Let's Get Crafty! Must-Have Tools for Crafters

Craft stores, with all of those specialty papers, notions, fabrics, beads, and myriad other fun supplies, are amazing places. Walking into one is almost guaranteed to provide a shot of inspiration. There's nothing quite as good for one's creativity as strolling the aisles of a craft store, just to see what they have. Sometimes, the things that strike your fancy will surprise you, and before you know it, you have a brand new hobby.

That said, having the right tools for the job makes crafting a lot more fun; few things are more frustrating than being in the middle of a fun project and realizing you don't have what you need. Here are some of our favorite craft supplies.

Must-Have Tools for Crafting - Paintbrushes: A good set of paintbrushes can take you through a variety of crafts, from painting on canvas or paper to decorating your own kitchen accessories or clothing. Look for either a set with many shapes and sizes, or buy individual brushes. If buying individual brushes, it's a good idea to have at least one flat, one round, and one pointed brush on hand.

- Paint: Most often, for crafting you'll want to choose acrylic paints, which are washable and dry fairly quickly. Watercolors, oils, and tempera paints are also widely available at most craft stores now as well. Some of the newer textured paints available make it easy to make a new item look weathered, or add real character to an otherwise ho-hum project.

- Scissors: Whether you sew, scrapbook, or knit, a good pair of scissors (and possibly several!) is an absolute must. Look for scissors that fit your hand well, and that are the right size for the project you're working on. In addition to scissors, look for paper trimmers or special circle-shaped cutters for more accurate cuts without so much fatigue from repetitive cutting.

- Punches: Punches may be one of the funnest tools out there for scrapbookers and others who enjoy paper crafts. The sheer variety of shapes and sizes available now ensures that your cards or scrapbook pages will really stand out.

- Glues and Adhesives: So maybe they're not as exciting as a fun new punch, but it's pretty clear that you won't get very far in crafting without good glues to hold everything together. Whether your vice is quilting, mosaics, or paper crafts, the right glue can make all the difference in the finished project.

- How-To Books: When starting a new craft, an instructional booklet or DVD can be a great guide. Books that teach you how to knit or crochet are especially popular, but you can find books in most craft stores and book stores about how to make candles and soaps, how to cross stitch, and how to embroider. It's a great way to pick up basic information about a new craft.

- Pencils, Pens, Markers: Depending on your craft, chances are good that you'll need at least a few of these around. And some of you may end up with bins and boxes full of different pencils and markers. Spend some time experimenting with different types and different brands to see what works best for you; some will just have a better "feel" to them than others.

With these supplies on hand, you'll be ready to express your creativity whenever inspiration strikes! For more on how to craft, go to Michaels.com.