If you're going to do crafts and DIY projects, you need to have the proper tools. But there are so many things you can use and it's hard to know what the essentials really are. We've got your back. Here are the craft room supplies you need to get started on that weekend DIY project.
There are so many types of glue and each one serves a different purpose.
Hot glue guns are a staple in any crafter's arsenal. It's really the ultimate adhesive — easy to use, affordable, dries quickly and fairly permanent.
Glue sticks are perfect for paper projects. They're not messy and you don't end up with warped paper when it dries (unlike liquid school glue).
You can use wood glue to substitute for a hammer and nails and fabric glue in place of a needle and thread. It will save you hours of time and you don't need to worry about accidentally hitting your hand with a hammer or poking your finger with a sharp needle.
While tape isn't quite as permanent as glue, it still helps with a lot of craft projects, even if it's just to hold something in place before it's glued down.
The kinds of tape you'll want to have are regular clear tape for temporarily holding things down, double-sided tape as a quick adhesive for paper projects, and masking or painter's tape to have clean lines for paint-related projects.
Black permanent markers are good for everything, including crafts. Along with plain black, it's good to have a rainbow of colors available for any project.
Invest in a nice pair of scissors that are heavy-duty, reliable and cut well. It may not seem too important to some people, but a good pair of sharp scissors can make a huge difference in the quality of the work and make cutting things a lot easier. Trust us, it's worth the investment.
These are absolutely necessary for when a design has intricate cutouts that are hard to cut with scissors. Make sure you use a mat when cutting with a razor to avoid scratching tables and countertops.
Instead of cramping your hand and spending hours on trying to cut the perfect straight line, get a paper trimmer. You'll be able to effortlessly cut a smooth, straight line in just seconds. There are a few kinds of paper trimmers to choose from depending on your personal preferences and the storage space you have available.
A guillotine trimmer is great for cutting large quantities of paper at once. It's a bit large, so you'll need a little more storage room if you want to keep it out of sight.
A rolling or sliding trimmer can't cut through as many sheets of paper at one time, but they deliver a more precise cut. If you need to cut geometric designs or thin pieces of paper, this is a little better than the guillotine trimmer. They also aren't as bulky, so if you need a more compact option, this is it.
These are one of the most versatile tools you can have for any crafting project. Your paintbrushes aren't limited to only paint but can be used for applying liquid glue, Mod Podge and even cleaning up mistakes on messy projects.
For painting, you'll want to have a variety of brush shapes and sizes as each project will require a different type. Make sure you educate yourself on what each brush does so you can get the best results every time.
If you're going to use a brush for glue or mod podge, a foam paintbrush is usually the best option, so it's good to keep them on hand. They're affordable and come in multi-packs so you don't need to worry about trying to save them after mod podge or glue has dried on them.
You can use Mod Podge for almost every DIY project, so it's a craft room necessity. There are lots of different varieties, ranging from the common classic Mod Podge to matte finish to dishwasher safe formulas. At the very least, you should always have the original formula, but you might want some of the others for specific projects.
You can't have a craft room without paint. You'll want to have a few kinds depending on the projects you tackle most often.
Acrylic paint is probably the most common kind and you can use it for an assortment of projects. It's affordable and comes in every color you could possibly need.
Craft paint is similar to acrylic and can be used for most projects. It's a little thinner than acrylic paint, so you might need to apply multiple layers to achieve your desired color, but it doesn't dry as fast so you'll have more time to work with it.
Watercolors aren't as versatile as acrylic and craft paint, but they can still be used for a good number of crafts. One of the advantages of watercolor paints is you can use as much or as little water as you'd like to dilute the colors and control how bright or pale they are. They're affordable and you can usually get away with buying a single palette of 10 or 12 colors instead of buying and storing lots of individual bottles (like acrylic and craft paints).
Paint markers are something you'll want for writing words and creating precise designs. It's a lot easier and comes out cleaner than trying to write words with a paint brush.
Morgen Henderson is a writer who grew up in Utah. She lived in the Dominican Republic for a year and a half, where she was involved in humanitarian service. Some of Morgen's work has appeared in State of Digital, The Next Scoop and TechPatio. In her free time, she loves to travel, bake, master DIY projects and improve her Spanish skills.