DIY Crafts Equipment

DIY Crafts Equipment: I have been recently asked the question - what is the basic equipment that will assist in the majority of DIY arts and crafts projects? This made me think and note down what I actually do have in my draws, cupboards, or elsewhere, and how I have improvised if I have not had a particular piece of equipment. So, what do I keep in my craft box and what do I regard as the ideal craft toolkit?






DIY Crafts Equipment: Ideal Toolkit

Let’s start with the all singing and dancing diy crafts equipment toolkit with “paper” in mind. Then, instead of rushing out and buying everything, read on and learn how I improvised without detracting from the finished product.

No:	Item:	Comment:
1.	Bone paper folder	Specifically used to give paper a crisp edge. I don’t have one.
2.	Fine nib black felt tip marker	Excellent for tracing. I “pinch” my daughter’s.
3.	Craft knife	Needed for intricate work. A Stanley knife was too cumbersome to hold.
4.	Pinking scissors. Fun edging, saves heaps of time.	These can be found in my sewing box.
5.	Assorted scissors	These need to be sharp, especially for intricate work and give a clean edge.
6.	Revolving hole punch. I don’t have one.	Useful for making rows of even-sized holes.
7.	Metal ruler	Essential for cutting straight lines
8.	Set Square	Good for accurate measurements.
9.	Cutting mat	A Cutting mat is not effected by the “scores” made from cutting.
10.	Snipers for cutting florists wire	Essential for making garlands, etc.

I don’t have a revolving hole punch. Instead I use a “normal” two-hole paper punch that I have in the office. I believe a bone paper folder is not essential. I have not missed having one, although, some may find it easier to use one. For the drawing of circles, etc. I tend to raid the kitchen cupboard and draw around saucers, plates, etc. Where accurate measurements are required I can usually raid my daughters pencil case. If you do not have access to a sibling, niece or nephew whose pencil case you can rummage through then you may, at a very small cost have to make a few purchases.

DIY Crafts Equipment: Materials Regularly Used

I also have a number of materials to hand that I use when undertaking projects, or experimenting to come up with new ideas. I can usually find in my craft box:

No:	Item:	Comment:
11.	Florists wire	Essential for most flower arrangements.
12.	Florists oasis	Very difficult to do flower arrangements without if using unusual containers.
13.	Dyes (various colours)	For creating themed backdrops with sheets, etc.
14.	Dye Rinse	Found in my laundry, to run through the washing machine after dying.
15.	Ribbons (assorted)	Numerous uses.
16.	Crepe paper (assorted colours)	Numerous decorative uses.
17.	Cellophane paper (assorted colours)	Numerous decorative uses
18.	Tea lights	Used in various ways to create atmospheric lighting.
19.	Spray paint (assorted colours, particularly metallic)	Numerous decorative uses.
20.	Card (assorted colours)	For making an assortment of cards.
21.	Tissue paper (assorted colours)	Numerous decorative uses.
22.	Assorted glue (for paper and other materials)	Essential for most projects
23.	Blue tac	An amazing versatile product.
24.	Tweesers	Essential for placement of intricate pieces.

DIY Crafts Equipment: Collections

I then have a whole collection of jars, vases, shallow dishes, baskets, terracotta pots, glass bowls, tin shapes, reduced size tin buckets, flower pots, etc. in fact anything that may contain something to experiment with. Waterproof items are always a bonus, as well as those that are fire resistant.

DIY Crafts Equipment: Other Items

I would not be without my sewing box, a pretty standard content there. I do have a sewing machine, but by preference I do most things by hand, even if meters of material is being utilized.

I do have a range of quality paint brushes that have been collected over the years. These vary in size from minute to rollers for painting scenery backdrops.

One item I have acquired recently is a double blade window cleaning knife from my window cleaner. I use it on all sorts of objects. Its ability to remove unwanted surface “gunk” from an object is nothing short of amazing. If painting on glass and you have made a boob this is the item you need.

DIY Crafts Equipment: Material Collections

Dependent upon the wedding theme I advise that you start collecting items as early as possible – several that you may find for free, or ask people to donate, for example:

Sea/Nautical/Beach Theme:
- sea shells
- drift wood
- sand
- fishermen’s netting
- oars
- beach towels/canvas bags
- boats boays, etc.
- old straw sunhats
- old beach umbrellas/deckchairs

Several of these items you will find washed up on the beach – just be careful of rogue fishing line and hooks.

Do not go spending a fortune on DIY crafts, equipment or materials. Take time out to look at what is available to you. You will be surprised at how adaptive you will become. Unless you are ordinarily an arts and craft person, if this exercise for your wedding is a one off, then try and borrow the more expensive items, e.g. an etching pen for working with glass.