The Best Craft Supplies To Always Have On Hand

I am a big obsessed crafter and DIYer.  I grew up in a home where there ways always some sort of craft project going on with my mom or sisters.  We would crochet, paint, cross stitch, paint by number art, you name it we probably tried it.  Ever since I have lived in my own home for the last 30 years or so, my kids always knew to ask mama to repair or create something they needed for a school project. Because I was sure to have something in my craft supplies to make it happen.

This post contains affiliate links which help to support this blog.

 

As much as my husband has probably cringed at moving my stash so often, he too relies on the fact that I will have some sort of glue or thread to fix what needs to be fixed.

With the start of the school year I figured it is the best time to review some of the items I always have on hand in my craft room.  Whether you just want to be prepared for the next school project, or want to build up your arsenal of supplies for your next creative endeavor, then this list is sure to give you a good place to start.

 

 

Let’s start with an important basic tool – scissors!

 

You need scissors, and not just one pair.  You will need scissors for cutting paper, scissors just for cutting fabric, small scissors for cutting thread for embroidery and cross stitch, safety scissors for little kids to use, and of course scissors in the junk drawer for the family to use so that they are never tempted to go to your craft space and use the wrong scissors. Anyone who does crafts and DIY projects know exactly what I mean about that!

 

Next up for me would be paper plates.

 

I use paper plates for craft paints, to hold the glue gun when it is hot so that the hot glue oozing out has a safe place to land, and to sort beads or any small objects I’m working with.  Using a paper plate for painting small objects keeps me from getting the paint on the surface of my table.  So, paper plates are a must have in my craft room.

Of course you need glue – lots of it.

 

I use my glue gun for a lot of my projects, but I also always keep Tacky Glue, Wood Glue, Spray Adhesive Glue,  and recently added E6000 glue to my must have supply list.  I’m sure if you looked right now there would also be a bottle of Gorilla Glue in the mix.

Can Mod Podge be grouped in with glue?  I think so.  I have Mod Podge in several different sheens and textures for whatever you may need it for.  Mod Podge is definitely a must have for every crafter’s supply stash.

 

Paints and stains!

A good stock of paint colors in acrylics, chalk paint, spray paint, and wood stains are a must have.  You just must have paints!  No matter what project I try whether it is painting a bird house, or a new canvas print, I need paints.  Even metallic and sparkly paints.  Having a paint or stain stash has saved me time and frustration in the wee hours of the night while trying to finish up a blog project.

I have paint for craft projects and furniture refinishing projects.  As you explore more creative outlets, you will find that having a great supply of paints and stains is well worth the investment.

 

 

To go with that you must invest in great craft brushes!

A good supply of craft brushes is a sanity saver.  Just like it is well worth the extra cost in investing in a good paint brush for your walls, craft brushes are worth the same investment.  If you have ever used chalk paint, you quickly realize that the brush makes all the difference in an easy project and a frustrating project.

Depending on the project, I will also keep cheap craft brushes and foam brushes on hand that I can throw out after one use if needed.

Chalk sticks have so many uses.

I always have a container of chalk sticks in my craft room.  In all sorts of colors too.  I use them for sign making to transfer the images to the wood, to make a design up on a canvas painting, or to draw a cut line on fabric.  Removing a chalk line and starting all over saves time and wasted supplies.

Specialized supplies for a specific hobby.

Since I am a cross stitching fanatic (when I have the time), I always have Aida cloth in different counts and boxes and boxes of organized threads.  See my post here on how I organize my cross stitch supplies.

For you that may be Cricut supplies or beads and wire for jewelry.  Whatever your favorite craft hobby is, be sure to keep your supplies well stocked.

 

Wreath making supplies.

I love making wreaths for my entrance for every season.  So of course I have containers with wreath making supplies on hand at all times. These supplies can also be used for other projects like decorating fabric covered boxes, so I try to keep a good supply updated at all times.  Also known as my excuse just to buy new ribbons.

The basics include:

• Wreath forms
• Different gauge wires
• Pipe cleaners
• Burlap Ribbons
• Floral picks
• Bread Ties

I probably go shopping for supplies for every new style wreath that I make, but having these basic supplies on hand makes it easy to pull together a quick wreath or project when needed.

You should have specialty tools like my E-Z Deluxe Bow Maker!

 

My favorite new tool I purchased this year has been my E-Z Deluxe Bow Maker.  This thing has been a total game changer in my bow making efforts.  It comes with an instructional booklet and lots of ideas to make beautiful bows for every size wreath or tree topper.

It is what I used this past Christmas to make these beautiful bows for the top of my Rustic and Modern Christmas Tree.

Always keep a fabric stash.

Being an Interior Designer, I have collected fabric samples from every project.  Having a supply of fabric scraps makes it easy to match colors to paint, use the scraps on pillows, or even just to keep them for that “I might need this one day” projects.  I have used scraps to cover boxes, update trays, on tablescapes for a pop of color, or even cut them up in strips for bows on wreaths.

The secret to a great fabric stash is to only keep what you like.  I used to hate throwing out fabric and my stash was unmanageable and cluttered.  Which means I rarely used any of it because the stash was just so overwhelming.  Keep your stash to what you know you will use or already have a project in mind for.

 

 

One of my favorite ways to purchase fabric is the fat squares for quilting available at Walmart.  They are usually the perfect size for small craft projects and less expensive and you can find all sorts of styles and colors and themes.

 

And you can’t forget the humble needle and threads and buttons.

I don’t sew with a machine, but there has been lots of projects where I needed to hand sew on a button eye or to repair a torn ribbon, or to repair a dog torn pillow or an open edge of upholstery.

Find a needle kit that includes all types of needles for every type of project.  Curved ones for upholstery repair or dull edge ones for embroidery.

My thread supply for sewing is usually limited to just spools of white and black.  But that is because I have such a huge source of cross stitch threads that I can probably find any color I need in that stash.

I also keep a few bottles of buttons on hand, usually white, for that little accent you sometimes need on a ribbon or Christmas ornament.

 

And last but certainly just as important as the rest of the supplies listed is Pencils and Markers!

 

I am talking about the expensive artist markers and colored pencils that just give any project that finishing touch or creates a masterpiece.  My favorites ever since the rendering class I took in design school has been by Prismacolors.

I also keep a handy supply of colored Sharpies in all types of tips and my ever resource supply of Staedtler drafting pencils in various leads.

If you are a crafter too, you can imagine this list is just a sampling of what I have on hand.  What this list does cover is what I always try to keep in ready supply for any repair or any project I want to try at the last minute.

 

Happy Crafting!

 

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19