Please help me find good crafting supplies
I’m an amateur crafter and as such, it is possible that I just don’t know what the big names in the crafting world are when it comes to supplies. Perhaps for these items that I struggle to find high performing versions of, everybody knows that you should only buy it if it’s BrandName X, while I have been haplessly buying things that have a pleasing combination of high quality, (which I decide based on a)whether I have heard of the brand before and b) the price of the item).
The supplies that are currently the bane of my existence are:
Paper cutters
I have two paper cutters, both by Fiskars and purchased almost two years apart: one is a guillotine, which comfortably cuts paper up to 9 inches wide, and the other is a trimmer intended for sheets of paper up to 12 inches wide. Admittedly, it may be my technique that is amiss, but I can’t seem to cut a sheet of paper and end up a square or rectangle with corners that are at right angles to each other. And when I try to fix one side with a pair of scissors, I end up snipping a bit too much, which I compensate for by snipping a bit more from the other side, and this continues until I’m left with paper that is too small for its original intent (and it’s still not straight!).
Adhesives
I am currently using the following adhesives:
- liquid glue that dries clear (but shows up under any paper or ribbon that is light enough in colour)
- small squares of double sided tape which are an alternative to liquid glue, yet time-consuming to use when gluing larger objects
- the glue that rolls out of a dispenser, much like the dry whiteout dispensers (either I’m applying incorrect pressure, or there is something wrong with the dispensing mechanism).
Every adhesive I find and use never seems appropriate for the occasion. Where can I find a good all purpose adhesive for paper that doesn’t leave me with puckered paper (due to a liquid glue), using up all my adhesive squares, or dealing with a tangled rolling contraption that seems out of my league?
Please help: what cutting tools and adhesives should I be using?
Are you taking part in our challenge? You only have until October 15, 2007 to complete it so get crafting!
October 9th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
I think having the “proper” tools for anything is important. That said, where did I get my paper cutter? You know the answer to this..dollarama. I bought a couple of cheap ones to work and play with and like them just fine. Even bought a rotary cutter (which I am using for my challenge card!) for the heck of it. I’m not always into the most expensive is the best.
Glues…ugh..there is a good question!! I have tried every one that you have mentioned and just go with whatever seems to work best on a given texture. I know there has to be a “good” one for each medium. Let me know when you discover the answer!!
October 18th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Paper trimmer TONIC paper trimmers are the best buy (I got a 12″ with 6″ base for my larger cuts and a mini guillotine for smaller cuts like layers - best price and shipping is only $5.99
http://store.scrapbooking-warehouse.com/tonic.html
but even with this cutter, I need to hold down on the clear paperholder in order to have a straight cut. Perhaps that’s the same for you?
as far as glue goes…Scotch Quick Dry is the best I’ve found so far! $3.89 at Target