When meeting fellow crafters in my Omaha-area community and virtually around the world (literally!), our conversations often turn to the favorite items in our craft rooms.
From cardstock to adhesive, embellishments to storage, and everything in between — we like what we like and LOVE to discover new supplies.
Following a recent — and VERY FUN! — live YouTube guest appearance with Nancy and Lolly of Laurel Denise, our chitchat inevitably turned to our shared love of craft supplies. (Watch the entire reply below!)
Collecting? Hoarding? However we define our at-home inventory, what matters more is that we put our stash to work.
Which means not just having a variety of pretty things, but the right tools that deliver predictable, reliable results every single time.
Settle in and keep reading. Below are just some of my favorites.
Cardstock and Embellishments FTW (and Forever)
Some of my favorite, go-to, and beloved brands for cardstock and paper are listed below. Find them at your area craft store (shop local, friends!) or online.
- Anna Griffin: Love antique-inspired designs with embellishments and florals grounded in gold? Look no further than Anna Griffin.
- 49 and Market: Annually featuring several papercrafting collections from global designers I turn to regularly, 49 and Market offers fresh takes using both bold colors and muted pallets. My three favorites are Vicki Boutin, Dennis Bruton, and Joanne Bain.
- Echo Park: Often releasing collections with whimsical colors and charming designs, Echo Park is a great brand to turn to year-round.
- Arden Creative Studio: Based in the United Kingdom, Arden Creative Studio also celebrates colorful creativity with a number of designers each year, including two of my favorites: Andrea Lake and Katie Pertiet.
Adhesive and Glue Supplies to the Rescue
If you’re taking the time to craft something creative with your hands, you want it to last. Don’t skimp on the adhesive. Having a variety of quality options, sizes, and “stickiness” will ensure your projects will remain intact for years to come.
- Foam dots (and squares and circles): Also referred to by crafters as “pop dots,” few things provide a 3D-layered design like these little sticky gems. You’ll find them online and in your favorite craft store. For a truly chunky card, use them on every layer.
- Liquid glue: Used and loved by papercrafters, a single bottle of Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue will last a LONG time with the best results.
- Double-sided tear tape: Easily and effortlessly customize your stickiest of crafting needs with just a few rolls. You’ll be surprised at the other uses you’ll discover for this versatile tape.
- Adhesive runner: Fun to say, even more fun to use. This adhesive tool from Kingston Crafts is, hands down, one of the best on the market.
Crafty Tools to Keep Handy
Sometimes the less-pretty, more practical craft tools become your project’s BFF. Most are fairly inexpensive, meaning you can keep multiples available at different workstations or to take when crafting away from home.
- Tool-in-one: A crafting tool with lots of uses, no craft room should be without this model by Spellbinders.
- Ruler: Sure, the wooden 12″ ruler you’ll find for $1 is a great start, but real crafters trust the weighty rulers by Cricut and Anna Griffin (part of her splurge-worthy complete crafting tool set). (I own AND regularly use both.)
- Cordless glue gun: My dear friend Leslie gifted me this incredible CORDLESS glue gun. She stumbled upon it by accident and couldn’t ignore the numerous rave reviews. (Bless her!)
- Weeder: You’ll find many imitators, but Cricut’s weeding tool is the best around. Do yourself a favor and buy more than one.
- Magnet storage easel: Easily keep track of even the tiniest metal dies with this clever stand by Diamond Press.
Now it’s your turn! Which craft supplies do you LOVE the most? Let’s chat! wendy@wendycrafts.co
