5 New Must-Have Crafty Tools + GIVEAWAY

Hello! Back in November, I shared My Favorite Crafty Tools of 2016. Many of these still hold true today! However, I recently found several new must-have tools that I can’t get enough of. I think you will like them! Today I share five.

[All supplies are linked in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. To watch the video in HD on YouTube, click HERE.]

Here are five inexpensive tools that I have found very helpful in the craft room lately…

#1: Jewel Picker

Sequins and such are very popular right now, but can be tricky to pick up and place in just the right spot. Until recently, I was using the Crystal Ninja Katana Pick Up Tool. It worked well, but one of my blog readers told me about the Jewel Picker. And boy is it amazing! You can use either end to pick up small embellishments and put them exactly where you want them. And the price is great!

#2: Darice Liquid Adhesive Tips

Last year I shared a video on several fine-tip, anti-clogging, liquid-adhesive tips. (You can see the video HERE.) I really liked using the Quilled Precision Tip Glue Bottle and never had problems, but I know many people still had issues with it. So I revisited my options and found the Darice Ultrafine Tip Applicators works well with small Ranger Multi Medium Matte and Glossy Accents bottles.

One thing I found helpful: I replace the color-topped pins with plain pins. I found the colored ones would bleed and change the product color. Corsage Pins work great.

Please be careful when using this due to the sharp point. I have not had problems with rust or anything and have used it for 4 months. So far, so great! Also, if you have the Quilled Precision Tip Glue Bottle, you can always use a pin in it, too, instead of the attached lid.

#3: Mono Sand Eraser

I shared this in My Favorite Crafty Tools of 2016, but I had to share it again. The Tombow Mono Sand Eraser is a must-have for every card I make. I often get ink boo-boos on my cards but never want to start over. I can easily sand and erase away many boo-boos with the Tombow Mono Sand Eraser. Get it. You won’t be sorry! (The one I link to is a bit different – it has the sand on both ends. I show THIS one in the video but use both. But tools work great!)

#4: Pen Blades

I have been using the PenBlades craft knives for quite some time and am very happy with them. I like that they are very sharp, have three tip options, and retract for safety. Another must-have.

#5: Gina K Clear Boxes

Oh. My. Goodness. These boxes are SO helpful! I used to keep my upcoming projects in pouches but they were hard to stack and label. The Gina K Storage Boxes are the perfect solution! There is enough room inside for 8.5×11 cardstock, embellishments, inks, stamps, etc. If you are a project planner like me, you must give them a try. I have 12 boxes with planned projects stacked up! You can also use them for storage. Oh – use a dry erase pens to label them and erase when done. Boom!

I hope these tool ideas are helpful. I have a few more that I will share in another video soon.

GIVEAWAY

How would you like to win a Jewel Picker, Darice Ultrafine Tip Applicator Set and Tombow Mono Sand Eraser? For your chance, leave a comment below by 11:59pmEST on 5/29/17 telling me a crafty tool you recommend. (To leave a comment, scroll down to the bottom of this post and click the green “leave a comment” button. The winner’s name will be randomly selected, emailed and posted on my “Winners page” after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too! Personally donated.)

SUPPLIES

Want to find the products I used? To make them easy for you to find, I have listed them below. (Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. Thank you! Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased. As always, this post was NOT asked for, paid, or sponsored.)


Leave a Comment

827 thoughts on “5 New Must-Have Crafty Tools + GIVEAWAY”

  1. Lisa Daly says:

    My go to tool is a xacto knife. I use it more for putting tiny items (sequins, bling, etc.) on my projects.

  2. lcarp says:

    One of my favorite tools is a pair of tweezers I bought at a bead store that closed. They were Beadsmith Bent Fine Point Tweezers For Bead And Pearl Knotting. I didn’t even make any jewelry at the time I bought them but I used them for everything crafting! I’m lost without them and panic when they are misplaced.. 🙂

  3. I love my ek success reverse tweezers…I use them for tying bows with lawn fawn twine, I use them for help with gluing small sequins and even placing my cut and colored images!! It’s a great tool.

  4. Shannon Madewell says:

    My favorite tool at the moment is my Cuttlebug and all the dies. Prior to that, my favorite was the Twinkling H2Os…so much sparkle!

  5. Deb A. says:

    I do a lot with my laptop and Silhouette Cameo. I love designing my own cutouts.

  6. Enna says:

    I have 2 weird ones: (1) I purchased quite a few tools to help me remove the tiny/intricate die-cut pieces from my dies. After trying everything that bloggers and You-Tubers recommended, I ended up using my very cheap $2 dental pick/dental cleaner. It is sturdy, easy to hold and has a super fine/sharp tip. And it has a cap for safety. (2) I ran out of coffee filters one day & was desperate to emboss. And we were out of printer paper too!!!! I found some Deli paper in the kitchen & tried using that. I actually liked it better! It has some kind of wax finish, so the embossing powder and glitter doesn’t really stick as much as to coffee filters. Plus, it gave me a larger working space for larger background panels, and it was easier to pour the leftover powder back into the jar (since the paper has a crisp fold in it already).

  7. Becky Green says:

    Jennifer, I LOOOOOVE IT when you do these posts! LOL THANK YOU!!!! Something I do with the small bottles of adhesive—I got the little quilled tops for my Multi-Medium Matte like you said… I tap the bottom of the bottle on my desk till I hear a suction sound, & the bottle returns to it’s original shape. LOL I’m then able to replace the top on it & not worry about it clogging up. Just a thought, since you mentioned that you put the pin in & then pull it back out & clean it off…. If you do the tapping like I said, then you don’t loose even a drop of the medium! 😉 (Sometimes, I have to tap quite a bit, but it works!)

  8. Linda Wallace says:

    I like many of the tools mentioned but my fave are the stampin up paper snips. Best little scissors ever! I’m interested in the jewel picker!

  9. Meg Crawford says:

    I love my Fiskar Softgrip Fingertip Detail Knife. I use it to pick up and place embellishments that already have adhesive on the back. It’s very comfortable.

  10. Barb says:

    Appreciate the tools reviews. I got the Misti based on your review and it is my go to tool Thanks !

  11. Wendy Robinson says:

    I would recommend the Fiskars Soft Touch Micro tip scissors. They are incredibly sharp and accurate and very easy to use. If you do a lot of cutting out they do not strain your hand like normal scissors. They are really good for cutting out delicate details in cardstock. I keep them out on my craft table all the time.

  12. Maria B says:

    A pair o f quality scissors is my favorite and most used tool.

  13. irene Grau says:

    I love the tombow sand eraser too — it’s been a lifesaver. But the “tool” that’s changed my world is the absorber/shammy that you have raved about for ages. I FINALLY bought one over Christmas and was shocked (SHOCKED, I tell you!) at how clean it got my stamps — even after I had cleaned them on the scrubber. Why I waited for so long, I don’t know.
    I bought the larger absorber and cutting small squares off of it. I’m still on my first small square. I think this will last me a lifetime. lol

  14. Sharon Jones says:

    My favorite tools are the Cricut Explore and the Cuttlebug machines. I use them both all the time. I have a mono eraser and do use it and like having it in my supplies. I’m very interested in the jewel picker tool. Thanks for sharing.

  15. Pat says:

    Hi Jennifer, thank you for these great tool reviews. I think the Jewel Picker and the Mono Sand Eraser sound wonderful and I would love the chance of winning them. I love all your videos and find them invaluable for kick starting my mojo when I find ideas don’t come. x

  16. Claudia says:

    I am always impressed with the great ideas you show us. Many of them I would never know about if you did not mention them. Thank you so much. I do use the pin in my liquid adhesive. That has worked reasonably well. Keep up the great work.

  17. Tina J says:

    My favorite tool is my BigKick..Love using it for die cutting and with the embossing folders. I would love to get an electric one someday but the manual style gives my arms exercise! LOL Also, another favorite tool tip is using regular aluminum foil for embossing with powders. I covered a piece of heavy cardboard and placed a clip on it to hold the card and emboss away, no more burnt fingers. voila! I love all the products shown and would like to get that jewel picker and also the ultra fine tip applicators. Thank you for the opportunity to win these wonderful items.

  18. LaNell says:

    The Misti has been a game changer for my stamping. I rarely use my acrylic blocks. Always love your recommendations.

  19. JulieC says:

    My fave crafty tool is my MISTI!

  20. Tasha Dawson says:

    Thank you so much for sharing what that handy little sequin tool was!
    My favorite tool is my ScanNCut. I love the fact that I don’t have to try and but all the die sets for my stamps. Saves me tons of money!

  21. Laraine R says:

    The misti! Love my mono eraser! I have the craft knives & jewell picker coming! Love that you try things out & let use know if they are worth buying.

  22. María Alba Negrón says:

    Thanks for this informative video! My favorite tool is the Misti, it has alleviate my life and my stamping making a HUGE difference from before to now! From the ones that you showed, my favorite is the jewel picker, I have read about the Katana but it is very expensive, but this little picker will be mine soon!

  23. Judy Sander says:

    Jennifer, I always am so grateful for your tool tips. I use them regularly and love the fact that there are more efficient products out there. I would never know about them without your keeping us informed. Thank you so very much.

  24. Joy says:

    I am loving the stamp shammy from Lawn Fawn. I feel so much better using it on my stamps, as I know it won’t harm them. And it makes it easier when using the MISTI, which is my other can’t-do-without tool.

  25. Jayne says:

    I regret that I did not pick up the sand eraser while I was at Create! The price point on the Katana has always scared me off, but with arthritis prohibiting me from picking up small items, I need a tool. So, I think I’ll take a gamble on this Jewel Picker because of the great price.

  26. Alice says:

    My cute little green Cuttlebug. I really really hope I win. Thanks.

  27. Linda on the Prairie says:

    I’m a Pen Blade addict and I give them out to (adult) family members all the time. Another favorite is a Teflon (not bone) folder, as it doesn’t do as much damage to paper.

  28. Susie says:

    I love my small personal trimmer, a Creative Memories product from 15 years ago! Long, skinny nosed scissors are a favorite, too! Thanks for the chance to win!

  29. Barbara Chapman says:

    love your new tool suggestions! I can’t live without my Misti or my teflon bone folder.

  30. Kleri F says:

    Thank you for another great video. I love watching what you like to use because you always give loads of information which I find really helpful.Now…about my recommended tool….well, three tools improved my card making massively… the Big Shot machine, the stamp platform and the paper trimmer.

  31. Janet Mack says:

    I love my Scotch tape gun. First off it’s pink and I don’t have to change the tape every time I turn around.

  32. Karen Bull says:

    My metal bowl! It keeps those small die bits from ending up on the floor!

  33. Pat McCleary says:

    The MISTI & an adhesive eraser are so very helpful when I’m making cards. I use the quilled precision tips, which I like. But I have a hard time squeezing the bottle when it’s only 1/2 full or less.Does anyone have any helpful suggestions for those of us with no hand strength? All of your tips & suggestions are so helpful, Jennifer. Thanks for the giveaway.

  34. Nana Griffin says:

    I reccomend the Lawn Fawn stamp shammy for cleaning stamps. Works wonderful!

  35. Julia D. says:

    Thanks for the great tips! I don’t know if you’d really classify this as a “tool” but I love Zip Dry glue! I also love my little pointy precision scissors. Thank you for the chance to win!

  36. Susan G says:

    Thanks for the great tool advice… I will be getting a few of those. My favorite (although I have a bunch) is my Fiskars grip style scissors… I don’t know if that description is clear – it’s the style that doesn’t have finger holes. I do so much trimming/fussy cutting that I used to get blisters, but the grip-type avoid the blisters and are easier on my hands, as far as fatigue in my hand muscles. I LOVE them. Thanks for your ALWAYS fabulous ideas and help.

  37. teresarock says:

    I have a tool turn about from pampered chef and use it to store my go to things like brushes, wink of Stella, embosssing buddy, gel pens ruler- everything I may need when I sit down to make cards is right there at my fingertips. Since it turns you can find things easily.

  38. ggnurse says:

    Thanks for the info, Jennifer! I meant to get the eraser with my last order & didn’t–won’t make that mistake next time! I love the Quilled Creations Precision Tip Applicators for Crystal Lacquer & Perfect Paper Adhesive, but good to know another option. I don’t know how I managed without my MINI MISTI, but am anxiously awaiting the new Tim Holtz platform which will be the larger size & doesn’t require removing a pad for cling stamps. Thanks for a chance at the giveaway!

  39. Diana Enns says:

    That sand eraser looks like you could do some fun techs. I would actually love to have all those “new” tools….Love all your ideas.

  40. Donna says:

    Your recommendations are always so helpful! The one handy item I discovered lately has been the ”
    Markmesafe Adjustable Magazine/File Holders Desktop Organizer,3 Sections (white)” available through Amazon. Much like a 3 section magazine holder, it’s expandable and holds my colored paper which are stored in “job ticket holders.” After a recent craft room remodel my new cabinets were not as deep as I had needed and this fixed my problem!

  41. Liz Navickas says:

    I’ve used the Quikkutz pickup tool for years but I like the one you’re recommending as it seems to work great for you! Do the sequins release easily?

  42. bev p says:

    I don’t know if it qualifies as a craft tool, but I love my Ott light. I can leave it directly over my work space or swing it around to help me select the right color card stock out of the paper cabinet. It has really helped to avoid turning a finished project into a grocery list because I got it all done only to find that my colors were really “off” when I got it into bright light. Thanks for the tips. Now that I have the sand eraser, I seem to make fewer smudgy errors, but it’s still nice to know I have it.

  43. I always love your opinions on new products or must have items to help with crafting. You’ve been enabling me for years now and I love the things you’ve recommended. I definitely need one of those erasers. Thanks for the video.

  44. charyl says:

    Thank you Jennifer sharing these new products. I have been having a very hard time getting matte medium out of the bottle through a quill applicator and now I think I’ll change.

  45. Laura Buehler says:

    I have to say my favorite crafty tool is my Misti. I’ve been doing cardmaking for quite some time, but I usually shied away from stamping. I would use die cuts, stickers, ribbons, patterned paper, you name it except stamps because I never got a good impression. Now that I have the Misti I can stamp to my heart’s content & be happy with the results!

    1. Laura Buehler says:

      P.S. I also consider my computer to be a tool because that is where I go to watch Jennifer McGuire videos & get inspiration!

  46. Judy Estrada says:

    I enjoyed this video very much. It is very helpful to learn about your new tips & updated items . I appreciate you taking the time to let us know about these things. I have been told if you use a stainless steel straight pin that you will not have rust in your glue or adhesive product . I love seeing your cards you make but these things you like & new tool finds are great for us to learn about so well. Thank you so much for all your hard work & sharing the information with us!

  47. chris kaul says:

    i am excited to try the mono sand eraser. too many times i have needed to remove some ink from a fingerprint and have had to start over!

  48. sharon says:

    I find I turn to my tweezers often and when I do, I come to a point that nothing is working! I am very interested in the Gina boxes. Thanks for letting us know about these goodies.

    Sharon L

  49. Denise Dixon says:

    All of these look really great, look fun to use!
    Always love these giveaways for folks to try new things.
    Thanks for the opportunity!

  50. KKristKrisine Boydstun says:

    I think my favorite tool at the moment is my MISTI. Just love the ability to stamp something a second time! Love these 5 new tools. I’ve been watching you use the blades on your video and wondered about them.

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