So you want to start paper crafting?
Well here is my top 10 must have tools and supplies to get you started!
1. Paper Trimmer: Hands down, the most useful tool and the best investment. There are a few different paper cutter styles ones that are small and portable, others that are table top and heavy duty.
The paper trimmer is the first tool you use when making cards, its the easiest way to make the standard card base but cutting 8 1/2" X 11" card stock in half.
2. Adhesive in the form of a "white out": These have been called Snail Adhesive or Runner Tape/Glue, there are a few different names. Its the quickest way to lay down layers of card stock as there is no waiting time for glue to dry. There are little ones and then there are big "guns" hehe. I don't have one of those.
3. Bone Folder: This little tool saves your fingers and does some pretty cool things too. It saves your fingers in the sense when you fold paper you use the bone folder to help crease it. It also curls paper! The bone folder is no longer made out of bone- at least I don't think it is!
4. Scissors: A few pairs of scissors are a good idea too. One high quality pair for ribbon cutting is recommended and avoid using it for anything else. My high quality pair was a gift from my old upline Jenn. I tied a piece of ribbon on them to remind me its only for ribbon. The other pairs of scissors I have are normal average scissors that I use for small pieces of paper, cutting embellishments and other misc items.
5. Neutral Cardstock: High quality neutral coloured card stock should be at the base of your card stock stash. Stampin' Up! has great high quality card stock which I use on the daily but my favourite white card stock is Marshmallow Cardstock by Bazzill it is much thicker and works better with black inks then the Stampin' Up! white card stock.
6. Coloured Cardstock: Same note as above but having a wide range of colours would be nice but as a beginner start with a "In-Colour" pack or the Spring Rainbow Pack from Simon Says Stamp something that goes with the current season and holidays.
7. Stamp Press: I used to use acrylic blocks, Stampin' Up! makes great high quality blocks and I do use them sometimes but since I started using the stamp press I prefer it. The stamp press allows you to adhere the rubber cling or clear stamp to it and move it around your project (while inked) to find the perfect spot. Then press down, and voila- perfect placement every time.
8. 1-3 Stamp Sets: Try to choose stamps that have images and sentiments that can be used for many things for example: Thank You and happy birthday stamp sets. Nature themed sets can be used for sympathy,thank you, and birthday. Stampin' Up! has rubber cling and rubber wood mount stamp sets. SimonSaysStamp.com and Scrapbook.com have a huge variety of brands. Michaels is probably the most expensive place to buy stamps (look out for the coupons thou and keep an eye out for clearance).
9. Ink: Some of the InColour sets and SimonSaysStamp.com sets have Ink as well as paper that coordinates. Look out for these sets when first starting. It is best when your ink colours are in the same colour family and compliment your paper.
10. Rhinestones or Glitter: I think all cards scream WOW with a little bit of bling. There are a few types of glitters (loose glitter, stickle glitter glue, or glitter in an embossing powder format). Peel and stick rhinestones are my go-to!
Disclaimer: Most of them linked are Stampin' Up! brand, I am not a demonstrator (used to be) nor do I make money for talking about Stampin' Up! but I do recommend their tools as they are of high quality and last for a long time. You can easily find similar tools at your local craft store. Or stampinup.com, simonsaysstamp.com, scrapbook.com.
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