When you are just starting out as a paper crafter and perhaps have a limited budget as well, how do you choose your first card making or scrapbook tools? Often a new paper crafter will have little idea of how the tools can be used. It may be that you are starting out without any paper crafting buddies to show you the way.
Wouldn’t it be handy to have an idea of where to start? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a list of tools and an explanation of why they would be useful?
Every paper crafter takes a different journey. I can give you the benefit of my own experience, though my list may do nothing more than help you decide how to alter it to suit your own tool needs.
Without further ado, here is my own list of ‘essential’ tools and why I chose them:
- A paper guillotine. Most scrapbook paper or card stock is at least 12″ x 12′ (30.5 x 30.5cms)
in dimension. I always want to make even and accurate cuts from this paper, and hand cutting it is nowhere near as efficient as guillotining it. I got my basic guillotine from a stationer’s store. They are not too costly, take a very long time to wear out, and I believe they more than pay for themselves. - A variety of good scissors. You will always want to perform hand cutting of your paper. Sharp, strong scissors are a ‘must have’ for me. I also have different scissors to cut different materials (such as a pair for cutting only ribbon, a pair for cutting only paper) but you can add these as your craft stash grows. Having separate scissors for different mediums means you do not dull your scissors as frequently and you always get a nice, clean cut.
- A good, all-purpose glue. There are so many different glues! If you are scrap booking and want to keep your albums indefinitely, make sure you choose an acid free glue. Otherwise glues can yellow and harden and let go of the things you want to stay fixed. It can be useful to find a glue that has a nozzle on the end for accurate placement of it, yet still allows you to spread it over large surfaces when necessary.
- A self-healing cutting mat. Such a mat cushion your work a little (this is really important in rubber stamping), protects your furniture and also allows you to cut into it without harming it. This will be important when you decide to cut with a scalpel or other cutting tools, or when you want to emboss or hammer things such as eyelets. It provides a basic working surface that is very useful and you can take it with you to friend’s places when you want to crop together!
- A bone folder. If you want to make nice, sharp creases that will take your projects into a higher standard, a bone folder is a must.
When you have the basics at your fingertips, you can create with more ease and joy.
After you have the basic tools and have started to use them, you will probably be interested in trying some of the more advanced paper crafting techniques. Often a new technique requires the purchase of a new tool, which can then often be used in several more techniques. As you try new ideas, consider acquiring the tools that go with them. It will make the growth of your stash more affordable and before you know it, you will have a well-stocked craft room, bristling with tools that will inspire your paper crafting.
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