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Think you need a bunch of fancy (and expensive) crafting tools to enjoy your hobby and decorate your home? Nope.
This girl gets creative without the machines or the mats. My list of most used, must haves are just a bunch of items you probably already have on hand, and if not, you can pick them all up and get your craft on without breaking the bank.
Best of all, you won’t need a whole room to store them. You can find many of these items in my Amazon shop for your convenience.
MINI GLUE GUN & GLUE STICKS
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| Red Hydrangea Wreath |
There’s no need to worry about drying times or whether a glue is clear or smells bad. The mini version is easier to handle than the big boys and you don’t have to mess with temperature settings.
Plus, you can pick one up for less than three dollars. If you’re only going to invest in one craft tool, this is the one hands down.
Just watch those fingers!
SCISSORS
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| Add Fabric To Glass Cabinet Doors |
When it comes to creative endeavors, you never know what you’re going to need to cut. Wire? Faux flower stems? Real flower stems? Paper? Fabric? You get the idea.
Some of those items will wreck your nice scissors, so an older pair is great to have for that kind of work. They don’t need to be expensive, the ones in the dollar store hardware aisle work great.
The third is a dedicated pair of sewing scissors if you plan to work with cloth. I never, ever cut anything but fabric with mine, otherwise they’ll never be the same. I actually hide my pair from the family.
Shh. They can’t be trusted.
RIBBON
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| Tea Cup Party Favor |
Ribbon is a multi-purpose crafting tool. It can be used as an adornment on a wreath, a Christmas tree, a gift basket, a tea towel, a chandelier chain or even curtains and pillows.
It can be used to hang items like wreaths, ornaments, picture frames and wall art. It can also be used as a direct part of a craft, like a banner. The possibilities are absolutely endless and so it stands to reason that ribbon should be included on the list.
It’s readily available at dollar and craft stores and if you watch the sales, you can pick it up for a song.
Well, maybe not an actual song, but you get the idea.
WHITE CRAFT PAINT AND A FOAM BRUSH
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| Christmas Sticker Sign |
Paint is a basic craft supply, but which color should you always have in the house?
Well, white of course.
Nine times out of ten, when I reach for paint, it’s white. I generally coat the background of my wooden signs with white. When I stencil on outdoor pots or wooden furniture, it’s white and when I am touching up those previously crafted items, of course, I need that white.
There will be times you want to add some color, but usually you’ll want a very specific hue and you can go out and choose that on a per project basis, but as a general rule, white, applied with a foam brush will be sufficient for the majority of your needs.
See, I’m not always about the red! 😉
NEEDLE & THREAD & FUSIBLE WEB ~ say that 5x fast
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| Easy Patchwork Chair |
Not a seamstress? That’s ok. You can still craft with fabric or repair a tear without any sewing knowledge whatsoever. Anyone can master a needle and thread, a basic stitch is just up and down.
Don't want to go there? No problem, fusible web tape can help you accomplish anything from hemming pants to creating a custom piece of upholstery.
Fabulous results and nobody will ever know that you don’t sew!
And there you have them, my list of super unsophisticated (and super cheap) crafting tools. They're not fancy but they get the job done every time.
What's your must have creating tool?
Do share!
I just so happen to have everything on your list! I guess now I can say I am a crafter! I think my most used craft item would be a pencil....I write myself notes on what I want to make with details and lists and ideas.....:-)
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, the pencil...a crafting necessity for sure!!
DeleteTrue beginnings of the world of crafting and all the joy that goes with it and well at times some frustration too!
ReplyDeleteGreat list!
Jemma
Exactly, Jemma...joy and frustration! Well said. 🙂
DeleteI don't have much crafty stuff but I do have these items. I'm pretty good at faking it when the mood strikes. ;)
ReplyDeleteRight there with you, Stacey! 🙂
DeleteI am not that crafty either but I do have all those things on the list too. Hmmmmmm maybe I could get crafty!
ReplyDeleteHappy Tuesday Kim.
Hugs,
Kris
I would say you're extremely crafty my friend! And you have many fabulous homes to prove it!!
DeleteI haven't had craft paint around for years! I should get some! I've got everything else!
ReplyDeleteI love craft paint. It's cheap and does the job!
DeleteIf I started listing my crafting tools, we'd be here until next week sometime! Lol! But I'm 57 and have been crafting for a few decades. You tend to acquire more and more tools over time.... especially if your husband and children are crafters as well. Between myself, the hubs, daughter and son there are few things that you could ask "Would you happen to have a ____?" and get "no" as an answer. I'd like to add T-pins, twist ties and duct tape to your list!
ReplyDeleteDuct tape!! How could I forget that...it's an essential!
DeleteGreat list Kim! I'm definitely not a seamstress but I can use fusible web. ;)
ReplyDeleteIts a fabulous cheat for sure!!
DeleteI too have most of these things . . .
ReplyDeleteHaving things on hand, in one place makes it great when the "craft mood strikes!"
Yes!! And the craft mood strikes me often!!
DeleteGreat list. These items will let you work on a variety of types of projects and having them on hand when the mood strikes is nice. Love the fact that you hide your fabric scissors.
ReplyDeleteHave to hide them Lorri or someone will cut their hair...or chicken cutlets!!...with them! Ha!!
DeleteI have all of those crafting items too. I just wish I had more time in a day to do more fun stuff. Instead I do knit and crocheting during the winter months.
ReplyDeleteHappy crafting and enjoy the weekend Kim.
Time is the one thing I think we'd all like to add to our crafting supply list!! Ha! Enjoy your summer crafting!!
DeleteTotally agree with your list 100% Kim! I do like you do...hide my sewing scissors too.The only thing I don't have on hand is the fusible web...need to get some of that.
ReplyDeleteIt's very helpful in a pinch!
DeleteI love working on crafts when got gives me time, it's so nice and relaxing. You made me think about ribbons, I certainly more of it in several colors. You're very inspiring Kim! Thank you for the list!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Angela. I do love ribbons. I think I have too many! ;)
DeleteDon't forget the emery board nail file for sanding. ;) Love your list and yep, plenty of white paint on hand here too. :)
ReplyDeleteHaha!! Yes, Lisa! Who needs sandpaper when you can use a nail file instead. 😉
DeleteARRRRRGH! Totally forgot to list an emergency board! And toothpicks! And an ice pick! (I have my mother-in-law's 60 year old ice pick.....not a common household items any more I guess, lol!)
DeleteARRRRRGH! Emery board, not emergency! Although, if you need to file a rough edge off of something and you don't have the appropriate tool and it's an emergency......lol!
DeleteAn ice pick! We used to have one of those growing up and I remember my mom used it all the time!! It had a green handle...and yup I think you got it right...an emergency emery board! Perfect!
DeleteWell, not much difference between an ice pick and an awl but I like my ice pick because of the longer length.
DeleteWe had one of those, too!
DeleteI don't craft much. I do have various types of scissors around the apartment for different uses. I have scrapbook paper, glues, ribbon, etc.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Sounds like you have all you need for your purposes, Brenda!
DeleteHi Kim, I have almost all of those supplies so WHY do I have a room to store them in, which is almost always a big mess! I still have to use the dining room table to cut out anything as the room usually isn't big enough. What is wrong with this picture? I guess I should take lessons from you..Happy Wednesday..Judy
ReplyDeleteI am such a lazy crafter, Judy, I just try to use what I have on hand. If I have to go to the store and then buy tools, I just wouldn't even start a project. I also don't have the room. Of course, when the kids move out and I have more time and space all of that could change. And I could have that same messy room as you!! ;) Happy 4th on your pretty porch!!
DeleteGreat list. I love ribbons, which are somewhat out of control! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI have large ziplock bags full of them Lynn…I totally get it!! 😉
DeleteYep, I have all those items on hand. I just need a more organized space to use them.
ReplyDeleteI have the space, Carol, a cabinet in the basement, but it's not organized. At all!! ;)
DeleteAnd my personal favorite ... twine! Well technically it's not a tool but we can think of it that way since it holds so many things together. ;)
ReplyDeleteTwine. Good call, Mary! I use it for banners all the time...
DeleteLove the glue gun and love a staple gun too.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, the staple gun! We are well acquainted!
DeleteYour list is right on Kim! I have the items you listed, except I need one extra pair of scissors 😀
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen...and an extra pair is helpful sometimes! Especially when your kids take your main pair! 😉
DeleteI can almost remember way back when your list was actually more than I had, but things have changed just a wee bit. HAHA...you've seen my craft room!
ReplyDeleteI have and it’s dreamy. I could get lost in there for days!! :)
DeleteGlue Gun #1 ;-) it is the crafters number one tool I say.
ReplyDeleteGreat list.
I do have a wire cutter in my craft bin. Many times I need a wire cutter for ribbon or pipe cleaners.
Definitely #1 ~ no doubt! I have borrowed my husband’s wire cutters on occasion. That’s a good call, to keep those scissors sharp.
DeleteI have a friend who is an artist...a real, live honest to goodness ARTEEST, and she always insists her favorite tool is a glue gun. You could build a rocket with those things :)
ReplyDeletexxz
Haha!! I agree Doreen! When it doubt, fire up the glue gun!! 😉
DeleteGreat list! I always reach for white, too. :)
ReplyDeleteCan't go wrong with the basics!
DeleteI have all those tools. I couldn't live without my cutting mat, rotary cutter and grids. I bought them for quilting, but now I use them for all my fabric crafts. They make cutting fabric so much faster and easier. xo
ReplyDeleteNancy, I was thinking about you this weekend when I was sewing....and measuring and cutting. I think I need a mat, grids and cutter. I can see how those tools would make the job much, much easier! Hugs!
DeleteI have arthritis....not bad but bad enough that too much cutting with scissors makes my hand ache. I bought a rotary cutter and mat years ago and use them for sewing and quiling....love them! I also prefer my Fiskars scissors and pinking shears to the Ghingers that I bought years ago....much sharper and easier on the hands, I find.
DeleteAnother vote for the rotary cutter and mat...I think I need to get one! :)
DeleteGreat list...I would add black or brown chenille stems. I use them for LOTS of things.
ReplyDeleteI also hide my scissors...several different kinds :^0 With a good pair of Ginghers going for 40 bucks or so, they deserve to be WELL hidden!! I also hide a couple different shapes of pinking shears. Grandies would love to "craft" with them if they could find them:^)
Also, I would add a couple of small metal rulers...one with a sliding hem guide. They can't be beat, and they are always correct...no stretching there!!
Blessings,
J
Hiding scissors in my house is a must, too, J. They would either be gone or wrecked in a matter of days if I left them in plain sight. Now that my machine is behaving, I would love to invest in some more sewing tools. Your rulers sound great! Measuring is my nemesis!! ;)
DeletePerfect list Kim!! You can never have enough scissor and ribbon around!! I think we may have a scissor thief in our house!!
ReplyDeleteI have to hide them Sam...no joke! And thanks! 😊
DeleteYou've nailed down some of the necessities for sure...and I love what you did with that patchwork chair!!! It's flat out perfect.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration.
Hugs, Lynn
Thanks so much, Lynn...and I do love that chair, too. ♡
Delete