Tundra
March 1st, 2010, 11:26 AM
In order to be a successful card-maker, you need to start out with the right tools and supplies. Having purchased a huge array of tools and endlessly experimenting with them, I am here to give you my advice on what to purchase and why! You will be off to a fantastic start to a well-stocked crafting area. Read on and get prepared to become paper-crafting-crazy! :)
A Good Adhesive
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/Livinginthepast/NiH/adtechgluerunner.jpg
Toss out the glue stick! Toss out the Elmer's! Us serious card-makers like "adhesive glue runners!" What is an adhesive glue runner, you might ask? My favorite tool and most used paper-crafting tool. It is easy to apply, very permanent and doesn't slide around after you adhere paper together. My favorite brand is Ad Tech and can be found in the craft aisle at your local Walmart! Buy one glue runner and stock up on the refills. You will love me for this tip- it will save you lots of frustration when you are gluing your papers down. :)
(Link: (http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=xprd1023681))
Paper Trimmers
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/Livinginthepast/NiH/papertrimmer.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/Livinginthepast/NiH/fiskarspapertrimmers.jpg
Need to know how to cut a straight line without driving yourself crazy? Invest in a paper trimmer and save yourself a huge headache. I love my 12-inch Fiskar's trimmer which allows me to stack sheets of paper and cut down on time as well. With a handy ruler and measuring system built right in, you should have no problem making sure your paper is cut nice and straight! :)
(Link: (http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=prd22774) )
Fiskars Squeeze Punches
These are an essential to any paper crafter! Having owned and tested many different brands and styles, I have found the Fiskars punches to be superior! They are nice and sharp, you can see exactly where you are cutting the paper, and they aren't hard on your hands if you are punching thousands of paper flowers throughout the week (like myself!). Buy them at craft or scrapbook stores, along with places like JoAnn's fabrics. And don't forget to grab a coupon before you go in to save a few bucks!!
(Link: (http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp;jsessionid=D884BF6A528839E12312B BF9774EA5D2.a5p2?CATID=cat2785&PRODID=prd57298) )
And any good card-maker needs quality cards and paper, right?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/Livinginthepast/NiH/papersource.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/Livinginthepast/NiH/diecutswithaviewcards.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/Livinginthepast/NiH/hamblyscreenprints.jpg
When I splurge, I like to peruse though Paper-Source, which is an amazing resource for crafters, scrapbooks, card-makers, and people who like pretty things. :) Their website has a huge line of papers: flat cards, folded cards, envelopes, in all shapes and sizes and in an array of gorgeous colors.
(Link: (http://www.paper-source.com))
For everyday cards, I love the boxed cards from the brand, "Die Cuts with a View." They come in boxed sets of 50 and are thick, quality greeting cards that you can use to create a beautiful handmade card!
(Link: (http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?CATID=cat2950&PRODID=xprd1037825) )
And for paper and scrapbooking accesories, my absolute favorite brand has to be Hambly Screenprints. You can find this brand in any scrapbooking store, and they are absolutely wonderful! However, when you order from their website, they toss in lots of extras and freebies for you to try out. Gotta love free stuff, right?! :)
(Link: (http://www.qbaroo.com/HamblyScreenPrints/) )
Hopefully you are now more informed on what to obtain and what to skip. Happy paper-crafting! :)
xo! -Holly
http://mommyholly.etsy.com (http://mommyholly.etsy.com/)
http://mommyholly.blogspot.com (http://mommyholly.blogspot.com/)
A Good Adhesive
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/Livinginthepast/NiH/adtechgluerunner.jpg
Toss out the glue stick! Toss out the Elmer's! Us serious card-makers like "adhesive glue runners!" What is an adhesive glue runner, you might ask? My favorite tool and most used paper-crafting tool. It is easy to apply, very permanent and doesn't slide around after you adhere paper together. My favorite brand is Ad Tech and can be found in the craft aisle at your local Walmart! Buy one glue runner and stock up on the refills. You will love me for this tip- it will save you lots of frustration when you are gluing your papers down. :)
(Link: (http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=xprd1023681))
Paper Trimmers
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/Livinginthepast/NiH/papertrimmer.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/Livinginthepast/NiH/fiskarspapertrimmers.jpg
Need to know how to cut a straight line without driving yourself crazy? Invest in a paper trimmer and save yourself a huge headache. I love my 12-inch Fiskar's trimmer which allows me to stack sheets of paper and cut down on time as well. With a handy ruler and measuring system built right in, you should have no problem making sure your paper is cut nice and straight! :)
(Link: (http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=prd22774) )
Fiskars Squeeze Punches
These are an essential to any paper crafter! Having owned and tested many different brands and styles, I have found the Fiskars punches to be superior! They are nice and sharp, you can see exactly where you are cutting the paper, and they aren't hard on your hands if you are punching thousands of paper flowers throughout the week (like myself!). Buy them at craft or scrapbook stores, along with places like JoAnn's fabrics. And don't forget to grab a coupon before you go in to save a few bucks!!
(Link: (http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp;jsessionid=D884BF6A528839E12312B BF9774EA5D2.a5p2?CATID=cat2785&PRODID=prd57298) )
And any good card-maker needs quality cards and paper, right?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/Livinginthepast/NiH/papersource.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/Livinginthepast/NiH/diecutswithaviewcards.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/Livinginthepast/NiH/hamblyscreenprints.jpg
When I splurge, I like to peruse though Paper-Source, which is an amazing resource for crafters, scrapbooks, card-makers, and people who like pretty things. :) Their website has a huge line of papers: flat cards, folded cards, envelopes, in all shapes and sizes and in an array of gorgeous colors.
(Link: (http://www.paper-source.com))
For everyday cards, I love the boxed cards from the brand, "Die Cuts with a View." They come in boxed sets of 50 and are thick, quality greeting cards that you can use to create a beautiful handmade card!
(Link: (http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?CATID=cat2950&PRODID=xprd1037825) )
And for paper and scrapbooking accesories, my absolute favorite brand has to be Hambly Screenprints. You can find this brand in any scrapbooking store, and they are absolutely wonderful! However, when you order from their website, they toss in lots of extras and freebies for you to try out. Gotta love free stuff, right?! :)
(Link: (http://www.qbaroo.com/HamblyScreenPrints/) )
Hopefully you are now more informed on what to obtain and what to skip. Happy paper-crafting! :)
xo! -Holly
http://mommyholly.etsy.com (http://mommyholly.etsy.com/)
http://mommyholly.blogspot.com (http://mommyholly.blogspot.com/)