Here are fifteen of my favorite crafting hacks every creative needs to know…
We all know crafting is all about creativity, and having fun – but a few smart tricks can make the process smoother, more efficient, and even more enjoyable! Don’t you hate it when you are in a good flow and you can’t open you glue lid? What a buzzkill!
Whether you’re a seasoned maker or just getting started, these craft hacks will help you save time, reduce mess, and elevate your projects.
Let’s dive in!
Crafting hacks every creative should know
Put lazy Susan to work: Buy a plastic lazy Susan from the dollar store. She comes in handy for so many projects, that way you don’t have to touch your piece while you paint it!
Cafeteria trays for the win: Working on multiple projects at once, like me? Keep them organized by putting all the supplies for each project on a cafeteria tray. Plus, these are great for spray glazing items, air drying, etc.
Use a lint roller to pick up glitter and tiny scraps: Glitter and tiny paper scraps can be a nightmare to clean up. Keep a lint roller nearby to quickly sweep up all those little bits without hassle.
Use head pins for small tasks: Yup, head pins from your jewelry making stash. You can use them to make tiny polka dots, unclog bottle tips and more.
Notepad for jotting down ideas or sketches: Have you ever worked on a project and then thought of an epic idea for a different project? SAME! Use one specific notebook to store those ideas.
Prevent paint from sticking to jar lids: Before sealing a jar of acrylic paint, add a thin layer of petroleum jelly around the rim. This prevents the lid from sticking shut.
Use foam egg cartons as paint palettes to hold sorted beads or trinkets: A disposable egg carton makes a perfect paint palette with built-in wells for mixing colors. Plus, it’s easy to toss when you’re done!
Dry rice for your wet brushes: Fill a cup with dry rice and swish your wet paintbrushes in it. The rice helps remove excess paint while keeping bristles soft and in shape.
RELATED:
5 Tips to Create the Ideal Crafting Space
Tips for crafty vendors this season!
Hot glue for slick bottoms: Add small dots of hot glue to the bottom of coasters, frames, or anything that might slide around. Once dried, the glue acts as a grip to keep things in place.
Crayons for crystals: Use a crayon to pick up and apply flat back crystals.
Silicone baking mat for the win! Use it as a surface for hot glue or resin projects, it peels right off!
Juicy marker revival: If your markers are drying out, dip the tip in rubbing alcohol or warm water for a few minutes to bring them back to life.
Push pins or clothespins to the rescue: Need to paint tiny objects? Clip them in a clothespin to keep your hands clean while painting every side. If it’s wood, use a push pin to keep your object at an angle as you paint or glue.
Pamper your paintbrushes with hair conditioner: Keep your paintbrush bristles soft and in shape by rubbing a tiny bit of hair conditioner into them after washing. Rinse thoroughly, and they’ll last much longer! RELATED: The BEST way to clean paint brushes
Sharpen those scissors with foil: Fold a sheet of aluminum foil and cut through it several times to sharpen your craft scissors instantly.
