Resources and Tools for Crafters. Find out the top crafting and DIY tools and resources to help you create a picture-perfect project every time.
I get asked all the time what my favorite tools are when working on different types of projects.
Knowing what tools to use and which ones work well every time is one of the first steps in being a successful crafter or DIYer. There are so many products out there and choosing what tools you should use to create your project can be overwhelming.
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The Best Resources and Tools for Crafters
Whether you are new to crafting or you have been a maker your whole life, knowing what other people in your field are using and loving can be incredibly helpful. Below you can find all the top resources and tools I use when I am creating.
General Crafting
The following items are all tools I think most crafters use on a daily or weekly basis. They can be used for a variety of crafts and projects.
Paper Trimmer
Purchase: Cricut.com | Amazon | Michaels
The Cricut paper trimmer is my favorite trimmer. I pull out this paper trimmer almost every time I craft.
There are guides to help you align your paper at the correct location. I use this trimmer even when I am not crafting if I need to trim anything in a straight line. You can use either a blade or scoring edge with this trimmer and the replacement blades are stored on the underside.
Adhesive
Almost all craft projects require some kind of adhesive. And different projects call for different types of adhesives. Navigating which types to use can be confusing.
- Paper crafting and scrapbooking
- Detailed designs – adhesive pen
- General crafting –
- Jewelry making – Beacon Power-Tac (this is my new replacement for E-6000)
Scissors
Purchase: Scissors Value Set – includes 8 scissors
This is a must-have item for almost all crafting projects. I like to have lots of different sizes of scissors.
Regardless of the type, this is a must-have item in your crafting tool kit. My favorites are the gold scissors from American Crafts and the detail scissors from We R Memory Keepers.
It is also good to have a separate set of scissors just for fabric. If you use your fabric scissors for paper, it will dull the blade pretty quickly.
Craft Knife
Like the scissors above, having a good craft knife is essential. You can use it for precision cuts and heavier-duty cuts on chipboard and other thicker materials.
My two favorites are the We R Memory Keepers craft knife and the True Control knife from Cricut.
Purchase:
- Cricut Knife: Cricut.com | Amazon
- We R Memory Keepers Knife: Scrapbook.com | Amazon
Self-Healing Mat
Purchase: Michaels | Scrapbook.com | Amazon
A self-healing mat is a mat that you can cut on that will “heal” itself after you cut. Basically, this means you won’t end up with a bunch of gouges in your mat after you use your craft knife on it.
I suggest purchasing a large one. They come in a variety of sizes. I started with one that was 13″ x 13″ but quickly outgrew it when I was working on larger projects.
There are also magnetic varieties to help you keep your materials in place while you cut.
Silicone Mat
Purchase: Amazon | Scrapbook.com
A silicon mat is similar to a self-healing mat but is used for a different purpose. Instead of cutting on this mat, you will use it for messy projects. It can be easily wiped clean after painting, stamping, ink blending, or using glue.
Multi-Purpose Tool
Purchase: Amazon | Scrapbook.com | Michaels
My other favorite trimmer is the We R Memory Keepers The Works All-in-One tool. This tool combines a trim and score board; envelope, tag, banner, and tab punch boards; pom pom, tassel, and bow maker; and stamp tool.
This compact tool combines SO many of my favorite tools from We R Memory Keepers into one. It is on the pricey side, but if you were to buy each of the separate tools listed above you would be spending a lot more money.
Storage for Craft Supplies
If you have supplies, you are going to need to store them somewhere. Below are my favorite mobile options for being able to take your craft supplies wherever you need them.
Carrying Tote
Purchase: Amazon
Even if you have a dedicated craft space, it is nice to have all your most used items in a craft tote.
At our old house, I had a small craft room but often worked on my kitchen table where I can spread out and get the best light. Having all the supplies I listed above in my tote, means I can easily grab it and go.
Unfortunately, the one I have is no longer available, but I have linked to a similar one below.
Craft Cart
Purchase: Michaels | Amazon | The Container Store
Another great tool for organizing your most-used supplies is craft carts. They now come in a variety of sizes and colors, so you are sure to be able to find one that works in your unique space. I love that they are on wheels so you can move them anywhere around the house.
RELATED: How to Make a Kids Art Cart
Specialty Crafting
Specialty crafting tools might not be used by everyone. It really depends on what you want to make! These are all tools I use and love for so many different kinds of projects.
Cricut Machine
Purchase: Cricut.com | Michaels | Amazon
I use this tool on a weekly, and sometimes daily, basis. The machines are blue-tooth enabled so I can use them without hooking up any wires to my laptop, phone, or iPad.
Cut fabric, paper, vellum, sticker paper, poster board, iron-on, vinyl, felt, acetate, chipboard, and so much more with this machine.
It can cut letters or numbers using the fonts you have loaded on your computer. Plus, with the Maker machines you can score, engrave, emboss, deboss, and more.
RELATED: Cricut Craft Project Ideas
Plus, you have the option to create Print then Cut projects where you print out a design and the Cricut will cut it out. This is a fun way to make stickers!
Learn all about the three Cricut machines (Maker 3, Explore Air 3, and Joy) to decide which one is right for you.
Cricut Design Space™ software is easy to use and manipulate to create customizable designs for your project. And now, you can subscribe to Cricut Access and have over 200,000+ images and 700+ fonts to choose from for your projects. You can also upload your own designs or designs you have downloaded with ease.
Brayer
Purchase: Cricut.com | Michaels | Amazon
A brayer allows you to remove wrinkles, bubbles, and puckers when applying materials to your cutting mat.
Banner Punch Board
Purchase: Michaels | Scrapbook.com | Amazon
This tool from We R Memory Keepers is amazing! I don’t always want to design something on my Cricut when creating a simple banner for an event. I can easily make a banner in minutes with this tool. You can cut flag, pennant, or crest shapes with the punch board.
Read more about how to use this tool in my 12 Months of Banners Series.
Circle Cutter
Purchase: Scrapbook.com | Amazon
If you need to cut out perfect circles in a short amount of time, this tool is for you.
You can cut circles up to 8 inches. The center is clear so you can position it anywhere on your paper. This is especially helpful when cutting out a particular part of the design on patterned paper.
Rotary Cutter, Ruler, and Mat
Purchase: Michaels | Amazon | JoAnn
If you work with fabric or ribbon, then you will love having a rotary cutter and mat. The mat is self-healing so you don’t have to worry about ruining your work surface.
Both the mat and ruler have measurements to make it easy to make precise cuts. You can certainly use scissors when cutting fabrics, but this set makes fabric projects quick and easy.
Other Helpful Tools
Printer
Purchase: Amazon
Printer Recommendation
My favorite printer for printing my free printables is the HP Envy Photo All-In-One with HP Instant Ink. I have used these printers for years and always get great results.
Amazon: White Cardstock
Walmart: Regular Printer Paper
I print out a ton of stuff at home all the time – planner stickers, home management binder sheets, pages for my planner, and more. It is important to me that I can test out my free printables before I share them with all of you. Needless to say, this printer is a workhorse.
You can use it to print regular pages and photos. You can use it to scan or fax documents. It is wireless so I can use it from my laptop, my phone, and my tablet – all without a cord.
It has a feature to automatically print on both sides of the paper, so no more unloading the paper and reloading it into the tray.
Amazon Store
Shop my favorite craft supplies on my Amazon store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/laurascraftylif
If you have any additional questions about specific products please email me.