Essential Giftmaking Supplies
Once you have a work area arranged, you're ready to stock up on the supplies you'll need for most of the projects in this book. Having supplies on hand allows you to make gifts as the mood strikes you and insures the successful completion of projects that contain many ingredients.
Following is a list of basic supplies you should keep on hand.
Present Tense
There are so many kinds of glues and adhesives out there that it's easy to get them confused. A glue gun heats glue sticks to provide a fast-drying, secure glue job. I recommend this type of glue for most projects that require heavy-duty adhesives, including holding material, light wood, and paper together. White glue is an old standby for crafting. You can buy regular school glue, but now it also comes in a clear version that's less messy. Tacky glue is especially good for gluing material crafts. It also should be used in place of a glue gun when working with kids to keep them from burning their fingers. I've noticed that there is special glue for gluing foam board, but I have found that a glue gun or tacky glue also works well. Mosaics have their own special adhesive that I would recommend using.
Papers
- Construction paper
- Tissue paper
- Crepe paper
- Foam sheets (different colors)
- Stationery
- Scrapbook papers
Fabrics, Trims, and Sewing Aids
- Felt (different colors)
- Fabric remnants
- Trims (rickrack, laces, ribbons)
- Pompoms
- Feathers
- Yarn
- Embroidery thread/needles
- Lace
- Elastic
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Cord
- Ribbons
- Polyester fill
Glues
- Glue gun/glue sticks
- White glue and/or clear glue
- Tacky glue
- Fabric glue
Markers, Paints, and Brushes
Present Pointers
Confused about the variety of paints out there? I use craft paint or acrylic paint for most of the projects in this book; both work well. The paints are waterbase and are easy to clean off of brushes and fingers, but the colors are permanent and vivid. You might also want to try spray paints that create special effects. For example, spray crackle paint gives your project a peeling, antique look (you need a base coat and a topcoat), stone finish paint creates a stone texture, and stained glass spray makes plain glass look like stained glass.
- Set of magic markers (I'd recommend a set of permanent markers with a broad tip on one end and a fine tip on the other.)
- Poster paints
- Craft paints
- Clear acrylic finish spray
- Stencil paints
- Varnish
- Wood stain
- Stamps/stamp pads
- Special-effect spray paints (stone finish paint, crackle paint, stained glass paint)
- Paintbrushes (different sizes and tips)
- Stencil paintbrushes or spouncers
- Stencils
Decorative Items
- Dried flowers
- Silk flowers
- Grapevine wreaths and baskets
- Foam wreaths and shapes
- Shrink wrap
- Basket filler
- Glitter
- Stickers
- Decorative rub-on transfers
- Beads
Construction Materials
Present Pointers
It helps to keep a separate box or bin for each type of ingredient. For example, you can store all your wooden objects in one bin; all your materials such as felt, yarn, ribbon, and so on in another bin; all your paint, brushes, and stencils in another bin; and so on.
- Wooden shapes
- Wooden candleholders
- Wooden plaques
- Wooden frames
- Wooden boxes
- Cardboard boxes
- Peg clothespins
- Popsicle sticks
- Clay pots
- Slate
- Molding clay
- Pipe cleaners
- Beads
- Bead wire/cord
- Clay
Cutting and Other Tools
- Drill with drill bits
- Automatic sander
- Wire
- Wire cutters
- Scissors
- Decorative edge scissors
- Digging tool
Specific Supplies for Specialized Crafts
You'll want to have some specific tools handy if you decide to get into more specialized crafts, such as mosaics, candle making, or soap making. If you enjoy these projects, watch for the supplies to go on sale and keep them stocked in your work area.
Gifting Glitches
Learn which ingredients can be substituted in projects and which ones can't. The wrong kind of paint can ruin a project:
- Don't substitute craft paint for stencil paint; it will smear and run under the design.
- A thick paste made from flour and water can substitute for glue when gluing paper only.
- You can usually substitute super glue or tacky glue for hot glue.
- Fishing line can replace bead wire, and a shoelace can usually replace cord for larger beads.
- Feel free to substitute shredded paper towels, crepe paper, or cardboard for newspaper in papier-mâché. You'll like the different look and texture of these materials.
Here's what you'll need for the crafts just mentioned.
Mosaics
- Plastic molds
- Grout and spreading tool
- Tiles, marbles, decorative glass pieces
- Tile cutting tool (if desired)
- Mosaic adhesive
- Sponge
- Mosaic sealant
Candle Making
- Sheets of beeswax
- Candle wicking
- Paraffin
- Colored wax pieces or crayons for color
- Molds, jars, and glasses to form candles
- Liquid candle scent
Soap Making
- Block of clear glycerin
- Decorative soap chips
- Food coloring
- Soap molds
- Liquid soap scent
Now that you know what to buy, it's time to get out there and shop. If you're serious about trying new mediums, I suggest you photocopy the list provided and head to your local craft or discount store, computer source, or supply catalog.
Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Making Great Gifts © 2001 by Marilee LeBon. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
To order this book visit the Idiot's Guide web site or call 1-800-253-6476.
