Essential Products #4: Adhesives

Let’s dive in today with a huge essential product: Adhesives. I've come to find that everyone has their favorites and particular uses for different products. I am no different. The pictures below show my collections of various adhesives. And I have to say that I use every single one.

Product Description: Adhesives comes in my shapes and sizes. For the beginner crafter, I always recommend buying a few to find what you like best. Once chosen, I always try to stock up when they're on sale. There's no worse while crafting than running out of adhesive.

Choices:

Scotch tape -- A basic role of scotch tape is perfect for taping down ribbon ends (behind card layers obviously).
Liquid glue -- I have a few different liquid glue choices. I love using Stampin' Up's two way glue for small embellishments like wood veneers. I also have a tube of Elmer's clear glue for back up.
Snail (snail-looking tape runner)-- This is my go-to adhesive for general card making and scrapbooking. I use this for just about everything. I definitely stock up on the refills when they go on sale. I also usually have a cartridge of removable adhesive on hand for non-sticking clear stamps.
Glue stick -- While this isn't my favorite tool to use. I find that it does come in handy for random projects. Also, it's a good in-a-pinch substitute for when I don't plan ahead and run out of snail.
Glue dots -- Small double sided sticky pieces perfect for securing sequins, ribbon, or buttons. They are a go to tool!
Dimensionals -- For when you want to pop up your piece, dimensionals are key. They are double sided circles or hexagons (depending on brand). I go through packages and packages of these.
Sticky strip -- Finally I keep a role of sticky strip (two sided tape) on hand for 3D projects. It seems to be the only thing to secure cardstock for boxes or candy holders.

My Choice Brand(s):

Stampin' Up -- For a majority of my adhesives, I turn to Stampin' Up for know good quality. Usually I buy glue dots, two way glue, glue sticks, sticky strip, and dimensionals from SU.
Tombow -- For snail, I always use Tombow. I've explored the other brands, but they just don't have the same quality to me. Tombow is a bit pricier than some of the other brands, but quality is the determining factor for me.

Where to Buy:

Stampin' Up
Joann's and Michael's -- They carry Tombow and any of the store brand adhesives options. I always try to get my Tombow refills when they are 50% off or at least if I have a 40% coupon.

Essential Products #3: Stamp Cleaning Pad

Let’s dive in today with a huge essential product: my Stampin' Scrub Pad.

Back when I first started stamping in 2009, I didn't know how to clean to stamps. I simply washed them off in the sink. Not so great... Then I read about the baby wipes method. Okay that worked, but this was in the between my kids time. I just didn't want to keep buying baby wipes. Then I bought some liquid stamp cleaner and used that with paper towels. It was okay if I was just stamping one image, but if I wanted to do a lot, my method was extremely inefficient. Finally, I was clued into the scrub pad from a SU demo. Hallelujah! This thing is a life saver!

Product Description: Basically the pad is a plastic case that contains two scrub pad pieces (think a doormat). One side is labeled with raindrops, the other with an umbrella. You spray some cleaning solution onto the raindrop (wet) side and scrub your stamp. You then scrub your stamp on the umbrella (dry) side. Abracadabra! You have a clean stamp. This is great when stamping a lot or using multiple stamps. When the pad gets dry, simply spray more solution.

After a fair amount of usage, you'll notice that the stamps aren't cleaning very easily. When this happens, it's time to clean your pad. Simply run your pad under water until the water runs clear. Prop up the pad to dry. Simple solution. I usually clean my pad once a week or two weeks depending on the amount of stamping I've done.

My Choice Brand(s): Stampin' Up sells a great scrub pad and cleaning solution (even refills). This is my one and only choice for scrub pad. It works great and is cost effective.

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Essential Products #2: Cutting Tools

Let’s dive in today with a huge essential product: Cutting tools!

Everyone needs to be able to cut paper (and ribbons and stickers and everything else). There are definitely lots of cutting tools out there to choose from. Here's my round-up of tools:

Product Description: Cutting tools come in all shapes and sizes. Most people start out simply with a pair of scissors. But as your crafting experience grows, so does your collection of tools.

Choices: As evidenced by the pictures above, I have multiple different types of cutting tools. They each have their own specific purpose.

Scissors -- A comfortable, sharp, and sturdy pair of scissors goes a long way in crafting. I picked up this pair of Fiskars scissors about three years ago and they are still going strong even with almost daily usage. I have a tool caddy sitting under my desk, but these stay front and center in my pen holder for easy access. Some people prefer short paper snips, but I love my big handled long scissors. I imagine that when they get dull, I will just got out and buy another pair.

Ribbon scissors -- You do not want to use the same scissors for ribbon cutting as for paper cutting. For ribbons cutting, I have a small, short pair of Fiskars scissors. They are marked on the other side with sharpie so I can remember to only use these for ribbons. I've seen others mark their ribbon scissors with a bow.

Patterned scissors -- After my regular scissors, this set (they are actually two more, but they are packed away for an upcoming class) was my next cutting tool purchase. I found this EK Success set at Target, but I've seen similar at most craft stores. Originally I used them to cut my pictures for traditional scrapbooking pages. Now, I mainly use them to add fun edges to my greeting cards. Very versatile set!

Paper trimmer -- The most expensive cutting tool purchase I've made is this paper trimmer. I realized eventually that I wanted to be able to quickly made straight measured cuts. This is the best way to do that. I bought my Fiskars trimmer at Michael's years before I became a Stampin' Up demo. This one is great with the easy to swing out extended ruler, but I've noticed that my lines are starting to wear off. It may be time to upgrade to Stampin' Up's version. I've heard really nice things about it. Plus, I can easily buy and switch out the blade for rotary trimmers. And it doubles as a scoring tool. As with all paper trimmer, you must buy replacement blades every once in while. The more you cut, the faster you need to replace. For this Fiskars trimmer, I buy a pack of twp replacement blades about every other month.

Exacto knife and paper piercer -- My last two cutting tools are nice to have but in way a necessity. Both my blade and pierce came from Michael's. The blades are replaceable, but I've never replaced them. I don't use these tools often, but they do come in handy. The blade can be used for small precise cuts (i.e. cutting out a stamped image). The pierce is most often used to pierce holes for brads. I also occasionally use to pick up small jewels, especially those that really stick to the plastic.

My Choice Brand(s):

Stampin' Up -- Of course SU has a great selection of various cutting tools.
Fiskars -- Any from Fiskars is guaranteed to be nice quality. They know their cutting tools.
EK Success -- My patterned scissors are EK Success, but I can tell they are aren't as sharp or well-constructed as my Fiskars supplies.

Where to Buy:

Stampin' Up
Michael's
Joann's

Essential Products #1: Cardstock

I'm starting a new feature on The Craft Sea today: highlighting essential products. Everyone who crafts has their go-to items. The essential supplies that I buy over and over again (or sometimes once if it is a tool). I certainly have my own essential products. I thought it would be a good idea to share those with readers. I'll talk about the products, why I love them, and how to use them. I might even do a bit of comparison with other products or brands other than what I use. So, let's dive in today with a huge essential product: Cardstock!

We all need paper, so let's discuss the different types and what I love to use. For this post, we are only going to talk about solid colored cardstock and not printed or patterned cardstock.

Product Description: Paper of course. Specifically, I'm talking about solid paper used for paper crafting (scrapbooking, greeting cards, 3D projects, etc).

Choices:

Sizes -- Most paper stacks come in 12 x 12" or 8.5 x 11" options. You can also buy select stacks in 8 x 8", 6 x 6", and 4.5 x 6.5" options. I buy a variety of sizes for different products. 12 x 12" paper is great for traditional scrapbooking. 8.5 x 11" paper is perfect for cutting in half to use as greeting card bases. Other sizes can be used as great layering options or as traditional backgrounds for different size scrapbooks.
Texture options -- Most regular cardstock out there is sold in a smooth state. This is perfect for stamping or writing. You can find cardstock with various textures. Some will have a combination with one side smooth and one side textured. This paper is nice as the textured side can be great for layering or accents, while the smooth side is perfect for stamping and writing.
Core options -- You have two option when it comes to core. The paper can have a white core or the ink can be saturated throughout. White core paper is great for sanding techniques. If you want to create a jagged tear, solid core paper is probably your best bet.
Weights -- Regular computer paper is usually 20lb weight. It's flimsy and not great for paper crafting. Recollections brand (sold at Michael's and other places) is mostly 65lb weight. They also do have select solid cardstock in 80lb weight. 65lb paper is great for stamping and layering. On it's own, 65lb weight paper won't stand up well. For card bases, I prefer to buy 80lb weight paper. Stampin' Up's basic cardstock is 80lb. You can find heavier cardstock in 100 and 110lb weights, but those tend to bulk up projects once you start layering.
Color -- Each brand of cardstock will have it's own distinct color choices. I love using Stampin' Up's line as everything they make coordinates. I have found Recollections paper to have similar colors as SU, but there is a difference.

My Choice Brand(s): I mainly buy my paper from one of two sources. Specifically, I buy paper for different uses from these two sources.

Stampin' Up -- Their basic cardstock is 80lb weight. Perfect for standing up on its own. You can feel the heft to this paper. I love their paper for consistent color between batches and heavy weight. I use SU paper for card bases and if I want to color coordinate my project.
Recollections -- Most of their basic cardstock is 65lb weight. And it's much cheaper per package than SU. However, the lower weight does limit this paper to layering pieces. And it can be hard to color coordinate with my SU inks and markers.

Where to Buy:

Stampin' Up -- SU paper can only be bought from SU through a demonstrator. You must choose a demonstrator (if you don't already have one) to complete an order. There is an option to not be contacted if you desire. If you are going to place an order, please use my name as a demonstrator: Tobe Buffenbarger Sunnyvale, CA
Michael's -- You can now order online or continue to frequent their brick and mortar stores.
Hobby Lobby
Joann's
Other craft stores