
Watercolor paint is a water-soluble medium known for its translucent quality and fluidity. It is typically applied to paper and can produce a range of effects from light washes to intense colors. Watercolor is valued for its ability to layer and create soft, flowing transitions.
Palette Knife
A palette knife is a tool with a flexible, blunt blade used for mixing and applying paint, typically in thick, textured layers. It is commonly used in oil and acrylic painting to create bold, expressive marks and impasto effects.
Measurement Tools
Ruler
A straight, flat tool marked with measurements, used for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths. In crafting, it helps ensure accuracy and precision in cutting and assembling materials.
Tape Measure
A tape measure is a flexible, retractable measuring tool marked with units of length (inches or centimeters). It is essential in crafting for measuring larger or irregular surfaces, ensuring accurate dimensions for various projects.
Sewing Company
Pins
Pins are small, slender, pointed metal tools used to temporarily hold pieces of fabric or other materials in place. They are crucial in sewing and quilting for maintaining alignment and positioning before final stitching.
Needles
Needles are slender, pointed tools with an eye for threading yarn or thread. Used in sewing, embroidery, knitting, and other crafts, they come in various sizes and types to suit different materials and techniques.
All Strings
Yarn
Yarn is a long, continuous length of interlocked fibers used primarily for knitting, crocheting, and weaving. It is available in various materials (such as wool, cotton, and synthetic fibers), colors, and thicknesses, making it versatile for creating textiles, garments, and decorative items.
Thread
Thread is a thin, flexible strand of fiber used for sewing and embroidery. It is typically made of cotton, polyester, or a blend of both, and comes in a wide range of colors and thicknesses. Thread is essential for stitching fabrics together and adding decorative details to textiles.
Wire
Wire is a thin, flexible strand of metal used in various crafting applications, including jewelry making, sculpture, and floral arrangements. It comes in different gauges (thicknesses) and materials, such as copper, aluminum, and stainless steel, providing strength and malleability for shaping and structuring projects.
Ribbons
Ribbons are narrow, flat strips of fabric, often made from silk, satin, grosgrain, or polyester. They are used for decorating, tying, and embellishing crafts, gifts, clothing, and accessories. Ribbons come in various widths, colors, and patterns, adding decorative touches and finishes to projects.
Other Tools and Supplies A Crafter Must Have in the Craft Room
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