Part 4: Tools and Supplies
Scrapbooking is a special craft that benefits from using the right tools and supplies. You can find some of these in the craft section at a supermarket, most at a general craft store, and the rest at a specialty scrapbook store or online. It’s important to read labels carefully, because many craft items are not suitable for scrapbooks. Make sure your supplies are acid-free and lignin-free, because acid and lignin can harm photographs and cause other materials to break down too. Scrapbooking supplies are archival which means they’ll last a long time. In general, tools are things you can reuse indefinitely, such as scissors; while supplies are things that get used up and must be replaced, such as paper.
Most craft items are fairly safe, but some need a note of caution. Scrapbooking can involve sharp tools, permanent inks, and small pieces that are easy to swallow. So if there are very small children around, keep your scrapbook materials out of their reach. Young scrapbookers should follow your family’s rules regarding craft safety and get adult help if you need it. Adults, use your common sense.
To begin, you need only a few things. First, find some photographs or memorabilia such as newspaper articles or event flyers. Next, scrapbook paper – this comes in all colors and many designs, acid- and lignin-free. You’ll also need ordinary scissors with a straight edge. Adhesive comes in several forms: liquid glue, glue sticks and pens, and little squares that are sticky on both sides. Choose between temporary (which lets you move things around) or permanent (which bonds things securely) archival adhesives. You may already have an album but if not, you can work on loose pages to put in an album later. Finally, you need a story to tell! You can get started in scrapbooking with just these things, if you’re on a tight budget.
However, there are some other things that are very convenient, which most scrapbookers use. You’ll probably want to add some of these to your collection.
Somewhat more advanced supplies are also available. These are worth considering if you already have a fair amount of experience in arts and crafts.
Most craft items are fairly safe, but some need a note of caution. Scrapbooking can involve sharp tools, permanent inks, and small pieces that are easy to swallow. So if there are very small children around, keep your scrapbook materials out of their reach. Young scrapbookers should follow your family’s rules regarding craft safety and get adult help if you need it. Adults, use your common sense.
To begin, you need only a few things. First, find some photographs or memorabilia such as newspaper articles or event flyers. Next, scrapbook paper – this comes in all colors and many designs, acid- and lignin-free. You’ll also need ordinary scissors with a straight edge. Adhesive comes in several forms: liquid glue, glue sticks and pens, and little squares that are sticky on both sides. Choose between temporary (which lets you move things around) or permanent (which bonds things securely) archival adhesives. You may already have an album but if not, you can work on loose pages to put in an album later. Finally, you need a story to tell! You can get started in scrapbooking with just these things, if you’re on a tight budget.
However, there are some other things that are very convenient, which most scrapbookers use. You’ll probably want to add some of these to your collection.
- Clip art – made on a computer, this works great for illustrating pages that you run through your printer.
- Computer – useful for research, journaling, clip art, etc.
- Corner-rounder – a punch for rounding square corners of photos, mats, or papers.
- Craft knife – an extremely sharp razor-blade knife or X-Acto knife.
- Decorative scissors – these make wavy, lacy, zig-zag, or other fancy edges on paper or photos; dozens of designs are available.
- Diecuts – colorful paper cutouts in simple shapes or elaborate scenes.
- Page protectors – plastic sleeves into which you slide finished pages; special ones are also available with pockets for postcards, business or game cards, and other small items.
- Paper trimmer – a tabletop device needed for cutting photos and paper straight; especially handy if you’re cutting down 12 x 12” paper to smaller sizes for mats or small scrapbook pages.
- Pens – archival pigment ink is available in gel, metallic, calligraphy, brush, or micro-point format, all useful for journaling or drawing in scrapbooks.
- Photo corners – these are tiny triangular pockets with adhesive backing, to attach pictures to the page without using glue directly on the photos.
- Stickers – they come in all styles, and make great illustrations on a page.
Somewhat more advanced supplies are also available. These are worth considering if you already have a fair amount of experience in arts and crafts.
- Chalk – applied with a soft brush or applicator, useful for coloring die cuts and punches, shading mats, etc.
- Cutting mat – use one to protect table or work surfaces; the fancy ones are “self-healing” and last longer.
- Idea books on specific techniques like borders, paper piecing, and so forth; some scrapbook stores keep books for their customers to read.
- Mixed media – including such things as eyelets, brads, snaps, fibers, buttons, and metal charms.
- Punches – hand-held hole-punchers that cut various shapes from paper such as squares, triangles, or butterflies; some are small, others larger.
- Stamps – use with various colored ink pads for decorating pages.
- Templates – heavy plastic sheets with shapes or lines in them, for tracing and cutting out shapes or borders, or laying out pages.
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