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Let's revisit what do you regret buying or the best purchase made?
Since this topic was last posted 2018, we've been bombarded with mountains of new products.
What product(s) did you buy that you either regretted, or the best addition to your crafty collection?
Here's a start to my list
Best
Best is MISTI,
Teflon scissors with very pointy tip,
Oxide inks,
Zip Dry glue.
Worst (most unused): 'Fiddly' stamp sets, too many pieces to layer or stamp and cut.
Blending Brushes, apply too little ink and not smooth look.
Jewels, found out it's not my style.
Die-cuts, they demand that I create a card to fit their style.
Best:
- MISTI tool
- Kuretake GansaiTambi Watercolors- totally worth the price, last forever.
- word dies because I really like using them as a focal point on my cards
- Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive (liquid)
- Wink of Stella pen
- Tim Holtz guillotine trimmer
- T ruler
- Tsukeniko shimmer spray
- Gemini die cut machine
Regrets:
- A silicone thingie with a pouch to hold your heat tool. It is supposed to hug the desktop and
does not- even if empty.
- many stamp sets that were impulse buys
- cheapie ink at Tuesday Morning that ended up being dried up.
Take my list with a grain of salt. What does and does not work for me might be different for others.
Best purchases: Copic markers-- also my most expensive papercrafting investment. I'm not good at using them, but before Copic markers I couldn't color anything. Crop-a-dile corner rounder -- no way could I have smooth rounded edges without it. Fiskars portable rotary cutter -- A cutting version of the energizer battery. It just keeps on cutting and cutting and cutting. Pitt India ink markers -- love the way they smudge when used over matte medium in an art journal. Tim Holtz short-tipped scissors -- the original serrated style; comfortable grips; cuts cardboard and wire with ease. Even use them for fussy cutting but now I want to get a pair of the serrated haberdashery version for that delicate task. Ott desk lamp -- can't see a thing without it.
Worst -- these were recently donated: Faber Castell gelatos -- never could get the hang of using them. Foam fingertip ink thingies -- They always left dots of ink on my projects. 12"x12" stencils -- design too big for most cards; to big to store; clumsy to use; rarely used on scrapbook pages. Original Sizzix dies -- too bulky, too heavy, takes up too much storage space. I did keep one Holtz bird in cage and an alphabet set.
My best buys:
Catherine Pooler ink pads (best out there IMO)
my oxide inks
Copic markers
My Tim Holtz stamp positioner
Any and all stencils (especially layering stencils)
Anything and everything by Concord & 9th
Any and all by The Greetery
Blending brushes
2-step and 3-step stamps
Stickles of all colors
My worst:
Scan & Cut (If I could learn how to use it, I would probably love it but I have searched high and low for easy tutorials and have not found any that I can figure out so I continue to fussy cut my images)
Tim Holtz distress crayons and distress inks (got rid of all)
Gelatos (not for me!)
Kertake Zig markers (never liked them)
Sequins (hardly ever use!)
Cheermom....I am still learning my brother scan n cut but I have found the "paperchef" on youtube to be very good. I will try to link to her. She is very thorough and has a lot of youtube videos covering a wide range of ways to use the scan n cut. She also has some "pay" videos. I had a friend take some and she told me it was a great investment and helped her. If the link doesn't work...let me know.
Best:
Big Shot (still using my original from 2008!)
SU! heat tool
CTMH alphabet sets, great variety of sizes and styles for scrapbooking
My big, beloved carefully curated collection of SU! stamps (I know what I like and use and that is all I buy)
Xyron "X" adhesive thing
background stamps
Worst:
water color pencils, coloring is not my thing
ribbon, also not my thing put I seem to have a lot of it!
paper piecing templates and tools
texture paste -- takes too long to dry and often, when I do want to use it, it is a big solid glob in the jar
Mary Beth
Last edited by lutheran; 02-25-2021 at 05:31 AM..
Reason: fix funky typing
Cheermom....I am still learning my brother scan n cut but I have found the "paperchef" on youtube to be very good. I will try to link to her. She is very thorough and has a lot of youtube videos covering a wide range of ways to use the scan n cut. She also has some "pay" videos. I had a friend take some and she told me it was a great investment and helped her. If the link doesn't work...let me know.
THANK YOU THANK YOU!! I will definitely check her out. All the videos I would watch would never start at the beginning and you have to start there so this maybe will help me. I'm willing to pay anything at this point to learn it. LOL
I'm willing to pay anything at this point to learn it. LOL
John Bloodworth, The Gentleman Crafter has a course on Udemy. Its currently 14 1/2 hours of classes and he periodic adds to the course (no extra charge). It's on sale now for $21.99. If you don't want to purchase now you can check back every now and then as Udemy seems to do sales often. Here's the link in case you'd like to check it out:
Take my list with a grain of salt. What does and does not work for me might be different for others.
Best purchases: Copic markers-- also my most expensive papercrafting investment. I'm not good at using them, but before Copic markers I couldn't color anything. Crop-a-dile corner rounder -- no way could I have smooth rounded edges without it. Fiskars portable rotary cutter -- A cutting version of the energizer battery. It just keeps on cutting and cutting and cutting. Pitt India ink markers -- love the way they smudge when used over matte medium in an art journal. Tim Holtz short-tipped scissors -- the original serrated style; comfortable grips; cuts cardboard and wire with ease. Even use them for fussy cutting but now I want to get a pair of the serrated haberdashery version for that delicate task. Ott desk lamp -- can't see a thing without it.
Worst -- these were recently donated: Faber Castell gelatos -- never could get the hang of using them. Foam fingertip ink thingies-- They always left dots of ink on my projects. 12"x12" stencils -- design too big for most cards; to big to store; clumsy to use; rarely used on scrapbook pages. Original Sizzix dies -- too bulky, too heavy, takes up too much storage space. I did keep one Holtz bird in cage and an alphabet set.
Melissa, Tim's haberdashery scissors are not serrated, in case that affects whether you want them or not. I have a pair, and I love them for fussy cutting.
And the sponge fingertip daubers? I LOVE those for inking the edges of my stamps where I want them to be darker or shaded.
My favorite things I bought during the past year are the grouped sets from The Ton Stamps: Morning Glory Cheer, Peony Memories, Poppy Wishes, and Bountiful Leaves - these sets are incredibly easy because all the layers stamp at once, and the die cuts everything at once. And my Gemini - love it!
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
Melissa, Tim's haberdashery scissors are not serrated, in case that affects whether you want them or not. I have a pair, and I love them for fussy cutting.
Yep, that was a mistake on my part. I meant to say that I own the serrated and now I want the NON-serrated version. And you know whose fault it is that I want them??? (Hint: Go look in the mirror! LOL)
P.S. I have to go to the post office middle of next week. When I go, I'll drop off some fingertip daubers with your name on them!
TH Platform
TH 9.5" Titanium Scissors (LOVE!)
SU Blends Alcohol Markers
Tonic Studios Tangerine die cutting machine (largest format I've ever seen and its sturdy!)(and their cutting plates really last!)
Gina K. Blending Brushes
Brother P-touch Label Maker (Keeps me organized!)
Scrapbook.com Permanent Adhesive Roller
Scrapbook.com Ink Pad Storage (they say not to stack them, but I do with velcro to hold them and they hold all my SU pads with ease!)
All things Graphic 45
All things Prima
Worst Purchased:
*Nuvo mousse, Nuvo drops, Nuvo texture paste, Nuvo shimmer powder (See where this is going?)
*Tonic kits w/multi-layered dies (too much trouble and I end up losing the pieces)
*Sponge daubers
*Silhouette 2 (Too complicated for me. Still sitting in its box under the bed)
*Chameleon Alcohol Markers-no matter what I do, they dry out like crazy and their tips constantly need changing.
*Any & all glitter sprays/shimmer sprays
Great fun to read and to realize many of us think the same (or have the same buying regrets!)
__________________ "I have cats, but they don't smoke or associate with dogs...."
Yep, that was a mistake on my part. I meant to say that I own the serrated and now I want the NON-serrated version. And you know whose fault it is that I want them??? (Hint: Go look in the mirror! LOL)
P.S. I have to go to the post office middle of next week. When I go, I'll drop off some fingertip daubers with your name on them!
It's a good thing I wasn't drinking my Diet Pepsi when I read this, or I would have spewed it all over my screen. 🥤
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
Ok well this tool addict wants the dental set now Bohodiva! Thanks for the link! I am going to think on it...I already have a pick and some other clay tools but those are stainless.....
I love this thread subject. I usually end up getting something but more importantly I AVOID getting stuff. I have stayed away from gelatos and similar.
And I was just thinking about letting go of fingertip sponges but what a great idea to edge with them! Yah ha!!
I am still thinking on my list.
__________________ Margot
I am a proud fan club member
Cheermom....I am still learning my brother scan n cut but I have found the "paperchef" on youtube to be very good. I will try to link to her. She is very thorough and has a lot of youtube videos covering a wide range of ways to use the scan n cut. She also has some "pay" videos. I had a friend take some and she told me it was a great investment and helped her. If the link doesn't work...let me know.
BEST:
Stamp Positioner
Xyron
Good Wiss scissors
Dahl Guillotine Cutter
Aqua Brushes
Cuttle Bug
WORST:
Crop-a-dile Big Bite (so not ergonomically designed and does a poor job of setting eyelets)
Polymer Stamps (too much work, don't stamp well for me, so good ting I only have a few)
Copic Markers (Can't get them to look good, no matter how many videos I watch)
Probably more, but they are out of sight and out of mind.
The stamping platform is one of the best tool investments.
I'm stamping more of the old unmounted rubber images with great results.
Hi, Agree on the stamping platform. I have the TH and love it! Can you share how you use yours with unmounted rubber stamps? I have some older images I’d like to try but haven’t found a great method yet, so I go back to my trusty Stamp-a-ma-jig!
Thought of two more
BEST:
Rubberish brush to remove flecks of embossing powder
WORST:
Wire Binding Machine
Greetings,
I am just wondering if the rubberish brush you are referring to is like a make-up eyeliner smudge tool? I use a small paint brush and I hate when I get close to the stamped image and a bit of that embossing powder gets pushed away. It is usually a result of a stray bristle on the brush.
Also I am looking for something with a very small and pointy silicone end to use with my hot glue gun to press things in place without burning my fingers. I have those finger tips but that's too big.
I just knew my description was off. They are silicone clay sculpting brushes (tools) and they come in all sizes and shapes. I got them specifically for cleaning off that stray dot or three of EP very close to the image. With the fine tip, you can just touch it to the offending dot and it picks it up.
These are not exactly like what I got, but it may help narrow your search. Mine have a black handle and a grey tip. They have absolutely no identification on them, and I have no idea where I actually found them. Sorry.
I just knew my description was off. They are silicone clay sculpting brushes (tools) and they come in all sizes and shapes. I got them specifically for cleaning off that stray dot or three of EP very close to the image. With the fine tip, you can just touch it to the offending dot and it picks it up.
These are not exactly like what I got, but it may help narrow your search. Mine have a black handle and a grey tip. They have absolutely no identification on them, and I have no idea where I actually found them. Sorry.
Thanks for your reply. If they really are silicone that would be great and work for the hot glue finger protection I am looking for too. I have these but they turned out not to be silicone because they started to melt with the heat. They are just some other plastic. I will try them for the embossing powder removal, great idea.
Well, the last link I send says they are silicone. I was afraid to try mine to see, but I tried one shape I don't use much and the heat gun did nothing to it and I held it close for 30 seconds. Good luck!
Well, the last link I send says they are silicone. I was afraid to try mine to see, but I tried one shape I don't use much and the heat gun did nothing to it and I held it close for 30 seconds. Good luck!
Thank you for doing that. I'm sure glad you didn't ruin it. I would have felt awful. I got those at a thrift store so don't know what they were described as originally. I'll check at Michael's an see what they have there.
Oh, you have a Michael's close by? Since we moved here from the Oregon town we lived only 20 miles away from, I have to go 70 miles to get to a Michael's! :-(
Best - all of my stamp positioning tools (Mini MISTI, Standard MISTI, and Stamparatus). All have been a game-changer for me.
Worst - Cricut/ProvoCraft Gypsy. This has to be one of the scammiest expenses ever created. Making your linked cartridges essentially useless going forward. I fell hard for their spiel on HSN, but it sure made me super-wary ever since on any of the things offered on Craft Days.
I am with MK mermaid, I bought the Gemini Junior and I am so not a fan. I use it when necessary but it warps plates and dies!
Best: Misti
Worst: Gemini Junior and multi layering stamps. Just not very good at them and have no patience.
I just bought the Gemini Junior - Jennifer McGuire (she gets me in a lot of trouble) had a review on it and also a video on how to prevent die cut machine plate warping. Hope it doesn't end up on my worst list.
Best:
TH Stamping Platform
Big Shot
Copics (still learning how to use them)
Nuvo Deluxe Glue
ScorPal
Worst:
Cricut (had the original and expressions - gave both away)
Hands down my favorite and most used purchases are the Misti, Silhouette Cameo, and Oxide Distress Inks.
I wish I hadn't spent money on a Minc foiling machine (I just never think to reach for it), a cheap heat embossing gun from a big box store (never got hot enough and died within a year), and the original spectrum noir markers (bought most of the sets, then they got discontinued and dried out way to quickly).
I wish I hadn't spent money on my Cricut and 8 or 9 cartridges .... it was the first one that came out and I've never turned it on. It's a total waste of money. My fault, of course.
This is such an interesting thread. We all have different skills, different things that work / don't work for us. Here's my list:
Best:
MISTI
Cuttlebug and Big Shot
Spellbinders / Nestabilities layering rectangles, squares, and circles die cuts
Sook Wang double sided tape
Distress inks and Distress oxide inks
ScorBuddy
Gansai Tambi watercolour paints
Cutter Bee teflon scissors - fabulous for fussy cutting
Self-adhesive gemstones
Worst:
Copics - never learned to use them properly so I just use them like markers to colour images without the proper blending
Zig watercolour brush markers - they just don't work for me - I much prefer watercolouring with paintbrushes and watercolour paints
ATG tape runner - never got the hang of it
Laminator - right after I bought it, they came out with Deco Foil Transfer Gel Duo and it is so much quicker and easier than getting out the laminator
Layering stamp sets - just not my style
Tons of sequins - why do I have so much trouble placing them? (But I love gemstones)
Perfect Layers tool - couldn't get it to work for me!
Now I just need to decide how best to unload those purchases on my "worst list"!
__________________ Susan
My SCS gallery is here should you care to look! Or please visit my blog, Cardmaker's Garret.
Best:
spectrum noir markers (love them)
SU Blends (love them too & compliment/coordinate with spectrum noirs)
All dies (Spellbinders, MFT, SU, Memory Box)
BigShot Kick & Cuttlebug
Stamps with matching dies (love love love them)
Worst:
Nuovo Mousse, Texture Paste (what a mess and never looks good when dried)
Kutter Bind It All System with paper cutter (used once, not worth the money)
Watercolor Crayons & Pencils
Spectrum Noir Watercolor Markers
Tim Holts Distress Inks
Finger Daubers (foam breaks down)
__________________ Mary ~~ QFTD #152, FS#514CC Guest Design Team 2012, 2013, 2017 & 2022 2014 CAS Spring Design Team MemberSC Guest Design Team 2015 & 2022 SU Consultant "Life's greatest adventure is finding your place in the Circle of Life" - Lion King
Cheermom....check out tutorials for Scan & Cut by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer. She has how to's from start to finish
Best Investments:
TH glass platform
Distress Oxides
TH stamp position unit
Altenew floral stamps/dies
Papertrey Ink stamps/dies
UHU glue sticks
Worst:
12 x 12 paper pads
12 x 12 size stencils...too large, like the 9 x 12 or 6 x 6 size
__________________ Have a creative day, every day.
Best - Liquid adhesive. I hardly ever use a tape runner
Vagabond 2. Loved my first one and used it hard for 7 years, treated myself to the new one
Worst - Gemini Junior - plates warp terribly
I find that i get "glue trails" when I used liquid adhesives on larger pieces of cardstock. The only I get around this is to smear it with my finger after I lay it down, so I only use it on very thick paper where the trail won't show. Any tips on how to avoid the "trails"? I have used Connect and Lawn Fawn glue and Art Glitter glue, with similar results for both kinds of glue.
Best:
TH platform
Big Shot (my original makes noises and had to repair the handle, so I have a back up waiting already)
Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils- simply amazing when you color, then add water!
Pixie Powders- these are metalic powders similar to Color Bursts, but with metalic sheen
Exacto guillotine paper cutter- bought cheap many years ago at an office supply outlet
Cutterbee scissors
EK Success centering ruler- best $1.50 clearance purchase EVER! Use it all the time.
Spica glitter pens- never clog, last a long time, beautiful sheen, good colors, fine points
MINC- I'm absolutely NUTSO about foiling!
dental tools (mine were free from my dentist) use them all the time on all kinds of things
sanding block- fixes minor hanging edges on die cuts, slight misaligned edges on layers
sponge daubers- I'm a big fan of inking edges on layers and die cuts
needle point tweezers- use those a lot for small die cut or gem placement
Aleene's Jewel It glue. Man, this stuff HOLDS!!!
red liner tape- when something really needs to stick
Radio Shack stacking parts drawers (bought when store closed) Organizational HEAVEN!
I'm sure there are more...
Worst?:
That stupid ATG- never got the hang of using it, not comfortable to use.
12 X 12 paper pads- I might love one or two sheets, the rest? Nah.
12 X 12 open stock single sheets- keep buying on sale, almost never use (I don't scrapbook)
So so so many sets of stamps that have never been inked
Opal Polishes- neat idea, but not so useful. Had to have all the colors, didn't I???
all those edging scissors- used when I was a newbie, but never touch them anymore
And I could go on....
Oh! My Scor Pal is a best, but I didn't BUY it- Diana gave me one. I was so stunned to get an email asking if she could send me a Scor Pal!
Best:
Cricut Maker, but have had several previous versions.
Cut n Boss, wish they still made it.
Scor Board with 12 x 12 mat.
Silicone bone folder.
Lots of beautiful scrapbook paper and cardstock. I make mini albums so I like 12 x 12 paper and pads. Yes, I am a paper hoarder.
Art Glitter Glue and Bearly Art Glue.
Worst:
ATG gun, way to heavy and hard to use
Too many supplies that I bought because they were trendy or a blogger made them look wonderful! I have been clearing out a lot and giving the excess to public school art teachers.
I have finally recognized that I do not need every new, sparkling craft item on the market. I need to use what I have.
Let's revisit what do you regret buying or the best purchase made?
Liquid adhesive
