I have had a love affair with crafts my entire life. I love everything about them, from the planning and design to the constant, rhythmic work involved in completing whatever project I was working on. No matter how busy life gets, I always make time for crafts and find it enjoyable, relaxing, and immensely rewarding.
There are hundreds of crafts to choose from and dozens of ways to learn how to start a new project. There are books and magazines to be found on almost any trade, classes at schools, churches, and community centers, and even online tutorials.
Although sewing, knitting, and crocheting have been around for centuries, they are still at the top of the list when it comes to crafts for the home. Scrap booking, card making, glass art, bead work and jewelry making are also very popular today. The list is really endless.
If you’re thinking about starting a new project and aren’t sure what kind of materials you need, here are some of the basics you’ll need to have on hand before you begin:
A pair of sharp scissors or any cutting tool.
Good scissors are the best tool you can have at your side. If you are going to sew, buy the best quality sheers you can afford and they will last you for years. If you’re going to be quilting, a rotary cutting wheel is an ideal addition for cutting layers of fabric. If you’re going to be scrapbooking or making paper products, look for a variety of scissors that are designed to cut different edges for special effects. With bead or jewelry work, it will be important to have a pair of wire cutters handy.
ruler or measuring tool
A measuring tool of some kind is essential when doing crafts. Planning and designing your projects requires skill and careful measurements to achieve the desired results. A cloth tape measure for fabric, a metal tape measure, a small ruler, and a large, sturdy ruler are all good options to start with.
cutting board
Consider your furniture. Keep a couple of sturdy cutting boards or pieces of plywood on hand for smaller uses. Also invest in a self-healing cutting mat to use when cutting fabric or craft paper with a rotary cutting tool. Your dining room table can make a great workspace, but protecting it with a suitable rug is a good idea.
Adhesive
Cloth tape, masking tape, masking tape, pins, paper clips, and a hot glue gun should all be on your list of essentials depending on the craft you’ve chosen. Unless you have an extra set of hands, you’ll need to attach one piece to another at some point in your project, so keep this in mind as you shop.
Craft storage box or case
Keeping things neat and in one place is paramount when you have started your projects. By organizing your “tools” in your “toolbox”, you can take your project anywhere and pack it up quickly without losing anything. Not to mention you’ll always find what you’re looking for though.
Even if it’s your first time trying a new project, remember that it takes time and patience to learn a new skill. Be kind to yourself as you correct your mistakes along the way and before long you will see the results of all your efforts in your own creation, made entirely by you.