IRAN ART EXHIBITION: SOME NECESSARY TOOLS FOR CRAFTING AND EMBROIDERY
Whether you’re just learning to sew, are a pro at sculpting beautiful paper flowers, have mastered the art of embroidery, or spend afternoons creating a variety of stimulating kids’ crafts with your little ones, having the right craft supplies on hand will see you through a wide range of projects.
And despite your level of expertise, chances are your craft closet is already stocked with only the most basic arts and crafts supplies—markers, glue, sequins, paper, paint, scissors—and maybe a few more advanced materials like paper edgers, round knitting needles, tracing paper, or a DIY wood burning kit. (If you do have one and you’re looking for a personalized wedding gift, you have to try these wood-burned cheese boards.) But have you ever walked aimlessly through the aisles of your local hobby store, taking inventory of the vast array of tools at your disposal and wondered which are worth investing in?
If you really take the time to look, you’ll notice that the aisles are lined with both the mundane and the more unusual. And in some cases, some of the more unusual arts and crafts supplies are the ones we need the most. These tools are specially designed to save you time and effort, so your craft projects will come together faster and, dare we say, better than ever before.
Since most of us don’t have the spare time to walk through the craft store looking for diamonds in the rough, we’ve done the scouting for you. Here, unique craft tools that simply don’t get the attention they deserve—each one is worth adding to your stash.
Thread Clips
No matter how many threads your juggling, one thing is certain: You only have two hands. But that doesn’t mean you need to fumble between needle and thread and scissors. These sharp, sleek snippers are specially designed to hang from your middle finger while you sew, leaving your hands free to do more.
MONO Sand Eraser
There’s nothing worse than when your watercolors splash onto a nearly completed piece, or when your hand slipps while perfecting a pen and ink drawing. Don’t scrap the whole thing—this textured eraser, made with natural rubber latex and silica grit, works wonders to remove stubborn mediums, like colored pencil, marker, ink, marker, and even paint.
Cricut EasyPress 2
You no longer have to choose between lackluster results or a heavy-duty heat press. Despite being lightweight and portable, Cricut’s new heat press is adjustable up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, making it possible to complete professional-quality heat transfers in just 60 seconds.
Omnigrid Fold-Away Cutting & Pressing Station
IRAN ART EXHIBITION: If you don’t have a dedicated space for crafting, this foldable workspace will save you the hassle of protecting your work surface with cardboard and other physical barriers. One side features a gridded mat that’s perfect for measuring and cutting; the other is nonstick for ironing and transfers.
Aleene’s Instant Tacky Adhesive Dots
These double-sided glue dots bond to a wide range of surfaces—paper, glass, metal, wood, foam, and even fabric—to create a clean, durable bond with no drying time. Bonus: Though this adhesive functions a lot like hot glue, it’s safer for kids to use.
Winsor & Newton Art Masking Fluid
Like an invisibility cloak for paintings, this milky liquid repels paint and liquid to maintain pristine white space on your paper or canvas or to keep colors from blending. Simply paint it on, let dry, then peel off once you’re finished working.
CocoKnits Maker’s Keep
Consider this the ultimate wearable accessory for crafters. Like a slap bracelet from the ’90s, this silicone and metal bracelet snaps right onto your wrist to keep pins, screws, paper clips, or any small metal bits corralled. Alternatively, use it to keep knitting needles, fabrics, or other supplies rolled and tidy on the go.
LoRan Norwegian Knitting Thimble
IRAN ART EXHIBITION: Worn on the finger, this thimble comes with a twist: it’s used in knitting to control tension, eliminate chaffing, or control multiple strands of yarn.
Martha Stewart Hammer & Setter Set
Whether you have a side hustle selling baked goods at the local farmer’s market, could simply stand to save a few bucks on holiday gifts, or make yearly scrapbooks for your kids, this set is indispensable. Interchangeable setter bits effortlessly punch holes in paper and even cardstock.
Fiskars Softgrip Fingertip Swivel Detail Knife
If you’ve ever fumbled to work scissors—or even a craft knife—into small or precise areas, you’ll appreciate this free moving version of the standard craft knife. The ergonomically designed fingerloop fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and gently swivels to cut intricate details from paper, cloth, and more.
Blick Egg-Handled Brushes
This uniquely-shaped paintbrush fits comfortably in the palm of your hand—almost as if a true extension of your arm—to lend precision to any painting project.
Speedy Stringer
IRAN ART EXHIBITION: If you work with small bits and bobbles, this tool is a must. The simple wooden bowl spins to quickly and efficiently string beads onto a wire or thread—there’s no need to pick each one up one by one.
Mod Podge Hot Glue Finger Caps
As anyone who’s ever worked with hot glue already knows, you have to work quickly before it dries. But work too quickly and you’ll be left with scalded fingers. These silicone protectors slip right over your fingers and are heat-resistant up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit to protect against hot tools.
