One note- I do A LOT of different types of crafts. I shall explain.
- If you are EVER cutting anything with an exacto knife or a rotating blade- this is a MUST NEED. This will allow you to apply as much pressure as you would like, need or accidentally use.
- If you craft with glue- this protects your work space and makes it easier to apply to your projects.
- Hot glue gun? Definitely need this. You have no clue how many times I've gotten hot glue places that it is impossible to remove. I have melted countless things. I mean c'mon- who hasn't? This will make it okay- or at least allow you to hide it from your significant other or roommate. No- this is one not heatproof- it is just there to protect your surfaces. You can buy heat resistant ones if you will need that frequently.
- You need measurements frequently? Solves that issue too. There is a measurement grid with angles.
- I am sure I will come up with more reasons why this is essential- but you get the picture.
- Check out this Fiskars 12x18 Cutting Mat from Amazon for $13.99. You can find better quality and different sizes on Amazon, Michael's Craft Store and more. There are also self-healing ones as well as heat resistant like this Fiskars Heat Resistant Silicone Craft Mat from Amazon for $21.99.
- This has been amazing. I have this one (right). I love that it is clear/frosted so I can I line up what I am measuring exactly. It is durable plastic and I have beaten mine to hell, but use it everyday.
- Cutting paper? Just line up this board and cut along the edge= perfection.
- Cutting fabric? Quilting? Same thing - perfection.
- This really is perfect when using an x-acto knife or rotating blade- just cut alone the edge.
- Take a look at OFLA 6x12inch Frosted Ruler from Aamzon for $10.07. You can get the exact same one at Michael's for $15.99.
- I was very hesitant with this purchase- I am not a fan of very sharp blades. I do use this very frequently. I originally bought it when I started Paper Quilling for precise cutting in small and narrow spaces. Also it is great for positioning the small pieces very close together. You will need a blade as thin as the paper- this will do it.
- The blade is so thin and the point is perfect, this will be more handy than you think.
- Any paper craft? This is a must hand. It will give you more freedom than you can imagine.
- Using duct tape to craft? Overused your glue and need to trim some off? Precision right here.
- I bought mine from Michael's years ago. Similar to this one on Amazon with a Safety Cap for $5.90. There are probably cheaper options. Mine did not come with a safety cap, so now I tape the blade when I am storing it.
- This tool is essential for certain crafts- not all.
- It is vital with fabrics. I had a bad habit of not cutting straight or smooth lines with scissors.
- When used with the Ruler Board (above)- it makes cutting fabrics a cinch.
- When cutting paper or scrapbooking- this works great.
- You can check out this Straight Handle Rotary Cutter from Amazon for $9.54 (you can buy the exact same one at Michael's for $15.99.)
- You can buy different sizes. Mine is the smallest option. This one has a sliding blade protector, but there are also ones with automatic blade covers.
- I originally bought this when I started Quilling to make my own Quilling paper but my own paper was not as effective as paper created specifically for this purpose (see this post on that info).
- I now use this so much that I keep extra blades in my toolbox (although I have never needed one just out of the blue- only replaced it once or twice in several years).
- Cutting paper? No questions about it- this is essential. Straight lines guaranteed every time. Works with different paper weights including card-stock.
- Do you have a cricut or silhouette cutting machine? One of my struggles was trimming the vinyl that comes in a roll. This slicing board makes cutting vinyl or other materials used in those machines.
- Trimming edges? Do I need to say more?
- I also should mention that all your cuts will be perfectly measured every time seeing as there is a ruler on the mat.
- Check out this 12 Inch Fiskars Portable Scrapbooking Trimmer from Amazon for $14.99 or a very similar 12 Inch Fiskars Recycled SureCut Trimmer in Black for $10.78.
- Not kidding you, I misplace scissors like it's my job. I highly recommend not buying cheap-o scissors. They will probably not cut smoothly or will wear out or break easy. What I recommend, every time you are in a craft store or section, look for good quality scissors on sale and stock up while they are cheap.
- You need scissors for every craft project- Yarn, paper, cardstock, Quilling, quilting and so on.
- One recommendation I see frequently is to have designated scissor for each material- I've tried this but as I said, I lose scissors like it's my job. So that never worked for me. The time I had with using the same scissors for different materials is only when I use a cheap pair of scissors.
- In all seriousness- invest in at least one good pair.
- These Fiskars Non-stick Titanium Softgrip Scissors on Amazon (below) have been amazing for me. I have used these for most of my crafts in the past several years. I have the 5 inch ones, which are $6.97 and for the 8 inch- $7.97 on Amazon. I bought them at Michael's but it seems they are so much cheaper on Amazon.
- Yup- you'd be surprised. I use a cheap pair that came in a manicure kit that I got at the drug store.
- Anything small? Beads, Quilling paper, scrapbooking, so on and so on.
- Because you know pencil sharpeners are easier to lose than scissors.
- These Paper Mate ones are my favorite and lead is easy to find.
- Clear, aluminum, 6inch, 12inch, any really- I usually have a few throughout my house because you never know when you will need a straight edge or a quick measurement.
- My tool box changes depending on what craft I am working on. My big items, like my cutting mat and ruler board are always on my work station. My slicing board is next to or under the table I am using. Sometimes it's my desk, other times it's my coffee table. All my smaller items I move into different boxes/containers depending on the craft, that way I have easy access to all my supplies.
- This week it a utensil holder for your kitchen spoons. It works this week because I am working on hand journaling and using a lot of pens- makes everything easy to grab.
- Last week, my tool box was a small bin- I was making a wind catcher. The open top was great because I could see all my supplies, like all my different threads and beads. I also had the smallest rubbermaid container to put beads that I was using- it made it easier to pick and take than the small tube they came in.
- A good guide:
- Make sure everything is easily accessible- so one that has an open top or removable lid.
- Portable but sturdy- you want to be able to take it to wherever you craft, but you don't want something that is flimsy and can break/collapse.
- Try HomeGoods- that is always my go-to for things like this. You can find all sorts of things that would work great as your tool box.
- Other things I use all the time no matter the project:
- Cups/pen holders- I love to find pretty mugs and use them to store my pens, markers, scissors, msc.
- I use a computer desk (without a desktop computer), so I have an empty keyboard tray. I use this Organizer Tray (for your Scrapbooking Case) on the keyboard tray. I bought it for cheaper at Michael's 2 years ago. I love this tray because it has movable dividers and it is meant for your 12x12 scrapbooking paper case that you find at the craft store, so when I need to move it, it's very easy and secure.
- And lastly -It is what you make it-.
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