This is a version of an article I posted on Crafts Unleashed- but with a few extras for y’all!
As a semi-professional crafter, I spend a part of almost every day in my craft room. While I’m lucky to have my own room for crafting, I still am concerned about space and efficiency. Today I thought I’d share with you some of my favorite craft helpers that make my crafting easier and more convenient.
One of my most-used craft items is my Tidy Mate Tray. It’s a simple, but ingenious, tool- it’s a plastic molded tray with walls 1/2 inch high to keep your craft items IN, but then there’s a funnel so you can return them to their original containers. I use it for seed beads, eyelets, and of course embossing powders and glitters. I actually have two of these- just in case one is in use when I need another. I also use them for sorting beads and corralling buttons while I’m pawing through them to find the perfect one.
Another item I use is my Storganizer. (Remember when I tricked it out and decorated it? THAT was fun!) But really, I kept it on my work desk and use it for my everyday craft supplies that I need to keep on hand. I love that my scissors, glitter glues, markers and ribbons are all at my fingertips!
If you poke around my studio, you’ll also find these Protect and Store organization boxes. They are great when you need to gather your materials in one place neatly. I’ve used them for quilt pieces, scrapbook pages-in-progress, and mixed media collages. They are wonderful if you are in the middle of a project and suddenly need to clear the table (dinner, anyone?) but aren’t ready to put all of your supplies away. Just toss them in one of these clear, stackable boxes and- voila! You’ve got your project corralled and waiting for another day.By the way, they come in 3 sizes, which makes them even better!
I also love a good crafting tool kit, and I find myself reaching for my Cricut Tool Kit almost daily. It’s got a scoop tool (to lift pieces from the mat), knife tool (sharp edge for sliding under paper), hook tool (removes small circles of paper and cleans small holes), scraper (scrapes and cleans off entire mat), bone folder (score paper, creases paper, and marks paper). scissors, and clear ruler. I use the ruler and scissors all the time- and that little hook tool is my best friend! I use it for scratching patterns on paper, making marks on clay, and positioning crystals in glue. And when I need to take it with me to an event, I just zip it up and everything is in one tidy place. So convenient!
Deli-wrap is another one of my must-have tools because it’s so versatile. Actually, it’s a siliconized paper is non-stick and non-scorch. I use it to roll out really thin sheets of polymer clay, as disposable palettes, as non-stick surfaces for decoupaging, and interleafing when painting in my journal. It’s cheap, too, and one box will last you a lifetime.
Here’s another item you can find easily (the grocery store) and will cost you about a buck- bamboo skewers! I use them to position items in resin, to add texture poke holes in polymer clay, to stir paints, and to hold polymer clay beads while curing in the oven. You can also use them for spines in hand-made books, hinges for scrapbook pages….well, there are awesome. Keep a bunch on hand!
My last-but not least- favorite craft room helper I got from the dollar store- a plant mister! I actually have several, tucked into my different work zones. Most of them hold water, but for different reasons! I have one at the polymer clay table to use as a release when stamping on clay, one at the iron board, a mister at my painting/stamping area for “working wet†and blending, and another in the sink when doing tie-dyes! I also have a few smaller misters that provide a fine spray – those are for rubbing alcohol. I use them to clean rubber stamps, blend Adirondack inks, and clean off tools. Couldn’t craft without them!
So, those are just a few of my faves. What are YOURS? Any tips/tricks/solutions to share? I’d love to hear from you!
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Erin (ChainedStories) says
Great info! Thanks so much for sharing. I just revamped my office/studio/craft room/music room this weekend. One room w/ so many responsibilities 🙂
Kathy says
I just had the same discussion on my Facebook fan page, G3 Kreations. I love love love wax paper, I use it under my wooden pieces when I paint them and my jewelry when I apply the finish. Nothing sticks to it and when you are all done, you can just toss it in the trash.
kimberly says
I am organizing my craft room, as we speak and this is very helpful, to know people share their great ideas. I’m gonna use some of these. I also use wax paper, it is great. Thank you for posting such a great informative list, it will be very helpful.
Vicki O'Dell says
I use parchment paper a lot but I think your deli wraps would be much more economical! I’ll have to get some.
Cindy Matthews says
Good ol’ fashioned anti-bacterial wipes – they are close at hand no matter WHAT! They are handy for cleaning up nearly any craft mess.
And an x-acto knife – actually, I must have a half-dozen of ’em. I’ve slowly built what is basically a tool box of my favorite tools for polymer clay work, but the pliers I use for wire-wrapping and various other things for clay are constantly in demand around the craft room – and around the house. Hubby keeps his out in the garage so mine are close to hand when needed.
I have a pair of very sharp, pointed scissors that I think were labeled embroidery scissors when purchased them but I use them constantly. I trim odd bits of clay from a piece as I’m finishing it, or cut out cardboard templates and open packages of clay and other necessaries. I think I bought them when we went to our son’s wedding and some quick alterations were needed to the rented tuxes – paid about $2 for them so I am not afraid to abuse them. They’ve held up extremely well. Joe’s been married for 9 years!
I’m with you on the deli wrap. I can’t tell you how many times a day I reach for one. I use them to wrap my canes in as I finish them, to keep them from sticking to one another. I use them to work on, to bake on, to emboss on (instant funnel for saving the extra powders) I use them for instant tracing paper at times, too.
Good list – I want to go shopping!
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Jenny says
Cindy- I tried to to include tools (like the x-acto) but I can’t believe I forgot baby wipes!!! You are totally right… need them all the time! Thanks for the reminder. ; )
Jenny says
Kathy- if you like waxed paper, you’ll LOVE deli wrap! Send me your address & I’ll send you a few sheets to try!
Susie says
Assorted sizes of ziploc style bags to repackage bits and pieces and to make up little easy to stash kits for projects. Have a Sharpie on hand to label the contents if you think you will forget what it is.
Teri Terrific says
“Surfed” here from ModPodgeRocks!…so glad I did! Great tips; here’s mine:
I love my brayer! I use it all the time for smoothing things. I also have an oven liner (picked up for $4. at Ross’) taped to my workspace with painter’s tape (another favorite!) My eyelets, grommets, embellishments, small hardware pcs, etc, are stored in 14 compartment locking organizers called Craft Mates (JoAnn’s). They’re clear for easy ID, and only open by pushing the button on the side so they won’t spill if dropped 😀 I label them with a SAKURA Pen-touch white fine point. I love it, it’s permanent and will write on most anything: glass, metal, plastic, even paper 🙂
Question: How do you use skewers as spines or hinges in scrapbooks?
Thank you, Teri “Terrific”
Robin says
the storganizer link is a link to tray mate, not the organizer
Victoria Sturdevant says
I love your list! I use skewers from small to large for so many things. One thing I use them for: When I’m going to dip paper/fabric beads in UTEE, I coat with a bit of embossing ink before sliding the bead on. The skewer prevents me from burning myself & the embossing ink helps the cooled bead slide off.
Rachel says
I use bamboo skewers and a “tidy tray” all the time, but I never thought of getting deli wrap- that is a great idea!
Jenny says
Thanks for catching that! ; )
Rachel says
I use skewers to stir small amounts of paint, and TLS tinted with alcohol ink – they are cheap, disposable and even biodegradable!