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My Top 10 Must-Have Craft Tools & Supplies for the Home Decor Enthusiast: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

When I first started seriously crafting as an adult, I can honestly say – looking back now – that I floundered quite a bit. I often found myself guessing as to which craft tools and supplies would have the staying power to see me through multiple home decor projects. And while I haven’t regretted any purchases, I know it would have been useful to have some guidance along the way. That’s why today I hope to help the newbie crafter (and anyone looking for a dose of inspiration) by sharing my 10 must-have craft tools and supplies for the home decor enthusiast.

10 must-have craft tools and supplies for home decor enthusiasts.

If you’ve been crafting for a while, then you probably have those go-to craft tools that you know and love. You use them again and again for all your projects and know exactly where to find them in that heap on the basement floor you call your ‘organized mess’ (or is that just me?).

And then again, you may be a newbie crafter. As an ‘aspirational crafter,’ you have every intention of making that cool pom-pom garland you saw on Pinterest or that macrame wall hanging, but wonder if it’s worth it to spend money on a tool that you may never use again?

The following list of 10 must-have craft tools and supplies will address some of those concerns. In it, I provide the most commonly used AND affordable tools and supplies in my crafting arsenal.

Although these are MY go-to’s they are by no means an exhaustive list. They do, however, represent a wide variety of crafts perfect for the home decor enthusiast.

So, if you are regular reader of A Pretty Fix (or are here for the first time) and want to experiment a bit more with handmade home decor, I hope this list will help get you started on the right path. Here, I’ll share:

  • My 10 must-have CRAFT TOOLS & SUPPLIES
  • WHERE to purchase them (simply click on the links provided)
  • HOW to use them (click on the links to go directly to my craft tutorials demonstrating how I use the craft tools and supplies on this list to create some lovely handmade projects)

~ All products listed below are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you purchase a product, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support of this blog! You can read my full disclosure policy here. ~

MY 10 MUST-HAVE CRAFT TOOLS & SUPPLIES

1.  Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks

hot glue gun and glue sticks

One of the best investments I’ve made was to purchase a hot glue gun. It was one of the first craft tools I acquired – a cheap Dollar Store one, too – and I’ve had it for years. In fact, the only reason I’d get a new one is to get a ‘prettier’ version 😉 Hot glue guns are inexpensive (normally ranging from $4 to $30) and can be purchased at both your local craft store, like Michaels, Walmart or online at Amazon.

You can purchase a few different varieties, too:

And don’t forget to have a couple of bags of inexpensive glue sticks too, so that you are always prepared.

The main advantage to using a glue gun over any other type of glue is just how quickly it dries. Low temp dries in just a few seconds, while high temp takes a little longer. The quick drying time allows you to move quickly through any craft project.

I’ve used my low temp hot glue gun for so many projects, but some of the ones I’ve shared with you on the blog include the following:

2.  Paint Brushes & Sponges

paint brushes and foam brushes

Paint brushes have always been an important part of my crafting supply arsenal. They have come in handy for all sorts of paint projects from canvas art to painting decor pieces of all kinds, including these projects that I’ve shared on the blog:

You can find multi-size paint brushes in packaged sets like these brushes for acrylic as well as oil and watercolour painting.

Like paint brushes, sponges are great for painting, but also applying glue or Mod Podge (If you’ve never used Mod Podge, I recommend reading the blog Mod Podge Rocks, where you will find all the ways in which you can use this versatile medium in your craft projects).

If you are purchasing sponges for the first time, I would suggest buying an inexpensive multi-sized pack.

Here are a few projects where I use a paint sponge to apply Mod Podge:

3.  Acrylic Paints:  Art & Folk Arts

acrylic paints

Ever since I could remember, painting has been a big part of my life. It was the first craft that I took a shine to as a kid and I never really let go.

While there are plenty of paint mediums out there, I prefer using acrylic for a variety of reasons:

  • It’s easy to use.
  • It dries quickly (unlike oils).
  • It can be applied to a variety of surfaces (canvas, clay, wood).
  • It is easy to find (just about any craft store, department store or art supply store has them).
  • And, above all, it’s inexpensive. Need I say more?

While I am not terribly picky about my paints, I do have ones that I prefer.

When it comes to small paint projects, I love the FolkArt Acrylic Paints brand. It has a wide variety of colours, including metallics, and the coverage is beautiful. The FolkArt brand of paints come in 2 oz/59 ml bottles and is perfect for small crafts (though you can find bigger sizes as well). The coverage is beautiful and you have a wide variety of colours to choose from.

When it comes to canvas art projects, I love the Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint brand. This is Liquitex’s student line (which is an inexpensive line and has a lot of colours to choose from).  I often purchase tubes that come in 8.45 oz sizes (that you can easily find on Amazon), but really, there’s a lot of choice with this brand.

To see some of my projects using the brands above, take a look below:

4.  Yarn & Embroidery Floss

yarn and embroidery floss

For regular readers of A Pretty Fix, you already know about my obsession with yarn!

My mother was a master at handicrafts and used yarn & embroidery floss in many of her own projects, so it comes as no surprise that I love using these materials in my home projects as well.

But while most of us think of knitted sweaters or embroidered handkerchiefs, yarn and floss have so many more uses for the home style enthusiast. Think of them as embellishments, like jewelry on a cocktail dress, and you’ll begin to see all of the many ways you can incorporate them into your everyday decor.

In recent years, I have used yarn & floss in a variety of DIY’s:

Yarn:  When it comes to yarn, I have used a wide range of brands, including Red Heart, Lion Brand, Wool-Ease (which is part of the Lion Brand), Patons, and Bernat. These are all solid brands that are widely accessible.

I shop online at Amazon and at big box craft stores like Michaels, but I also like to go to local shops that specialize in yarn products where I can find a variety of brands and styles. Local shops also provide an opportunity to speak to those who are more knowledgeable about yarn.

Besides your local specialty yarn shop, you can find all sorts of specialty and art yarns online in a wide variety of places, including Knit Picks, We Are Knitters, Wool and The Gang, Miss Knit Yarns, Amazon, and Etsy.

Embroidery Floss:  When it comes to embroidery floss, I often purchase mine at my local craft store, including Michaels. You can, however, find plenty of choices on Amazon like this full colour pack that comes with a set of embroidery needles.

Some of my favourites for the newbie is to start with a beginner’s kit with all the basic supplies and instructions built-in. These are just a few I found while browsing on Etsy:

Probably one of the most popular and trusted brands is DMC, where you can find their full range of products, including their full line of Embroidery Floss, Patterns, Kits, Tutorials, and more!

5.  Pins & Needles

pins and needles

Depending on the type of craft you embark upon, there are always a variety of pins and needles that you will likely need on hand. Whether you sew, knit, crochet, weave, or make wreaths, having a variety of pins and needles will be valuable to have in your crafting arsenal. There is hardly a handicraft for home decor that does not require them.

Pins of various kinds are great when you want to attach embellishments, but don’t wish to get messy with glue. I’ve used both T-pins – which are great for securing textured fabric (the ‘T’ portion holds it in place) – as well as headpins for smaller items (Inserting headpins were, for example, the main way I attached my felt in this adorable Felt Pinecone Ornament DIY).

For an indepth guide to the many types of pins there are and how to use them, see A Pin for Every Purpose.

Needles are also going to be useful when you are creating handmade items at home. Whether you sew, knit, crochet, weave or embroider, there is a needle out there for your chosen craft.

For starters check out this selection of needles on Amazon:

Weaving Needles: For regular readers of this blog, you will know that weaving is featured often. In fact, I have already written in some detail about basic Weaving Tools & Supplies Every Weaver Should Own (& Where to Find Them).

But for the sake of brevity, I recommend starting with a very basic 3-inch large-eye needle (like this one).

If you find you enjoy weaving, then you should purchase these two types:

The bent needle is great for getting up and over warp threads easily, while the long 5-inch needle helps get the yarn across faster. Both of these purchases were game-changers for me.

To see how to use a needle in a basic beginner weaving project, you’ll want to read:

6.  Wreath Forms

wreath forms and wreath rings

One of the easiest and most fun ways you can decorate your home through the seasons is by making wreaths. Whether indoors or outdoors, wreaths are a great way to personalize your space.

But if you are new to wreath-making, then figuring out what kinds of wreath forms to buy, especially at the start, may feel a bit intimidating. Trust me! I’ve been there.

There are plenty out there, but some of the most commonly used are:

If you don’t know where to start, I suggest an easy, budget-friendly option. For me, the grapevine wreath is a no-brainer. Here’s why:  All you need are 2 supplies (the wreath form + florals or greenery) and 1 tool (wire cutters). The grapevines are wrapped tightly so that you can simply insert florals or greenery without worrying about gluing or attaching in any other way. Just insert and go!

For a step-by-step tutorial on using a basic grapevine wreath to create your first wreath, check out these two easy tutorials:

Once you feel comfortable with these, then you can move on and try the following wreath projects using some of the wreath forms mentioned above:

7.  Crafting Wire

floral and craft wires

Most people don’t think of crafting wire when listing their must-have craft tools and supplies, but I have discovered that having a variety of crafting wires comes in handy for a variety of home decor projects. It’s one of those supplies that I had no idea would become one of the most useful materials I own.

But what kind of craft wire should you purchase? It all depends on the kinds of projects you find yourself doing again and again. I use it most commonly when making wreaths.

In the case of a wreath, you can use a craft wire to:

a. Attach an embellishment, such as flowers or greenery (real or synthetic) to a wreath form.

b. Group together a bunch (florals and/or greenery) by wrapping the stems before attaching to the wreath form.

For this kind of crafting, I recommend any 22-gauge wire. It is very pliable and great for wrapping and securing any kind of embellishment to a wreath form. Just take a look at these projects:

A 22-gauge wire can be purchased online and comes in a variety of colour options, including green (the most common), but also white, silver, and gold.

Purchasing a few different varieties will be helpful as you experiment with different colours in your wreaths and will allow the wire to blend in.

Once you see the beauty and versatility of a crafting wire, you’ll definitely want to experiment with different types, including thicker, pre-wrapped ones like this vine-wrapped wire or wired jute cords like this one. These create lovely, rustic embellishments or may even be the centrepiece of your entire project.

Just take a look at these DIY’s that I’ve created using thicker wire and pre-wrapped crafting wire:

8.  Clay:  Polymer & Air Dry

polymer clay and air dry clay

Perhaps the most fun I’ve had with home decor DIY’s of late has been the use of clay in my projects. With either polymer clay or air dry clay (sometimes referred to as ‘paper clay’), you can create just about any small decor piece from trays to small bowls from vases to pots from coasters to art objects and so much more! With clay, you are limited only by your imagination.

What’s the difference between polymer and air dry clay? Polymer clay must be baked in order to cure and harden (usually about 30 min), while air dry clay can be left out to dry for a couple of days. And while air dry clay is far more pliable and easy to work with, polymer clay is a bit tougher and requires kneading. This difference in particular makes polymer clay a bit more durable. (For a useful article comparing the two, read “What Clay To Buy?“)

Bottom line:  If you are new to clay, I would recommend you start with air dry clay because of how easy it is to use. Then, if you find you love this medium, give Polymer Clay a try.

You can find clay in any craft store. Amazon also has loads of varieties:

Here are a couple of clay craft tutorials I’ve shared on the blog:

9.  Spray Paint & Spray Sealers

spray paint and spray sealer

Until I started blogging, I had never used spray paint before. But now? Well, let’s just say that I can hardly think of a decorating or sprucing-up project where I haven’t used spray paint in one way or another. Once you start, it’s really quite addictive!

There are at least two brands that I have personally used and recommend.

Krylon:  The ever-expanding and versatile brand of Krylon is most definitely the crafter’s best friend. Krylon is not only known for it’s diversity of colour choices – which are numerous – but for the variety of effects you can create. Everything from metallic spray paint to shimmer spray paint to sea glass spray paint to their ColorMaster line that has the paint + primer built into a single can.

Rustoleum:  While Rustoleum does not have quite the same reputation as being a crafter’s medium in the way Krylon does, it really should. I am completely hooked on this brand and here’s why: In my opinion, the coverage is a bit better than Krylon (which means it will last longer, too). Rustoleum’s 2X Ultra Cover Spray Paint is my personal favourite. It includes both paint and primer in one (yay!) and covers so well. My one complaint? Not enough colours to choose from.

Spray Sealers: Once you’ve painted, it’s time to seal in the paint. Nothing is worse than seeing your home decor start to peel and chip (unless shabby chic is what you’re looking for). Sealers are also great for protecting your piece from absorbing humidity (e.g., canvas art) and protects against staining.

As far as spray sealers are concerned, my all-time favourite is this Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer. It is a highly versatile sealer that I’ve used in a variety of projects, including these painted cork coasters and for this indoor canvas art that I used to weather-proof for the outdoors. In my experience, this sealer does not yellow over time and it provides easy, quick coverage for your crafts.

10.  Scissors & Wire Cutters

scissors and wire cutters

Last, but certainly not least, you will need at least one good pair of scissors and a pair of wire cutters to cover a wide variety of home decor DIY’s. These will help you with a whole host of projects. Whether you are weaving, embroidering or making a wreath, you will need scissors to cut your yarn or floss and a good pair of clippers to snip off sprigs of branches or flowers.

Scissors: To start, a good pair of kitchen scissors are perfectly fine, but eventually you’ll want a dedicated pair of crafting scissors like these ones (which I personally own). Or check out any other affordable ones like these ones on Amazon.

For projects that require finer work like embroidery, smaller scissors like these ones are far more suitable.

Wire Cutters: While it’s easy to understand the need for basic scissors, it’s not until you’ve done a few crafting projects that you begin to realize just how useful wire cutters can be, especially for thicker wires or greenery stems.

I own a couple of varieties much like these ones, which are great for cutting all of the wires I already mentioned, including the 22-gauge wire as well as thicker vine-wrapped wire or jute-wrapped wire. I personally use this Stanley 6-inch Cutting Plier for a variety of my craft projects.

Here are some of my DIY’s in which wire cutters – and not scissors – were absolutely necessary:

Final Thoughts

While this is certainly not an exhaustive list of my must-have craft tools and supplies for the home decor enthusiast, it is a great start. If you are looking for fun, affordable and accessible crafting materials to inspire you to start making handmade items in your home, then I hope this list has provided you with plenty of ideas for your next (or your first) craft project!

Happy crafting 🙂

 

 

 

 

February 26, 2018

2 Comments

  • Reply
    Michelle
    March 1, 2018 at 12:12 am

    Such a great list Jelica. It is horribly confusing in the beginning when you see all the tools and things you can buy. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve bought something thinking I’m going to need this and then it quietly disappears into the craft cupboard never to see the light of day again. And then there are others like my scissors and glue gun that never ever even get packed away, because I use them all the time. Pinned coz I just know there are so many people out their who would love to have this.

  • Reply
    Mary
    March 1, 2018 at 10:28 pm

    Jelica just looking through your list made me realize what a lot I am missing. I have a box full of ribbons and twine but I need to get some embroidery thread.

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