Make A Crafting “Go Box”!

Yesterday in our monthly paper crafting club at our local library, the subject came up about what to keep in a basic “toolbox” for paper crafting sessions like the one we were attending. Every month (sometimes more than once a month – see our new calendar on this site!) we’ve been getting together to relax and enjoy being creative together.

For unstructured gatherings like this, I like to have a small box with an extra set of tools that I don’t need to pack & unpack every time we’re crafting on the go. But this doesn’t have to be expensive – most things can be purchased at a dollar store, except maybe the glue.

Here are some of our suggestions:

• A box or bag big enough to hold your tools, papers (including scraps), and whatever project(s) you’re working on
• Zip bags if you want to keep your scraps somewhat organized
• Scissors – any size. They don’t have to be your best ones; get some you won’t mind leaving in your toolbox.
• Glue – Get something that travels well (has a good lid & won’t leak) and also performs well. Our favorites are a good glue stick, and a good liquid glue like Tombow or Aleene’s Tacky Glue. Elmer’s will also work, it might just take a bit longer to dry.
• Small stapler & extra staples – Optional, but depending on what you’ll be working on, this might be handy. We like to make paper “clusters” when we’re in a relaxed, chatting group, and a stapler is usually a better way to fasten your cluster pieces together
• Ruler – If you prefer to measure the projects you’re working on, don’t forget to pack a ruler. If you’re like us & don’t usually bother measuring, pack one anyway. They’re also great for giving you a straight edge for tearing paper.
• Bag of paper scraps – Even if you’re not working on any particular project and just want to relax & be creative, bring your bag of paper scraps. This will be a great chance to use the miscellaneous bits that have been sitting on your crafting table! **Don’t have scraps? Never fear! If you’re joining us at the library we have LOTS of extra scraps to share!**
• Any fun papers you don’t mind tearing up and using.
• Junk mail flyers and/or envelopes – to use as a base if you want to work on a collage
• A book, notebook, composition book etc if you don’t have a journal or project you’re already working on. We’ve also made makeshift books out of ugly scrapbook paper, stapler together, to use as cluster books.
• A bag of miscellaneous ribbons, buttons, yarn and bits of lace & fabric etc – sometimes you’ll find a bag of random oddments at thrift stores, especially in the sewing section.

Some of the things on the list are optional, depending on what project you have in mind or what you’re in the mood to create, but hopefully that’ll give you some ideas for what you can bring.

What else would you add to the list? Comment below!