Best Craft Supplies: My Favorite Crafting Tools & Materials
When it comes to crafting, having the best craft supplies can make all the difference between frustration and creativity flowing smoothly. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been crafting for years, knowing which products are truly worth adding to your craft room can save time, money, and headaches. After years of trying different brands and experimenting with all kinds of craft materials, I’ve built a solid list of favorites. In this guide, I’m breaking down my personal best craft supplies across key categories like glues, paper, and vinyl—plus a few extras that are must-haves for anyone who loves bringing their creative ideas to life.
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Best Craft Supplies for Gluing and Adhesives
A solid glue can make or break your project—literally. Whether you’re making intricate paper flowers or assembling 3D designs, the right adhesive ensures your work holds up. These are my absolute favorite best craft supplies when it comes to gluing:
Bearly Arts Precision Glue
This is hands down my go-to for paper crafting. It dries clear, has an amazing precision tip for small areas, and doesn’t warp paper, even thinner types like those in some paper pads.
Beacon 3-in-1 Glue
For heavier materials like wood, felt, and mixed media, Beacon’s 3-in-1 is unbeatable. It’s strong, dries quickly, and works across a variety of craft materials, making it one of the great options for multi-purpose crafters.
SureBonder Hot Glue Gun
Hot glue is a staple in any craft room, and SureBonder’s hot glue gun offers reliable performance at reasonable prices. It’s great for quick assembly and ideal for special events crafting when time is tight. I personally have the full sized glue gun but I definitely need to upgrade to the precise smaller tip!
Best Craft Supplies for Paper Crafting
If you love paper crafts like me, having high-quality cardstock is essential. Not all paper is created equal—some tear too easily, while others are too thick for intricate cutting. After tons of testing, these are my best craft supplies for paper projects:
12×12 Cardstock Shop
This is my go-to for bulk high-quality materials. They offer a huge range of colors and finishes, perfect for anything from flowers to greeting cards. While I don’t often shop wholesale craft supplies, I do stock up here to save on shipping. For brands I go for Bazzil or Encore, I also get my glitter paper and foil from here.
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Michaels Paper Packs
For seasonal craft ideas, Michaels offers themed paper pads at reasonable prices, making it easy to create for seasonal celebrations like holidays, birthdays, or special events. They also often have sales, which helps me score low prices on premium paper.
PrintWorks DIY
For printable projects like gift tags, stickers, or party decor, I swear by PrintWorks DIY paper. It runs through both inkjet and laser printers without smudging and works great with laminate sheets for a professional finish.
Of course, there’s no shortage of creative ideas you can tackle with great paper, from layered SVG designs to intricate quilling. And if you need extra embellishments, don’t forget to check your local Dollar Tree for fun add-ons like pipe cleaners or washi tape to take projects to the next level.
Best Craft Supplies for Vinyl Projects
Whether you’re working with adhesive vinyl, HTV, or specialty films, the brand of vinyl you choose can make or break your project. As a regular vinyl crafter, these are my personal best craft supplies for all things vinyl:
Teckwrap
Teckwrap offers vibrant colors and unique finishes like holographic and opal, making them a great option for everything from tumblers to decals. Their vinyl cuts beautifully on both Cricut and Silhouette machines.
Siser
Siser is a household name in vinyl for a reason—it’s durable, easy to weed, and presses like a dream. Their HTV is my top pick for apparel, especially when working on shirts for special events like birthdays or bachelorette parties.
HTVRont
For budget-friendly options that still offer solid performance, HTVRont is a great choice. I also use their heat press, which works well for both HTV and sublimation blanks from Dollar Tree.
Must-Have Cutting Machines & Accessories
Even the best craft supplies won’t help much if your cutting machine isn’t up to the task. I own (and love) several machines, each serving its own purpose:
- Cricut: Great for beginners and all-around crafting.
- Silhouette: Offers more advanced design options, perfect for custom projects. SAVE WITH CODE: DINO
- Siser Juliet: Amazing precision for premium craft supplies like specialty vinyl.
- HTVRont Auto Heat Press: Fantastic for bulk shirt-making or larger HTV projects.
Essential Accessories
- Cutting Mats: Always stick with brand-name mats for your machine.
- Blades: I buy generic replacement blades for Cricut from Amazon to save money.
- Weeding Tools: My top picks are Hobby Captain tweezers and Teckwrap weeding pens.
- Squeegees: Amazon offers multipacks at low prices, great for keeping extras on hand.
Fun Extras & Specialty Supplies
Sometimes, the best projects come from playing with less traditional craft materials. These supplies are my favorites for experimenting and letting my creative side shine:
- Sticker Paper: Koala brand works great for both kiss cut and full-sheet stickers.
- Photo Paper: I also go for Koala Brand!
- Tattoo Paper: Silhouette brand offers great adhesion and vibrant color payoff.
- Laminate Sheets: Both standard and holographic laminate from Amazon are must-haves for adding durability and shine.
- Paper Flower Tools: From bone folders to ball styluses, these little tools (mostly found on Amazon) are essential for shaping petals and leaves.
Shopping Smart: Where I Buy My Best Craft Supplies
I’m all about balancing high-quality materials with reasonable prices, so I shop strategically depending on what I need:
- Michaels: My top local store for paper, glue, and seasonal finds.
- Dollar Tree: A treasure trove for blanks, basic craft materials, and affordable extras like pipe cleaners.
- Amazon: Perfect for tools, bulk accessories, and niche supplies like rubber stamps or mod podge.
- Brand Sites: When I want the best selection or need to stock up in bulk, I order directly from Teckwrap, Siser, and Bearly Arts.
Final Thoughts on the Best Craft Supplies
At the end of the day, the best craft supplies are the ones that fit your project needs, budget, and creative process. Whether you’re a die-hard paper crafter, a vinyl pro, or someone who loves dabbling in everything, keeping your craft room stocked with reliable tools and craft materials makes all the difference. Hopefully, this list helps you discover some new favorites to spark your next round of mess fun and creative ideas.
Got your own must-have craft supplies I should try? Let me know! And if you’re looking for even more craft ideas, be sure to check out my free SVG library for all kinds of inspiration.
