If you’re ready to up your small business game, stay tuned as I share with you how to craft gorgeous newsletters that subscribers will WANT to read, as well as a review and overview of how I use it. This post has been sponsored by Flodesk and contains affiliate links. It is a service that I personally use and pay for monthly!

Over the course of running this blog, I’ve built up an email list of over 90,000 subscribers that is now a core part of my business. Thanks to the generosity of Flodesk, my current email marketing platform that I’ve been with for a few years, I am now able to share some email marketing tips for creative entrepreneurs.

Whether you run a craft business, a blog, or any other type of small businesses, I’m excited to share with you why I’m still with it (my longest sticking with any newsletter service) as well as some tips.

Before we start, just a heads up: if you use my code MOMSANDCRAFTERS you get 25% off your first year of Flodesk!

Why your business NEEDS a GOOD email list

As a fellow creative, it can be so hard to reach people. We’re expected to be everywhere at once. And just when we think we made it big on a platform, the algorithms change.

The truth is that social media relies on virality. What small businesses need is consistency. Consistent cash flow. Consistent traffic. And while viral sellouts can be really cool, they are often unsustainable, misleading, and unreliable.

That is why I will swear up and down by having a solid email list. While your email list can be variable with reach, it does not depend on virality. It is a stable foundation to any business when powered by a reliable email marketing platform.

Why I’m using Flodesk since 2020 – and not planning on switching

Yes, I’ve been using Flodesk since 2020! Before that I used MailChimp and CovertKit for a couple of years each. I’ve been with Flodesk for the longest, and I hope this shines some light on why.

My experience switching

When I was first building up my email list with other services, I was told that my emails need to be “plain text”. That means, no frills bells or whistles. The truth is, as a creative, that is just the wrong approach for me. My readers are creatives too. They need pretty.

When I switched to Flodesk, I was amazed at how easy it was to create gorgeous email designs with the drag and drop builder and easy to use interface. But I was concerned with reach.

However, what I found was that as soon as I verified my domain (which was easy using their instructions) my reach only improved.

My newsletter model is mostly free printable crafts that readers download. I found that the forms were so easy to customize to look great on my website. My emails still mostly use the plain text format but within a pretty framework.

And when I do want to create a much nicer “specialty” newsletter I can do that too, within minutes, thanks to Flodesk’s beautiful templates and email templates.

Favorite features

There are so many cool features to Flodesk, and they’re constantly evolving. I’m going to highlight a few of my favorites.

Besides the extremely clean aesthetic overall, the uncluttered design and feel that keeps my scattered brain focused, here are some fabulous features.

Email marketing

There are so many email marketing tools within Flodesk. Here are a few favorites:

• Link Actions – when a reader clicks on a link I can add or remove them from a segment based on that (Flodesk’s Link Actions make this seamless). I use that to segment my readers based on craft interest with excellent segmentation capabilities, so that I know which ones like crochet, which ones prefer paper crafts, and which ones enjoy basically every craft I share.

• Integrations – Since I also use services like Grow, integrations make things work seamlessly.
• Automations – Flodesk features visual workflows that give you the ability to have automated workflows, all arranged in a very visual flowchart. This is a set-up-and-go strategy to work harder rather than smarter.
• Branding and Favorites – There are many tools to help assemble beautiful emails quickly, including branding features, the ability to save styles, and the ability to save blocks to favorites.

I’ll be sharing actual email marketing tips using these tools shortly.

Flodesk Checkouts

While I was already a Flodesk customer, they started offering Flodesk Checkouts. I was unsure about it but decided to give it a go, and yes, it’s at least paid for itself. It’s perfect for e commerce businesses selling digital products like subscriptions, digital products, freebies, services, courses, and more.

Some of my favorite features are:

• You have a tabbed view of the sales page, the product page, and the product delivery. Instead of having to set up each thing individually, it’s all in one tabbed view.

• Super fast transition for customers, one of the main reasons I use Flodesk Checkout for larger products that require more of a sales page to showcase them is to ease the customer’s workflow for better conversions. While I CAN create a landing page on my blog and link it to an e-shop listing, each time the page needs to load I risk losing the customer. Flodesk Checkout moves really seamlessly through the process.
• Plug-and-go templates, each sales page is really ready to go, including the post-sale download page. Just plug in the new info.
• Customization – There’s lots of low-tech, highly visual customization that can be done.
• Upsells, it also seamlessly integrates upsells (that is, “add-ons” that can be included in a product). On my e-shop I never converted upsells, no one actually bought them. On Flodesk Checkout, people often do if it’s planned to work well with the initial offer.

Practically Speaking: How I use Flodesk + Email Marketing Tips for Creatives

I use Flodesk almost daily, whether it’s setting up a form, sending out a newsletter, or offering a new bundled listing.

I’ll share below how I PERSONALLY use it but also some additional ideas for different business models using this email marketing platform.

Getting Subscribers

People always ask me how I get subscribers and there are two aspects to it: getting people to sign up for a newsletter, and the technical part of it.

Opt-in Incentives

Hands down the most effective way to get people to agree to have you in their inbox is to offer them some value in exchange! My personal strategy is by offering free downloads. Since I sell lots of templates in my Etsy and other ecommerce shops, I’m offering real value when I share something that’s free.

Email-blocking craft templates also serves as a copyright and hotlink protection to protect my intellectual property (and is in fact why I first started doing this.)

But what if you’re not a blogger like me? The trick is to offer something that directly solves the problems of your target subscriber.

Here are some more ideas for opt-in incentives:

• For those who own your own ecommerce site, consider a pop-up form with a small discount for those who join. You’ll see many retailers do this and it’s highly effective. In fact, it’s the reason I am personally on so many email lists! It allows you to retarget those who have been seriously considering buying (they wouldn’t have joined your list for a discount if they weren’t already thinking about it).
• For Etsy shop owners of digital products, offering a free sampling of what you might have in your shop. If you sell crochet patterns, offer one for free. This should be a good one but not a top seller; in fact, go for something relatively simple. I personally have craft templates and coloring pages as my incentive.
• For Etsy shop owners of physical products, while you CAN take the approach of a shop discount, it’s not as effective when you can’t just have a pop up on the site when people are already shopping. You can run giveaways via social media or advertising to encourage sign-ups.
• Overall, giveaways are a good strategy that I’ve used in the past as well. The trick is to offer things that aren’t universal; rather, those that are very specific to your product line or business.

Signup Forms and Landing Pages

Now let’s talk about the technical aspect: how people can sign up. Flodesk offers different types of sign up forms and landing pages.

The landing pages are really a key component here. For those who don’t have a dedicated site, having the ability to build a nice landing page helps you avoid all those technical details.

You can use both standard form pages or Checkouts to deliver a free download. Checkouts is ideal for higher-value offerings where you want to share more details about it. For on-site discounts, a pop-up is very effective.

Flodesk’s form styles include:

• Link in Bio (no need to pay for a separate service!) You can see mine here.

• Popups – my favorite for ecommerce discount opt-ins
• Inline – what I typically use for free templates on craft tutorials

• Full Page – this is like a mini landing page. I’ve also used it as a shorter opt-in for a free offering that isn’t necessarily attached to a blog post. It’s good to have just to refer people to a “sign up here” page. See mine here.
• Video Popup or Full Page – These are great for webinar offerings or to create a person-to-person message encouraging people to join.
• Spinner – Great for ecommerce – and you can do both a discount and a giveaway opt-in simultaneously.
• Countdown – for limited time or timed offerings. These create a sense of urgency that encourage signups.

There are so many options and each one is so easy to set up because of Flodesk’s plug-and-go options.

After you set up a form, you can choose from a “thank you” note, or direct subscribers to a specific page.

You’re previewing the form as you design it – no coding skills needed. Here’s what it looks like as I design it on the backend:

And here’s what it looks like on my site:

Crafting Gorgeous Newsletters

Of course, there’s the ability to craft newsletters – but again, with plug and go templates from Flodesk.

I send out newsletters every time I publish a new post. I also send out some seasonal updates. Since I share content in many different categories, I segment my readers based on which forms they signed up with, and when I send broader seasonal updates to larger parts of my list, I can also further segment them based on which posts they click.

So if I have someone sign up for an adult coloring page, I’ll send them adult coloring page updates. But when I send my winter newsletter and they click on a different paper craft, I can segment them as also interested in paper crafts.

Flodesk’s templates are actually sorted by goal of the email – not by style. I think that’s pretty cool. Categories include “share news, welcome, inspire, say thanks, make money…” I stick to plain text for my very content-focused business, but I also do add some visuals. I suggest using A/B testing on subject lines or visuals, by sending to different segments, to optimize open rates and engagement.

They have gorgeous signature options, and I always have an embed of my Instagram account at the bottom. I also use their buttons to allow those who don’t really want to read to easily find my post. I add things like this to my favorites and styles to let me craft newsletters quicker.

I set my brand colors as favorites so that I can stay consistent, and things like button styles, font styles can be saved to favorites to further streamline the newsletter creation process – even when designing from scratch.

The email creation works with a block-based format. Blocks include ecommerce embeds, countdowns, polls (which can be used for segmentation) and more.

I can keep on talking about how to use Flodesk’s email features for days but I’ll leave you to experiment more for yourself! It’s a standout email marketing platform for creative businesses.

Automation

An extremely powerful way to use Flodesk and in general to use email marketing for creative businesses is with automation. It’s called working smarter not harder.

Flodesk’s workflow automations are their automation tools. Once again, they have templates for delivering a freebie, re-engagement, abandoned carts, post-purchase, event follow-up and so much more. These automated workflows can power email sequences to deliver free downloads, onboard new subscribers and let them learn about your brand, or even remind them with the abandoned cart feature, which is great for improving sales in e commerce businesses.

One of the most powerful tools for sellers is the “abandoned cart” feature. This reminds potential buyers that they haven’t purchased yet, and offers an additional opportunity to get them to seal the deal with a coupon code. Flodesk’s seamless Shopify, Wix, and ThriveCart integration makes this even easier to set up even if you’re not using Checkouts.

It can also be used to let new subscribers learn about your brand and warm up to it a bit before starting to sell to them. And I use it a lot to deliver free downloads.

Using Checkouts for Bundle Offerings

I always found building sales pages for my digital product bundles to be SUCH a tedious task.

I like to bundle some of my digital products – offering it at a steep discount for a “buy them all” type of bundle on a specific topic. This is a win-win: it helps me convert larger sales than the small digital sales offer, and it allows those who use these crafts regularly an easy one-and-done download for big value.

However, to really educate potential customers on what they’re buying, I provide a detailed landing page with all the offerings. Creating this has always been a bane in the side of my existence – something I’d spend a fortune hiring out for subpar results.

Flodesk Checkouts solved that for me, and now that’s how I always sell my bundles. It’s really easy to set up and I’m able to offer more of my digital products bundled because of that.

It’s also a tool I plan to use in the future for a super easy subscription setup. Again, the logistics of setting it up is what has stopped me from creating this resource, and with Flodesk Checkouts it’s just so much easier.

How to Save while using Flodesk (Exclusive Discount Code)

Newsletters are one of those tools that should pay for themselves. However, if you’re starting out, Flodesk pricing offers an affordable way to get going, and you may need a little help at first.

The good news is that if you use my code MOMSANDCRAFTERS you get 25% off your first year of Flodesk!

You’ll find that Flodesk is a really valuable email marketing platform. It’s one thing to get a customer or reader for the first time. Once you have a person’s eyes and ears, keeping them is an efficient way to market. In fact, most people don’t purchase something until it’s familiar, that is, until they’ve heard of or seen it three times.

Having a newsletter allows you to remarket to the same people WITHOUT additional ad spend. But Flodesk also has tools to retain those who don’t actually sign up but just visit your built-in sales pages using Meta Pixel for retargeting.

So if you’re ready to easily craft beautiful business emails, whether you’re a YouTuber or blogger, a craft seller with your own site, an Etsy seller, or any creative entrepreneur, go ahead and give it a go!

I have a feeling that like me, you’ll be happy you did, especially as the algorithms change their mind once again.

Don’t forget to use my code MOMSANDCRAFTERS to get 25% off your first year!

The post How to Craft Gorgeous Newsletters – Flodesk Review appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Did you know that Cricut mats are cleanable? That is, those adhesive mats that you place your material on when cutting.

Today I’m going to answer one of the most pressing questions with Cricut crafting: how do you clean a Cricut mat – and how to know if you can!

When do Cricut mats need to be cleaned?

Knowing then they need to be cleaned

When you’re using fibrous materials on a Cricut mat, the fibers come loose as you cut, causing wear. This is normal. The more fibrous the material, the more comes loose.

The pink (fabric grip) mat needs to be cleaned the most frequently in my experience. That’s because I often use it with felt, one of the most fibrous materials. Fabric is also very fibrous.

Paper is fibrous but less so. You usually get some shedding on the mat.

Even if you’re only cutting things like vinyl or HTV (iron-on) you’ll STILL get some wear, just from random lint and dust that’ll eventually gather on it, but it’s less common.

When your materials don’t really stick as you press them onto the mat you’ll want to clean it.

If you want to need to clean it less often, you can use dedicated mats for different materials, so you’ll need to clean fewer of them (as the mats you use for less fibrous materials will need less frequent cleaning).

When you’ll just need to replace them

There are two signs that you need to replace your mat:

1. Some of the adhesive is stripped – it’s not just full of “fluff”
2. There are actual deep white scratches that means the mat surface was cut. This can’t be fixed.

I HAVE seen people try to repair mats with stripped adhesive by adding their own. To be honest, I just view mats as somewhat consumable and figure for occasional replacement.

While this can be done, I don’t recommend re-sticking mats. You can try and get the “right type” of adhesive, but if you mess up, you can just ruin your material and I honestly don’t think it’s worth it for something that’s not that pricey to replace – and doesn’t get totally ruined very often.

Cleaning it makes more sense. But you’ll want to clean it without stripping the adhesive.

Is there anything I should avoid when cleaning a Cricut mat?

Don’t make these mistakes

One of the most common mistakes I see people share when teaching how do you clean a Cricut mat is essentially teaching how to strip it. You do NOT want to strip the adhesive! You simply want to loosen and clean the fluff!

How DO you clean a Cricut mat?

The trick is to be gentle. DON’T soak it in harsh cleaners and then scrape it aggressively. You’ll be removing the glue with everything else. The goal will be to:

1. Soak the mat with gentle cleansers (like dish soap) to loosen those fibers
2. Scrape the surface gently only if you need a little help
3. And rub it softly with a sponge or paper towel to loosen everything.

Rinse, remove excess water, and air dry. And when you’re done, it’ll stick right to your hand. Cover and reuse. But I’ll break it down in a step-by-step photos with images in a moment.

First, it’s important to know that there can be many correct ways to learn how to clean a Cricut mat. So if someone teaches you a different way, go ahead and try it. This is MY favorite process.

However, if someone is telling you to do things that might strip the glue, don’t do it – find another method.

How do you clean a Cricut mat?

You’ll need

• An unsticky mat
• Dawn or a similar gentle dishwashing soap
• A soft sponge or paper towels
• A plastic scraper or used-up gift card
• Paper towels

Watch the video

Watch the full-length video on YouTube if you prefer to learn that way! Or scroll down for written instructions with photos.

Process

1. Drizzle a little bit of glue onto your mat.

2. Take a soft sponge and load it with water. Use that to wet your mat and gently rub it in circular motions to loosen the debris.

3. Allow it to soak for about half an hour. Then take the same sponge or paper towels and rework it across the whole thing.

4. If that wasn’t enough, take the scraper and GENTLY skim the surface of your mat to scrape off the debris. Remember: scratches and stains won’t come off. The mat I’m cleaning is five years old! And is IS ruined in spots. It won’t look perfect – but it’ll work again!

But LOTS of trapped fibers are coming off.

5. When you’re satisfied that there are no physical fibers, go ahead and pat it mostly dry with a paper towel. Then let it air dry in a clean environment. Don’t leave it too long or it’ll start trapping too much dust. Cover it with your plastic as soon as possible after it’s dry.

I know this looks pretty dirty still – because, like I said, it’s old, stained and scratched. But it once again sticks because the worst of the debris is gone. Go back to my starting photo and see how much cleaner this disgusting mat is now.

See the photo below? It still has the scrapes from when I cut plastic too deep on it but it sticks! I’ll be using the non-ruined side of this one as needed. Look how it’s staying on my hand as I hold it (the dish soap is in the top right of the shot – you can see it’s hovering above it. Sadly it’s not so clear in the photo how strongly it’s sticking to my hand but you can watch the video to see it in action.)

I hope I’ve answered your questions on how do you clean a Cricut mat successfully – but if you have any further questions, comment below!

The post How do you clean a Cricut Mat? appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Enjoy my in-depth review of the xTool F1 Laser engraver – including some material tests and settings! Also check out my favorite crafting gadgets. This post contains affiliate links.

Heads up: this review is long and in-depth so if you want, you can skip to your specific questions using the table of contents:

For the longest time, I wanted to upgrade my crafting capabilities with a laser engraver. My main issues: space and ventilation.

When xTool reached out to me to see if I’d like to review one of their machines, I was thrilled! The xTool F1 Deluxe Bundle was gifted to me, however, I am brutally honest in all my reviews, because I want your investment to make sense for you.

A laser engraver is a big investment that can bring an even bigger return on investment, precisely because it’s a bit less accessible to everyone than other crafting machines. Turning out quantity is also faster than with other crafts, with less time spent on assembly.

It is incredible what you can do, and I’m discovering more and more each day.

I chose the xTool F1 from their selection of machines, and you’ll shortly see why. I’ll share why this might be the correct option for you, and when it might not be.

Since I created this review, I also published an xTool F1 Ultra review – for those who want fiber laser capabilities, as well as a comparison of the xTool F1 vs F1 ultra side-by-side. Check those out if you’d like, or read on more for a thorough xTool F1 review.

Meet the xTool F1

The xTool F1 is a dual laser engraver that has two modes: red light – infrared, and blue light – diode. Each one works differently, and the combination allows you to engrave more materials.

It’s a portable model, with an enclosed engraving area, and loads of features, making it the ultimate laser-on-the-go. Think: craft fairs, events, and around the house use, with this lightweight and compact machine.

xTool F1 Review Summary

While it was designed with on-site craft show customization in mind, the xTool F1 is also the perfect choice for those who are short on space – like me! It’s a fabulous entry-level laser, a perfect choice for those who need a second option, and spot on for craft-show goers.

The xTool F1 is a galvo laser, which means that it’s super fast. That’s because instead of having a motorized laser head that moves around your projects, the laser is reflected onto your surface using mirrors. This is critical when doing on-location personalization with waiting customers – as is the enclosed work area.

The smaller surface area is expandable using accessories, and only limits the size you can engrave at once, not the end-project size. Meaning, you can do larger engravings piece by piece, such as a letter at a time on a large porch sign.

That means that for those who generally do small projects but want the capabilities to do larger engravings, this can still be the right machine for you (read on).

For a full-sized, fully featured laser engraver, the xTool S1 or P2 are probably better choices.

Dual lasers – infrared and diode – mean you can engrave more materials, and yes, I’ve provided lists below! The Infrared does a fabulous job on metals – including copper, sterling silver, gold, platinum, stainless steel, brass, and more.

The diode tackles most of the other materials, including woods, stone and brick, leather and some leatherettes, acrylic, and more.

How the xTool f1 works

The xTool F1 features a small engraving surface area, which is expandable using the slide extension – reviewed below. Place your project on the surface. Lower the head super easily using the dial on the side to focus on the project. Both the red and blue dots should be aligned to focus.

There is also an auto-focus feature.

Connect using your device and design using the free XCS app (desktop, mobile).

Frame your project – this lights up an outline on the surface. You have a choice of doing a rectangle of the farthest reaches of the design or an outline of the design itself. Send it to your xTool F1, push the dial (which is also a button) to engrave or cut.

The workspace insert is removable. That means that you can take the whole shebang, place it on a larger item, and engrave through the area of the hole, as I did with this cutting board.

You can also take it outside, and engrave your home address on the bricks on the front of your house. Engrave the paint off your car. Engrave a little graffiti on your wooden fence… You WILL need to have your device plugged in while you do this.

It comes with a triangular prism cutting panel to vent beneath your cut, so that you don’t destroy the base.

If you’re new to laser engraving, you’ll find that there is a huge learning curve to materials, settings, and how to do these things. xTool has a page with basic recommendations.

You’ll still want to run cut and engrave tests of your favorite materials so that you ultimately save time.

In the box

The xTool F1 comes with:

• The machine – fully assembled
• A “pegboard” style engraving surface that is removable, along with a positioner that screws in
• The triangular prism cutting panel
• Venting Hose
• Power, connectivity cables
• Manual
• A sample pack of materials

The xTool F1 comes very well packaged with well-engineered foam inside the box. I recommend saving this if you plan to carry it to craft shows – I think it’s the absolute best way to transport your machine. Tip: photograph where everything goes/how it’s packed as you unpack it to reference later.

Features & Specs

Specifications

Here’s a rundown of the dry features for you to reference.

Pros & Cons

Because a lot of the features have built in pros AND cons, I created this chart for you to see it visually, so that you can choose the laser that is best for you. I will elaborate on everything further down – this is for the benefit of those who want a quick list.

Favorite Features & Cool Stuff

I found xTool Creative Space, xTool’s native software, easy to learn, as an experienced Cricut crafter and graphic designer. I still prefer to design in Illustrator as there’s much more I can do there, but for quick projects and text-based customization, XCS is all I need.

The iPad app has the ability to freestyle write in it – I wish the Windows app had that too! Especially since it’s often used for onsite customization, it would be a shame not to have that. Surface computers are a popular choice for crafters and creators, and often an alternative to iPads for artists. Surface users expect to be able to do all the writing/drawing they need to on their devices. I’d love to see that feature come to Windows.

While you should still NEVER leave your machine unattended, the xTool F1 does have an auto shut off if a flame is detected. It’s nice to have that safety feature.

In addition, since it’s fully enclosed, with a laser-proof cover, you can watch your work. Keeping in mind that this is a device that you bring to work with on-site, it’s important not to allow your customers to blind themselves by looking at the laser.

While it doesn’t have a camera to show you where you’re placing your design (a feature that I imagine would majorly up the cost of the machine), you do have a live preview that shows you where your design is placed. You can nudge it on the screen to the right spot.

Of course, the biggest features are its space-saving design and portability, which is ultimately why I chose this one. It even has a carry handle, to make moving it less awkward.

The machine base has little screw holes in it, and a corner positioner so that you can place smaller, smoother items without experiencing shift. That means that you don’t need a jig for everything, and you can batch produce many things without any extras.

Overall, the xTool F1 looks sleek and modern, with intuitive handles, ease-of-use features, switches on the back, and even a “cheat sheet” sticker on the side of the machine. It has an emergency stop button on the left side of the machine.

And it can capture incredible detail when you use the right image and settings.

xTool F1 Accessories

With the F1, xTool sent me some add-ons that you can purchase with your laser engraver, or add on later. My reviews for these will be brief, but feel free to ask any questions – comment below or email me.

Slide Extension

The slide extension more than triples your work surface. This is most practical for when you want to make something larger OR when you want to batch process.

Your engraving speed will be slower, since the motor-free effect of the galvo laser is mitigated by the fact that the extension itself moves with a motor.

The surface is also a triangular prism surface ideal for cutting, and it includes a few slide-in clamps to help your materials and blanks stay in position. Setup took minutes as it was mostly assembled right out of the box.

DEFINITELY get it if you tend to process larger orders or batch process. I recommend it if you intend to engrave or cut larger items too.

RA2 Pro Rotary

The rotary extension is one that I need to learn about a LOT more. It’s got its own learning curve, loads of little features, and lots of functionality. I believe that it’s compatible with other laser engraver’s from xTool’s lineup so that is a huge plus.

The RA2 Pro basically rotates the item you’re engraving, so that you can get an all-around engrave. This allows you to engrave around a bangle bracelet or ring, or around a tumbler or ornament.

It definitely adds to the functionality for both jewelry creators and other crafters.

Set it up on the work surface, placing the insert next to the machine to stabilize it. Plug it into your machine. There is an optional support for the other side of your blank.

You can use the rollers that support the item on each side, or the chuck, which holds the item using tension. The chuck also comes with different attachments. The RA2 Pro rotary extension does require some assembly.

I don’t think it’s a must for jewelry creators unless you do a lot of personalization on rings and bangles – it is a MUST for tumbler creators. It adds an incredible amount of functionality for all crafters.

Desktop Air Purifier

One of my biggest hesitations with getting a laser engraver to begin with was the lack of an outer wall in my craft room. Laser engraving and cutting sets off smoke and fumes, and MUST be vented. And since I’m an asthmatic, it’s even more critical.

The desktop air purifier is not the best way to vent your fumes. The best way is outdoors. However, if you DON’T have that option, the desktop air purifier can be what allows you to own a laser at all.

I found it to work very well. It’s not perfect, but I do think of it as “good enough”. It connects to the air fan on the F1 (you can actually see the smoke being suctioned in) and purifies the air before allowing it out. It contains multiple levels of filtration, with a few replacements.

The replacement filters are pricey, but you can actually wash them out and reuse them a few times. Update – you can read my xTool SafetyPro series review for a less compact but more cost effective and better air purifier option!

So the purifier is a must for those without a way to vent outdoors, and a bonus for better filtration for those who can. I do have an air purifier in my craft room to help as well.

Setting it up was super easy – as easy as just attaching included ducts to the correct openings.

(Make sure you choose the deluxe bundle)

3rd Party Recommended Accessories

Here are some things that aren’t part of any packages but you’ll want to have for using with your xTool F1:

Laser Proof Goggles -Looking directly at a laser can be harmful to your eyes. While you might often work with the cover closed, you’ll also sometimes have it open (at the very least when working with extensions) and since this is basic safety, I wish it came by default.

Fire Extinguisher – Another thing to have handy for safety – just in case. I got a car sized one to keep in my craft room. I haven’t had to use it yet (and don’t plan to need to).

Digital Caliper – Not a must, but a fabulous tool for if you want precise measurements, especially on smaller jewelry items. I picked one up and I’m using it heavily.

Jigs – These can be super helpful when batch processing. Because of the removable base of the F1, you’ll find some that fit right in and make designing the same thing a breeze, using a template.

What can the xTool F1 Do?

To know if the xTool F1 is the correct machine for you, it’s important to understand from the start what it can and can’t do.

What can the xTool F1 engrave?

This is not going to be an exhaustive list (it can engrave over 300+ materials), because that would pretty much be impossible, but these are just some examples and popular materials to engrave. Keep in mind that each brand you buy from, each finish, each exact item is different from the next.

You’ll get to know the materials you like best, which work best, as you create.

• Stainless steel
• Sterling Silver
• Gold
• Platinum
• Copper
• Brass
• Coated aluminum
• Aluminum
• Opaque acrylics excl blue
• Slate
• Ceramic
• Paper
• Cardboard
• Chipboard
• Basswood
• Bamboo
• Leather
• PU Faux Leather
• Cured clay
• Some natural stones
• Brick

• Food (like macarons)

• Some fabrics like canvas and denim

xTool F1 Engraved Material tests

These are some of the materials that I tried the F1 on and how they performed.

Slate Coaster

The slate coaster that comes in the materials pack engraves beautifully. It’s a perfect starter project – and the first one I did with my machine.

Stainless Steel Jewelry

The ability to engrave jewelry is one of the big perks of the F1, and on-the-spot personalization of stainless steel blanks is a favorite craft show feature.

The Infrared laser allows beautiful metal engravings. The engraving is actually a marking and maybe a shallow etch – for a deeper engrave, you’d need a fiber laser (that costs many times the price of this one).

I tried it first using the recommended engrave settings on a medical bracelet and it made a decent mark. I then slowed it down and used the following settings on the heart pendant that came in my material sample pack: Power 100, Speed 5, and 300 lines per cm.

I got a beautiful black engraving. I will be personalizing LOTS more jewelry with this in the future!

You’ll want to do a test grid on any metals (and most materials you use) to get the look you like. You can even engrave in tinted color on metal by using a test grid to see the different effects of the different colors.

Black Cast Acrylic

Acrylic is another favorite material, and I hope to try more colors to test their engraving ability.

For now, I made simple stud earrings, engraving a rose (an xTool Creative Space included image) on it. xTools’ built-in settings for their acrylic worked beautifully. The detail is incredible.

Bamboo

I got my F1 around Hanukkah time and wanted a super easy gift I can whip out for EVERYBODY – that’ll feel special, cost very little, and be enjoyed by almost anyone of any gender or age.

I decided that fun little wooden pens with their names on them will do the trick.

Bamboo tends to have variations, and so the finish wasn’t very even, but I like the look. If you make it strong enough, it won’t matter.

I also engraved a cutting board to try engraving a larger item by removing the base plate and placing the whole machine on top of it.

Basswood

Basswood engraves much more consistently than bamboo (possibly because it’s unfinished). I made a dog tag shaped pendant to test it out, using patterns and shapes pulled from XCS.

It came out absolutely beautiful – it looks like a stain – as you can see, and I can’t wait to play with this more!

Metal Business Card

The sample pack came with something I didn’t even know exist before, but I’m super excited about as a graphic designer: metal business cards! These coated aluminum cards are super thin, and engrave beautifully.

And they’re not just for business cards!

I engraved a photo of my husband’s late grandfather on one to see the detail that the xTool F1 can engrave and it’s beautiful.

Leather

As a jewelry crafter, I HAD to play with leather. I took a piece of genuine leather from a scrap pack. It engraved very nicely. I will point out that leathers differ greatly from one another, and you’re probably best off testing small samples of any leather you plan to use.

I haven’t yet tried it with faux leather, as I’m not sure which type of faux leather my stash contains. The sample pack contains a faux leather patch, but since I don’t quite know what to do with it yet, I haven’t tested it.

Kraft Jewelry Box

Since I’m a jewelry crafter, I wanted to share specifically feedback on jewelry-style materials. I engraved a cardboard jewelry box I had hangin’ about. It did a gorgeous job. It’s a beautiful, organic way to customize packaging materials. And it goes pretty quickly. You can make yourself a jig for the lids, use the slide extension and do a few at once.

What can it NOT engrave?

The xTool F1 might not be your number one pick if you’re looking to engrave any of the following:

• Clear surfaces – both glass and clear acrylic aren’t considered engravable by this machine. However, there are hacks. I’ve seen people coat the glass or acrylic with a paint that can then be washed off. I haven’t tried this yet.
• Blue surfaces – The diode laser is the same wavelength – or close to – blue materials such as acrylic, so it absorbs the light. Once again, I wonder if painting it and then washing off the paint would work – I’d like to try that sometime as well.
• Toxic Materials – Such as PVC. Since it sets off fumes, these materials are not laser-friendly and should not be used, even with proper ventilation.

More ideas to engrave

While my list above focused on materials, I want to share some general ideas so that you can understand just how much you can craft with the xTool F1:

• Coins
• Tumblers
• Addresses on Brick Walls
• Canvas Artwork – either an outline to paint or a photo
• Cardboard notebooks – pair them with personalized pens!
• PU Leather jewelry cases, etc.
• Silicone watch bands, teethers, shallow molds
• Microfiber jewelry bags
• Coated ornaments
• Device cases
• Cutlery
• Pocket knives
• Scratch art paper
• Toast
• Cookies as a decorating template
• Cork trivets

What can the xTool F1 cut?

Once again, this is not going to be an exhaustive list, just top materials.

• Faux leather (PU not PVC)
• Colored acrylic
• Basswood
• Leather
• Cardboard
• Chipboard
• Paper

xTool F1 Cut Material tests

Black Acrylic

One of my favorite features of the xTool F1 is the ability to cut black acrylic. You need to make sure you’re getting cast acrylic for this.

The stud earrings that I shared my engraving for above were also cut with the xTool F1. The cut is clean and beautiful. Be aware that if you’re cutting too far from the center, something small like this, you’ll get a noticeable angled cut.

To cut acrylic, you need to remove the backing. Cutting without doing that will result in a flame and burning your acrylic.

Basswood

The dog tag necklace I shared above was also cut using the xTool F1. It’s very easy to get a small flame, and so you don’t want to leave your project in progress ever. However, there is automatic shutoff when a flame is detected.

3mm Basswood cuts beautifully when doing simple shapes.

As part of this post, I wanted to trial more complex shapes. It can definitely cut intricate shapes, however, I haven’t mastered the settings. A big part of doing this is getting the cut settings right, so that you don’t burn your wood too much.

I’ll update this post when I see that I’ve mastered the super-intricate cut, but for now, I’m very happy with its scoring, engraving, and simpler cutting capabilities on wood

Leather

Leather is one of the trickier materials for a simple reason: it varies so greatly – in size, weight, finish, etc.

I tried cutting a scrap of green leather. I’ll be honest, I don’t know that much about leather and if it’s sometimes coated with unnatural materials, but I was not happy with the fumes it set off. That says more about the leather than the laser.

I was, however, very VERY happy with the cut, so I’ll be trying this again with other leathers.

Cutting leather also made a small flame, so definitely supervise! It’s normal, and it is really just a tiny little flame that follows the laser as it cuts (and in fact is probably what was cutting the leather…)

Who should get the xTool F1?

The xTool F1 has its strong suits and its weaknesses. It can be the perfect first machine for some people and the perfect second machine for others. And some people will do better with the S1 enclosed Diode laser or the P2 CO2 laser. So who is it right for?

xTool F1 Review in a Nutshell

Let’s recap quickly. The xTool F1 can do a LOT and packs a punch for a machine of its size, however, it is limited in its size. For people who generally stick to projects in the scope of the F1 sizing it’s all you need. For those who are limited in space and might not otherwise be able to accommodate a laser, it is the solution you’ve been asking for.

For those who often do larger projects, the size limitations are not as efficient as full sized lasers such as the S1 or P2. For those who do tumblers, its’ very easy to use with the RA2 Pro rotary attachment. And for anyone who goes to craft shows, you’ll be ten steps ahead of the competition by being able to produce things on the spot.

Back in my craft show days, I made a critical mistake: I wanted to be able to keep my sample stock, so instead of bringing jewelry to sell, I brought “display pieces” to remake for buyers. I didn’t sell a thing. Buyers often buy on impulse, or value something they can go home with. They don’t want to make an extra stop, wait (or pay) for shipping. Sometimes they need the gift quickly.

While personalization is a bit different in that people expect wait time, it’s that much cooler to not have to have it. Your customers will be pleasantly surprised, not only to WATCH the personalization process through the laser-proof cover, but to actually go home with the custom piece.

For these reasons, I think it’s the perfect choice for jewelry makers – whether as a first machine or a second.

It’s fabulous for keychains, ornaments, wallets, and many, many other smaller items as well, but for jewelry crafters I think it’s spot on.

Here’s why I think it’s the best laser engraver for jewelry makers – hands down!

I think this is the perfect blend of laser features that jewelry makers need. The Diode laser allows you to cut popular jewelry materials: leather, PU faux leather, wood, acrylic – and the black acrylic looks so elegant in jewelry. The other colors it handles are just a perk (note: it does not handle all acrylics well, and definitely not clear or blue.)

The Infrared laser handles metal engraving like a champ and allows you to to personalized jewelry like name or initial jewelry, “mom” necklaces with kids’ names/birthdays, fan jewelry, medical IDs…

The speed, laser cover, and portability allow for onsite customization at craft shows and events (think: birthday parties, bar/bat mitzvahs, weddings).

And since the scale of jewelry is very small, even without a slide extension you’ll be able to batch produce some things. With the slide and the right jigs you can almost mass produce small items!

I love how the xTool F1 can be used for branding materials for businesses too. It’s a powerhouse tool for small businesses, especially jewelry businesses.

If you have any questions, hit me up in the comments or email me.

Got any questions on this xTool F1 review? Comment below and I’ll try to answer them asap!

The post xTool F1 Laser Engraver – Review & Material Tests appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

As a grown-up who loves to make stuff, I’m thrilled to share with you some of my favorite craft gift ideas for adutls! Also check out gifts for the crafter who has everything for more ideas! This post contains affiliate links and gifted products.

My favorite tip for finding the perfect gift for anyone is to think first of what they enjoy doing. And so if you have someone in your life who is open about their love for DIY and crafts, the decision should be so much easier: hit up the craft aisle!

But maybe you’re not a crafter yourself – or maybe you’re just missing some inspiration. Here are some of my favorite craft gift ideas for adults – including a little bit of everything!

From books to gadgets, some basic materials, and some kits, there’s something for every budget, every craft type, and every skill level!

You can find more fabulous gift guides here!

Craft Gadget Gift Ideas for Adults

Every crafter loves a new toy for the craft room – and double score if it makes the tedious parts of crafting easier! There’s a gear or gadget for every price range, and I’ve included in this list one for the double digit budget, the triple, and yes, the four-digit budget too.

Here are some fresh favorites – but you can find more craft gadgets here.

Surebonder Hot Glue Skillet

Ever get hot glue gun fatigue? Hot glue is a favorite method of connecting things for many crafters, thanks to the balance of fast dry time and durability. But squeezing the trigger – even the easier ones – on more glue-intensive crafts – can get a bit tiring.

That’s where Surebonder’s brilliant hot glue skillet is a game changer.

The hot glue skillet melts glue and keeps it melted, allowing you to DIP your items in! It’s incredible for larger projects like wreaths where you’re constantly piling on more glue. You can melt more glue at once too, and remelt any glue you didn’t use next time. My leftover glue simply lifted out in one piece once it was cooled (or leave it in…)

It’s got variable temperatures for deferent project times and an on/off switch. It works with both porous and non-porous materials. The skillet itself feels very sturdy.

I cut up hot glue sticks to fit, but you can also get pellets that’ll be an easier option. They reduce stringing too. I recommend including that as a bundled gift, as well as nonstick stir sticks too. The stir sticks also lifted out once the glue cooled.

Cricut Maker 3

You all know I’m a big fan of Cricut and so far my favorite machine of theirs is the Cricut Maker 3. It’s fast, easy to learn and use, and cuts SO many materials. You can read my Cricut machine comparison (it’s a bit old, though.) You can also check out some of the things to make with Cricut that I’ve shared in the past.

The cool thing about the Cricut Maker 3 is that it can handle longer cuts using “smart vinyl”. The mat-free experience is a huge time saver as it is as simple as loading the roll of vinyl or iron-on and cutting.

You can get the roll holder too, which is ideal for using bulk vinyl rolls.

Check out what I made with the Cricut Maker 3 – yes, that is a decal on our playroom wall! How cool? I love being able to easily decorate my home like this. Check out my Cricut Maker 3 review for more details on how I did this!

xTool F1 Portable Laser Engraver

Laser crafting opens up a whole new realm of possibilities with the ease with which it handles various materials. xTool’s F1 laser engraver is revolutionary. It’s so portable that even my tiny cramped craft room can handle. While it’s definitely a high end gift – four figures, how many depends on which package you get – if it’s in your budget and you’re looking to REALLY treat someone, it’s an absolute win.

While the surface size is small, it’s perfect for jewelry crafters like us. It can cut and engrave wood, cork sheets, opaque resin, and leather, as well as other materials that are fabulous for jewelry crafting. Its ability to engrave stainless steel, silver, and other metals beautifully and quickly makes it fabulous for on-the-spot customization at craft fairs.

So if you have someone you truly love and want to treat with a high-end gift that’ll expand their business and hobby, the xTool F1 is the gift-of-a-lifetime (better than diamonds if you ask me!) Its main limitation is size, however they have a slide extender accessory that majorly expands it, and the RA2 Pro rotary extension allows for wraparound engraving on rings, tumblers, mugs, ornaments, and more (you can get it bundled together).

The biggest advantages the F1’s size gives is for those who are limited on space and need portability. I am very limited with space and it fits beautifully in my craft room. Combined with the desktop air purifier, it works for me even though I don’t have outside windows. It comes with a starter pack of materials to be able to use it right out of the box.

Dual laser types (Infrared and Diode) mean it can work with many material types – opaque only – and the fact that it moves by bouncing off mirrors means it’s super fast. I will be sharing a full review in the coming months so stay tuned!

Hobby Starter Kits

I’m not gonna lie, I’m a serial hobbiest. If there’s a hobby to be had, I’m gonna have it. I’m talking resin, fiber arts, oil painting, refurbishing, jewelry making, paper crafts… Yes, if you’ve followed this blog until now, you’ll know it. I’m a Jill of all trades, expert of one or two. If you have someone like that in your life, these craft gift ideas for adults are perfect.

Gift a new hobby in an all-in-one kit that includes basic instruction and the materials to make something real and functional in the end.

MODDA Resin Starter Kit

I started resin crafting about two years ago (I had to pause when I was pregnant with Baby Jay) and I love it. It’s one of my favorites since the end result is so functional. It can be pricey to get started, but MODDA makes a fabulous beginner set that has everything required to get going – and is affordable! So if you know someone who would love this kind of thing, this kit is spot on.

It’s jewelry and keychain focused, starting with small projects – just like it should. It includes EVERYTHING you might think of and is the perfect gift for someone who might already make jewelry or enjoys fashion crafts and would love this new skill (the only exception is a respirator mask, which you can gift as a bundle) .

Resin is a relaxing hobby, especially UV resin, which doesn’t require stirring, or long dry times, and gives the benefit of instant gratification. The MODDA resin starter kit comes with molds, bezels and tapes for two styles of resin jewelry crafts, droppers, toothpicks, gloves, keychains, jewelry findings, loads of fun add-ins, dyes, cords, pliers, ring sizing tools, tweezers, a UV lamp and a bottle of resin to start with.

You also get access to their link to their resin video course, making it a true beginner course-at-home package. You can see what I made using the kit and check out my tutorial on how to make a resin pendant too.

Maker Crate

I’ve shared KiwiCo’s subscription boxes in the past – but did you know that they have an adult line? This 14+ crate series is catered toward adult-level crafting and teaches real skills. I didn’t realize just how cool they are until a friend of mine passed a couple of crates on to me.

Maker Crate’s subscription boxes typically feature real skills – such as weaving reeds, and macrame. You can get them as singles, or get a gift subscription based on your budget.

The boxes include all the basics, including the tools you need to get started. You’ll need to watch instructional videos to make it. It includes lots of extensions and instruction beyond the basic project that’s pictured on the box, making it a fabulous “new hobby” gift.

Origami Page A Day Calendar

It’s brilliant: do one craft every day and master a new skill. The Origami Page A Day calendar is perfect for that adult (or big kid) crafter in your life who would love to master origami!

Each day brings a new origami tutorial, with over 250 projects inside.

The back of day before features the printed origami paper you’ll be using to make your craft. Facing it is clear illustrated instructions for that day’s origami.

The Origami Page a Day calendar starts with very basic skill-learning projects, and ends with more advanced ones, making it a fabulous “master a skill in a year” kit. I call it a kit because the pages double as the project, but you can also treat it like a book, by just using a different origami paper.

It’s the ultimate craft gift idea for adults who are trying to craft every day but need it to be approachable and doable.

Project-Specific Kits

There are also crafters who like to craft something new, but don’t necessarily want to learn much (um, hi!). They want clear instruction – whether it’s based on an existing skill set or something that doesn’t require learning a new skill – to make something functional and fun to actually use.

These craft gift ideas for adults are one-and-done (or two or three and done) projects.

Sheepers Slipkit

For an absolutely incredible, luxe, one-and-done craft kit, the UK-based Sheepers Slipkit is two gifts in one. It’s a make-your-own slipper kit that comes with high end materials: from handmade wool yarn, to wool linings and trim and genuine leather.

All the holes are pre-punched so that all you’re doing is very basic embroidery and sewing. It comes with an instruction booklet but the video on their website is much easier to follow along with.

The final result: a luxurious leather and wool slipper to wear proudly for years.

I found it easy to follow along with and master, although it definitely takes some work to do the sewing. I gained a new appreciation for hand shoe-making! I’m obsessed with the final result and only a little sad that I got the sizing wrong (I’ll be gifting these it seems!) Make sure to check out their size chart before ordering, as UK sizes are different than US.

Prices are in pounds, but they do ship to the US too! This is such a unique gift, and perfect for the crafter who has everything.

MODDA Cactus Friends Crochet Kit

We’re back to MODDA – makers of fun hobby kits, and this time I’m sharing a project specific kit – crochet a cactus garden! Once again, MODDA includes everything you need to make stuffed crochet potted cacti. If you have a crochet-addict in your life, this kit is spot on!

It’s beginner-friendly since, once again, baseline instructions are provided through a video course. The finished stuffed cacti make fun little toys for kids, with their tactile finishes and friendly faces. They can be displayed on a dresser, making this a fabulous gift idea for adult crafters who have young kids in their lives (parents, grandparents, aunts, nannies…)

The kit comes with the required crochet hook, loads of yarn, fiber stuffing, stitch markers, needles, doll eyes, and more. It’s such a satisfying craft to make, and can make a few, making it one of my favorite craft gift ideas for adults!

DMC Tapestry Needlepoint Kit

Embroidery is a relaxing craft, and the results can be gorgeous… Why not gift a kit for starters? To me, when you’re a casual crafter, a kit is the way to go for things like this. The project is specific, and the results look gorgeous.

DMC is my long-time favorite brand for embroidery threads, and yes, quality matters. You can see the difference in the color quality and sheen of the thread.

Their designer collection kits feature the beautiful designs of some favorite artists. The one above is a completed Campanula by Yumiko Higuchi and is perfect for advanced embroiderers.

The one pictured below is an unassembled English Garden by Celeste Johnson and is perfect for intermediate embroiderers.

The kit comes with everything you need: a printed cloth with template to embroider on, all the thread colors you need, a needle and a hoop (that of course, doubles as a frame and the base of your artwork).

Art & Craft Supplies Sets that make cool craft gift ideas for adults

While most of the craft gift ideas for adults tend to be carefully packaged kits and cool gadgets, basic craft supplies make the perfect gifts too! Bundle them with complementary materials to to make even nicer craft gift ideas for adults.

Ooly Vivid Pop! Acrylic Paint Markers

OOLY Vivid Pop! acrylic paint markers are revolutionary in that they require no shaking, pressing, prepping to get them going. They come ready to use! My wrist is very thankful.

The color is beautiful, vivid, and opaque with a smooth flow. Yes, it lives up to its name!

I tested these markers in two ways: art and crafts.

I tried them on a mixed media paper pad first. I made this fun pop pattern. It worked well, however, next time I want to try this type of art I’m going to do it on a wood panel or canvas, as it’s a bit wet for paper. It’s perfect for wood crafts. It may even work on a watercolor board.

I also decorated a wooden pumpkin cutout using these markers. It performed fabulously, laying on the color close to perfectly. It dried relatively quickly too, making it the perfect easy-to-use marker for crafts.

And we all know that crafters LOVE new pack of paint markers to get the inspiration flowing!

Wooden Crafting Blanks

Wondering about the wood pumpkin cutout above? I am in love with Woodpeckers crafting blanks! They are the perfect gift for virtually any type of crafter, paired with other materials or not. For the doodler, pair with the paint markers above. They’re fun for woodburners, laser crafters, cutting machine crafters, and more.

They have so many cute styles – flat blanks, chunkies, laser marked – in a variety of themes, so check them out.

Use code MOMSANDCRAFTERS to save 5%.

Craft Storage

There’s nothing like having things well-organized in the craft room – it makes making stuff so much easier! There are so many innovative storage solutions out there. If you know your loved one is struggling with a specific one, or even if you just see something cool, go ahead and spring for it.

My favorite vinyl solution these days is this hanging vinyl holder. I couldn’t get a full picture because things are a mess there, but check it out here!

Other good options: a storage cart, wall-mounted storage, hobby-specific accessory storage…

Ohuhu Maui Markers

A good set of markers is absolutely essential for paper crafters and Ohuhu made it affordable and beautifully giftable with their Maui water based marker line.

While I prefer alcohol markers for art, when it comes to paper crafts, alcohol markers are too much. They’re not a good fit, as they soak through the paper -and are overkill.

Water based markers are a win, as they sit better at the surface of the paper. They are perfect for any kind of paper craft (such as cardmaking, scrapbooking, adding accents to origami or papercut…) or even journaling and planners.

Ohuhu offers various package count options for different budgets and needs, and the spectrum is incredible. To test these, I chose a few markers that looked practically the same and they were quite different, adding depth to different crafts. I do recommend swatching your markers for accuracy. My favorite way to do this is to color on tiny white dot stickers and stick them on the markers.

For doodlers, you can pair it with a mixed media pad to really upgrade the gift. The tear-out pages means they can use their art in their crafts too. Either way, beautifully-packaged sets in a variety of package sizes make these fabulous craft gift ideas for adults.

Book Craft Gift Ideas for Adults

I’m a big fan of gifting craft instruction. Handing someone a new skill (or helping them build on an existing one) is a fabulous way to treat them. These books feature different hobbies – choose the one that best fits the recipient, of course!

A Stitch a Day Perpetual Calendar – Knit or Crochet

When it comes to craft-a-day calendars, what happens if you miss a few?

These stitch-a-day calendars are good forever. Miss a stitch this year, do them next year! In fact, I highly recommend finding a way to mark which stitches were tried. Either way, these are fabulous gifts for knitters and crocheters to build on their existing skillset.

The sturdy spiral bound calendars unfold to stand up, and flip over to the other side midway through the year. They are written out in patterns, making them super cool, affordable gifts for the proficient knitter or crocheter in your life. And there are so many beautiful, fresh ideas – they are great for unleashing new ways to be creative.

These next-level stitches are absolutely gorgeous and inspiring. Try them all in swatches, and then choose which one you’d like to turn into a complete project.

Polymer Clay Jewelry

While I’ve dabbled in polymer clay crafting in the past, I haven’t gone full-on with jewelry making, and I’m totally looking forward to trying all the projects in this book!

Polymer Clay Jewelry is the ultimate guide for beginners to get started with making their own statement pieces using polymer clay. While it does focus exclusively on earrings, the book provides clay skills that can be adapted into other pieces as well.

The introduction starts with materials, and then the various projects focus on different clay techniques. They are also molded into shapes in a variety of ways, really allowing the reader to expand their clay knowledge.

Clear step-by-step visual instructions are easy to follow. This book is perfect for jewelry makers who want to expand on it, for people who have rudimentary polymer clay skills and want to learn more, or for anyone who loves a good craft book!

Tiny Felt Cuties and Creatures

For the serious felt crafter, hand stitching felt toys is a fabulous hobby. Even for someone who already makes felt creations, having new patterns and tutorials to try always refreshes things,

Tiny Felt Cuties & Creatures features tutorials and patterns to make more than twenty new projects. From pups and foxes to mushrooms and little dolls, these felt crafts are exploding with detail. Vivid step-by-step photo instructions make up most of the book, with templates in the back.

The book includes some introductory basic instruction for hand-sewing, tips for adding embroidered details, and fun little accessories for the creatures. Don’t just make a dog – make its dog house and dish too! Tiny Felt Cuties and Creatures is the perfect gift for someone who has patience to craft a work of art for play or display.

Creative Embroidery & Beyond

For someone who has some working knowledge of embroidery and would love to expand on it, Creative Embroidery & Beyond is full of patterns with side-by-side instructions. Each one is prettier than the next!

While the cover features hoop art, the projects inside also includes some fashion updates: embroider a sweatshirt, dress up a denim cap…

The book starts with a basic stitch guide, making it doable for beginners too – although the projects themselves are best done with a bit of practice first.

For the adult crafter who loves to update clothing or create art for the home, enjoys meditative stitching crafts, and love to make things with color, this books is spot on!

What are your favorite craft gift ideas for adults? Comment below!

The post 16 Craft Gift Ideas for Adults appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Once in a while, I like to pop in with a review and comparison of different crafting supplies that have become craft room staples.

Everyone knows that a good hot glue gun is a crafter’s best friend, but which should you start with? What is the best hot glue gun for crafts?

These options aren’t just about which single one is best. It’s about figuring out which type you want and which works best for you! Then, you’ll want to go ahead and dig through reviews, using this list as a starting point.

Table of Contents:

• The three best hot glue guns for crafts
• In-depth reviews of the best hot glue guns for crafts
• The best mini hot glue gun for crafts
• The best industrial hot glue gun for crafts
• The best cordless hot glue gun for crafts
• Are the cheap mini hot glue guns on Amazon any good?
• More favorite hot glue guns for crafts
• So what is the best hot glue gun for crafts?

The three best hot glue guns for crafts

When it comes to choosing the best hot glue gun for crafts, quality DOES matter. Better glue gun + better glue sticks = better adhesion.

Beyond that, many have added features that may really enhance your crafting experience.

Keep in mind that this list is targeted toward general crafters, choosing the best option in each category for crafts. For heavier duty DIY, I did include some suggestions interspersed.

• The best mini hot glue gun: My favorite is Cricut’s new hot glue gun and is the one I use the most. It’s small, easy to use, but a mini powerhouse. It’s great for finer applications, such as making hair bows.
• The best industrial hot glue gun: I’ve used the Arrow Fastener hot glue gun for a while and still pull it out when I need more glue output. It works extremely well, has a stand, and has flexible output options.
• The best cordless hot glue gun: I have a hard time finding a crafter who doesn’t swear by their Surebonder, and they actually sent me one to review AFTER I created this post. You have different options, but I love the Ultimate Creators Kit!

Below, I will also discuss the budget options from Amazon as well as some honorable mentions.

In-depth reviews of the best hot glue guns for crafts

Ready to roll? Here’s why these are my favorites to pull out for all sorts of crafts!

The best mini hot glue gun for crafts

Often, mini glue guns are also low temp. While fabulous for old-enough kids (more on that below), for your own crafts, you want a full temp one.

It simply works better.

Cricut recently came out with a glue gun, and I’m in love. I went ahead and gave away my subpar mini, and started using this one for most of my crafts. First of all, it works. Second of all, if I forget to unplug it (true story…) it turns off itself. Third, it’s easy to use.

It’s got a precision tip, perfect for small projects. In general, the small size is fabulous for handling fine work. And only a teensy bit of it gets really hot, minimizing burns. (Of course, I still get burnt! Don’t touch hot glue if you don’t want to get burnt!)

The trigger is really easy to use. Surprisingly easy. But not too easy. This helps to minimize fatigue when crafting a lot. You can get longer or shorter glue sticks for it, from various brands. The glue sticks you use DO matter and Cricut’s worked extremely well, however, they do fit other brands – it’s a generic size.

Now for the bullet points for those who need it.

• Auto shut off
• Ergonomic and comfortable to use trigger
• Beautiful design
• High temperature in a mini size
• Small tip for precision
• Minimal strings and globs
• Most of the tip is silicone protected
• Works with most brands of high temp mini glue sticks
• LED light shows you when it’s ready to use

• 50 watts

The biggest negative on this one is that it’s definitely on the higher end price-wise!

The best industrial hot glue gun for crafts

For years, Arrow was the brand I used. this glue gun taught me just what a glue gun is SUPPOSED to do after years of suffering through minis.

While this is a larger full-sized glue gun, it works for regular crafts too.

It has a removable slide-on stand built in so that you can prop it up as you work.

On the back, you have a small knob that you can turn to adjust the flow. While it frustrates me that it’s a bit of guess work, it’s a feature that can be very valuable if you like to do both larger scale projects and precision work, and you don’t want to own two glue guns.

The nozzle is insulated, with minimal “burn surface” so you can do precision work. It’s not the ideal one if you’re looking mostly for precision work, because the size prevents that from being as smooth as you might like. However, it’s good to have that as an option.

The trigger is large and easy to handle. It doesn’t take much work to operate and I found it to be quite ergonomic. You can see the scale to my hand – it’s a LARGE glue gun.

The biggest drawback: the glue stick diameter is somewhat proprietary at half an inch. This would matter more if they weren’t any good, however, their glue quality is fantastic. It is a bit annoying that standard glue sticks don’t really fit. I HAVE used other brands that are slightly narrower (standard would be .43″), and they just don’t feed as well. So it’s doable, but not as smooth.

In a nutshell: this has worked well on incredibly heavy duty projects, and I started using it more than E6000 for a lot of my larger projects.

And here are the bullet points:

• Fabulous industrial glue gun for heavy duty needs – professional quality
• Proprietary 1/2 inch glue stick diameter
• Adjustable flow nozzle
• Insulated precision tip
• Large size
• Ergonomic trigger grip that has a long pull, making it easier to control
• Includes detachable stand
• Long tip is good for harder-to-reach areas

• 300 Watts

The best cordless hot glue gun for crafts

I have finally been privileged enough to try a cordless glue gun that so many of my craft friends use and swear by: a Surebonder.

It’s extremely affordable compared to some of the above options. It’s actually semi-cordless and so easy to use! You get three minutes of cordless use but you can also use it corded – a must-have for spontaneous crafters!

My favorite feature is the stand/base with a pad to catch glue drips. The biggest catch: it’s not rechargeable. It simply stays hot with a warming pad that allows you to take it and move it around. So you won’t really be able to take it outdoors to do a huge DIY (I do have a recommendation for that below), however you won’t be restricted by a cord as you actually maneuver around your craft.

This allows it to remain very lightweight, reducing strain.

I tried it on a small project and it was so easy to use. The trigger is very easy to control, and it has the longest, narrowest tip of the three options here, for easy control.

I recommend the Surebonder cordless glue guns for those who want to be unrestricted, with a budget-friendly, high-heat solution.

The one I’ve been linking here is the Ultimate Creators Kit with a variety of glue types for different projects.

The bullet points:

• 3 minutes of uncorded use, longer with corded use
• No battery so it’s lightweight
• Stand includes drip pad to minimize mess
• High temperature
• On/off switch!
• Ergonomic long trigger
• Another protected nozzle with minimal hot point
• 20 Watt (60 watt version is available in full size.)

Are the cheap mini hot glue guns on Amazon any good?

Now, let’s talk about those cheapie glue guns. If you can spend a few bucks, why should you spend 3-10 times that much!

Because you want one that works.

Mini, low temp glue guns tend to not work nearly as well. Besides for the fact that they’re often not as well-made, with shorter cords, unprotected nozzles, and simple hard-to-control triggers, the glue just doesn’t get as hot. It doesn’t stick well.

These are okay for kid whom you already trust with a hot glue gun, but want them to use a lower temp one so that they don’t get burnt. But honestly, I recommend waiting until kids are ready to use a FULL temp glue gun before allowing them to use any.

They tend to have little gap time to glue things down and need to be applied as you’re gluing. Even on lightweight, porous surfaces, you’ll find that they don’t stick that well.

I’d really recommend these only for those last-minute paper-to-paper projects that will get temporary use and you REALLY don’t have time to allow to dry. Like maybe school posters.

More favorite hot glue guns for crafts

These honorable mentions are winners for their own reasons and are definitely full of fabulous features if they suit your needs more!

We R Memory Keepers has a new hot glue gun with some very appealing features. It charges via USB and is a compact, cordless size. Because of its size, it seems easy to handle and extremely precise. Fabulous for fine work. Innovative, with an easy flow button for continuous flow without the fatigue.

It’s great if you’re short on space, or need a “toss in your tote bag” option for paper crafts.

Ryobi Industrial Cordless – If you’re looking for something hard-core and cordless, opt for one from a tool brand. These are recommended for larger DIY, not fine crafts, as they’re bulky to handle for crafts.

Gorilla Dual Temp – Anything Gorilla + Glue is usually recommended. If you want sturdy, budget-friendly options that work, and none of the ones I shared are a fit for you, just look through their offerings and you may just find one. They just know their glues.

If you’re looking for a dual temp glue gun because you DO sometimes need low temp, this one is a great choice!

So what is the best hot glue gun for crafts?

I usually try to offer an actual answer to the question when reviewing a few products side by side. For me, with all the options I’ve tried, Surebonder’s glue gun is a favorite.

I like the size. I tend to get crafting fatigue and it is really fantastic (the size – not the fatigue). It’s fabulous for precision work, and the ability to move around with it unrestricted is a game changer. And finally, the fact that they kept it at a price point that’s accessible to hobby crafters of all budgets makes it my top choice.

Did I neglect to mention YOU best hot glue gun for crafts? Comment below with your own glue gun advice for crafters!

The post The Best Hot Glue Gun for Crafts appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

If you’ve got yourself a Cricut, or even thinking about it, you may be wondering where to find SVG files for Cricut.

Today, I’ll be sharing with you where to find free SVG files as well as more sources to get SVGs for fabulous prices.

In this post:

• What is an SVG file?
• Where to find free SVGs for Cricut
• Cricut Design Space
• Blogs
• Pinterest
• Design Bundles
• More places to find SVGs for Cricut
• Cricut Access
• Design Bundles
• Etsy
• Design Cuts
• Is it worth paying for SVGs?

What is an SVG file?

Just to recap: an SVG (scalable vector graphic) is a 2-dimensional image that is the most popular file type for “cut files”.

A cut file is the file that tells your cutting machine (for example, a Cricut Maker, Explore, or Joy machine) where and how to cut.

A vector image is one that is defined by a path (the outside outline) and what fills it in. This is as opposed to a raster image that is made up by a bunch of different squares (pixels) that compose the image.

The main difference is that a vector graphic can be resized easily. An SVG is an image that you can resize without losing quality. It can also have multiple layers. That means that what you see isn’t necessarily what you get. You can have a different image in each layer, and when piled up they make the final look.

Here’s an example. Take this pomegranate SVG for example.

This is what the pomegranate image looks like:

And this is what the layers look like:

This not only means that you can cut the whole layer from separate materials, but you can also choose which layers you want to use and skip the ones you don’t want!

This is a sample craft that uses only 3 of the layers:

And here are some more examples of combinations of layers that you can use (FYI you can get this SVG here):

Now that you know what an SVG is, where can you find free and paid SVG files for Cricut?

Where to find free SVGs for Cricut

Did you know that you can find many SVG files to get started with your Cricut? You might not find exactly what you’re looking for, but it’s a fabulous starting point, especially for Project inspiration.

Cricut Design Space

This is the design program that you use to make your Cricut crafts. While you’re not really finding SVG files to download, you’ll find images (including SVGs) that you can use within Design Space. It shouldn’t make a difference to you, as you need Design Space to send your crafts to your Cricut anyway.

Design Space has over 2000 free graphics for every occasion. To find free images within Design Space, open a new project. Click on Images and choose the Free category.

Another way to find free images in Design Space is by choosing a free project. To do this, open a new project, choose Projects, and in the dropdown, choose the Free category.

Some of these are made of simple shapes, but it’s fabulous inspiration for what you can do with them. Plus, not all of them are simple shapes!

Blogs

Many bloggers (like me!) share loads of free SVG files. We often offer them as “opt-ins” – you subscribe to our newsletter for blog post updates, we’ll share our designs with you for free!

This allows us to have big brands “sponsor” them by posting ads on our site, which we direct people to through the newsletter. So it’s worth it for us to work for “free” in this context. And sometimes a big brand will sponsor a craft itself, allowing as again to offer it free to you!

Some of the favorite SVGs I’ve designed that I offer for free include woven leather bracelets, back to school teacher gifts, peeking monsters and more! You can find them all here.

Pinterest

Pinterest is my favorite place to source free SVGs from blogs. This is because it’s a visual search engine that gives you loads of results in one eyeful.

Keep in mind that keywords can be wonky, so sometimes when you search for “free” it comes up with paid options as well. But don’t worry, you’ll still find plenty for free!

You’re actually best off searching for the specific thing you want. For example, “free leather earring SVGs” or “free SVGs for boys’ shirts”.

Design Bundles

Design Bundles is a design resource website that I use as a graphic designer. However, it has a heavy craft focus too! You’ll find that they offer loads of freebies all the time (make sure to sign up for an account so you get updates) and that includes free SVG files.

More places to find SVGs for Cricut

Not everything can be free! For every SVG you download, someone put in time and effort to design it. And even the ones that seem simple take at least a couple of hours to really polish and clean up. The good news is, SVGs are CHEAP even if you’re paying.

I’m used to searching for fonts for graphic design projects and having to let them go when I discover that they will cost me $70… However, SVGs can be found for just a few bucks, with some fabulous bundle values.

Cricut Access

Not to be mistaken for Design Space (the program), Cricut Access is Cricut’s subscription that gives you access to over 200,000 images, 700 fonts, and more perks. They also have super cool Access-only features that help you turn uploaded images into better cut files, make monograms, and more. And yes, they are allowed for limited commercial use!

Read my post where I answer Is Cricut Access Worth It in detail.

The best part about Access is that the images are right there at your fingertips. You don’t need to plan, source, and upload. When you want to craft, open Design Space, search, and the majority of the images will be available for use. And if you craft regularly, using Access can really save you.

They just opened up Access for designers to apply to participate, which means you’ll have even more designs at your fingertips! Sign up or learn more here.

Design Bundles

Design Bundles not only offers lots of freebies, but they offer even more in the form of paid SVGs! And they’re so cheap because many of them are bundled! They also occasionally have dollar deals – so you get even more bang for your buck.

Etsy

Want to support artists and designers directly? Etsy is loaded with a huge selection of SVG files. You can check out the ones I have available in my shop here.

The cool thing about finding SVG files on Etsy is their pretty robust review system, showcasing reviews on the specific shop. This allows you to really understand how happy people were with the artist. Make sure you really read reviews – don’t just look at the overall score.

Design Cuts

I purchase lots of graphic design resources from Design Cuts and their quality is impeccable. While their collection of SVG files is more limited, they have loads of gorgeous SVG fonts.

Is it worth paying for SVGs?

One final note on where to find SVG files for Cricut – should you pay or stick with free?

The short answer is, if you’re selling your crafts, you’re best off offering more unique – and paid – designs. If you’re not, go with what you can find.

Generally speaking, you want to avoid selling designs that become “overdone”. You can to create a brand around your product, have a unique style, and choose only quality.

SVGs are relatively cheap, and purchasing direct from an artist is contributing directly to food, electric, and mortgage bills for families.

So while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with sticking to free SVGs (especially from ad-supported sites) there’s also nothing wrong with helping to support artists and those creating the designs you love! Think of it like that dollar tree trip where you grabbed three items you didn’t really need. Or that extra Target Bullseye plant stand… Only, you’re supporting a family!

What are your favorite places to find paid and free SVGs for Cricut? Comment below!

The post Where to Find SVGs for Cricut appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Ah, gift giving season! We love it, we hate it, we can’t wait for it, and we get a little overwhelmed by it.

I personally love the joy of giving (okay, and getting) gifts. But the real stress comes when you can’t figure out what to buy! What do you get your mother-in-law? Ooooh, she loves to make stuff! Go on from there.

The worst that’ll happen is that it’ll be regifted. And yeah, that’s frustrating. But the truth is, if you gave it your best shot, that’s their problem!

So what makes a crafter really happy? Craft gadgets, of course!

Here are some top picks for craft gadgets for a diverse set of crafts!

Frankly, it’s hard to curate this kind of post. What constitutes a gadget? What do creatives really want? I gave it my best shot, based on the things in my craft room that I know and love, and I hope the crafter in your life (even if that’s you – sh – I won’t tell!) will love.

And keep your eyes open for some exclusive discounts on some of these!

Craft Gadgets and DIY Tools for Crafters

xTool F1 Portable Laser Engraver

Laser crafting is one of those craft gadgets that is seriously next-level and opens up an unbelievable realm of possibilities. While it’s definitely a high end investment at four figures (how many depends on which package you get) if it’s in your budget and you’re looking to REALLY treat someone, it’s an absolute win. And if you’re investing in your OWN business, it’s one of those investments that isn’t that hard to get a return on, as it provides customization options that are beyond the accessibility of the average hobby crafter.

While the surface size is small, it’s perfect for jewelry crafters like me. It can cut and engrave wood, cork sheets, opaque resin, and leather, as well as other materials that are fabulous for jewelry crafting. Its ability to engrave stainless steel, silver, and other metals beautifully and quickly makes it fabulous for on-the-spot customization at craft fairs.

So if you have someone you truly love and want to treat with a high-end gift that’ll expand their business and hobby, or if you’re looking to upscale your own, the xTool F1 is quite the epic craft gadget. Its main limitation is size, however they have a slide extender accessory that majorly expands it, and the RA2 Pro rotary extension allows for wraparound engraving on rings, tumblers, mugs, ornaments, and more (you can get it bundled together).

The biggest advantages the F1’s size gives is for those who are limited on space and need portability. I am very limited with space and it fits beautifully in my craft room. Combined with the desktop air purifier, it works for me even though I don’t have outside windows. It comes with a starter pack of materials to be able to use it right out of the box.

Dual laser types (Infrared and Diode) mean it can work with many material types – opaque only – and the fact that it moves by bouncing off mirrors means it’s super fast. I will be sharing a full review in the coming months so stay tuned!

WORX MAKERX Wood and Metal

The MAKERX is a crafter’s dream gadget. It’s portable, versatile, AND very high quality in the tools that it features. The Wood and Metal version that I reviewed is a combo rotary tool and woodburning set, complete with a case to store your bits and a carry bag.

The MAKERX is a portable, semi-cordless tool set that features one hub that is compatible with a number of tools in the line. The 20V battery pack charges in a separate charger which then goes into the hub to power any tool in the MAKERX line. Here’s the deal: the tools themselves are of incredible quality AND aren’t proprietary – something that I’m wary of. That means that the rotary tool is compatible with mainstream rotary tips, and the wood burner works with the tips from my old not-as-cool tool as well.

The speed has an easy dial on the hub, and the heat tool has a range of temperature – and heats up in less than a minute!

So far, I’ve used it to (among other things) add letters to a plain wood dreidel, doodle on a peg doll, turn a craft cube into a die, and best of all: trim down a dowel from 12 inches to 3, sanding the end smooth, so that it looked like it came that way! It’s so easy to use, and ergonomic as well.

While I hope to try more from the MAKERX line in the future, as I need those tools, so far this is an incredible, versatile craft gadget to keep handy in the craft room!

SmART Sketcher 2.0

We tried the smART Sketcher a few years ago, and loved it. The smART Sketcher 2.0 is an improved version of these fantastic drawing and sketching lessons! These are simple drawing tutorials for kids, featuring sketches on different topics, and integrated STEAM lessons. It’s a perfect craft gadget for kids of all ages. The 2.0 is more durable and sturdy, has better hardware, and has new built-in storage.

Y – my artsy kid – is obsessed with this as he can draw all the things he wished he could . The buttons are really easy even for young kids to learn. While you CAN connect it to the app for more features, you can use it totally offline, out of the box, as is too. That makes it a cool gift for the creative elderly as well.

You can expand with more SDs with more tutorials, and it’s completely self-storing – down to your spare SDs!

As an adult, I enjoy it too. You can project photos and trace them, making it very versatile. You can use it for lettering, by projecting lined templates, or even tracing sheets. Trace simple doodles onto sticker paper, and use them in bullet journals, planners, and more. Use it to letter placecards, greeting cards – the possibilities are endless!

Use code MOMSANDCRAFTERS for $5 off.

Crop a Dile Power Punch

This handy tool, or low-tech craft gadget, is a favorite in my craft room. It is a super strong hole punch, available in a variety of sizes that reaches deeper than a typical hole punch. But the real reason I love it? It’s a POWER punch! It punches through leather, felt, thin metal, and so many more thicker materials that I enjoy creating with!

Xyron Creative Station Lite

Sticker everything with another super fun low-tech but brilliant craft gadget! It’s non-electronic, and as simple to use as turning a crank.

When I was a tween, I enjoyed my purple X shaped Xyron sticker maker to the max. I made endless decorations for my school binders. The Creative Station Lite is a sticker maker plus! You can get cartridges for magnets and cold lamination as well.

The sticker maker is really fun both for making stickers out of layered paper projects, and for use as a thorough adhesive for layering the paper crafts themselves. Use it for cardmaking, scrapbooking, and more. I also love it for “stickering” other materials – such as felt cut outs! And my favorite? I get a kick out of turning watercolor sketches into stickers too – just like this one that’s decorating my Creative Station Lite!

Cricut Cutting Machine

Where do I even start with Cricut? We all know that a Cricut is a dream craft gadget. And if you can afford to buy one for that crafter in your life – or even to upgrade the machine they already have – you’ll truly make their day!

I have owned/tried the Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Maker, Cricut Maker 3, and Cricut Joy. The Maker 3 is hands down the best of the lot, but any of the full size machines are a fantastic gift. The Joy is a great gift as well – but I recommend gifting even the cheapest full size machine for someone who doesn’t have any Cricut. I love the Joy as a second machine to keep around the house for quick projects, rather than keeping it in my craft room.

You can check out my Cricut machine comparison chart too. Or, read my full review of the Cricut Maker 3.

And if you’ve got a Cricut owner to gift to? Accessorize them! It can be expensive to run, so adding on to their repertoire can be a fantastic gadget gift.

3Doodler Create +

The 3D printing pen that went viral a number of years ago is a favorite of mine for when I want to just sit back and relax while crafting. I’ve made jewelry with it, and spinning tops, but there’s much more that you can do! If you have the patience, you can plan 3D models. If you are a relax-crafter like me, you can do so much with it too. Make phone cases with their flexible filament, use the crystal clear one to make personalized gifts like keychains or pen toppers – the possibilities are endless.

Arrow Glue Gun

There’s nothing like a good quality glue gun to make crafting go smoother. Yes, quality does matter when doing more heavy duty projects.

The Arrow glue gun that I use has an adjustable flow nozzle so that you can slow things down a little for projects that need it, but get plenty of glue out easily when the project calls for lots of it. I like the built in stand, the fact that it has an on/off switch, but most of all: it does the job and does it well!

Non Craft-Specific Gadgets – that crafters will love!

Not every craft gadget is designed specifically for crafts, but some will be there for you just when you need it!

Stand Up Desk Adjustable Height Mobile Workstation

I was actually really needing a solution for my sewing machine, and Stand Up Desk seemed perfect. But when I assembled it, I knew it was perfect for my Cricut crafting needs! I put it at the highest level, and placed my Maker 3 on top. The pull-out keyboard tray is perfect for when I need my laptop right in front of my face, or for when I need a little extra support for longer mats.

And the shelves are fantastic for keeping extra mats, containers with tools, markers, materials, and more handy.

It was a bit of a challenge to assemble, but once we got it together it’s rock solid. It’s a well-made desk that’s sturdy and will hopefully give me many years of crafting fun.

Stand Up Desk is a fantastic all-around crafting solution. It’s wide and solid enough to hold multiple die cutting machines, to hold a good computer, and to serve as a much stronger crafting cart solution. It’s also a great solution for larger craft rooms with multiple connected devices, as you can roll it around to each device as you’re using it.

HP Sprocket

We love using the HP Sprocket super portable photo printer for photo crafts. It prints on sticky backed paper – making it great for parties and crafts. Compared to other options out there, we find it quite easy to connect to our device, and it’s always fun to watch that photo come out!

Bonus: Drawing Device – Surface Pro or iPad with Apple Pencil

I try to avoid putting the obvious on a list like this (doesn’t anyone want an iPad?) but since you might be buying for someone you REALLY love, and you might not realize that these types of devices are EXTRA cool for creatives, I figured I’d throw it in.

Really, I was just going to put an Apple Pencil on this list of craft gadgets. It’s really a great gift for iPad users who might NOT have it already.

However, the device too is an amazing shot for those who love to draw, and possibly bring their crafts from start to finish in a more tangible way.

I personally use the Surface Pro for all my work, illustrate my crafts on it (using the free Sketchbook app), and use it as a full-fledged computer. If the recipient doesn’t need it as a computer, the iPad is a better shot, to use with the more intuitive Procreate app.

What are your favorite craft gadgets? Comment below!

The post Craft Gadgets: 8 Cool Crafting Gadgets to Gift appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Table of Contents:

• Basic Resin Techniques for Crafting with Art Resin
• What is Resin?
• How do you work with resin?
• Best Tips for Beginner Resin Crafting
• Start with an inexpensive epoxy resin.
• How to Mix Resin for Crafts
• Check Your Resin Specs for the Craft You’re Planning to Make
• Basic Resin Techniques for Crafting with Art Resin
• Straight Coating
• Free Pouring
• Layering Resin
• Molding Resin
• Inclusions
• Coloring Resin
• Popping Bubbles
• How to Properly Cure Resin

Basic Resin Techniques for Crafting with Art Resin

If you’re looking for a new hobby, or want to make an artistic statement in your home, then resin crafting might be the answer. Resin is a liquid plastic that can be used as a moldable material and it comes in many colors so you have unlimited options when designing your project. The basic techniques of working with resin are fairly easy and we’ll cover them all so that you can start creating their own pieces in just a few minutes!

Let’s start with the basics:

What is Resin?

Resin, also called “plastic resin” or simply “resins,” are liquid plastics that can be used as a moldable material. (It should not to be confused with silicone sealant which often comes in the same containers but is a different product.)

Learn more about the types of resin here.

How do you work with resin?

This is going to surprise you, because it seems too easy to be true: but it is. You just mix the two parts, add coloring, pour and let it cure. The trick is to know what you want to make before you head into it, because you generally only have a few minutes before the mixture begins to set.

We’ll go into more detail below, but it really is that easy!

Best Tips for Beginner Resin Crafting

Start with an inexpensive epoxy resin.

Why? Generally, epoxy tends to be the ‘easiest’ to work with and the most forgiving when it comes to things beginners might not have a handle on like humidity or temperature. It generally also doesn’t require that you wear a respirator mask, if you’re working with epoxy in a well-ventilated area, which is nice.

Plus, you can get epoxy resin readily. You can buy basic epoxy resins in most craft stores or online from sites like Amazon and Michael’s. The cheapest basic kits will be around $20 USD (although they may have more limited color choices) but, when you’re just starting out, investing more than $20 might be outside of your budget, so that works.

How to Mix Resin for Crafts

Mixing your resin might be a smidge intimidating when you’re staring at two bottles of liquid, but once you have done it one time, you’ll see that it’s literally just: mix, pour, pop bubbles, let it sit.

Whether you’re making a large layered piece, a small casting or just seal-coating, although mixing the resin may be the most “scary” part of the project, as long as you can measure accurately, stir, and pop a few bubbles, you’re perfectly capable of doing this craft.

Check Your Resin Specs for the Craft You’re Planning to Make

Like with any craft, you have to know your supplies before you head into it. Did you know that resin can be heated up in order to change its shape?! This is a little-used technique we’ll talk more about in just a minute.

For example, hot cups, unfortunately, can become a sticky dilemma for resin artists. If you don’t use heat-resistant resin, you can ruin your creation with a hot mug, so you need to know that before going in. And, using heat-resistant resin can sometimes change your plan because it takes a bit longer to cure. This time period could take several days as opposed to one or two hours for others.

So know your specs – save your craft.

Now, with all that out of the way, let’s get into the basic resin techniques for crafting with art resin.

Basic Resin Techniques for Crafting with Art Resin

Straight Coating

Basically, this is using your resin to pour or paint over something else, providing a thin coat to protect the item underneath. This technique can be used on a wide variety of items, including:

– furniture

– metal

– glassware and dishes

You don’t need to coat the whole object – just choose the area that needs it. Just remember not to apply resin directly onto food surfaces like plates or cups unless you’re using food-safe supplies. Remember basic safety first.

Free Pouring

This is one of my favorite methods. Did you know that you don’t need a mold to make art resin? No! You don’t. Coolest thing ever.

You won’t be able to make a 3-D object with resin without a mold, but you can pour resin over different items. Think things like cutting boards, spoons, boards and canvas (resin painting). The possibilities are endless!

The best part is that when you pour the resin it’s more of a painting. So it’s more of a free-form type of creation, making it DEFINITELY more fun than just molding-up the same thing over and over.

Layering Resin

Layering resin is a wild and fun way to make a resin design in layers, building up your piece like a layered cake.

The basic layering technique is to put down a layer of resin over an object or item you want to coat. Then, when it’s dry, apply another layer on top and repeat until you reach your desired thickness. So fun!

You can paint on top of each layer of resin, building an art piece, or even add inclusions (dried flowers, leaves) in each layer, giving it a 3D look with just a new layer or resin!

Molding Resin

Molding resin is a basic technique for crafting with art resin. You can do so much with molds, making 3D creations that serve all sorts of purposes. And you can even make your own molds! But that’s another discussion.

Molding resin is so easy. It might sound hard but really molding just means you need to pour your resin into a mold. The hardest part is knowing how much resin to mix to fit your mold. But I have a trick for that: just fill your mold with water, then measure how much water that is. So easy!

Just be sure to dry your mold completely before you pour the resin in it.

Inclusions

Inclusions are a basic resin crafting technique. Basically, you want to include something in the layer of your design that will add color or texture when it gets injected into the mold. Think items like confetti, glitter and bits of leaves from plants – anything that might lend some character to your final product!

Coloring Resin

The basic technique for coloring resin is to mix in a colorant with the liquid before it gets poured.

For example, you might want to add dye or metallic shimmer that can get mixed into your resin and will then change its hue when cured. This kind of basic technique takes some experimentation but leads to fabulous results!

Popping Bubbles

One of the funnest parts of making resin crafts is the silliest (but really, who can blame me?!) it’s popping bubbles. You might have seen other crafters pull out a butane torch or use a vacuum chamber, but we’re not talking advanced level techniques here…we’re talking basic.

So, how do we pop bubbles without all this? Easy! We’re going to heat the resin’s surface in the mold or on the poured surface using a heat gun, blow dryer or even just by setting it up outside on a hot day (seriously, it doesn’t have to reach 100 degrees, just warm).

Another way to pop bubbles is to use your stir-stick to lightly pop them on the surface. Simple as that!

How to Properly Cure Resin

I saved the best basic technique for last. Curing resin is a completely necessary step in crafting with art resin, but it’s also something that many people forget to do because they get too caught up in their craft-making process. But just like any other project you might make at home, curing your work is important!

Curing resin will take a few hours to do and can feel like forever, but it’s worth the wait. It dries your work from the inside out (rather than just on its surface) so that you get a strong product. And remember: if you don’t cure correctly, your pieces might last for only one or two years.

That’s not a very long time!

So how do you cure resin? Let it sit. Seriously – nothing to it. Just don’t touch it. So, leaving it sitting, untouched, is all it takes. Keeping the temperature, humidity and other environmental aspects steady, then you’re good to go!

We hope that you’ve enjoyed learning basic resin techniques for crafting with art resin and we’re looking forward to hearing about your creations in the future, especially if they include any of these basic techniques.

About the author:

Chantal is a nerd on a mission of mom-hood who wants to live in a world where unicorns are real rainbows can be walked over and the Stormtroopers never find those suspicious droids they were looking for. And there’s just nothing too nerdy for her, so watch out, or the nerdiness might just overwhelm.

Connect with Chantal:

NerdyMamma.com | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

The post Basic Resin Techniques for Crafting with Art Resin appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Crafting with resin can be a fun and easy hobby. But what do you need to get started? These resin tools will help you make your first few crafts!

You’ll need resin, resin tools, and some basic supplies like gloves, safety glasses, paper towels for clean up. This blog-post talks about the basic supplies that you that are necessary to create your own craft projects with resin!

Basic Supplies for Crafting with Art Resin: All the Tools You Need to Get Started!

A resin craftsman’s toolkit is a little different from most. You’ll want to be sure to stock up on resin and resin supplies for your project, but since you’re working with resin, safety needs are especially important. In addition, there are some really great tools that make crafting easier like molds or heat guns. So, let’s unpack all of that and get you crafting!

Resin

Resin is a two-part liquid mixture used in art projects which cures into solid objects when exposed to air (or other substances). Resin comes in many different colors and types. They are made from synthetic materials and have different aspects that are important to keep in mind, depending on the project type you’re doing.

    Polyester (AKA Fiberglass Resin)

    Once mixed, you have minutes to pour and cure time can be minutes to hours.         With the low-cost of it, polyester resin may interest you, but you must wear a respirator and work in a well-ventilated area to avoid the noxious fumes.

    Epoxy Resin (Best for Beginners)

    Once mixed, you have minutes to pour and the cure time is a bit longer, sometimes taking hours to days, although you can demold quicker, usually. While not extremely expensive, the price rises if you want a clearer finish. While it is always recommended that you work in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves, a respirator not needed.

    Polyurethanes

    Once mixed, you have minutes to pour and your cure time is minutes to hours, depending on thickness. Polyurethanes are generally inexpensive, but the price climbs for a clearer finish, but you can get some with water clear finishes. Depending on the polyurethanes, a respirator must be used, as well as a ventilation hood.

    Silicone

    Once mixed, you have minutes to pour and your cure time is typically a couple of hours. The cost is generally mid to upper range, especially if you are looking for water clear finish. Generally, although I will always recommend working in a well-ventilated area, silicone is safe to work with without a respirator.

Safety Supplies

Resin supplies like gloves and safety glasses will make it easier to work with resin and help you avoid any accidents. It’s no joke getting chemicals in your eyes. And having to pick resin off your fingertips for a week is not the funnest way to end your crafting.

In addition, I recommend a hefty respirator if you’re going to work with one of the not-safe resin materials. Although you may not immediately see the effects, these particular chemicals are in a constant state of reaction until they cure and can cause damage to your lungs, make you light-headed or cause other side effects you may not immediately perceive. So this is no joke. Wear the respirator and work in a well-ventilated area.

Molds

Although you do not have to have molds to make resin crafts, they are quite handy and fun to have, especially if you’re just learning. Molds can be found in so many places, in craft stores and online. But one of the places I love finding molds is on Etsy. There are some really creative people out there.

But, one of the things I find most fascinating about resin is that you can make your own molds. We’ll explore that in another post, but having that freedom to make your own, if you just can’t find the right mold for a project, is one of the best parts of crafting with resin.

Molds are one of those things that most resin crafters have in their arsenal, but if you’re just getting started with resin crafting, don’t feel like you need to have molds for every craft project.

Other Resin Crafting Tools

Resin crafting tools come with a variety of shapes and sizes to help achieve the desired effect. You can use just about anything to make your craft, just be aware that once it touches the resin, you should expect to discard it, because you’re not washing the resin off. I recommend making yourself a little resin toolkit with the following:

• Clean Paint/Mixing Sticks. For small pours, I like to use popsicle sticks. For larger pours, you can use the big paint stir sticks you get at the hardware store.

• Mixing Cups. I like to use disposable plastic cups. I would never use foam, and having clear plastic cups with the measurements marked is handy. But you can mark off the size you need on a regular plastic cup just as well.

• Foam Brush. To spread resin, if necessary. This will be particularly handy if you’re doing a pour instead of a molded craft.

• Heat Gun. To remove bubbles during curing. This is something that can be done with one of your mixing sticks, but is made easier with heat.

• Painter’s Tape. To tape off the edges of your molds, if needed. It’s not strictly necessary, but handy to have when you need it. You can even use it to make a dam along the edge of your table to keep the resin from making a mess on your floor.

• Paper Towels. These can also be helpful when working on any craft project, in my opinion, but particularly when you’re working with a liquid that has the potential to be messy like resin.

• Parchment Paper or Drop Cloth. If you’re a normal human like me and are a bit messy when crafting anything, you want to cover your work surface with parchment paper or a drop cloth (or both) just in case.

• Hot Glue Gun. If you plan on coating your project in resin, this is imperative to have one on hand to create a dam so your resin stays where you want it to be.

• Etching Ink/Oil Pens or Oil Paint Brushes. To paint resin, but only if you’re interested in painting the resin.

In addition, if you plan to make resin-coated tumblers or other specialty product, you will want to purchase any of the tools necessary to make that specific craft type.

Some resin projects require more than the basic resin tools outlined in this post, but, it’s important to note that working with art resin is a fun and easy hobby, that doesn’t require you to jump in with a million dollar investment. These basic art resin tools will get you started on your resin crafting journey and you can customize your toolkit as you go.

If you’re interested, check back soon for some fun and easy resin project tutorials!

About the author:

Chantal is a nerd on a mission of mom-hood who wants to live in a world where unicorns are real rainbows can be walked over and the Stormtroopers never find those suspicious droids they were looking for. And there’s just nothing too nerdy for her, so watch out, or the nerdiness might just overwhelm.

Connect with Chantal:

NerdyMamma.com | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

Ready to move on? Learn how to make a mold for epoxy resin casting!

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The post Basic Supplies Needed for Art Resin Crafting: What You Need to Begin appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

If you’re looking for the best sewing machine for your specific needs, many reviews might be hard to navigate. Each person has a different purpose for wanting a sewing machine – so which one is right for YOUR needs?

For that reason, I spent many many days putting together sewing machine guides in various different categories for various needs. This post contains affiliate links.

There is definitely overlap, however, you’ll find that it’s easiest when you don’t have to worry about which search terms to plug in to find the right one for you, so just click on the link below that best describes your needs and get to shopping!

I’ve also included the top recommendation from each category in case you’re just in the skimming phase and don’t want to dig deeper. First, I am going to share with you my favorite resources for purchasing sewing machines online.

Click here to skip right to the section with the best sewing machine reviews. 

The best places to buy sewing machines online:

There are many few perks to buying a sewing machine online, but in a nutshell: you can compare prices, don’t need to leave the house, and can get some great deals, as well as some tax free (at the time this post is written). Here are some of my favorite spots:

Sewing Machines Plus: Because of a limited physical presence, most states (besides California) can get tax-free machines. They have an enormous variety – the biggest I’ve seen anywhere, including many assembled machines with tables, and most machines ship free.

They offer financing plans, will actually help you out, and offer a 60 day money back guarantee.They even price match!

This is the closest personalized experience you’ll get to shopping in-store, and their variety is incredible. They have expert sewing consultants who offer lifetime support for your investment. I highly recommend getting any higher end or more specialized machines at Sewing Machines Plus. They can be a bit bare-bones in the basic machines department, so if you’re getting a lower end machine, you might not find what you need here.

Shop Sewing Machines Plus here!

Walmart: I’m a big fan of Walmart.com for things like this. They have a great selection of basic machines, free shipping from $35 and 2 day shipping on many items.

Generally speaking, they have good customer service. So while you won’t be getting “expert service” if there is a problem with your order, you’ll get prompt help.

Shop Sewing Machines at Walmart here!

 JOANN: A popular source for anything sewing and craft tech, it’s a great spot for sewing machines too!

I recommend JOANN especially for those who like to do combined in-store and online shopping, since you’ll find great options on display in many stores. They have a robust variety from many brands. They are my top pick for buying sewing machines online from big crafting chains.

Shop JOANN Sewing Machines here!

Amazon: If you’re an Amazon shopper, you can definitely shop for sewing machines there!

The biggest perk is on-site reviews, however you’ll want to dig deeply into them, and not just rely on a star rating. Dig into why people do or don’t like the machine, and how that applies to your needs.

Of course you also have prime benefits, as well as famous Amazon customer service. The biggest downside is that their shopping interface and sorting isn’t designed for your sewing machine shopping needs.

Shop sewing machines on Amazon!

The Best Sewing Machine for Each Purpose:

What is the Best Sewing Machine for Beginner Sewers? There are many options, but even that will depend on your purpose in looking for that machine. Are you looking for someone who is just learning to sew? Are you looking for a beginner sewer who hopes to expand it to a business? Read this guide for my top recommendations for each category.

Top Pick from that guide: Brother SM1400 or similar

If you’re looking for the best sewing machine for kids you can choose between an actual kid-safe machine, or a beginner sewing machine. I recommend a kid-safe machine for kids who aren’t ready for the responsibility, but a “real” machine as soon as they are, because you simply don’t get the full quality. Read my guide on the best sewing machine for kids. You can also check out 3 Easy Machine Sewing Projects for Kids to Learn How to Sew.

Top Pick from that guide: Janome Arctic Crystal Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine

If your main sewing is quilting you’ll probably want to look specifically at those features. My guide with ideas for the best sewing machine for quilting is one of the most varied – because quilters require a unique set of features, and come in every skill level.

With that here are my top picks for quilting –

• Beginners: Brother CS6000i
• Intermediate:Juki HZL-F600
• Professionals: Handi Quilter Infinity

Read the the guide to explore more options from each category!

Sewing leather is its own game which requires very different needs. If you’re a hobby crafter sewing leather occasionally, you can swap out your accessories. If your main craft is leather, you’ll want a machine that specifically handles leather well. Check out my guide on the best sewing machine for leather – that also includes tips for sewing leather with any machine.

Top pick from that guide: Reliable 4000SW

Heavy duty sewing – sewing heavy fabrics like denim and upholstery – is not always the same as professional. The way I created this guide was based on a machine’s capacity to handle heavy duty materials. Someone who professionally sews a delicate material like silk does not need this. Someone who sews clothing or home decor as a hobby OR professionally will want to read this guide to help you find the best heavy duty sewing machine.

Top pick from this guide: Janome HD3000

Finally, if sewing is your full time job you’ll want a machine that doesn’t just get the job done well. You’ll want maximum efficiency, flawless stitching, perfect accuracy, time-saving settings, consistency settings, and more. While anyone might appreciate these features, they do sometimes cost. But if you’re in this business to win it, the sewing machine you choose is important. I put together two guides for this – one with the best semi professional sewing machine options, and one focused on finding the best sewing machine for professionals.

Top picks from these lists: Juki DDL-9000C Series or Juki DNU-1541-7

The post Best Sewing Machine Reviews – How to Find the One for You appeared first on Moms and Crafters.