8 Crafty Tools for Your Holiday Wishlist!
- Irene Smith
- Oct 21
- 11 min read
Updated: Oct 23
8 Crafty Tools for Your Holiday Wish List!
(+1 Sneaky Bonus You've Probably Never Seen!)
Hiya friend, and welcome to my corner of creative chaos! I’m so excited to kick off my official blog with something near and dear to my heart — the tools I reach for every single time I sit down to craft that I think EVERY crafter needs to add to their holiday wish list! Whether I’m cardmaking, journaling, or just making an inky mess for fun, these are the papercraft essentials that help me turn ideas into finished projects. I know you will find that they do the same for you!! Do you already have some of the below in your craft space? Drop me a comment and tell me your favs or let me know which of these are new to you!
Before we dive in, a quick note: this post contains some affiliate links--and discounts!!--where available. If you choose to shop through them, thank you! It helps support the companies and my content at no extra cost to you — and I only link to products I truly love and use daily and through companies I respect and trust to conduct business ethically! All underlined text is clickable as are the product photos. I included multiple sites where these are available to hopefully make it easy for you to find them where you most like to shop.
These favorites aren’t listed in any particular order because, honestly, I adore them all equally. Ok, let’s get into the crafty goodness!
GLASSBOARD STUDIOS 18x24 GLASS MAT (aka the "work horse")
If I could crown one tool as the MVP of my craft space, this would be it!
What is it: A 1/4" thick, tempered glass mat with a metallic backing that acts as the premier surface for every kind of crafting. It is durable, resistant to heat, stains, and scratches, and comes in a variety of sizes and designs to meet every crafter's space and style.
Why I love it: This mat gives me a large, easy-to-clean surface perfect for ink blending, painting, cutting, or just assembling layers. The smooth texture, built-in grid, and incredibly strong magnetic accessories make it ideal for both messy and meticulous crafty sessions. The magnets are endlessly helpful for keeping my stencils in place or helping me put pressure on glued elements, or even for holding on to my small dies while I'm crafting so they don't grow legs! LOL! Ok I have to go back to the ease of cleaning for a second--cleaning my craft space is a C-H-O-R-E, so having such an integral part of my space be this easy to clean with just a little alcohol or water? PERFECT! I have a glass mat in both of my main craft stations and even a small one for traveling to shows and crops--yes, it is that good.
Did you know: New accessories just launched this week for the glass craft mats! Watch my review video HERE for all the details about these incredible new additions!
Where you can find it: Glassboard Studios Code: ARTEMIS for at least 10% off most days but 20% off on 10/23/25-10/24/25!
THE RABBIT HOLE DESIGNS COTTONTAIL EMBOSSING POWDER TOOL (aka the "magic maker")
Nothing ruins the magic of embossing like stray powder specks, right? Well this clever little tool saves my efforts every time!
What is it: A self-contained brush and powder combo tool to combat and eliminate static during heat embossing.
Why I love it: I have tried every anti-static powder tool I can get my hands on, truly. From the ancient baggies to homemade corn starch pouches to foam pouncers to wonky little applicators, and nothing has worked as well as this! It is hands-down the BEST anti-static powder tool around--and they have their very own US patent to prove it! I love that it has a cap and keeps itself contained so I don't make a mess everywhere, and I especially love how crisp and clean my sentiments look when I use it. Plus it is refillable with an inexpensive (seriously, it's under $2.50!) 10g sachet of powder!
Did you know: Many anti-static tools use generic corn starch for their powder, but this one uses finely ground, pure, cosmetic grade kaolin clay sourced directly from the US!
Where you can find it: The Rabbit Hole Designs Code: ARTEMISMADE1 for 10% off certain collections & maybe a free gift!, Scrapbook-dot-com, Trinity Stamps, Pear Blossom Press
TRINITY STAMPS PICKUP STICK (aka the "pokey tool")
Every crafter needs a little magic wand, and this is mine!
What is it: A versatile, multi-use pickup tool with wax tip on one end and sharp, pointy tip on the other end. It is used to easily handle and apply embellishments and die cuts, or to quickly and safely pop stubborn paper out of dies.
Why I love it: This tool is the best in the biz, and trust me, I've used at least 7 from different companies, and I always come back to this one. First, the wax tip--It gently grips small items with a very easy touch. You don't have to press hard or smush it to pick anything up, and once on the wax tip, they don't fall off! Plus it is reshapable with just a simple rolling between your fingers to warm it up and make it pointy again. Second, the pokey end is actually nice and pointy, so it has zero trouble getting into tight spaces on those stubborn dies, and it does so without tearing, bending, or otherwise misshaping the die cuts! Third, the lids--they are high quality, durable, easy to locate on my desk, and they are actually pretty! Who doesn't love a tool that's functional AND beautiful?
Did you know: If you tend to forget which end is which, the pokey end is always closest to the T in Trinity! 😉
Where you can find it: Trinity Stamps, Scrapbook-dot-com, Pear Blossom Press
LISA HORTON CLOUD 9 SOLID BLACK DETAIL INK (aka the "one-stamp wonder")
When it comes to stamping crisp, jet-black images or sentiments, this ink is a total powerhouse!
What is it: A crisp and detailed, solid black, water-resistant, dye-based ink pad for stamping.
Why I love it: My go-to ink used to be VersaFine Onyx Black ink, and I'm sure that's still a common choice for many crafters. While it is a great pigment ink, I always struggled with it smearing, especially when I wanted to use my alcohol markers or watercolors. Even if the ink was dry I still had that problem, so I would always have to heat emboss over it to avoid that--Enter Cloud 9 Solid Black Detail Ink. My friend Chelsea (aka InkyStamper and Craft Roulette resident Glitter Bubble) introduced me to the whole line of magical Lisa Horton inks, and particularly this dye ink, and my crafty life was forever changed! This ink is super fast-drying (but you can still heat set or emboss it if you'd like), can be used with alcohol markers, watercolors, or other mediums immediately and with no smearing! It is an absolute godsend for those of us who have limited time to craft and just want to stamp and go. I have converted so many of my crafty friends to this ink because they were amazed by its steadfast inking qualities, and much of the time, one stamp is all you need for a solid, crisp outline. It's truly a wonder! (Pro tip: You're going to love it so make sure to grab the reinker! It sells out a LOT!)
Did you know: This ink is archival quality, which means your projects are made to last and will resist fading over time!
Where you can find it: Scrapbook-dot-com, InkyStamper Store
INK ON 3 ATELIER SHARK TOOTH WHITE INK (aka the "no sink ink")
Finding a bright, opaque white ink can be tricky, but this one checks every box!
What is it: An artist grade quality, bold, crisp, highly pigmented, white fusion ink, perfect for stamping, watercoloring, ink blending, embossing, and many other techniques.
Why I love it: Unlike many white inks I've used that seem to fade and "sink" too deep into my cardstock, this fusion ink stays opaque and vivid through all kinds of mediums. It's vibrant on dark cardstock, buttery smooth, blends beautifully for soft looks, and doubles as an incredible base for heat embossing. I especially love using it in conjunction with white embossing powder for an even more bold punch of white on my sentiments!
Did you know: The Atelier line of inks, including the Shark Tooth White, is available in ink cubes so you can try them out and have a perfect travel size white ink!
Where you can find it: Trinity Stamps, Ink on 3
MY SWEET PETUNIA PRECISION GLUE PRESS (aka the "hand saver")
If you've ever struggled with squeezing glue bottles, meet your new best friend!
What is it: A glue dispensing tool that has a comfort molded grip and handle for easy squeezing, and a narrow tip for precise placement. It comes with a base or stand, a full bottle of Nuvo glue, and an empty bottle that you can fill with your favorite adhesive.
Why I love it: The Precision Glue Press transforms your favorite adhesive into a controlled, ergonomic tool that dispenses the perfect amount every time. It's a literal hand-saver during long crafting sessions and makes adhering even the tiniest details a joy. I have carpal tunnel in both hands so I didn't think the glue press would be easy for me to use because of the squeezing motion--boy was I so very wrong! When I finally tried it (shoutout again to Chelsea--should we call her my enabler? lol), I was absolutely blown away by how easy it was to use! It takes barely any pressure at all to get an even stream of glue running out of the tip. It comes with both a regular precision tip and a fine precision tip, which I prefer, and is absolutely effortless to use. One of my most favorite things about the glue press is that I can leave it in its holder, uncapped, with the lid safely connected to the holder so I don't lose it, for literal months on end. If you don't craft most days of the week like I do, you may want to consider recapping, but honestly, with daily use I have left it uncapped for months, and I have zero clogging issues. Amazing! I also love that it is reasonably priced and includes an empty bottle so I can make sure to fill it with my favorite Bearly Art glue.
Did you know: The makers of this ingenious, hand saving tool are the same crafty minds that brought us the MISTI (Most Incredible Stamp Tool Invented) for precision stamping!
Where you can find it: Scrapbook-dot-com, Trinity Stamps
BEARLY ART PRECISION CRAFT GLUE (aka the "hand saver")
Messy glue boogers gumming up your bottles and your projects? I hear ya!
What is it: An incredibly strong, non-toxic, wrinkle and clump resistant liquid adhesive.
Why I love it: I love the Bearly Art glue for 2 simple but important reasons: 1) It dries clear and matte. Many top glues claim to dry clear but neglect to mention that they also dry glossy. Bearly Art dries matte so if I happen to glue outside of the lines, there is not a shiny reminder of my oopsie glaring at me from the paper; and 2) It is strong. This is an incredibly strong glue with a powerful grip. I know when I use it that my projects are not going to fall apart in transit or over time. It is perfect for detailed die cuts, vellum, and acetate layers. It can be used in the bottle with any of its various tip attachments, or of course, paired with the Precision Glue Press. These two crafty tools together form the "dynamic duo" of adhesives--smooth, strong, comfortable, and ready for action.
Did you know: Rather than purchasing smaller bottles of this amazing glue, they offer a large 11fl oz refill size that is perfect for refilling your Precision Glue Press bottle! I have refilled mine at least 5 times in the past year and still have at least 3/4 of the refill bottle left!
Where you can find it: Amazon, Amazon (refill), Scrapbook-dot-com, Scrapbook-dot-com (refill), A Cherry on Top Crafts, A Cherry On Top Crafts (refill)
SPELLBINDERS 9" PRO SHEARS (aka the "trusty never rusty")
Foam tape & scissors--UGH, amirite?? Now we can cut with carefree abandon! (But safely, of course...)
What is it: Long-bladed, heavy-duty shears for papercutting.
Why I love it: Ask any papercrafter and they will tell you exactly which pair of scissors is their favorite, and goodness help you if you try to use them for any other task! 😉 My main issue that I have had for years is with cutting foam tape. It always mucks up my blades to the point where the scissors barely open anymore, and I can only clean them so many times without them getting weird and rusty. The blades on these scissors, however, have a glorious nonstick coating that means I can cut foam tape until the cows come home (why did the cows leave? does anybody ever look for them??), and I don't have to worry about gumming up my scissors! They have a smooth, gliding action that just skims across paper, foil, ribbon, and other crafty mediums with ease. Plus they have a really comfortable rubber grip that is large enough for my "man hands." LOL!
Did you know: These scissors are also available in a mini 4" detail configuration that is perfect for getting into the tiniest cutting areas.
Where you can find it: Amazon, Pear Blossom Press, Scrapbook-dot-com, A Cherry on Top Crafts
***BONUS***
ROYAL & LANGNICKEL WIPE AWAY TOOL 2-PC SET (aka the "wait, what's that??")
This last crafty tool is a bonus that you may not have seen before, but it has quickly become a staple in my craft room!
What is it: A 2-piece tool set that consists of a long-handled, rubber-tipped implement used for wiping away stray embossing powder and a double-ended, rubber-tipped implement used to wipe away stray glue, paint, glaze, paste, and other mixed media.
Why I love it: Because crafting isn't perfect! LOL Even with the best tools around like the Cottontail, there may still be a stray bit of powder somewhere we don't want it. That is certainly the case if we don't use our anti-static tool over the entire surface or if we touch it after using and re-saturate our paper with oil from our fingers. The pointy tool has a very fine tip that is both sturdy AND flexible so it fits perfectly into the tiniest nooks and crannies of the smallest sentiments and images to help you get the most perfect lines possible. I don't heat emboss without it! And even with amazing tools like the Precision Glue Press, we may still have a splodge of glue here or there that we didn't want, or maybe we have some texture paste that squeezed under a stencil and ruined our lines. That's where the double-ended tool comes in! It wipes the glue or other media away without smearing it and then cleans off easily! Together this is an underrated duo that most crafters may have overlooked!
Did you know: These tools are designed to resist wear and tear from harsh solvents, so they can be used again and again with all kinds of products!
Where you can find it: Amazon
Well there you have it, friends! These are 8, I mean 9!, of my most beloved crafty tools you can add to your holiday wishlist if they are not already in your craft space--or, if you're like me, grab an extra for travel! Have you used any of these before? Is anything on the list new to you? Did I leave out your most favorite? Let me know your thoughts in the comments and please remember to subscribe so you don't miss my next blog post!
Thanks for sticking with me (like Bearly Art glue!), and I hope this encourages you to grab some paper and craft something that really makes you smile!
Which wishlist must-have is YOUR #1?
0%Glassboard Studios Glass Craft Mat
0%Trinity Stamps Pickup Stick
0%Lisa Horton Cloud 9 Solid Black Detail Ink
0%Ink on 3 Atelier Shark Tooth White Ink