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Ultimate DIY Essentials
80
items When you're ready to craft you need to be READY to craft. Having these supplies on hand will open up a world of possibilities for your DIY time.
Sections
8
Sharps
Adhesives
Tape
Painting & Drawing
General Needs
Lighting
Sharps
Cutting tools for various materials
A good grip is necessary
Fiskars® Softgrip® Detail Knife
I like these as they don't wear down a easy as other scissors. You might even want a couple of pairs
Westcott® Soft Handle Titanium Bonded Scissors
Old reliable if you're not working with kids
Fiskars® Forged Scissors
These are my favorite little scissors for getting into tight spots and precision work. They are tiny and SHARP, so don't leave them where you sit 😁
Loops & Threads™ Embroidery Scissors
If you find yourself having to pick up and put down your scissors often and finding the finger holes it's starting to get tiresome try a pair of shears for faster work
Fiskars 5" Stainless Steel Micro-Tip Easy Action Scissors, White
A rotary cutter is sometimes preferable to scissors
Fiskars® 45mm Loop Rotary Cutter
The grip prevents hand cramps
Westcott Single Hole Puncher, Handheld with Soft Grip, Scrapbooking and Crafting Tool
Keep your edges clean up to 15"
Fiskars® SureCut™ Deluxe Paper Trimmer
A large size protects more, you can be surprised how large a size you might want
Fiskars 24" x 36" Self-Healing Double-Sided Cutting Mat, Gray and White
Adhesives
Glues for various surfaces
Absolute basics for all your paper creating and kids projects
Elmer's Liquid School Glue, Washable, 4oz., 1 Count
Glue sticks and diy go together like pb & j
Elmer's Craft Bond Extra Strength Glue Stick, 0.21 oz, 4 Count
Do you remember this from childhood/girl scouts/Grandma's house/everywhere in the 90s?
Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue 8 fl oz, Premium All-Purpose Adhesive
You might think it's not necessary until the day you're glad you have it
Gorilla Glue Natural Color Wood Glue, 8 Ounce Bottle
A lot of synthetic fabrics are surprisingly glue resistant so it helps to have fabric glue on hand
Aleene's Fabric Fusion Permanent Fabric Adhesive Glue 8 fl oz
Simple acid free spray adhesive for tricky items
Elmer's® Multi-Purpose Spray Adhesive
The myriad projects that use Modge Podge will recommend this classic over and over. Keep it stocked and go Podge wild
Mod Podge® Gloss
Small tubes are easier to maneuver when a little does a lot. Never put on cotton!
Loctite Super Glue Liquid Tube, 1 Pack of 2 Tubes, Clear 0.07 oz Tubes
This multi purpose glue is good even on plastics
Eclectic E6000 Adhesive Glue, Industrial Strenght, Clear, 3 fl. Oz.
A small cordless glue gun with a precision tip can help you craft more conveniently without extra dollops of visible glue
Surebonder® Mini Cordless High Temp Detail Tip Hot Glue Gun
Keeping extra on hand will ensure you are always ready for DIY. I hate running out of basics in the middle of a project
Surebonder® Clear Stik™ Full Size™ Glue Sticks, 20ct.
Tape
Whether you want it to stay put or come off without ripping you'll need some tape
Washi tape is beautifully decorative and wonderful for many scrapbooking and card projects. It is specifically used for it's ease of removal without damaging fragile paper surfaces
Incraftables Colored Washi Tape (40pcs). Assorted ...
Nifty multipack
Scotch Magic Tape, 3/4 in. x 500 in., 4 Rolls
Truly transparent scotch tape
Scotch Transparent Tape, 3/4 in. x 1000 in., 4 Rolls
It's worth it, from wrapping presents to making decorations, it will help your hands and save you time
Scotch Desktop Tape Dispenser, Black, 1 Dispenser, 1" Core
This tape is good for working with small electrics& sealing things and pretty removable I find if you want to reuse your materials
Duck Brand 0.75" x 60 ft. x 7 mm, Black Auto Electrical Tape
Don't ruin painted projects with tape that's too sticky and create clean lines with ease
Scotch Blue Painter's Tape, 0.94 in. x 60 yd., 1 Pack, Original Multi-Surface, Paint Supplies
Wide masking tape for a weather adhesive than duct tape
Duck Brand 1.88 in. x 55 yd. General Purpose Masking Tape, Beige
Large scale rough scotch tape, always get with the dispenser to reduce frustration
Scotch Moving Packaging Tape, Clear, 1.88 in x 925 in, 1 Roll
Black duct tape can stay hidden or create silhouette contrasts for holiday decor
Color Duck Tape Brand Duct Tape, 1.88 in. x 20 yd., Midnight Madness
Painting & Drawing
Plan, decorate and then protect
A nice set for planning things out
Beginner Drawing & Sketching Set by Artist's Loft
Plan your ideas out with free range
Strathmore® 400 Series Sketch Paper Pad
Even if you care for them brushes aren't always good at surviving craft adventures. An easily replaceable set with a variety of options will keep you going without breaking your wallet
Craft Smart® 25 Piece Brush Assortment
When you want to cover or seal a large area larger brushes save you time
Gold Taklon Large Area Flat Brush Pack by Craft Smart
Save money on brushes and cleanup time by drawing with the paint directly
Paint Pen Set by Craft Smart
Are you excited to start DIYing yet?
36 Color Acrylic Paint Value Set by Craft Smart
Craft paint is often more runny than regular acrylic paint so it helps to have wells to contain them and avoid waste/mess. This example is better for smaller projects with less need to mix colors
20 Well Rectangular Artist Palette by Artist's Loft
If you want to seal something you've painted with acrylic paint satin finish is not dull like matte but not too glossy that reflections will interfere with seeing past the varnish
Liquitex® Satin Varnish
Coat your sculptures for easy water proof protection
Americana® Acrylic Spray Sealer/Finisher, Matte
For a spray on gloss finish that resists yellowing
Krylon® UV-Resistant Clear Gloss
General Needs
Don't forget your storage
Even if you didn't have time for crafting these would be useful
Great Value Round Toothpicks, 500 count
A million reasons to have these is an understatement
Gusto 4.5†Popsicle Stick Set Multipurpose Wooden Sticks for Crafts, 200-Pack
They are everything
McKesson Tongue Depressors, Sterile Wooden Sticks for Medical Use, 6 in, 100 Count, 1 Pack
Washable cotton rags, more absorbent than microfiber
Hyper Tough All Purpose Cleaner Wiping Cloths 14" x 16", 12 Pack
There's always a reason to need more basic towels
Hyper Tough 100% Cotton 14" x 17" All Purpose Terry Towels, 6 Pack, White Household Cleaning Cloths
Fine grit sandpaper for refining
Garnet 3-2/3 in. x 9 in. 150 Grit Fine Grade Sand Paper (6-Sheets/Pack)
Easier to make shapes with these
Mr. Pen - Geometry Set, 4 Pack, Metal Protractor, Aluminum Ruler, Metal Set Square, Triangle Ruler
I prefer metal rulers because they usually lay flatter against a surface, they are a bit flexible and it's harder to mess up the edges
Mr. Pen Steel Rulers, 6 inch and 12 inch Metal Rulers, Pack of 2
I like to keep drawings, photos, origami and other things that need to stay flat and uncrushed in these cases
12" x 12" Clear Scrapbook Case by Simply Tidy
A clear tote allows you to keep track of the contents
Sterilite 66 Qt. Clear Plastic Latch Box, Blue Latches with Clear Lid
Keep it at your work area so you don't have to get up or have a bulky wastebasket in your way
Small Desktop Wastebasket White - Brightroom™
Lighting
Adjustable lighting is very helpful
Not being able to get light from the right angle doesn't have to be as much of an issue with these
Dual LED Neck Light by Loops & Threads
One of my favorite purchases ever, I got my husband one for working on his origami and he loves it too
Capture Clip on Ring Light Table Lamp: Touch Sensor, 3-Level Brightness, ETL Listed - OttLite
This floor standing ring light has dual holders and 3 light settings. I use it for painting, photographing items for sale, social media lives and just ambient light
GearLight 10" Ring Light Tripod with LEDs, Dual Phone Holders - for ...
Brightens up wide areas well and is easy to move/adjust
60-Watt 6 ft. 18/2 SPT-2 Incandescent Portable Clamp Work Light with 5.5 in. Reflector
Tools
The tools I'm grateful for
I highly recommend having a separate wire cutter than just using what might be on your pliers. This is my favorite wire cutter style for jewelry and getting close in tight spots
Hyper Tough 5 inch Flush Cutter 0.15LBS
Mini pliers are easier to maneuver for creativity and a variety of styles gives you a chance to find what works best for you
Hyper Tough 6-Piece Mini Pliers Set with Soft Grip Handles, Gift for Mom
For thicker wires like hangers and precise pliers with more guts
Hyper Tough 2 Piece Mini Long-Nose and Diagonal Pliers Set
When you're just not sure what you'll need at any moment
SHALL Multi Tool, 18-in-1 Multitool Pliers, Stainless Steel Multi-tool Pocket Knife w/Screwdriver Bit & Universal Socket, Self-locking Multipurpose Tool w/Sheath for Camping Fishing Survival Hunting
You might start looking for more reasons to use this
USB Lithium Rotary Tool Kit with USB Lithium 2.0 Ah Lithium Rechargeable Battery
Besides the norm, basic screwdriver sets without any moving or interchangeable parts can be useful in a variety of unexpected scenarios
Hyper Tough Heavy-Duty 6-Piece Full Size Steel Philip and Slotted Screwdriver Set, 0 V
The pivoting head has saved me more than once
Cordless Screwdriver With Pivoting Handle, 2 Hex Shank Bits | BLACK+DECKER
Really useful variety of bits
Screwdriver Bit Set, 42-Piece | BLACK+DECKER
Sometimes you don't have much room to work in but you need to hammer
Hyper Tough 10oz Head Weight Stubby Hammer
Keep it level
9 in. Torpedo Level
When you want to have your creations and make sure they stay there
ProSensor M10 Center Stud Finder/Wood and Metal Stud Detector/Wall Scanner for Drywall
Surface clean up
HUART Putty Knife, 4Pcs Paint Scraper (2, 3, 4, 5 in), Stainless Steel Scraper, Applying Putty, Plaster
A small hacksaw has been my friend through many projects
10 in. Hack Saw with Plastic Handle
A miter box will give you good corners
14.5 in. Deluxe Clamping Miter Box with 14 in. Saw
Protection
Protective glasses come in handy when it's warm and googles can get cloudy
Hyper Tough Clear Safety Glasses with Z87.1 Poly-Carbonate Lens Fit-over HTS-690460
When you're out there spray painting keep your head from aching & your lungs clean
3M Cool Flow Disposable Respirator Masks, 2ct.
Waterproof and with pockets
AOWOO 2 Pack Kitchen Bib Apron, Adjustable Waterdrop Resistant Apron with 3 Pockets, Kitchen Cooking Chef Apron for Women Men, Unisex Black Apron for Kitchen Cooking Baking Crafting BBQ Drawing
When you don't want a full glove
MountainAir -Finger Cots – Disposable Finger Protectors - Finger Covers for Finger Tips - Electronic Repairs and More – Finger Tips Rubber Gloves Disposable Guards – 250pcs – Medium
General size plastic gloves
AWP Pro Paint Disposable Gloves, Vinyl Gloves, One Size, Clear, 50 Count
For general work and crafting these gloves are comfortable and durable
Hyper Tough No-Slip Grip Grey Gloves in Size Medium
The more you support and protect your hands now the longer you will be able to craft without pain later
Dritz Crafters Comfort Glove, 1 Pair, Size Medium
If you find yourself having trouble with carpal tunnel after all your crafting wearing wrist supports at night can help relieve some symptoms. Talk to you dr to see what might help
Wrist Brace Carpal Tunnel Wrist Brace Night Sleep Wrist Support Brace Wrist Splint