If you are a crafter or you are looking for a gift for one here are 15 tools I use again and again for my crafting projects. I use these tools to upcycle and transform trash but most of them are just all-around basic tools any crafter could use. I am starting from least expensive to most expensive so there are ideas for every budget. Some of these tools are generic but for some of them, I am very brand loyal. And I will put links for all of them in the description.

1 – Embossing Tools

You can find embossing tools easily online, at your favorite craft store, and even at Dollar Tree. That’s where I bought mine.

You might already know that I love to use my embossing tool on aluminum drink cans to make patterns and designs, but it also comes in handy as a burnishing tool for small areas.

You can use embossing tools on thin metal sheets as well as heavy paper and even some cardboard. It’s a very versatile tool, and the price makes it a great stocking stuffer. As I mentioned I got mine at Dollar Tree so you can pick one up for just over a dollar or spend a little more to purchase a set.

2 – Center Punch

This handy tool is great to use on wood, metal, and even heavy plastic to mark drill, and punch holes. I have found it to be particularly useful on metal to keep the drill bit from slipping out of place when I am drilling holes. To use this tool, you just push straight down on the handle until the spring pops inside and makes a small indentation to mark your material. You can find a set of two punches for around 12 dollars. So you can stick one in a stocking and keep one for yourself.

3 – Needle Nose Pliers

These pliers are a toolbox basic. They are handy for so many little projects they are great for holding small items and they can be used for cutting and shaping wire. If you do any jewelry work, they are a must-have. I recommend having two pairs for opening and closing jump rings.

I have also used them to remove stuck glue caps and squeeze tubes. You can find these pliers in various styles and prices from 5 to 15 dollars.

4 – Round Tipped Jewelry Pliers

There are many different styles of jewelry pliers but if you are just starting your collection or only do occasional jewelry work a simple pair of round-barreled pliers is a good place to start. They are useful for coiling wire in jewelry making and wire sculpture. And you can find them priced between 5 and 15 dollars.

5 – Fisker 3 x 18 inch Clear Ruler

You might be thinking that a ruler is too basic for this list and I am sure that you already own a ruler but this isn’t just any ruler. Fisker makes these clear rulers in a variety of sizes, but my favorite is the 3-inch by 18-inch version. I like the longer length and the 3-inch width is easy to work with to mark lines and measurements and the clear grid makes it easy to draw multiple parallel and perpendicular lines. The prices vary by size, but the 3 x 18 inch version should cost about 12.00 dollars.

6 – Green Creativity Bead Roller

If you have seen some of my other videos, then you know how much I love this bead roller. The price has gone up, but you can still currently pick one up for about 14 dollars. This tool makes rolling beads fast and easy, and I have used it to make thousands of metal beads from aluminum drink cans for jewelry and other fun projects. And of course, you can use it for paper too. One word of caution: it can be a little addictive, so beware. 🙂

7 – Wiss Scissor Tin Snips

There are a lot of different styles and sizes when it comes to tin snips, but this small straight-cut scissor-shaped pair is the only one I use. Since they are shaped like scissors and smaller than most tin snips they are familiar and easy to handle and are great for cutting metal sheets, thick plastic, and more. I have used them for many of my tin can projects, including these earing styles made from vegetable and soup cans. You can pick up a pair for around 15 dollars for all your heavy-duty cutting needs.

8 -Nail Pulling Pliers

As the name suggests this tool is great for pulling stubborn nails, screws, and even staples from wood but for me its real super power is its heavy-duty cutting ability. It’s great for cutting heavy galvanized wire, wood dowels, and plastic tubing. I recently made these garden markers with stakes made from wire hangers. If you have ever tried to cut wire hangers, you know how strong they are. These nail-pulling pliers make tough cutting jobs a breeze. You can find them in the tool section of your favorite hardware store or online from 10.00 to 20.00 dollars.

9 – Draft Top

This is actually a kitchen gadget, and while Draft Top is the original, there are also knock-off versions as well. The Draft Top is a can opener for aluminum drink cans. So it turns a soda or beer can into more of a glass or cup. Ironically, for me, defeats the purpose of putting it in a can.

But as a crafting tool, it is amazing. With it, you can quickly remove the tops of the drink cans to quickly break down aluminum beer and soda cans into easy to store, usable parts to make all sorts of fun craft projects. If you like crafting with beer and soda cans, you can pick one up for around 20.00 dollars.

10 – Surebonder Cordless Glue Gun ($24.00)

You can pick glue guns for under 5 dollars, but can you walk across the room with them? If you use hot glue on your crafting project, I am betting you will appreciate this glue gun cordless feature. It stays hot for around two minutes without replacing it in the base and features a dripless nozzle, an on/off switch, and the option to plug the cord straight into the glue gun. The price is a little more than the no-name glue guns, but these are still affordable at around 24 dollars.

11 – Safety Can Opener

Next on the list is another kitchen gadget. This can opener allows you to remove the tops of tin cans cleanly with no sharp edges. And as an added bonus, you can also set the lid back in place. If you craft with cans, then I probably don’t need to tell you how cool that is. There are a variety of styles and price ranges for safety can openers, but I prefer this more expensive version by Kuhn Rikon.

Safe cut can openers can be difficult to figure out and this model is sturdy and easy to use. You can find them for about 25 dollars or test a less expensive version for your can crafting projects.

12 – Dapping and Doming Set

You can find dapping and doming sets in a variety of sizes. This 36-piece set is a pretty standard one and provides a wide variety of size options for shaping metal, paper, and thin cardboard. If you enjoy making pieces of metal jewelry, this might be a tool you want to add to your collection. I have used mine to shape pieces of aluminum and steel from recycled cans and shape metal bottle caps. If you are interested, you should be able to find this set for about 35.00 dollars.

13 – Pink Power Cordless Drill

I usually borrow the power tools from my hubby, but he bought me this Pink Power drill when he got tired of sharing his cordless drill with me. I have never really been a pink person, but I do love this tool and the fact that it is so clearly mine. 🙂

It comes with a charging station, a few drill extra bits, and a second battery, so you always have charge. You can pick one up from Amazon for about 40.00 dollars.

14 – Microwave Kiln

If you are interested in learning to fuse glass, a microwave kiln is an easy and affordable way to get started. There are a number of brands available, priced from as little as 25.00 dollars all the way up to 200.00, depending on which brand you choose and whether or not there are accessories included. My kiln is made by Fuseworks, and I have used it hundreds of times to make small jewelry pieces from recycled bottle glass. Fuseworks is one of the pricey brands, and I have heard that all microwave kilns are pretty much the same. So, if you would like to be able to fuse glass in your microwave, one of these little kilns might be just what you are looking for.

15 – Cricut Maker

If your budget allows it, the Cricut maker is an all-around versatile tool that will expand your creativity. I have barely scratched the surface of learning what this machine can do, but it has already been worth the investment for me. I love being able to cut intricate shapes from my empty soda cans for my craft projects.

But this machine can do so much more, making it a perfect complement to various craft interests. If you have been thinking about buying one, maybe this is the time. You can find the machine for around 200.00 dollars, or you can spend a little more for bundles with extra tools and supplies.

Happy Upcycling,

Cindy

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