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Hobby Maxing Craft Supply Starter Pack
29
items For the hobby hoes, hobbymaxxers, serial crafters, and anyone who always seems to be picking up a new creative hobby. ✂️ These are the craft supplies, tools, and gadgets I use, love, or would recommend—from paper crafting and junk journaling to Cricu...
Sections
7
Cutting & Trimming
Glues & Adhesives
Paper Crafting
Painting
General Tools
Machines & Big-Ticket Toys
Cutting & Trimming
My late friend Susie taught me that you can never have too many pairs of scissors because they always go missing. These are a sharp and nice to hold. I got some from Sam's Club years ago and they are still going strong.
I have bigger hands and the 8" are comfortable for me.
I have bigger hands and the 8" are comfortable for me.
Westcott 8” Titanium Scissors
The Fiskars paper cuter I have had forever is no longer available, so this was the next best one I could find. It is nice because part of it folds away so you can cut longer pages (up to 12" wide) without needing a ton of storage space. The ruler and...
Don't forget extra blades. When they start tearing your paper it is time to replace them.
Don't forget extra blades. When they start tearing your paper it is time to replace them.
Fiskars SureCut Deluxe Paper Cutter 12"
Replacement blades for the Fiskars paper trimmer.
Fiskars SureCut Replacement Blades
A quality X-ACTO knife handle will last you forever. I am in my 40s and still have one from high school. You just need to replace the blades when they get dull. I do not find those bigger sets necessary either unless you specifically have a purpose f...
An X-ACTO knife is great for detailed paper cuts, trimming tiny edges, cutting stencils, stickers, etc.
Just PLEASE put the safety cap back on when you’re done. Mine once rolled off the table and landed blade-first into the top of my foot. 😣
You will also want to use this on top of cardboard or a cutting mat so that you do not cut into your table.
An X-ACTO knife is great for detailed paper cuts, trimming tiny edges, cutting stencils, stickers, etc.
Just PLEASE put the safety cap back on when you’re done. Mine once rolled off the table and landed blade-first into the top of my foot. 😣
You will also want to use this on top of cardboard or a cutting mat so that you do not cut into your table.
X-ACTO #1 Z-Series Precision Utility Knife
These are the replacement blades for the X-ACTO knife handle. #11 is a good general-purpose blade.
X-Acto No. 11 Replacement Knife Blades
A self-healing cutting mat gives you a dedicated surface for using an X-ACTO knife or rotary cutter without destroying whatever is underneath. The grid on it is also handy for measuring, lining things up and making straight or angled cuts.
I have one that is a little larger, but I think the 18"×24" is a great all-around size without taking over your entire table. It’s double-sided too, so you can flip it over and use both sides.
I have one that is a little larger, but I think the 18"×24" is a great all-around size without taking over your entire table. It’s double-sided too, so you can flip it over and use both sides.
Fiskars 18" x 24" Self Healing Cutting Mat
I love this cutter for when I need to cut something larger bc it is easier to use than draggin the X-Acto knife or a box cutter against a large ruler. It is really sharp though so just watch where you put your fingers before you use it.
Fiskars Rotary Cutter for Crafts & Fabric
This is one of my favorite tools I didn't know existed. I found it recently. Cardboard dulls box cutter blades really quickly. It is also kind of hard to control a box cutter when cutting into cardboard. This thing is almost like a tiny saw for cardb...
CANARY 7.5" Cardboard Cutter Utility Knife
Glues & Adhesives
Basically an all-in-one craft glue, sealer and finish. Mod Podge is best known for decoupage but you can also use it to seal painted projects, preserve puzzles, transfer photos and for tons of paper-crafting projects.
Mod Podge Gloss Sealer, Glue & Finish, 16 oz
I own Ryobi power tools, so I already had the batteries. I bought the P305 and P306 glue guns, and they work fine, but they are really heavy with the power tool batteries attached.
I want to replace them with this one. It comes with its own small rechargeable lithium batteries, which can also be used with other small tools in the same line. There is a glue gun pen I have also been eying.
I want to replace them with this one. It comes with its own small rechargeable lithium batteries, which can also be used with other small tools in the same line. There is a glue gun pen I have also been eying.
RYOBI USB Lithium Cordless Glue Gun Kit
These are inexpensive, clear and perfect for general crafting use.
If you need a heavy duty or outdoot hold, try the Gorilla sticks listed instead.
If you need a heavy duty or outdoot hold, try the Gorilla sticks listed instead.
Adtech W229-14ZIP50 4 inch Glue Sticks,
These are great for heavy duty projects or outdoor use. Use these when you need a strong hold.
Gorilla Hot Glue Sticks for Strong Adhesion
These are good for when you don't feel like waiting for glue to dry. This set comes with removable and permanent dots. The removeable are great for decorating the house with seasonal paper crafts, or to position items temporarily while you are workin...
Glue Dots Dot N' Go Dispenser Pack 200 Dots
Take it back to grade school and grab a bottle of while glue. It never goes out of style. You can use it for paper, cardboard and collages, but also for papier-mâché or slime. Recently I saw some tutorials online for using it to create faux batik des...
Elmer's Liquid School Glue, Washable, 4oz
Regular ol' glue sticks are really handy for a variety of junk journal and paper crafts. Grab a few so you can always find one when you need it.
Elmer's Glue Sticks Disappearing Purple
Paper Crafting
One of those tools you don't realize you need until you have one. I use mine to get perfectly straight, crisp folds for cards, envelopes, boxes, and especially pockets and little tuck-ins for junk journals. So much easier (and cleaner!) than trying t...
Scor-Pal 12"x12" Scoring Board, 1/8" Grooves
Such a simple little tool, but a must-have for paper crafting. I use a bone folder to press scored paper into crisp, clean folds and to really flatten down creases—especially for junk journal pockets, envelopes, cards and bookbinding. It’s also great...
Ecohu Bone Folder & Creaser Tools
Painting
This is a great little starter set for watercolor. You get 24 colors plus a water brush, sponge and built-in mixing palette, so you can experiment without buying a whole collection of supplies. It’s also compact and portable and the paint is dry/soli...
There are tons of beginner-friendly watercolor tutorials on TikTok and Instagram, so it’s really easy to find something cute to try when you have no idea where to start.
There are tons of beginner-friendly watercolor tutorials on TikTok and Instagram, so it’s really easy to find something cute to try when you have no idea where to start.
SAKURA 24 Assorted Watercolors Sketch Set
I am not an expert, but I got this pad to start. It is 9"×12" and gives you plenty of room to practice or you can cut the sheets down for smaller projects.
Canson XL Watercolor Pad, 9x12, 30 Sheets
These craft acrylic paints are great for unfinished wood, signs, ornaments, decorative pieces and other small DIY projects. This set of basic colors can be mixed to make even more shades.
Apple Barrel Essentials 12-Piece Acrylic Paint Set
I don’t own this exact set because I’ve somehow accumulated a random assortment of paint brushes over the years, but this is the kind of basic variety pack I’d buy if I were starting from scratch. You get different shapes and sizes for covering large...
Paint Brush Set of 12
General Tools
One of those oddly satisfying tools that does several jobs at once. The Crop-A-Dile punches 1/8" and 3/16" holes AND sets eyelets, which makes it great for junk journals, tags, scrapbook pages, cards, leather, fabric and other crafts. I recently used...
We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile Eyelet Kit
Your fingertips block way more of your view than you realize, which makes exact placement unnecessarily difficult. These are especially handy for tiny stickers, vinyl pieces, paper embellishments and all those little details you want positioned just ...
2 Pieces Purple Sticker Tweezers for Crafts
Cheap, simple and weirdly useful to keep around. I mostly use craft sticks for spreading glue, paint or other messy stuff when I want something I can just toss afterward. And if boredom strikes build a tiny house!
200 Pcs Craft Sticks
Machines & Big-Ticket Toys
Another splurge, but I LOVE my Cricut Maker. I use it for making stickers, cutting vinyl and HTV (heat-transfer vinyl), paper crafts, and cutting super-specific shapes that would be a nightmare to do by hand. With compatible Smart Materials, you can ...
I'm not going to die on a hill claiming Cricut is the best cutting machine—I haven't tried the others, and people seem to have a serious love-it-or-hate-it relationship with Cricut online. 😂 Mine has worked great for me as long as I keep it calibrat...
A couple things to know before buying: you need an internet connection to log in to Cricut Design Space, and you’re required to create a free Cricut account to use the software with your machine. Cricut also offers a paid Cricut Access subscription, ...
I'm not going to die on a hill claiming Cricut is the best cutting machine—I haven't tried the others, and people seem to have a serious love-it-or-hate-it relationship with Cricut online. 😂 Mine has worked great for me as long as I keep it calibrat...
A couple things to know before buying: you need an internet connection to log in to Cricut Design Space, and you’re required to create a free Cricut account to use the software with your machine. Cricut also offers a paid Cricut Access subscription, ...
Cricut Maker 4
The print quality on this is fantastic, especially for photos, stickers, and craft projects. One of my favorite features is the rear paper feed, which lets me print on thicker materials like cardstock without trying to force them through a standard p...
I also LOVE the EcoTank system. Instead of constantly buying expensive ink cartridges, you refill the built-in tanks with bottles of ink, and they last a really long time.
One thing to know about inkjet printers like this: you don't want to leave them sitting unused forever because the print head nozzles can clog. I try to print something about once a week just to keep the ink flowing. If I forget and notice lines or m...
It's definitely a splurge, but if you print a lot of photos, stickers, cardstock, or other craft projects, the combination of excellent print quality and inexpensive ink makes it worth it for me.
I also LOVE the EcoTank system. Instead of constantly buying expensive ink cartridges, you refill the built-in tanks with bottles of ink, and they last a really long time.
One thing to know about inkjet printers like this: you don't want to leave them sitting unused forever because the print head nozzles can clog. I try to print something about once a week just to keep the ink flowing. If I forget and notice lines or m...
It's definitely a splurge, but if you print a lot of photos, stickers, cardstock, or other craft projects, the combination of excellent print quality and inexpensive ink makes it worth it for me.
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 Wireless All-in-One
Definitely a splurge, not a craft-room necessity—but if you have the budget, I LOVE having a 3D printer in my maker arsenal. I use mine to print custom tools, organizers, storage solutions and little parts instead of buying something new every time I...
Bambu Lab - P1S Combo 3D Printer
Specialty Craft Supplies
Such an easy way to dip your toes into clay projects without buying a bunch of special equipment. DAS air-dry clay doesn’t need a kiln or oven—it hardens on its own, and once dry you can paint and decorate your creations. Great for little trinket dis...
DAS Air-Hardening Modeling Clay 2.2 Lb White
Because eventually you’re going to see a cute pair of earrings and think, “I can make those.” 😂 Polymer clay is great for jewelry, charms, miniatures, beads, little sculptures and all kinds of tiny projects. Unlike air-dry clay, FIMO stays workable ...
FIMO Soft Polymer Clay