Welcome to all you new crafters! I’m so glad you found me, because I can help you with the basic essential tools you need to start a new hobby. I often get asked this question, so I thought I would write a post detailing a good first purchase for a new crafter. First let’s talk to those of you who have nothing!

Buy an all inclusive kit

Oh Happy Day Kit

If you want a really quick way of making some beautiful cards that doesn’t need a lot of equipment, but that is high quality and will really give you a feel for whether this crafting lark is for you, then I recommend all my new crafter friends purchase an all inclusive kit. Currently there are 2 available in the Stampin’ Up! 2016-17 Annual Catalogue and I love them both, they appeal to everyone and they have everything you need except adhesives.

Watercolour Wishes Kit

The kits include the following – card bases, topper elements, embellishments, a stamp set covering a variety of occasions and inks. All you need to add is some adhesives and a pair of scissors and I’ve put the recommended ones for each kit in the images below. If you’d like to try them, just click the product image to buy now.

Basic Tools for a new crafter

These are the products I recommend for anyone who is just starting out and needs to get some basic tools to allow them to continue with their new hobby. If you go to a class where all the items are pre-cut for you, then you won’t need the Stampin’ Trimmer, but if you want to purchase card stock and make cards at home yourself then a trimmer is an essential piece of equipment. It might be an investment, but it will be worth it.

• Stampin’ Snips – a good pair of scissors is a must for any new crafter. Stampin’ Up! ones are sharp to the very tip and do not blunt.
• Adhesive – buy something you can stick things down with, I recommend Glue Dots (works with embellishments and ribbon) and Multipurpose Glue (works with everything else). If you like to add layers and height to your card, then add on some Stampin’ Dimensionals to give you some dimension!
• Bone Folder – seems a bit naff, but actually having a crisp fold to your card will make it easier to handle, stamp on etc and give a more professional finish. Fold your card by hand & then run the Bone Folder up & down the crease to really make it flat & smooth.
• Acrylic Blocks – if you want to use see through stamps (photo-polymer) or rubber clear mount stamps you will need some blocks to put them on for stamping. I would recommend Block sizes B, D, H to get you started, you can always add more later. Alternatively, purchase Wood Mounted Stamps as then they come with wooden blocks to stick them onto permanently (take up a little more space & are more expensive due to the wood)
• Stampin’ Scrub & Mist – this is a great product that helps keep your stamps in tip top shape, cleaning off ink & drying your stamp ready for the next colour in seconds.
• Choose stamps, ink and cardstock that YOU like – a matching punch always helps you get going with some dimension and added interest.
• Don’t forget some bling like ribbon or Rhinestones for a finishing touch!

 If you can’t afford all of the above at once, then contact me and join my Monthly New Crafter Club where I’ll help you choose a minimum of £25 worth of products each month for 5 months until you have everything you want to make some amazing cards this year. At the end of your 5 months, you’ll get to pick £15 worth of FREE product to top up your craft box on me! Interested? Click HERE to join my New Crafter Club, or talk to me about purchasing the Starter Kit.

Alternatively, purchase anything you wish from the products shown here, just click on the image to buy now.

Happy shopping and if you have any questions on my New Crafter Club or anything else you might be confused by or need help on, just comment below, inky hugs, Pip x