Hey Hey! The New Year is here. It’s time for a fresh start and really, who couldn’t use one? I have a few goals for the year 2022 and one of them is to work smarter not harder. I want to clean and organize my workspaces and create an environment that allows all my creative juices to flow. I decided to group all my tools and supplies in workstations and while I’m at it, I’ll let you know which tools are my favorite and why. So here are the seven tools I recommend you keep handy for crafting in the coming year.
Silicone Mats
I’m always looking for things that will help me to keep my workspace neat and tidy. Don’t try to confirm this with my husband because he’s pretty sure he lassoed a tornado. I order the big one from Amazon and they come two in a package. They protect my workspace from the heat gun and the hot glue gun that is always in use when I’m working on a project. The glue doesn’t stick if it drips on the mat and the heat doesn’t hurt the mat. I use them under small paint projects too because I can just rinse my silicone mat off right at the sink in my workshop when I’m finished painting.
Paper Cutter
I picked up my paper cutter at my favorite thrift store for a couple of dollars. I know they’re significantly more at retail stores, but I use this for so many projects and it cuts through several layers of paper at once and I’ve even used it to cut through vinyl plank flooring when I was redoing my bathroom floors. When the blade gets dull, I just cut through a few layers of aluminum foil and it’s just like new. Cricut and Fiskars both make paper trimmers with a sliding blade, but I prefer the cutting arm because I can see it better.
Crop-a-Dial Tool
This tool has been around for a while and if you’re an avid crafter you might already have one. It’s an all-in-one tool that serves so many purposes. I like to use mine to punch holes when my drill isn’t handy or even necessary. If you don’t like the idea of using power tools, this might be exactly what you need. You can get a Crop-a-Dial from Amazon for about $25 or from your favorite craft store.
Miter Sheers
Again, if you don’t like power tools, miter sheers are a great option for you. They’re available on Amazon for less than $15 or if you need a sturdier pair pick them up at Home Depot or Lowes. You can use miter sheers to cut thin wood pieces to create frames and they can be adjusted to several different angles. I use mine to cut through dowels and craft sticks all the time.
Heat Gun
I love my heat gun! I initially bought it because the person who previously owned our home had an obsession with blue paint. I don’t share this obsession and I didn’t appreciate the twenty-three layers he slathered on the front door. I tried everything I could to remove the paint and as a last resort I heated the paint with a heat gun and scraped it off. Yuck! But it worked. I never meant for it to make its way into my crafting space until I needed to complete a painting project quickly. I hit it with the heat gun for a couple of minutes and I could move on to the next step. They’re a great time saver and if your nemesis is layers and layers of country blue paint – you need a heat gun!
Silicone Finger Protectors
I needed these in my life! I was tired of the third-degree burns inflicted by my glue gun. I pick them up from The Dollar Tree and when I remember to wear them these little silicone finger protectors keep my appendages burn-free. I still managed to burn my leg with my glue gun recently. But that’s Florida’s fault. It’s almost January and it’s 85 degrees in my workshop. So, I wear shorts to work and I’m not gonna complain about that!
A Rotary Tool or Dremel
This tool is a must-have if you’re a power tool enthusiast like I am. There are so many uses for this tool. They generally come with several attachments and they’re not very expensive. I love the sanding tools for tight spaces and the metal cutting blade is great when the bolts you use are too long for the project, just trim them off then use the sander to smooth the rough edge. If you like to make custom wood signs, try the wood cutting attachment and use a stencil to carve the letters out of your board. Such a simple, easy-to-use tool that can yield professional and beautiful results.
Honorable Mention
There are a few more tools that are worth a mention.
A Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
My husband bought me the Ryobi handheld vacuum because it’s so convenient to use. I had a little shark vacuum that had to be plugged in each time I used it. It worked great but wasn’t always convenient. The Ryobi takes the same battery as the other tools and it has a charging station, so it’s always ready to go.
Needle Nose Pliers
I find myself using these handy little pliers all the time. They come in handy when I’m using a small brad nail to attach a sawtooth hanger to a frame I’ve made. Those nails are just too small for me to hold so I can start them with the hammer. Holding them in place with pliers works perfectly every time. I also use the cutting feature to cut wire for picture hangers and floral arrangements. They’re great for gripping when you can’t get a tight hold on something. Apparently, they are also used to remove hooks from the mouths of caught fish. If your husband has an orange pair in his tackle box, you should leave them there. They belong to him. Get your own pair. That is all.
Until next time – happy crafting!
Please follow me here to see my latest creations.
This article was written by
