Figuring out what craft essentials you should have in your arsenal can be kind of overwhelming. But I’m here to help: these are the tried and true must-have craft supplies that will have you creating in no time!
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If you keep pinning craft projects on Pinterest but then never actually make anything because you don’t feel like actually putting on pants and lugging yourself (and maybe your kids) to the store to get all of the necessary craft supplies, I’m here to help! I have put together a list of my top 11 craft essentials that you can keep on hand (even if your craft room is more like a craft drawer) so you can be crafting yourself silly whenever you want.
This post is all about craft essentials.
The 11 Best Craft Essentials
1. Hot Glue Gun
A hot glue gun is, without a doubt, my number one craft essential. Hot glue guns can be used for so many different projects! I use mine for EVERYTHING. (No lie, I once used it to fix a hem that was falling down on a pair of pants.) Plus, hot glue dries extremely quickly, so if you’re in a hurry (or super impatient like me), it’s a great option. My kids also use it a lot for school projects.
I have the cordless one below, which is awesome, but there are a lot of great inexpensive corded options out there as well.
Some of my favorite projects that use a hot glue gun:
2. Glue
If you’re wondering why you would need other glue if you already have a glue gun, there are a few reasons you need both. E6000 is crazy strong and can last a lot longer than hot glue. It can also adhere some things that hot glue can’t, like metal. Wood glue can be used to fix broken frames, furniture, anything that’s made of wood (duh). It’s a good idea to have both in your arsenal so you’re ready for whatever gluing situation you need to tackle!
Some of my favorite projects that use other types of glue:
3. Paint
The power of paint is pretty much unmatched in the crafting world. Just covering something with a quick coat of spray paint (or even crafts paint) can transform it from average to amazing in no time. Keep a couple basic colors on hand (like black, white, and one of two of your favorite colors) so you have it when you need it!
Some of my favorite projects that use paint:
4. Paint Brushes
If you’re going to have paint, you will obviously need some paint brushes. Those little black foam brushes with the wood handles are so incredibly cheap (you can get them for less than a dollar a piece) and are really, really useful. You can use them for painting small projects, for touching up paint around trim when painting a room, for staining wood, and for sneaking spray paint into those tricky areas that can sometimes get missed.
It’s also a good idea to have an inexpensive set of smaller brushes for more detailed work.
Some of my favorite projects that use paint brushes:
5. Scissors
When stocking up on craft essentials, you need at least two pairs of scissors: one for paper, one for fabric. My mom is a seamstress, and I still have nightmares about accidentally using the wrong scissors and feeling her wrath. Keeping one pair just for fabric will help keep it sharp and ready to go!
Some of my favorite projects that use scissors:
6. Markers
This is another craft essential that you will use way more than you’d think. I got a huge pack of the Bic markers below at Sam’s Club a few year’s ago, and I think we use them almost every single day. The boys use them all the time for school, and I use them for a bunch of various things around the house.
One of my favorite projects that uses markers:
7. Paper Cutter
If you’re doubting whether or not a paper cutter is a craft essential, let me tell you a little story. In 2004, I bought a paper cutter to cut the programs I was making for my wedding. I still have that same paper cutter, and I still use it at least once a month. (I cannot cut a straight line with scissors to save my life.) We use it for (again) school projects, cutting down photos we printed on our photo printer, school Valentines, gift tags, and lots more.
One of my favorite projects that uses a paper cutter:
8. Rotary Cutter
If, like me, your cutting skills rival a kindergartener’s (see previous comment under “Paper Cutter”), a rotary cutter is definitely a craft essential. If you’re not familiar with a rotary cutter, think of it as a pizza cutter, but for fabric. (What can I say, I always go back to food.) In order to properly use a rotary cutter, though, you will also need numbers 9 and 10 on my craft essentials list: a quilting ruler and a self-healing cutting mat.
9. Quilting Ruler
Don’t be fooled by the term “quilting” — this tool is used for way more. When you cut with a rotary cutter, you need to have a straight edge to cut against. You could technically use any ruler, but these clear quilting rulers are great because they are wider than a traditional ruler and include measurements so you can easily cut to your desired width.
10. Self-healing Cutting Mat
Cutting mats are pretty much what they sound like: mats that cover your work surface and protect it from your crafting activities. Self-healing mats are designed to allow a knife or rotary cutter to cut into the mat without leaving a permanent mark. If you’re not lucky enough to have a dedicated craft area, a cutting mat can serve as a portable work space. You should never cut with a rotary cutter or knife without a cutting mat, as you can very easily cut your work surface.
Some of my favorite projects that use a rotary cutter, quilting ruler and a cutting mat:
11. Cutting Machine
Ok, so technically this one isn’t an essential, but I wanted to add it anyway because I can pretty much guarantee that you will use one way more than you’d think. I have a Silhouette Portrait machine that I’ve had for probably 6 or 7 years now. I used it a ton when I first got it, but then it sat in a cupboard for years. Just this past fall, I busted it out again and I have been using it non-stop. And now I want to upgrade to something bigger and fancier — like the Cricut Maker, which you can use to cut wood and leather! (Insert giant heart-eye emoji here.)
Some of my favorite projects that use a cutting machine:
There you have it! Now you know what craft essentials you need to have on hand so you can craft what you want, when you want it.