Crafting is an art form that has been around for centuries. It's also a hobby that has become increasingly popular in recent years.
Whether you enjoy making crafts for yourself or others, there are specific tools that you should always keep at hand. These are essential tools for anyone who wants to craft successfully.
Here are ten essential crafting tools that every crafter needs to have in their arsenal.
#1- Scissors
The most basic of all the crafting tools, scissors, can be used to cut fabric, paper, and other materials such as wood, leather, metal, and plastic. They come in many shapes and sizes, but they share one thing: they must be sharp! If you don't sharpen them regularly, then it's likely that they will dull quickly. This means that you'll need to replace them more often than if you kept them properly maintained.
Sharpening scissor blades takes only seconds, so why not make sure yours are ready when needed? You could even invest in some specialized scissors with built-in blade holders, allowing you to change out worn blades quickly without buying new ones.
#2- Cutting mat
A cutting mat helps prevent cuts on fingers when using scissors. Cutting mats are available from any good sewing store and cost between $5 and $20, depending on size. You may want to invest in two different-sized ones so that you can use both sides of the material without having to move the workpiece.
If you're working with delicate fabrics like lace or silk, then you might consider investing in a non-slip cutting surface instead. A few dollars extra here won't hurt either.
#3- Ruler
You might think that rulers aren't necessary because everything looks okay with just measuring tape. However, even though we're not talking about carpentry here, a ruler still comes in handy. A ruler allows you to accurately gauge whether you're working with fabrics, paper, or cardboard.
It's important to note that while a regular old kitchen scale works perfectly well for weighing small amounts of items, it doesn't provide accurate measurements. For this reason, you'll probably find yourself needing a separate ruler for each type of measurement you require.
#4- Pencil and pen
These items help mark lines onto projects before stitching or painting. Pencils come in various colors and styles, while pens come in black ink only. However, both pencils and pens can easily get lost, so make sure that you write down where you've placed each item.
What about vinyl? Vinyl is great for creating patterns on surfaces such as walls, furniture, and clothing. You can find vinyls for sale online. While these are very durable, they tend to fade over time unless treated correctly. Make sure that you apply clear nail polish to protect your project.
#5- Craft knife
If you like to sew, this is probably the best type of knife to own. Craft knives are designed specifically for cutting through thick layers of fabric and allow you to create neat edges. The blades are usually made of stainless steel, making them durable and easy to clean; they're great for Christmas decorations.
Craft knives also tend to be pretty expensive compared to standard utility knives. It's worth considering buying an inexpensive utility knife first and seeing how much time you spend using it. Once you know what kind of tasks you perform frequently, you can decide whether you need a dedicated craft knife.
#6- Glue gun
This tool is another staple item that everyone should have in their crafting kit. Glues are great for sticking things together and gluing pieces of felt into place. Some glue guns include heat settings, too, allowing you to melt small amounts of glue directly onto the surface of whatever you wish to stick.
This saves lots of time over applying hot glue by hand.
Glue guns vary significantly in price, but they will pay off if you plan on doing many crafts regularly. Suppose you don't do as much crafting, then perhaps save up for one at a later date.
#7- Stencils
There are several types of stencils, including those that fit over windows, doors, and walls. Stencils are very versatile and can be used to decorate surfaces by adding patterns or designs. You can apply some stencils to clothing.
These are perfect for creating unique fashion accessories such as hats, scarves, and gloves.
Stencils are relatively cheap, and you can often find a secondhand online. You may want to invest in more than one, depending on how creative you'd like to become.
#8- Paintbrushes
Painting is an art form that requires patience and skill. Painting brushes help you achieve smooth results by applying paint evenly across large areas. Brushes come in varying lengths and widths, and you'll generally find them sold separately. It's essential to buy quality brushes rather than cheap ones since these tend to wear out faster.
You might consider purchasing different sizes of brushes depending on the size of the project you're working on. Smaller brushes work well when painting more minor details, whereas larger brushes cover larger areas.
Paintbrushes can range from $1-$20 per brush, depending on brand and style. Make sure you purchase enough brushes to last you until you finish all of your projects!
#9- Foam brushes
Foam brushes are similar to regular brushes, except that foam bristles are attached to wooden handles instead of hair. These brushes are ideal for creating texture effects on materials such as clay and plaster.
They allow you to create intricate textures without having to use sandpaper.
They are available in various shapes and sizes, so make sure you choose the right type for the job. A good tip would be to try out a few before deciding which form suits you best.
The cost of foam brushes varies widely depending on where you find them. Expect to pay around $5 -$15 each.
If you enjoy making textured items with your hands, then this could be something you'll love.
#10- Spray bottle
Spray bottles are perfect for spraying water onto objects during craft sessions. They're inexpensive and convenient, but it's always better to keep one at home and one in the car in case there's ever a sudden rainstorm!
Make sure you have plenty of clean drinking glasses nearby because once you start using spray bottles, you won't stop!
We recommend that you only fill your spray bottles halfway full to avoid wasting too much product. This way, you can reuse any leftover liquid.
A great tip is to store empty spray bottles upside down to prevent leaks. The air pressure inside helps push excess moisture back into the container.
You can add many other items to this list of essentials, but these will do the job just fine! So now that you know what tools you'll need to start making crafts go ahead and pick up all ten essential supplies today!
