I'm on a REALLY tight budget, and want to save $ everywhere I can to use for the best paper. For a picker took a chopstick sharpened a bit in pencil sharpener, added a small round ball of clear plastitac to each end. Had it so, free. For cleaning my stamps I went to Dollar Tree bought one 5 pack of their car chamois cut to fit inside a $ store plastic food storage tub, like 5x7, cut 1 sheet to size, made soapy water, soaked the chamois in tub, works great and I've got enough to cut and replace for ages. Also at Dollar Tree they have oven liner Matt's that are Teflon, size of the average bottom of stove 2 pack for $1.00, they wipe clean with baby wipes (also $ store) or soap and water. Works a charm.
Barbara...you are a great crafty hero! I love all these tips. YES! I need to save where I can too. I have my next edition of savings tips coming up in the next couple weeks so please chime in and add your tips to it when it posts! YAY!
I wet a toothpick on the tip of my tongue ... Dollhouse miniaturists do it all the time to pick up and release the teeniest bits! Can't get cheaper than that.
@@minikraut In my miniatures club, we all use a short piece of spaghetti that we wet on the tip of the tongue or in a drop of water on our mat. For me, it works better than the toothpick but I grab what is closest.
Thank so much Mary! These type of videos are sooo helpful. I've been crafting for many years and I love learning new things. I do want to address the bone folder. I know that teflons bone folders are very hot right now. Someone selling their cards might want to invest that kind of money. I do not! My thumbnail works great! Also an old cc or gift card, or the back end of a flat butter knife, $0.25 at a thrift store. And yes, on black or dark cardstock you might see, if you look real close, a little shein or shine so if you do take whatever tool go around each edge and make it part of your elements. I've never believed in buying in to the latest trends. Most of the things are WAY to expensive and there's very little difference if any to your beautiful handmade card. Mary, that is why I love your reviews! I've seen some videos reviewers that by the end their telling you to buy the most expensive one it always the best, weather it really is the best doesn't matter. You are practical, you show & tested products and in the end you know your viewer can decided on their own. That's what I really like about your style of reviewing. Thanks for sharing!💜
C Mason, I couldn't agree with you more about the bone folder. After I watched the video again, I was like, "who actually cares if there is a sheen....does it make that much of a difference". I do like a bone fold for scoring though; I find it useful because I do that a lot. But bone...Teflon...I don't see a big issue having either. I was trying to say that if Teflon was a must for your, don't pay $35 dollars for it. haha I so appreciate your feedback, and it means so much to me that you know where I'm coming from with these reviews. I just want us to get the best for US..at a good affordable price. Thanks again!
Top video Mary! This is particularly handy for your Aussie subscribers. Currency conversion plus shipping makes buying traditional craft supplies prohibitively expensive. It's not that we wouldn't love to buy the branded supplies, it is quite simply the cost. For instance: 3 stamp sets with shipping can cost well over AU$100. To give you an idea, I can purchase my weekly groceries for the same amount. It is nice to see an experienced crafter letting others know that it is okay to look for suitable substitutes. It just means that we will have more money to spend on stamps, dies and inks - yay! Wagner used to produce the heat tool for the Australian electrical plug and transformer (yet another uniquely Australian problem), however they have stopped producing it. They do still produce a similar model, but be careful as it is WAY too powerful for paper crafts - ask me how I know. There a a few shops out there that still have the right model in stock - you just need do your research and hunt them down. Start with Wagner's website there is a list of Aussie retailers there. I purchased mine from Sydney Tools in December. Before I forget: the pick up pencils in your video. They are usually used to apply decorations to nails. Do not use a pencil sharpener for them it will only melt the wax. You can sharpen them by whittling - like you would with a rectangular carpenter's pencil. I hope this helps. Best wishes.
"Necessity is the Mother of Invention". So, too, Desire is the Mother of Adaptability. "Where there is a Will, there is a Way"!! I commend your determination to NOT let any "lack" stand in the way of your Creativity.
I have not had a melting problem with the pick up pencils. I use a "manual" sharpener. I think an electric one might cause nore problems. Just my experiences and opinions.
Yes, I have a very loving hubby that spoils me 🥰. He purchased the Cutterpillar score board, the cutting board along with their large light pad, for me. They are ALL made in the USA which is important to us. High quality products. they ARE spendy. But, the cutting board has a self -sharpening blade which I have never replaced. It can also cut forward and backward with ease and has a LED lighted edge for SEEING through paper products to get a cut right where you WANT it. The score tool is amazing! A two step process that leaves the folded edge looking very professional and easy to accomplish. For the money (which IS up there) I LOVE them! The large light pad, which is not used for card making, is for glass layout in the art studio. Glass artist first. Card making for play 🙂. Thought some of your viewers might want to check these out. USA made - but spendy - will last a LONG, LONG time. Just for everyone's FYI 😁. Still watch all your comparisons though. Being my hubby does not buy ALL my card making things 🤣 and I also like to SAVE $'s
I love this share so much; I'll have to try it out. When something is great quality, I'll spend the money on it. ALl of my major tools in my craftroom were not cheap that I know. lol
Thank you for this review, Mary! A couple of things to note. I found the Crystal Katana at our local Hobby Lobby in the jewelry department. The full price was $24.99, but I was able to use my 40% off coupon, so paid $14.99 plus tax. I had tried the Pick Me Up stick (same as the Quick Stik tool), but had trouble controlling the rubbery pickup medium and how it came out. Plus, as you showed, it does not want to let go! I moved on to the Jewel Picker, but mine lost its stick pretty quickly and I could not get it back. I even tried applying a little Tombow Mono Multi Glue to the ends and letting that dry. I ended up chucking it. I love the Crystal Katana, though--works the best, and saving the $10 with my coupon was a bonus! Also, for non-stick mats, I have the Tonic Easy Clean mat. Basically the same as the small white one you reviewed, but about 14x14". Not sure of the price, as I got it as a gift, but I'm sure that's easy to find. It will stain, I discovered, but I prefer the rubber backing because it doesn't slide on my desk if I'm ink blending with that under my paper. I used to have the Ranger non-stick mat, and it has no backing and would slide all over creation, so the rubberized backing to me is a plus. Anyway, just my two cents' worth! Great comparison of products, & I will check out your makeup brush review. Have a great day! :)
Andrea, EVERYTHING about this post was helpful! I hope everyone reads it. I found the same things with your options. It all boils down to what you want for your craft room, what you are comfortable paying and if you are saving a ton, what you might be giving up. I hope the review just gave different options. I really appreciate you for sharing all this; GREAT deal on the Katana! YAY love it when that happens!
Awesome video. In my opinion I feel I gotta have the best of the best because my fav card makers have it, but reality sets in lol. I give myself mental creative blocks because if I don't have this product or that product I can't do it or it will be not as good. In a way this hobby is like keeping up with the Jones's (old saying) it's like seeing everyone getting the new faster than you and in my case I finally get the new thing only to learn they've moved on to something else lol it's hard out here for a stay at home mom lol
Amanda, you are speakin the truth, lady! I feel like those of us with some sort of presence owe it to the community to be good stewards with our advice and those of us watching the videos need to be good stewards of our own wallet. haha. Never feel a need to keep up with anyone but yourself. This is a hobby to bring serenity and joy and I'm sure whatever most of us, already have, is plenty. Thanks so much for sharing this!
I think I have gotten past this, but I when I see something that I THINK I don't have anything like it, and I love it, I am on the hunt! I knew a couple of times, just recently, I was wanting a couple of things I saw in videos. Then, when I was making something else, I found something I already owned that would work just fine, but I hadn't been thinking of using it in a certain way until I had the other product stuck in my mind. I need to remind myself to shop in my own craft room first!
@Crucibelle I don't purposely try to keep up, trends seem to come and go so quickly and someone is always building a better mouse trap so to speak. Part of the fun for me is trying all the things lol. However with that being said I understand what your saying:) I find happiness in what I do have and feel blessed beyond measure. Thank you for your outlook, it helps to adjust my perspective.
One more thing, just wanting to help! I’m 58 years old. I was a Purchasing agent and purchased paper products for my company. The company I worked for gave me one of these when I was 26. It’s still going strong. The tapered side is the side meant for burnishing your fold. So that you don’t tear your paper. It also works great when you have to go over several layers and embellishments, as it glides over them when you pull the tool toward you as you press it toward you. Hope this is a good tip for you! You may be able to purchase them more cheaply from the paper companies.
Love your initial disclaimer. Ha, ha! Tfs and doing this review, Mary! 😘✨👍🏾 Where were you three years ago, before I purchased some of my supplies?? 😘😢😔👍🏾This info is a gold mine for newbie crafters. YaY!!! 😍🤞🏾👌🏾💕
It is good information for new crafters. It is good to not have them make the same mistakes others have already made, when we can pass information on. The money I wasted on patterned paper would probably buy everything a new card maker really needs to get started. I thought it was going to be something I would love and use. Turns out, it is just not my style.
Thank you for the honest review! It can get overwhelming to try to add so many tools, both because of the cost and knowing which tool might work best for me when there are several options for similar tools. For pick-up tools, I found that the WeR one would not advance the sticky stuff either. The company replaced it for me, but the second one is not much better. Also, you need to use the pointy part to hold the sequins and remove the tool. I have had good luck with the Jewel Picker. For craft mats, I found some good sized ones on Amazon with the rubbery coating on the back. Those are great. Also, beware of the mats that are NOT PTFE(?) coated; those are quite permeable, not so bueno for craft mats. They are inexpensive and marketed as pressing sheets for heat presses. They might be good for that if you want steam to pass through. I have been using tempered glass for ink blending and a general crafting surface. It works well and is easy to clean. I bought it at the thrift store for about $5 as a glass cutting mat, turned it over with the smooth side on top and added new clear feet from Big Lots. It’s clear, so I can put grid paper underneath if necessary or a sheet of colored paper underneath when gelli printing for lining up my printing paper. I like good quality tools, but would rather spend money on other things if I can get good results with a less expensive alternative!
WOW! Thank you so much for this and all these amazing tips and ideas! I so appreciate you taking the time for all of us! And I see you are a fellow thrift shop shopper! YAY! Such good deals can be found there!
Scrapbooking made simple was the first to come out with a rubberized backed non stick mat full size and was best priced last I checked. Also she has great price tweezer and scissors and thin blocks
Kerry Papineau you are exactly right. I bought her craft mat when she first released it. My son stole it to use as a mouse pad! I love her tweezers and fussy. Hitting scissors also. Although I don’t use those as much. More for tiny places only. Her products rock. And she purposely Kees them as low as possible. She even have stacked dies. A set has maybe 20 dies in a package and they cost $30. And each package of stacked dies has many types in it. For example ovals. It will have a couple types in the package, stitched, dotted, regular. She also came out with foil system first. She brought in Couture creations system for almost two Years before the whole industry jumped on board. She also makes her own foil plates every other month.
Watching this again, now a year plus into my craft journey. Money has been spent, stash has been built. Reviews and opinions like this helped me tremendously in my decision-making. Thank you for being genuine.
I often loose my bone folder on my desk while I work 🙃, so I have a few laying around in strategic places. Having expensive teflon folders is not an option. So I just made a strip of Teflon sheet which I got several sheets I bought out amazon and I put it on top of the fold when doing folds on cardstock that gets easily marked. It works just fine. Thanks for all your info, it sure helps to know your options.
WOW, what a stellar idea about the Teflon sheet! NICE! Thank you for sharing that one! I appreciate your kind words and I'm so glad the video was useful!
Mary, this is very helpful. I appreciate how hard you try to be accurate and fair. Many do their crafting on a very modest budget and rarely do we get good tips on how to keep the costs down.
Thanks for doing this review and sharing your great finds! I will definitely be following your recommendations on the mounting tape and squares! A good buy I recently stumbled on is Accent Opaque 100 lb. cover cardstock (271 gsm) - 200 sheets for $14.99, and 120 lb. cover cardstock (325 gsm) - 150 sheets for $18.93 on Amazon. They both make great card bases!
The items were all made in same place then different names for different companies, like soap for instant for hotels.Different hotel , different scents, different packageing.I went to a big craft show onetime and these people had bottled house paint in small bottles and selling it.I don't know if anyone else caught it but I sure did as I paint all the time .From houses, crafts,china , oils , and such.For years I've gone to the hardware first, pharmacy,wherever.I hope you don't mind me posting this but it's the truth.thank you for showing ,great job.
Thank you for this video. I have been looking for an alternative for the double sided tape. Here in Canada. The cheapest I found was on Amazon for 64$ and in my local craft store it is 83$ the Bertech is 22$. So that is awesome. And I know it has been used and liked by a higher level crafter than myself I am confident in purchasing it. I do use that foam square roll from the dollar store and I love it for sentiments and to back small items. It has never failed me yet. As for 10 pick up tools you were wondering why that many in a pack. Those are for people who do nail art. So a salon of 10 nail professionals would have enough. I use something very similar but it is a white core. They work really well for most gems and sequins. Thank you for sharing your opinion. I for one really enjoy your input and I am loving your videos. Your awesome!
Leeanne, ,I'm SO thrilled this was helpful to you! The 3M tape is just way too pricey for what I'm doing and I use so much of it. Also, thank you on the explanation of the nail art. DOH...that is the actual picture on the product so I should have seen that. hahah But yes makes total sense, Mary...not ALL things are for card makers. lol
I’ve had a quick stick tool for several years and I have the opposite problem with it. The sticky stuff comes oozing out all over my work and makes a mess. The only thing I really like about it is the other end coming off to help place embellishments. So I got a jewel picker after recommendations from a couple of TH-cam cardmakers I watch. It was great for about 2 cards then lost the “stick” and nothing has helped it work again. So I finally invested in the Crystal Katana and I LOVE it. I wish I had known about the less expensive version back then. Oh well. At least I’ve gotten my money’s worth out of it. Thanks for doing these kinds of videos. I’m sure it’s a great help for lots of new crafters and it’s a good reminder to all of us to be smart shoppers!
Christy thank you so much for all of you testimony on these tools! It is so helpful to hear what likes and dislikes you all have out there. I really do like the Crystal Katana and the like-version one with the rhinestones. I think those are my favorite for sure. I hope they are helpful to others! Thanks again!
You are most welcome, Desirae! I think sometimes we all have the potential to get swept away in marketing but need to see where to save some money because I know i have the "I want everything" syndrome. lol
Awesome! Many of these I paid almost full price (I will avoid paying full price at all costs). That gray clay that comes out of the end of the Quik Stick. You have to turn/push from the opposite or chisel end and more clay comes out of the sticky pointed end. You can turn that end off and push the clay back as far as you can, then replace the sticky end. I can't get it to release either, so use another tool to press the sequins off the clay. I am ready to double stick my thin craft mat to a board so I don't have to keep rolling it up. Plus it gets creases easily if I roll it up. I'm switching for the Scott's roll of adhesive foam tape. Egads. The price kills me. Thank you for the help! I love the "Don't get caught away by the shiny bling things!" Yes!
Thank you so much for this! It is really helpful to see what is useful for others! I think the foam tape price is the hardest for me to swallow for sure! I am so happy that I found an alternative!
Hi Mary! Nice to meet you, I'm Tree : ) This is a very in depth and informative video. Thank you for taking the time to compile it. You not only spent your money but your time to help us out, I greatly appreciate that. Blessings, Tree
The dollar tree stores have a version of the stamp shammy that works wonderfully. It is very Big in size and you can cut it down into several pieces. A friend bought the GINA K. Stamp cleaner and she is the one who found the dollar tree one for $1. She compared them and says they are the same type of materiel. You get about 4-8 out of the big one depending on the size you cut them into.
“Maymay Made It” has a very good short video on the Quick Stick. The putty does come out. You turn it just slightly but have to wait a few secs for the putty to come down. Not sure if you found some good answers on that yet. Ty so much for your videos. You’re pretty amazing and helpful.
Great job on this! You’ve given new crafters some great options! I did get the makeup brushes and looooove them! Sure appreciate you taking the time to do this! When I started yrs ago I felt I needed the newest things, but since have learned that there are other good products that can save me a bit! You’re the best! 💕🙋♀️
Thank you so much Terri! Honestly, that is the same for me; up until a couple years ago I was buying EVERYTHING. I'm much more cautious now because a lot of it can just be marketing.
AGAIN Mary, a “Certified” Winner of a VERY helpful Video! I have been stamping for over 25 years and am still using my original Wagner Heat Gun. Now, I hope to find the double-sided foam tape you suggested. TYVM! (I’m 75!). Lol
I have a Wagner heat tool that I bought ...around 20 years ago (give or take a few years) for about $20, and that tool is a work horse. It still runs as if it was new, heats up very quickly, and continues to run -- despite being dropped numerous times. If you are going to buy a heat tool (and are serious about your crafting) then I highly recommend spending the money on it. I have seen them online and in various craft stores between $20 and $30, but am now suspicious if they are all Wagner's? As a side note -- I did discover that this gun gets so hot, so quickly that it will work on Shrinky-Dink 'paper' with mixed results, so just play with it! (Alexandra at Hedgehog Hollow has a Wagner heat gun & a Ranger heat tool.. the Ranger works more like a blow dryer set to a low setting, but still gets pretty hot. She mostly reaches for the Wagner when heat embossing, & uses the Ranger for drying some of the 'wet' mediums [like watercolor or distress products...] or when she doesn`t want her medium 'flying off' of her paper since the Ranger is a much lower velocity of air flow.)
Thanks for the reviews, Mary! For anything other than shaker cards, I use those colored craft foam sheets from walmart and Joanne’s instead of foam tape. Very cheap and using them with wet glue (art glitter glue) allows me a few seconds to move things around. 🤓
Hi, The QuickStick tool, ( 2nd one you tried) you screw the putty end tighter to push out the putty. maybe yours has dried out, Also, you pull out the other end, with the pokey part, to help you release your sequin off of the putty end. That's what its for :)
Hi! Don't know who copied who, but my heat gun looks exactly like yours. The brand is Milwaukee and I have used it for over 30 years. I googled heat guns and was amazed at the prices now. I also bought a backup Martha Stewart heat gun at Tuesday morning last year for about 4 or five dollars. I mean, mine has to die sometime, right? Made me realize what a great tool I own. Thanks for doing these comparison videos. This can be a very expensive hobby and we need all the help we can get! You have found a lot of good bargains :)
I really appreciate this video. I re-joined the paper craft world about 2 years ago and this would have saved me a boat load of cash. The sad thing is I have a majority of supplies in a storage unit that I can't get to at present! Crap! Thanks for your test trial.
Thank you so much for this note! I'm so glad it was helpful and I'm sorry your stuff is in storage. I hope you get it soon. We moved in June of last year and I was 1 month without my treasures...stunk! lol
To get the putty out of a quick stick, keep tightening the top part, only a little though or a bunch will ooze out. Keep doing it until you’re out of putty. The jewel picker can be refreshed by using Tombow mono multi glue on the tips, it dries tacky and works like a charm. Hope that helps!
Tonya, SUPER helpful thank you so much. I'm going to give it a try for sure. After the video, I have found that the yellow tipped rhinestone tool has stolen my heart! But I want to make sure to give ALL m y tools the love!
For jewelry pickers I've found that wax on a toothpick works fantastic! All you do is light a candle and dip a toothpick into the melted wax, letting it cool and repeating until i get a nice covering over the tip of the toothpick. Ta daaaa! Cheap picker-upper! ;)
I’ve seen people use the resin picker pens for diamond painting rather than using the diamond painting tools and having to replace the wax in the end of the tool constantly. That’s the only place I’ve seen them used though until this video. Oh, and you use a knife or an exacto to sharpen them to get new wax. (Forgot to add that) I’m greatly enjoying your videos, and particularly find these where you’re talking about different ideas and comparing the prices helpful. I’m not a crafter, I mostly just color in adult coloring books. One of your videos was in the suggestion area one day and caught my eye-I think it was a video on backgrounds-and I’ve been bingeing on videos ever since. I’ve gotten some great ideas for my coloring pages and learned so much!
Thank you Mary! The video is very helpful. I love your sense of humor 😂👍 and i love dollar tree JOT glue, it works great just like any brand glue, and it’s fast drying too.
Awesome review! The way you can keep the sticky is by running your adhesive runner over it. It works like it’s brand new☺️. Thanks for sharing xoxo Tai
To pick up rhinestones & beads- from my years of professional stoning. I use bees wax melted onto the top of a chop stick food end(pointed end) Once it is cooling you form it into a point of sorts. Re-heat from time to time to burn off stray glue. I put an eraser on the other end to press stones after placed with wax. One tip- NEVER use the wax tip to press, it’ll definitely get glue all over your wax- DM me if you want more info - this is CHEAP and I have two sticks I’ve had for almost 20 years!
Something i want to mention about the WRMK Quick stick, you should have the other end (pointy tool) in the main body with the sharp point pointing inwards. That pointy side is supposed to poke into the top side and push out the sticky when you twist it on tighter. Now if you discard any of the sticky stuff instead of putting it back in or you break the sharp point tool (or put it in the wrong way around), it won't work anymore and won't push anything out. In that case, just unscrew the top and use something else (like a bbq stick) to push the sticky out enough so you can use it.
My quik stik was hard to get out too! I had to use my pliers to turn it to get it out. Also, clean the tip of the jewel picked with a baby wipe. It will pick up better.😊
I love my Teflon bone folder. Bought one this summer. It works great when you make your own envelopes. I have never seen any bone folder that makes my flaps adhere as well as that bone folder does for me
Crucibelle I make envelopes with my envelope punch board. In my experience this has helped them to stay down better after I have used adhesive than the other bone folders. Run over it once. Also good in mini albums for interactive pages.
Hi, Mary. Thanks so much for this video; it is informative and helpful. Regarding the WRMK Quick Pick tool, the first one I got did not dispense the putty at all. It is not user error, it is a defect in the product. The second one I purchased advanced the putty very easily, perhaps too easily. There is always too much at the end of the tool. It picks up fine but never releases. That's why there is the two ended tool that fits inside it. The pointy end is fragile and breaks easily, at least that is my experience. I've used a plastic bone folder and it never left a shine or a stain. Works great every time. I've also used heat tool that is not Wagner for years. As long as I heat it up before putting it to paper it works great. The price you found on Amazon for Wagner is really great though. Again, thanks for this video.
Thank you SO much for sharing this. I'm only one opinion so I love that you all have taken time to share. I really appreciate it. So not user error I'm seeing! And awesome on the heat tool, love that. If you can share what brand that would be awesome.
New subscriber here... I am CONSTANTLY blown away by every video I've now watched of yours!!! I watch a lot of crafting videos and after a while, you eventually see the same things over and over. Your videos are full of new ideas, products and techniques I have never seen!! I've been missing out on your little corner of the internet! Amazing! Keep it up!! 💜💜 Happy New Year!
I strongly suspect that a pencil dipped in candle wax or a UV rubber nail base coat would work just fine. I have a nail dotting tool that I dipped into liquid latex....:) In Spain the chamois can be bought in Domti for 1 euro, in the cleaning section and it is about 4 times the size. Reusable baking sheets are pretty much the same. Aldi and Lidl sometimes sell heat embossing kits and the heat tool has two temperature settings.
I have the Quick stop and have no problem. I think you didn't have enough glue down. Thank you for your video. These help us who can't afford all these gadgets.
This was the best comparison video I have ever seen! Thank you so much for all this work and research. And thanks for caring about saving us money on how much we spend on our crazy Crafts. I will be subscribing to your channel.
Lorraine, what an amazing compliment; thank you so much for making my day! i'm so glad that this was helpful; I really like to save where I can so it was my pleasure! YAY Thank you again!
I, too, subscribed based on this video! I so admire you, Mary, for grasping the details of a "Comp". A lot of the people who attempt comparisons on video haven't done enough "homework" to even have an idea WHAT VARIABLES they ought to be including (like the leaky mat you previously tested!). I've been accused of being a negative person when it comes to appraising / commenting on a product or idea, and I guess I have to "own" that, but I've always made it a priority to know if the product I'm spending money on is going to be well- and long- loved or a soon-to-be landfill donation.
@@amkarei Thank you so much for this! You really made my day! I tried my very best on this to make sure it was fair and objective! There are so many other things out there to use besides what is talked about so that was my goal! Thanks for being so specific in the feedback; truly helps me navigate!
Hello from Montreal, Canada! The word "Chamois" is actually French. It is pronounced " Sham - Wah " 😊 some people use these Shammies for buffing car wax, polishing silverware, etc. You may also find these shammies at stores that sell car wax or polishing products (maybe Walmart?) Here in Canada you can buy them at a store called Canadian Tire. I hope the pronunciation of the word helps! Love your videos, BTW. I just found your channel yesterday 😃😊❤ Love all the info your giving us! Very helpful!!
Suz, thank you so much! I knew I was saying it wrong but just couldn't help myself. hahaha Thank you for the kind words; I so appreciate that! So glad you'll be hangin witih me now!
@@marypolancodesigns I understand completely! No worries about not knowing how to pronounce something - I get a lot of words wrong on a daily basis hahaha! I want to tell you that the amount of work (and money to purchase all these products) that you put into making these videos doesn't go unnoticed. What you do for fellow crafters, helping them make decisions about purchases that can seem overwhelming to newbies ... well it deserves major credit. And many subscribers. Which is why I'm now a subscriber to you. Keep up the amazing work. It's valued and appreciated! 😃😚
I had a buff colored cocker spaniel a few years back. When I adopted her I named her Chamois and told her if she didn't work out, I could always skin her and wash the car with her. I had her for 16 years so I guess she worked out quite well. LOL
@@SuzieDube I know chamois cloths from washing cars, aren't they originally made out of some kind of animal skin? Mine were yellowish and had irregular edges. Good for pulling the water off a car or windshield without streaking I wonder if microfiber cloths would work too
When I was doing nail art we picked up our stones etc with a damp orange wood stick, the flat end and center with the pointy end and it works on cards too. The sticky back ones my friend got me hooked on our seam rippers to pick up and place.
Thank you, Mary, for this review. It was very helpful. Could you give more information on the features that you love about the Wagner air blower? How is it different from other blowers? We appreciate your comparisons of different items, but I hope you aren’t spending too much mo eye on all these items. But we thank you for doing that and for your honesty in your reviews.
Hi Pamela!!! Thank you for all your appreciation. The Wagner heat tool gets really hot and concentrates the heat better because of the thinner nozzle than other heat tools. It's awesome for embossing but I use it for all my heat setting. Let me know if you have any other specific questions though
I love to shop around for products at a great price, so I appreciate your sharing this information. You’re adorable...chamois is pronounced ‘shammy’...so grateful for you!
Take your pick tool, what I did. I took an old Bic pen apart and bought dental wax ( for braces), I put a little piece of the wax in the tip of the pen. It work’s perfectly. Now I am a do it yourself kind of person, but this was so easy.
Great video! After hearing all the hype on the Krystal Katana I bought one. What a waste of money. It only worked for such a short period that I was upset for spending so much on the tool that didn’t work very long at all. As far as Teflon bone folders. They are terrific! For over 45 years I had been using the original bone folders that were made out of actual bone. I still have them and they do leave a shine on your cardstock. This is the first time that I came across your channel and decided to watch it. You have a very pleasing voice that is clear and easy to understand and listen to. So I hit your subscribe button and bell 🔔 Looking forward to more videos.
Nancy, I love this post! Thank you so much for sharing all of this information. I'm really sorry the Katana was a let down; I think it is way overpriced for what it does! . I hope this was helpful to people trying to make a decision about their products. . Also, that original bone folder sounds amazing! So cool. . Im so glad we will be crafting together now! Well...virtually anyway. YAY
I've started with a nail art tool (similar to a scoring tool) with a gluedot on the end. then the wrmk orsizzich tool and i kinda hated that. I now have nail art wax pencils, you can sharpen in a normal pencil sharpner and those work fab...if foam tape stick to your scissors.try wetting your blades with a wet shammy or cloth,not soaking wet, but moisten it and tape won't stick. my craft mat is a teflon cookie sheet, 1.99 as well, works great, just black
Thanks Mary! Great tips! I have the Marvy Jewel Picker too and the tiny end seemed to loose it's stick really fast, so I just dipped it in a little Aleene's Tack It Over and Over (which I had on hand for unmounting my wood stamps.). Worked like a charm.
I have the Marvy pick up tool but it lost it's "stick" really quickly. I was told to either wash it, and if it still doesn't 'stick', to roll it over some double sided sticky tape. This didn't work either and made it way too sticky. What works for me is a plain white/clear crayon. Sharpen it if you need to. If it isn't 'sticky' enough, I carefully warm it in some warm water for a few seconds. Works great for me!
You are right on with the crayon idea, that's why I love the yellow tipped one so much. It's amazing because of the wax. I'll never use anything else. YAY!
Instead of expensive artist moulding paste, I use Polyfila One Fill - I think it’s called joint compound in the USA. It’s super-cheap in comparison and works a treat. I also use decorator’s crackle glaze instead of the artist’s variety. You get a big bottle at a fraction of the price, quantity for quantity. Also, you can pick up really good stuff in cake making shops and places like that. I know this was a review of tools rather than materials, but all I’m saying is think outside the box - you can often get cheaper alternatives from non-art/craft suppliers. I’ve had to replace various kitchen implements because they’ve migrated to my studio lol! Great video, by the way.
I agree with you SO much! I am about to do a video soon about "non-crafty" items that deserve their place in the craft room. I can't wait to share it! YAY! Thank you for the reminder and encouragement with your post!
Mary Polanco Thank you Mary! It’s really great to think outside the box. My hubby and I went around an agricultural suppliers a while back - he wanted something for the garden so I trundled off on my own and had a look around. I kept asking myself, “Can I make art with that?”and came out with some pretty unusual stuff to find in a studio - some poultry grit (helps chickens form shells round their eggs) - this stuff is made of broken up shells - and some lambs’ tail docking rings! These went into a mixed media project. I also recycle plastic packaging, fruit nets from the supermarket, all sorts. I like to experiment with melting things as well, and they come out really different. I am currently making a Tudor style dress for a themed banquet we are going to and nearly all the materials are recycled. It’s exciting to think along these lines. Saving money on materials in this way means more money to spend on things you can’t get alternatives for. I look forward to seeing your non-crafty video!!
Oh glad I saw this. When I first started in 2005 my first pick up tool was a wooden skewer with a mini glue dot On the end of it. lol. I just bought two rolls of craft foam same size as 3M from Uline for $9 a roll but they tacked on $9 shipping and they had a to roll minimum so I still got two rolls for the price of one 3M but the one you showed it Amazon is a much better deal. So that is where I will be getting it next. Great information thanks so much for doing this.
If this is a repeat I apologize. A good place to find the makeup brushes discounted, aside from WISH & AliExpress, is Marshalls| TJ Maxx| Burlington style stores. Of course the prices & brands will vary, especially on the area as larger cities get the higher end items before the smaller areas (I live in WV & tiny area so my larger city is an hour away but is still tiny compared to DC & Pitt). They are just an awesome place to Snoop for anything & everything including cute storage! Another awesome store for cheap & some random times finds would be Gabes( Gabriel Brothers) or Ollie's (also amazing for finding books of all types & ages). Thank you (& all YT that do these reviews) for helping us newbies figure things out & going the extra mile to help do it on a budget.
I don't go through a lot of foam tape. I am on my 2nd thing of green backed tape. I know that I will be switching to the one you suggested. Thank you! I have looked forward to this video, and it was WONDERFUL!
My 21yr old son says the bone folders look like the candy stick from "dip n' lick". I find the tip on mine a little thick for scoring but for reinforcing folds it's quite good. As far as the We R pick up stick, the opposite end comes out also to help you hold the sequin in place. I use the crystal katana myself and it works fine. I have had a "Lawn Fawn" shammy for many years (since it 1st came out), its extremely discolored, but still works just fine. I keep it in a small Rubbermaid container along with a couple of small acrylic blocks (my business stamp on one and a to/from stamp on another). It doesn't smell or anything (a plus!!) One day...I will get a Wagner heat tool...for now I have a supposedly "Wow" brand and a Martha Stewart heat gun, both of which you have to angle just right to get the best hot spot! They do the job ok, I guess! Thanks for the reviews, I missed the makeup brush part(son was talking about spaghetti portions). I haven't broken down to buy those yet but I have a cheap version in my Amazon shopping cart that I'll get eventually as well!!! Until next time my crafty sister Nancy Lee Mickey Gini Paper Crafts
Thank you so much Nancy! For the makeup brushes, try the amazon ones first to see if you like them. I have so many blending brushes, Amazon Makeup, and craft brand. They are all the same to me! :) Love them all!
Thank you so much for posting this very valuable video. I just ordered my Accent papers, and gathering my card making supplies. So glad I watched this first.
Watching this again the Chamois is the French I am told and it's pronounced shammy. My parents always used a chammy (mixed is best lol) for cleaning the windows. I find the best thing to use is a microfibre cloth, I just stick it in the washing machine with dark colours, I must admit it got to a point my hubby kept saying throw it away get another, but I didn't and it's now looking very colourful lol
Fantastic video!!! May I please add a couple of my own observations. First, you can also find the chamois (shammy) in the car department in Walmart. It is a HUGE piece and comes in a plastic tube to keep it moist. I bought mine about 2 years ago, and I haven't used them up yet. Also, regarding the Wagner heat tool. You are absolutely correct to say that this is the BEST heat tool made. It used to be made by Milwaukee, but this is the EXACT SAME TOOL, it is now being made by Wagner. Just to give an idea...I am 62 years old. My mom bought me this heat gun when I started stamping back in 1971....and I finally had to buy a new one last year, in 2018. Actually, what finally stopped working was the switch, and if I would have wanted to manually plug and unplug the thing I STILL could be using it...but...well, you know. So that means that this wonderful tool was a work horse for 47 YEARS!!! It is well worth the price, at ANY price. Anyway...thanks for this video and helping people to realize that you don't have to spend an arm and a leg for every craft supply. I use the same foam tape as you do, and recently also found another brand (on Amazon) that is a bit thicker, only 1/4" wide and comes in white AND black that I use for shaker cards. The rolls are half the size, BUT for the same price you do get two rolls....Amazon is a fantastic place for crafters!! God Bless!
Robin, I so appreciate everything about this post you shared, thank you so much! I LOVE my Wagner heat tool and now I see that it will stand the test of time. YAY! I love all your other tips as well; very useful. If you know the name of the black foam tape you use please pass it my way; sounds great! Thanks again! :)
LOL I'm sorry to comment yet again, but I felt compelled to say, Use the pointy end of your stampin' up Bone folder, not the rounded end. 2 reasons, the point will get into smaller places than the round end, and also, that logo decal on the round end can and will rub off onto your project if you use that end... Plus, your stampin' up one is actually a BONE folder ( made from calf bones of cows. I called stampin' up and asked about that) so it is not a teflon folder like the others you have. Unless it has chipped and tears your paper, don't scrap it, its supposed to be that lovely ivory patina and should serve you well for many more years. Cheers!
I'm so happy to have found your channel!!! Making Amazon lists as I watch, so thank you for doing all this work, it's seriously appreciated! A couple notes: Wagner is now only available thru 3rd party vendors and the prices are high. The warmtree shammies are no longer available. And the price of the foam tape is now 30 bucks, but there are other options available. Thanks so much again for putting all this together!!!!!
Thank you so much for these shares! I really am sad about the Wagner tool. It was $18 on Amazon for the LONGEST time and now it is priced so high! :( I'm so sorry these prices have changed so much since the video. I want to do another one soon though! :) Thank you again!
Thanks for this Mary! I love to buy new things when I can... but I also love to save money where I can too then I can buy something new to try a new technique. Why waste money on the basics when there are alternatives. Thanks so much for keeping us money conscious crafters in mind- it helps so much! Glue & paper would also be good comparison videos.
I have the We R one with the same problem. First it oozed out uncontrollably and now the tip is stuck and can’t be turned in either direction to advance it. I bought a car chamois at Target for $18.00 and cut it up into eight pieces. A little more expensive than yours but no shipping charge. It came in a plastic container with a lid that I can keep pieces in moist ready to use so that is a bonus. I have been keeping pieces in that container for several months now with no mold or odors.
Thank you for all of your great info! Also, I do know that the oils from your fingers can take the stick ability away, so it's real important to keep your fingers off of the tip. ☹️
Rather than paying for mats, I use a glass cutting board - it’s an old one I had in the cupboard. If I need extra space for a watercolouring palette or smudging lots of inks, I use a piece of laminating sheet. ( the same sheet I’ve used for years now...lol)
This is a bit late and I couldn’t find another comment about it; so, with the memory makers quick pick up, if you twist the tip at the top where the putty/gummy stuff comes out, it will advance. You are correct about it not releasing well, but the tool in the other end helps it stay in the adhesive.
Just watched this again because my old jewel picker has lost its stick - forever. I went looking for the Anself on Amazon.com.au and found an identical one put out by Niome for AUD3.84. So I’ve ordered 2. At that price, who wouldn’t? Thank you so much for your vid..it’s been a big help to me this year 🌟
Oh you are most welcome! I LOVE that jewel picker; it just makes sense and so affordable. It hasn't lost it's stick yet and I did this video a while ago. lol
I have never seen the pretty 2 for $7.99 picker tools. I fell in love with the Crystal katana at a stamp show. I have cerebral palsy. The wider handle that both of those have works well for hand issues. If you don't have hand issues, go with a cheaper one that works well! If you do, one of those 2 might work better for you.
I have found a jewel picker money saving tip. On the type that you screw the tip and a gummy substance comes out. You can refill them with the blue tack from the dollar store. When empty take a pea size amount of blue tack roll it into a worm about 1 inch long and stick it in the top portion. Then screw in the bottom portion until you feel resistance. Then screw the whole thing back into your pen. Disclaimer if you over fill it you can crack the plastic and you will get blue tack oozing from the crack. Just use a pea size amount and your ok.
Feeling out of sorts today and watching your video and hearing your wit has given me a smile. Loved your line about getting used to cutting foam tape with scissors if the price is right. I'm sure I have that same foam tape and it works just fine, super sticky. I also have the final wax pick up tool that you showed and it's great. Thanks for sharing.
This makes me so happy, thank you for brightening MY day but taking the time to share this. I am so glad it's helpful too; sometimes you just gotta weigh out the important things for yourself. :)
Thank you for this. I'm just starting out with card making and any information like this helps a lot. I've always pronounced Chamois, as Sham-wah. It is the name of the animal that the original chamois leather comes from. But you can call it what you like :) I assume what you have there are man made Chamois
I'm so glad this was helpful: thank you for letting me know! I know for sure I was saying that wrong. hahah Yes as a new cardmaker it is so important not to break the bank when you don't need to. Happy crafting!
Mary, you are the best! I've watched this several times now and it still blows me away,you should know that Amazon has Neenah 110pound paper in a 250 sheet pack for 8.98 as of today, I'm buying 3 for myself, but I may go back for more!, also I can't remember if I told you, but Darice is going out of business, so you may want to stock up on their glitter paper while you still can!
Will do thank you!! You're the best!!! Make sure that Neenah is the right GSM. I bought a pack of 110 for $9 from Amazon and it was super thin because the GSM was really low
I'm on a REALLY tight budget, and want to save $ everywhere I can to use for the best paper. For a picker took a chopstick sharpened a bit in pencil sharpener, added a small round ball of clear plastitac to each end. Had it so, free. For cleaning my stamps I went to Dollar Tree bought one 5 pack of their car chamois cut to fit inside a $ store plastic food storage tub, like 5x7, cut 1 sheet to size, made soapy water, soaked the chamois in tub, works great and I've got enough to cut and replace for ages. Also at Dollar Tree they have oven liner Matt's that are Teflon, size of the average bottom of stove 2 pack for $1.00, they wipe clean with baby wipes (also $ store) or soap and water. Works a charm.
Barbara...you are a great crafty hero! I love all these tips. YES! I need to save where I can too. I have my next edition of savings tips coming up in the next couple weeks so please chime in and add your tips to it when it posts! YAY!
@@marypolancodesigns Aww shucks! THX. I'll be looking forward to more of your videos!
I wet a toothpick on the tip of my tongue ... Dollhouse miniaturists do it all the time to pick up and release the teeniest bits! Can't get cheaper than that.
@@minikraut In my miniatures club, we all use a short piece of spaghetti that we wet on the tip of the tongue or in a drop of water on our mat. For me, it works better than the toothpick but I grab what is closest.
Thank so much Mary! These type of videos are sooo helpful. I've been crafting for many years and I love learning new things. I do want to address the bone folder. I know that teflons bone folders are very hot right now. Someone selling their cards might want to invest that kind of money. I do not! My thumbnail works great! Also an old cc or gift card, or the back end of a flat butter knife, $0.25 at a thrift store. And yes, on black or dark cardstock you might see, if you look real close, a little shein or shine so if you do take whatever tool go around each edge and make it part of your elements. I've never believed in buying in to the latest trends. Most of the things are WAY to expensive and there's very little difference if any to your beautiful handmade card. Mary, that is why I love your reviews! I've seen some videos reviewers that by the end their telling you to buy the most expensive one it always the best, weather it really is the best doesn't matter. You are practical, you show & tested products and in the end you know your viewer can decided on their own. That's what I really like about your style of reviewing. Thanks for sharing!💜
C Mason, I couldn't agree with you more about the bone folder. After I watched the video again, I was like, "who actually cares if there is a sheen....does it make that much of a difference". I do like a bone fold for scoring though; I find it useful because I do that a lot. But bone...Teflon...I don't see a big issue having either. I was trying to say that if Teflon was a must for your, don't pay $35 dollars for it. haha I so appreciate your feedback, and it means so much to me that you know where I'm coming from with these reviews. I just want us to get the best for US..at a good affordable price. Thanks again!
Top video Mary!
This is particularly handy for your Aussie subscribers. Currency conversion plus shipping makes buying traditional craft supplies prohibitively expensive. It's not that we wouldn't love to buy the branded supplies, it is quite simply the cost. For instance: 3 stamp sets with shipping can cost well over AU$100. To give you an idea, I can purchase my weekly groceries for the same amount.
It is nice to see an experienced crafter letting others know that it is okay to look for suitable substitutes. It just means that we will have more money to spend on stamps, dies and inks - yay!
Wagner used to produce the heat tool for the Australian electrical plug and transformer (yet another uniquely Australian problem), however they have stopped producing it. They do still produce a similar model, but be careful as it is WAY too powerful for paper crafts - ask me how I know. There a a few shops out there that still have the right model in stock - you just need do your research and hunt them down. Start with Wagner's website there is a list of Aussie retailers there. I purchased mine from Sydney Tools in December.
Before I forget: the pick up pencils in your video. They are usually used to apply decorations to nails. Do not use a pencil sharpener for them it will only melt the wax. You can sharpen them by whittling - like you would with a rectangular carpenter's pencil. I hope this helps.
Best wishes.
Kell, thank you SO much for posting this; such important information for fellow crafters; I so appreciate you!!! Thank you thank you!
"Necessity is the Mother of Invention". So, too, Desire is the Mother of Adaptability. "Where there is a Will, there is a Way"!! I commend your determination to NOT let any "lack" stand in the way of your Creativity.
I have not had a melting problem with the pick up pencils. I use a "manual" sharpener. I think an electric one might cause nore problems. Just my experiences and opinions.
Thank you for the advice on sharpening the wax pick up pencils! Most helpful and such suggestions are one of the many reasons i love TH-cam! Tfs😊
Yes, I have a very loving hubby that spoils me 🥰. He purchased the Cutterpillar score board, the cutting board along with their large light pad, for me. They are ALL made in the USA which is important to us. High quality products. they ARE spendy. But, the cutting board has a self -sharpening blade which I have never replaced. It can also cut forward and backward with ease and has a LED lighted edge for SEEING through paper products to get a cut right where you WANT it. The score tool is amazing! A two step process that leaves the folded edge looking very professional and easy to accomplish. For the money (which IS up there) I LOVE them! The large light pad, which is not used for card making, is for glass layout in the art studio. Glass artist first. Card making for play 🙂. Thought some of your viewers might want to check these out. USA made - but spendy - will last a LONG, LONG time. Just for everyone's FYI 😁. Still watch all your comparisons though. Being my hubby does not buy ALL my card making things 🤣 and I also like to SAVE $'s
I love this share so much; I'll have to try it out. When something is great quality, I'll spend the money on it. ALl of my major tools in my craftroom were not cheap that I know. lol
Thank you for this review, Mary! A couple of things to note. I found the Crystal Katana at our local Hobby Lobby in the jewelry department. The full price was $24.99, but I was able to use my 40% off coupon, so paid $14.99 plus tax. I had tried the Pick Me Up stick (same as the Quick Stik tool), but had trouble controlling the rubbery pickup medium and how it came out. Plus, as you showed, it does not want to let go! I moved on to the Jewel Picker, but mine lost its stick pretty quickly and I could not get it back. I even tried applying a little Tombow Mono Multi Glue to the ends and letting that dry. I ended up chucking it. I love the Crystal Katana, though--works the best, and saving the $10 with my coupon was a bonus! Also, for non-stick mats, I have the Tonic Easy Clean mat. Basically the same as the small white one you reviewed, but about 14x14". Not sure of the price, as I got it as a gift, but I'm sure that's easy to find. It will stain, I discovered, but I prefer the rubber backing because it doesn't slide on my desk if I'm ink blending with that under my paper. I used to have the Ranger non-stick mat, and it has no backing and would slide all over creation, so the rubberized backing to me is a plus. Anyway, just my two cents' worth! Great comparison of products, & I will check out your makeup brush review. Have a great day! :)
Andrea, EVERYTHING about this post was helpful! I hope everyone reads it. I found the same things with your options. It all boils down to what you want for your craft room, what you are comfortable paying and if you are saving a ton, what you might be giving up. I hope the review just gave different options. I really appreciate you for sharing all this; GREAT deal on the Katana! YAY love it when that happens!
Andrea La Vi
Scrapbooking made simple was the first to come out with the rubberized backed non slip mat there price was best as well last I checked.
Thanks
FYI Hobby Lobby no longer uses or accepts coupons.
Awesome video. In my opinion I feel I gotta have the best of the best because my fav card makers have it, but reality sets in lol. I give myself mental creative blocks because if I don't have this product or that product I can't do it or it will be not as good. In a way this hobby is like keeping up with the Jones's (old saying) it's like seeing everyone getting the new faster than you and in my case I finally get the new thing only to learn they've moved on to something else lol it's hard out here for a stay at home mom lol
Amanda, you are speakin the truth, lady! I feel like those of us with some sort of presence owe it to the community to be good stewards with our advice and those of us watching the videos need to be good stewards of our own wallet. haha. Never feel a need to keep up with anyone but yourself. This is a hobby to bring serenity and joy and I'm sure whatever most of us, already have, is plenty. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Oh heavens YES!! i find i have to remind myself to USE MY BRAIN.
Amanda Altman oh my gosh...you have summarized my card crafting situation to a “T”...glad to know I’m not the only one who feels this way!
I think I have gotten past this, but I when I see something that I THINK I don't have anything like it, and I love it, I am on the hunt! I knew a couple of times, just recently, I was wanting a couple of things I saw in videos. Then, when I was making something else, I found something I already owned that would work just fine, but I hadn't been thinking of using it in a certain way until I had the other product stuck in my mind. I need to remind myself to shop in my own craft room first!
@Crucibelle I don't purposely try to keep up, trends seem to come and go so quickly and someone is always building a better mouse trap so to speak. Part of the fun for me is trying all the things lol. However with that being said I understand what your saying:) I find happiness in what I do have and feel blessed beyond measure. Thank you for your outlook, it helps to adjust my perspective.
One more thing, just wanting to help! I’m 58 years old. I was a Purchasing agent and purchased paper products for my company. The company I worked for gave me one of these when I was 26. It’s still going strong. The tapered side is the side meant for burnishing your fold. So that you don’t tear your paper. It also works great when you have to go over several layers and embellishments, as it glides over them when you pull the tool toward you as you press it toward you. Hope this is a good tip for you! You may be able to purchase them more cheaply from the paper companies.
Cheri, I think you are referring to the bone folder, and if so, which one are you talking about? Thanks so much for the info!!
Mary Polanco any of the Major paper companies. Where ever you order your paper from
Mary Polanco the Teflon bone folders
Love your initial disclaimer. Ha, ha! Tfs and doing this review, Mary! 😘✨👍🏾 Where were you three years ago, before I purchased some of my supplies?? 😘😢😔👍🏾This info is a gold mine for newbie crafters. YaY!!! 😍🤞🏾👌🏾💕
Oh good! haha, thank you! Just want to be clear about my intentions. Thanks so much!
I saw Aretza also has a set of four bone folders, in varying sizes and shapes, for paper creasing/ origami for $10.99.
It is good information for new crafters. It is good to not have them make the same mistakes others have already made, when we can pass information on. The money I wasted on patterned paper would probably buy everything a new card maker really needs to get started. I thought it was going to be something I would love and use. Turns out, it is just not my style.
Thank you for the honest review! It can get overwhelming to try to add so many tools, both because of the cost and knowing which tool might work best for me when there are several options for similar tools. For pick-up tools, I found that the WeR one would not advance the sticky stuff either. The company replaced it for me, but the second one is not much better. Also, you need to use the pointy part to hold the sequins and remove the tool. I have had good luck with the Jewel Picker.
For craft mats, I found some good sized ones on Amazon with the rubbery coating on the back. Those are great. Also, beware of the mats that are NOT PTFE(?) coated; those are quite permeable, not so bueno for craft mats. They are inexpensive and marketed as pressing sheets for heat presses. They might be good for that if you want steam to pass through. I have been using tempered glass for ink blending and a general crafting surface. It works well and is easy to clean. I bought it at the thrift store for about $5 as a glass cutting mat, turned it over with the smooth side on top and added new clear feet from Big Lots. It’s clear, so I can put grid paper underneath if necessary or a sheet of colored paper underneath when gelli printing for lining up my printing paper.
I like good quality tools, but would rather spend money on other things if I can get good results with a less expensive alternative!
WOW! Thank you so much for this and all these amazing tips and ideas! I so appreciate you taking the time for all of us! And I see you are a fellow thrift shop shopper! YAY! Such good deals can be found there!
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Scrapbooking made simple was the first to come out with a rubberized backed non stick mat full size and was best priced last I checked. Also she has great price tweezer and scissors and thin blocks
I have since heard about that mat; sounds awesome! Thank you so much for sharing! YAY love a deal
I have 2 of her SMS Matt's, gush pads, tweezers, and some of her paper products. She is all about trying to keep crafting affordable.
Kerry Papineau you are exactly right. I bought her craft mat when she first released it. My son stole it to use as a mouse pad!
I love her tweezers and fussy. Hitting scissors also. Although I don’t use those as much. More for tiny places only. Her products rock. And she purposely Kees them as low as possible.
She even have stacked dies. A set has maybe 20 dies in a package and they cost $30. And each package of stacked dies has many types in it. For example ovals. It will have a couple types in the package, stitched, dotted, regular.
She also came out with foil system first. She brought in Couture creations system for almost two
Years before the whole industry jumped on board. She also makes her own foil plates every other month.
Watching this again, now a year plus into my craft journey. Money has been spent, stash has been built. Reviews and opinions like this helped me tremendously in my decision-making. Thank you for being genuine.
YAY Oh thank you so much for such a kind compliment!
I often loose my bone folder on my desk while I work 🙃, so I have a few laying around in strategic places. Having expensive teflon folders is not an option. So I just made a strip of Teflon sheet which I got several sheets I bought out amazon and I put it on top of the fold when doing folds on cardstock that gets easily marked. It works just fine. Thanks for all your info, it sure helps to know your options.
WOW, what a stellar idea about the Teflon sheet! NICE! Thank you for sharing that one! I appreciate your kind words and I'm so glad the video was useful!
Mary, this is very helpful. I appreciate how hard you try to be accurate and fair. Many do their crafting on a very modest budget and rarely do we get good tips on how to keep the costs down.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the feedback. I have a few more videos on this as well if you check out my playlists. They might be useful too
Poster Tack from Dollar Tree works well at the end of your choice of a pick up stick. That is what looks like is on the Marvy tool.
YES...that is the blue stuff right? If so, spot on! Thank you!
We call it Blutack
Thanks for doing this review and sharing your great finds! I will definitely be following your recommendations on the mounting tape and squares! A good buy I recently stumbled on is Accent Opaque 100 lb. cover cardstock (271 gsm) - 200 sheets for $14.99, and 120 lb. cover cardstock (325 gsm) - 150 sheets for $18.93 on Amazon. They both make great card bases!
Hi Kathy!!!! I did a new video after this one and included that very cardstock. Yay!!! Great find indeed. 😊
Oh my! You made a video about that paper two months ago. Looks like I have some catching up to do!
I have the Marvy tool I just touch it on a damp fiber cloth or even a baby wipe and it’s good as new!
Great tip, Shelly thank you so much!
The items were all made in same place then different names for different companies, like soap for instant for hotels.Different hotel , different scents, different packageing.I went to a big craft show onetime and these people had bottled house paint in small bottles and selling it.I don't know if anyone else caught it but I sure did as I paint all the time .From houses, crafts,china , oils , and such.For years I've gone to the hardware first, pharmacy,wherever.I hope you don't mind me posting this but it's the truth.thank you for showing ,great job.
I appreciate all the shares! Thanks so much!
Thank you for this video. I have been looking for an alternative for the double sided tape. Here in Canada. The cheapest I found was on Amazon for 64$ and in my local craft store it is 83$ the Bertech is 22$. So that is awesome. And I know it has been used and liked by a higher level crafter than myself I am confident in purchasing it. I do use that foam square roll from the dollar store and I love it for sentiments and to back small items. It has never failed me yet. As for 10 pick up tools you were wondering why that many in a pack. Those are for people who do nail art. So a salon of 10 nail professionals would have enough. I use something very similar but it is a white core. They work really well for most gems and sequins.
Thank you for sharing your opinion. I for one really enjoy your input and I am loving your videos. Your awesome!
Leeanne, ,I'm SO thrilled this was helpful to you! The 3M tape is just way too pricey for what I'm doing and I use so much of it. Also, thank you on the explanation of the nail art. DOH...that is the actual picture on the product so I should have seen that. hahah But yes makes total sense, Mary...not ALL things are for card makers. lol
I’ve had a quick stick tool for several years and I have the opposite problem with it. The sticky stuff comes oozing out all over my work and makes a mess. The only thing I really like about it is the other end coming off to help place embellishments. So I got a jewel picker after recommendations from a couple of TH-cam cardmakers I watch. It was great for about 2 cards then lost the “stick” and nothing has helped it work again. So I finally invested in the Crystal Katana and I LOVE it. I wish I had known about the less expensive version back then. Oh well. At least I’ve gotten my money’s worth out of it. Thanks for doing these kinds of videos. I’m sure it’s a great help for lots of new crafters and it’s a good reminder to all of us to be smart shoppers!
Christy thank you so much for all of you testimony on these tools! It is so helpful to hear what likes and dislikes you all have out there. I really do like the Crystal Katana and the like-version one with the rhinestones. I think those are my favorite for sure. I hope they are helpful to others! Thanks again!
Sooo helpful. I too look for things at the dollar tree or on Amazon. I love that you mention those options. Thank you so much!!
You are most welcome, Desirae! I think sometimes we all have the potential to get swept away in marketing but need to see where to save some money because I know i have the "I want everything" syndrome. lol
Awesome! Many of these I paid almost full price (I will avoid paying full price at all costs). That gray clay that comes out of the end of the Quik Stick. You have to turn/push from the opposite or chisel end and more clay comes out of the sticky pointed end. You can turn that end off and push the clay back as far as you can, then replace the sticky end. I can't get it to release either, so use another tool to press the sequins off the clay. I am ready to double stick my thin craft mat to a board so I don't have to keep rolling it up. Plus it gets creases easily if I roll it up. I'm switching for the Scott's roll of adhesive foam tape. Egads. The price kills me. Thank you for the help! I love the "Don't get caught away by the shiny bling things!" Yes!
Thank you so much for this! It is really helpful to see what is useful for others! I think the foam tape price is the hardest for me to swallow for sure! I am so happy that I found an alternative!
Hi Mary! Nice to meet you, I'm Tree : ) This is a very in depth and informative video. Thank you for taking the time to compile it. You not only spent your money but your time to help us out, I greatly appreciate that. Blessings, Tree
Hi Tree!!! Thank you for the sweet note. It was my pleasure!!! Yay
The dollar tree stores have a version of the stamp shammy that works wonderfully. It is very Big in size and you can cut it down into several pieces.
A friend bought the GINA K. Stamp cleaner and she is the one who found the dollar tree one for $1. She compared them and says they are the same type of materiel.
You get about 4-8 out of the big one depending on the size you cut them into.
HUGE SHARE! Thank you so much for this! YAY!!!!
Mary, I'm a senior on a very tight budget. Your review videos are so helpful and fun to watch. Thanks to you and your followers. So many great ideas.
Oh this makes me so happy! It's so great that they are helpful and useful videos.
Please do more videos like this!
Thank you so much for the feedback; I so appreciate it! I will certainly try!
Please
“Maymay Made It” has a very good short video on the Quick Stick. The putty does come out. You turn it just slightly but have to wait a few secs for the putty to come down. Not sure if you found some good answers on that yet. Ty so much for your videos. You’re pretty amazing and helpful.
Thanks so much for the share; I'm always looking for more information.
Great job on this! You’ve given new crafters some great options! I did get the makeup brushes and looooove them! Sure appreciate you taking the time to do this! When I started yrs ago I felt I needed the newest things, but since have learned that there are other good products that can save me a bit! You’re the best! 💕🙋♀️
Thank you so much Terri! Honestly, that is the same for me; up until a couple years ago I was buying EVERYTHING. I'm much more cautious now because a lot of it can just be marketing.
AGAIN Mary, a “Certified” Winner of a VERY helpful Video! I have been stamping for over 25 years and am still using my original Wagner Heat Gun. Now, I hope to find the double-sided foam tape you suggested. TYVM! (I’m 75!). Lol
THank you so much for such a kind compliment. I really appreciate it! Love my Wagner!
I have a Wagner heat tool that I bought ...around 20 years ago (give or take a few years) for about $20, and that tool is a work horse. It still runs as if it was new, heats up very quickly, and continues to run -- despite being dropped numerous times. If you are going to buy a heat tool (and are serious about your crafting) then I highly recommend spending the money on it. I have seen them online and in various craft stores between $20 and $30, but am now suspicious if they are all Wagner's? As a side note -- I did discover that this gun gets so hot, so quickly that it will work on Shrinky-Dink 'paper' with mixed results, so just play with it! (Alexandra at Hedgehog Hollow has a Wagner heat gun & a Ranger heat tool.. the Ranger works more like a blow dryer set to a low setting, but still gets pretty hot. She mostly reaches for the Wagner when heat embossing, & uses the Ranger for drying some of the 'wet' mediums [like watercolor or distress products...] or when she doesn`t want her medium 'flying off' of her paper since the Ranger is a much lower velocity of air flow.)
Thank you so much, Vanessa for the information! I love that you are all sharing so much information so we can get the best stuff for the best prices!
Thanks for the reviews, Mary! For anything other than shaker cards, I use those colored craft foam sheets from walmart and Joanne’s instead of foam tape. Very cheap and using them with wet glue (art glitter glue) allows me a few seconds to move things around. 🤓
Thank you so much, Jeanne! Awesome tips and I need to use more fun foam like this. It's so great!
As always, thank you. You do an amazing amount of work for these videos and it's much appreciated.
I really truly appreciate you saying that! It means a lot! :) It's my pleasure!
Mary, You Rock, as always. Thanks for going to the expense & your time for us all with this amazing review. Love ya! 💕
Awww thanks so much for this! I'm SO glad it was useful! YAY!
I'm seeing this late, but still relevant! Thanks bunches 💓
Glad it was helpful! YAY
Hi, The QuickStick tool, ( 2nd one you tried) you screw the putty end tighter to push out the putty. maybe yours has dried out, Also, you pull out the other end, with the pokey part, to help you release your sequin off of the putty end. That's what its for :)
Thank you so much, Robin! I so appreciate the tips! I think mine is either defective or dried out, you're right!
I'm looking for something to pick up paper punches in tiny sizes, so your review of pickers was very helpful!
YES! The wax ones pick up paper so great and will put down onto glue and release. The yellow tipped one is by far my favorite1!
Thank you for sharing, Mary! I, too, find it hard to spend $ of some of these crafting tools and am always looking for cheaper alternatives.
YAY! Yes, I'm always on the hunt for sure so i'll keep sharing! Thank you so much!
Try Aliexpress.com
Love the impartiality, thank you. I love the comparison since everything is costing a pretty penny.
You are so welcome!
I have also bought make up brushes at Kmart and love them. So much cheaper and they do a brilliant job.
LOVE them, arent' they just great! YAY !
Hi! Don't know who copied who, but my heat gun looks exactly like yours. The brand is Milwaukee and I have used it for over 30 years. I googled heat guns and was amazed at the prices now. I also bought a backup Martha Stewart heat gun at Tuesday morning last year for about 4 or five dollars. I mean, mine has to die sometime, right? Made me realize what a great tool I own. Thanks for doing these comparison videos. This can be a very expensive hobby and we need all the help we can get! You have found a lot of good bargains :)
I believe the Wagner (or old Milwaukee) was first. But I do love it and I love their new, dual heat set one they came out with too. Great product!
I really appreciate this video. I re-joined the paper craft world about 2 years ago and this would have saved me a boat load of cash. The sad thing is I have a majority of supplies in a storage unit that I can't get to at present! Crap! Thanks for your test trial.
Thank you so much for this note! I'm so glad it was helpful and I'm sorry your stuff is in storage. I hope you get it soon. We moved in June of last year and I was 1 month without my treasures...stunk! lol
To get the putty out of a quick stick, keep tightening the top part, only a little though or a bunch will ooze out. Keep doing it until you’re out of putty. The jewel picker can be refreshed by using Tombow mono multi glue on the tips, it dries tacky and works like a charm. Hope that helps!
Tonya, SUPER helpful thank you so much. I'm going to give it a try for sure. After the video, I have found that the yellow tipped rhinestone tool has stolen my heart! But I want to make sure to give ALL m y tools the love!
For jewelry pickers I've found that wax on a toothpick works fantastic! All you do is light a candle and dip a toothpick into the melted wax, letting it cool and repeating until i get a nice covering over the tip of the toothpick. Ta daaaa! Cheap picker-upper! ;)
Well this is about the most genius thing ever! I LOVE this idea. Thank you so much for sharing. :)
I’ve seen people use the resin picker pens for diamond painting rather than using the diamond painting tools and having to replace the wax in the end of the tool constantly. That’s the only place I’ve seen them used though until this video. Oh, and you use a knife or an exacto to sharpen them to get new wax. (Forgot to add that)
I’m greatly enjoying your videos, and particularly find these where you’re talking about different ideas and comparing the prices helpful. I’m not a crafter, I mostly just color in adult coloring books. One of your videos was in the suggestion area one day and caught my eye-I think it was a video on backgrounds-and I’ve been bingeing on videos ever since. I’ve gotten some great ideas for my coloring pages and learned so much!
WOW awesome tip thank you so much! I'm so happy you are enjoying the videos. That's awesome! YAY Thanks for letting me know
For the jewel picker I applied a little of tombow mono multi glue
I bought the Krystal katana for 24.00 at Hobby Lobby and used a 40 % coupon.
Thank you Mary! The video is very helpful. I love your sense of humor 😂👍 and i love dollar tree JOT glue, it works great just like any brand glue, and it’s fast drying too.
You are so welcome! Thank you for the sweet comment! :)
Awesome review! The way you can keep the sticky is by running your adhesive runner over it. It works like it’s brand new☺️. Thanks for sharing xoxo Tai
Thank you so much for sharing that tip! YAY more ways to use what I have.
To pick up rhinestones & beads- from my years of professional stoning. I use bees wax melted onto the top of a chop stick food end(pointed end) Once it is cooling you form it into a point of sorts. Re-heat from time to time to burn off stray glue. I put an eraser on the other end to press stones after placed with wax. One tip- NEVER use the wax tip to press, it’ll definitely get glue all over your wax- DM me if you want more info - this is CHEAP and I have two sticks I’ve had for almost 20 years!
SUCH A great hack, thanks so much!
This is great information, if (still) available I'd love more information.
good to know, because I use them heaps for diamond paintings. So not to worry about refilling the wax is brilliant. Thanks heaps for sharing.
You are so welcome! My pleasure; i learned a lot from doing this one!
Something i want to mention about the WRMK Quick stick, you should have the other end (pointy tool) in the main body with the sharp point pointing inwards. That pointy side is supposed to poke into the top side and push out the sticky when you twist it on tighter. Now if you discard any of the sticky stuff instead of putting it back in or you break the sharp point tool (or put it in the wrong way around), it won't work anymore and won't push anything out. In that case, just unscrew the top and use something else (like a bbq stick) to push the sticky out enough so you can use it.
Awesome tips, thank you so much for taking the time to share this with all of us who might have struggled!
My quik stik was hard to get out too! I had to use my pliers to turn it to get it out. Also, clean the tip of the jewel picked with a baby wipe. It will pick up better.😊
Thanks so much Lori, for the tip. Honestly, I tossed it and use the yellow wax one exclusively. I love it so much!
I love my Teflon bone folder. Bought one this summer. It works great when you make your own envelopes. I have never seen any bone folder that makes my flaps adhere as well as that bone folder does for me
That's awesome information; thanks for sharing. I seriously love the large one I show in the video; it's my go to now!
Crucibelle I make envelopes with my envelope punch board. In my experience this has helped them to stay down better after I have used adhesive than the other bone folders. Run over it once. Also good in mini albums for interactive pages.
Hi, Mary. Thanks so much for this video; it is informative and helpful. Regarding the WRMK Quick Pick tool, the first one I got did not dispense the putty at all. It is not user error, it is a defect in the product. The second one I purchased advanced the putty very easily, perhaps too easily. There is always too much at the end of the tool. It picks up fine but never releases. That's why there is the two ended tool that fits inside it. The pointy end is fragile and breaks easily, at least that is my experience. I've used a plastic bone folder and it never left a shine or a stain. Works great every time. I've also used heat tool that is not Wagner for years. As long as I heat it up before putting it to paper it works great. The price you found on Amazon for Wagner is really great though. Again, thanks for this video.
Thank you SO much for sharing this. I'm only one opinion so I love that you all have taken time to share. I really appreciate it. So not user error I'm seeing! And awesome on the heat tool, love that. If you can share what brand that would be awesome.
New subscriber here... I am CONSTANTLY blown away by every video I've now watched of yours!!! I watch a lot of crafting videos and after a while, you eventually see the same things over and over.
Your videos are full of new ideas, products and techniques I have never seen!! I've been missing out on your little corner of the internet! Amazing! Keep it up!! 💜💜
Happy New Year!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate this super supportive and kind comment. I'm so glad you're joining me. Happy New Year to you as well!
Gosh I am glad I have an antique bone folder, they are expensive. Great video thanks
Yes they are! So true!
I strongly suspect that a pencil dipped in candle wax or a UV rubber nail base coat would work just fine. I have a nail dotting tool that I dipped into liquid latex....:) In Spain the chamois can be bought in Domti for 1 euro, in the cleaning section and it is about 4 times the size. Reusable baking sheets are pretty much the same. Aldi and Lidl sometimes sell heat embossing kits and the heat tool has two temperature settings.
Thank you thank you!!! I love sharing great deal tips! So appreciate this! YAY!
I have the Quick stop and have no problem. I think you didn't have enough glue down. Thank you for your video. These help us who can't afford all these gadgets.
Oh that's good to hear; I was hoping some people got it to work because it's a popular item!
This was the best comparison video I have ever seen! Thank you so much for all this work and research. And thanks for caring about saving us money on how much we spend on our crazy Crafts. I will be subscribing to your channel.
Lorraine, what an amazing compliment; thank you so much for making my day! i'm so glad that this was helpful; I really like to save where I can so it was my pleasure! YAY Thank you again!
I, too, subscribed based on this video! I so admire you, Mary, for grasping the details of a "Comp". A lot of the people who attempt comparisons on video haven't done enough "homework" to even have an idea WHAT VARIABLES they ought to be including (like the leaky mat you previously tested!). I've been accused of being a negative person when it comes to appraising / commenting on a product or idea, and I guess I have to "own" that, but I've always made it a priority to know if the product I'm spending money on is going to be well- and long- loved or a soon-to-be landfill donation.
@@amkarei Thank you so much for this! You really made my day! I tried my very best on this to make sure it was fair and objective! There are so many other things out there to use besides what is talked about so that was my goal! Thanks for being so specific in the feedback; truly helps me navigate!
Buy a chamois in the auto Dept at big box store, can cut into thirds and fold into clam shell box. Lasts a long time!
Awesome tip! YES! Love it when we find affordable stuff elsewhere. YAY
@@marypolancodesigns I just rinse mine occasionally and add a little water when needed.
Hello from Montreal, Canada! The word "Chamois" is actually French. It is pronounced " Sham - Wah " 😊 some people use these Shammies for buffing car wax, polishing silverware, etc. You may also find these shammies at stores that sell car wax or polishing products (maybe Walmart?) Here in Canada you can buy them at a store called Canadian Tire. I hope the pronunciation of the word helps! Love your videos, BTW. I just found your channel yesterday 😃😊❤ Love all the info your giving us! Very helpful!!
Suz, thank you so much! I knew I was saying it wrong but just couldn't help myself. hahaha Thank you for the kind words; I so appreciate that! So glad you'll be hangin witih me now!
@@marypolancodesigns I understand completely! No worries about not knowing how to pronounce something - I get a lot of words wrong on a daily basis hahaha!
I want to tell you that the amount of work (and money to purchase all these products) that you put into making these videos doesn't go unnoticed. What you do for fellow crafters, helping them make decisions about purchases that can seem overwhelming to newbies ... well it deserves major credit. And many subscribers. Which is why I'm now a subscriber to you. Keep up the amazing work. It's valued and appreciated! 😃😚
I had a buff colored cocker spaniel a few years back. When I adopted her I named her Chamois and told her if she didn't work out, I could always skin her and wash the car with her. I had her for 16 years so I guess she worked out quite well. LOL
@@SuzieDube I know chamois cloths from washing cars, aren't they originally made out of some kind of animal skin? Mine were yellowish and had irregular edges. Good for pulling the water off a car or windshield without streaking
I wonder if microfiber cloths would work too
When I was doing nail art we picked up our stones etc with a damp orange wood stick, the flat end and center with the pointy end and it works on cards too. The sticky back ones my friend got me hooked on our seam rippers to pick up and place.
Perfect tip thanks so much!
Thank you, Mary, for this review. It was very helpful. Could you give more information on the features that you love about the Wagner air blower? How is it different from other blowers? We appreciate your comparisons of different items, but I hope you aren’t spending too much mo eye on all these items. But we thank you for doing that and for your honesty in your reviews.
Hi Pamela!!! Thank you for all your appreciation. The Wagner heat tool gets really hot and concentrates the heat better because of the thinner nozzle than other heat tools. It's awesome for embossing but I use it for all my heat setting. Let me know if you have any other specific questions though
Thank you for these review videos! I was wondering about foam tape, and you answered my question!!
Oh YAY! So glad this helped. I want us to save where we can! woot woot!
I love to shop around for products at a great price, so I appreciate your sharing this information. You’re adorable...chamois is pronounced ‘shammy’...so grateful for you!
Hehehe...yes shammy...I now know. lol Thanks so much Maria; my pleasure!
I wondered if someone caught this!! Lol
Take your pick tool, what I did. I took an old Bic pen apart and bought dental wax ( for braces), I put a little piece of the wax in the tip of the pen. It work’s perfectly. Now I am a do it yourself kind of person, but this was so easy.
That's a GREAT idea, thank you so much for sharing.
Great video! After hearing all the hype on the Krystal Katana I bought one. What a waste of money. It only worked for such a short period that I was upset for spending so much on the tool that didn’t work very long at all. As far as Teflon bone folders. They are terrific! For over 45 years I had been using the original bone folders that were made out of actual bone. I still have them and they do leave a shine on your cardstock. This is the first time that I came across your channel and decided to watch it. You have a very pleasing voice that is clear and easy to understand and listen to. So I hit your subscribe button and bell 🔔 Looking forward to more videos.
Nancy, I love this post! Thank you so much for sharing all of this information. I'm really sorry the Katana was a let down; I think it is way overpriced for what it does! . I hope this was helpful to people trying to make a decision about their products. . Also, that original bone folder sounds amazing! So cool. . Im so glad we will be crafting together now! Well...virtually anyway. YAY
I made my own with putting a piece of Blue tak on the end on a cake decorating tool.
Wendy, that's awesome! Thank you so much for the share! :)
I've started with a nail art tool (similar to a scoring tool) with a gluedot on the end. then the wrmk orsizzich tool and i kinda hated that. I now have nail art wax pencils, you can sharpen in a normal pencil sharpner and those work fab...if foam tape stick to your scissors.try wetting your blades with a wet shammy or cloth,not soaking wet, but moisten it and tape won't stick. my craft mat is a teflon cookie sheet, 1.99 as well, works great, just black
WONDERFUL! I knew someone would know! Thank you so much, Maaike!!! So appreciate you!
Dip the end in melted candle wax. Made mine with a skewer and dipped the end in the melted wax until a bulb forms. Works great!
Carolyn...GENIUS!!!!!! love this tip! thank you
Thanks Mary! Great tips! I have the Marvy Jewel Picker too and the tiny end seemed to loose it's stick really fast, so I just dipped it in a little Aleene's Tack It Over and Over (which I had on hand for unmounting my wood stamps.). Worked like a charm.
You could also dip the end of a stylus or wooden skewer into the Tack It Over and Over for a super cheap pick up tool. But it is nice to have a lid...
Awesome input; thank you so much for this! A few of us have this tool so this will go along way! YAY !
I have the Marvy pick up tool but it lost it's "stick" really quickly. I was told to either wash it, and if it still doesn't 'stick', to roll it over some double sided sticky tape. This didn't work either and made it way too sticky. What works for me is a plain white/clear crayon. Sharpen it if you need to. If it isn't 'sticky' enough, I carefully warm it in some warm water for a few seconds. Works great for me!
You are right on with the crayon idea, that's why I love the yellow tipped one so much. It's amazing because of the wax. I'll never use anything else. YAY!
Thank you for the review. Just getting started and it's really helpful to know what to look for.
Thank you for letting me know Michelle! I'm so glad it was helpful!
Glad I found you yes this was very informative! Thanks for sharing 💕
So glad it was useful!! Thank you for telling me!!!
Instead of expensive artist moulding paste, I use Polyfila One Fill - I think it’s called joint compound in the USA. It’s super-cheap in comparison and works a treat. I also use decorator’s crackle glaze instead of the artist’s variety. You get a big bottle at a fraction of the price, quantity for quantity. Also, you can pick up really good stuff in cake making shops and places like that. I know this was a review of tools rather than materials, but all I’m saying is think outside the box - you can often get cheaper alternatives from non-art/craft suppliers. I’ve had to replace various kitchen implements because they’ve migrated to my studio lol! Great video, by the way.
I agree with you SO much! I am about to do a video soon about "non-crafty" items that deserve their place in the craft room. I can't wait to share it! YAY! Thank you for the reminder and encouragement with your post!
Mary Polanco Thank you Mary! It’s really great to think outside the box. My hubby and I went around an agricultural suppliers a while back - he wanted something for the garden so I trundled off on my own and had a look around. I kept asking myself, “Can I make art with that?”and came out with some pretty unusual stuff to find in a studio - some poultry grit (helps chickens form shells round their eggs) - this stuff is made of broken up shells - and some lambs’ tail docking rings! These went into a mixed media project. I also recycle plastic packaging, fruit nets from the supermarket, all sorts. I like to experiment with melting things as well, and they come out really different. I am currently making a Tudor style dress for a themed banquet we are going to and nearly all the materials are recycled. It’s exciting to think along these lines. Saving money on materials in this way means more money to spend on things you can’t get alternatives for.
I look forward to seeing your non-crafty video!!
@@ShoshiPlatypus those are some awesome projects you were able to come up with...really cool how you reuse stuff
Oh glad I saw this. When I first started in 2005 my first pick up tool was a wooden skewer with a mini glue dot On the end of it. lol. I just bought two rolls of craft foam same size as 3M from Uline for $9 a roll but they tacked on $9 shipping and they had a to roll minimum so I still got two rolls for the price of one 3M but the one you showed it Amazon is a much better deal. So that is where I will be getting it next. Great information thanks so much for doing this.
Amazing share thank you so much! YAY! Love a good deal!
If this is a repeat I apologize.
A good place to find the makeup brushes discounted, aside from WISH & AliExpress, is Marshalls| TJ Maxx| Burlington style stores. Of course the prices & brands will vary, especially on the area as larger cities get the higher end items before the smaller areas (I live in WV & tiny area so my larger city is an hour away but is still tiny compared to DC & Pitt). They are just an awesome place to Snoop for anything & everything including cute storage! Another awesome store for cheap & some random times finds would be Gabes( Gabriel Brothers) or Ollie's (also amazing for finding books of all types & ages).
Thank you (& all YT that do these reviews) for helping us newbies figure things out & going the extra mile to help do it on a budget.
Awesome share thanks so much for telling us these tips. So great of you. Yay!!
I don't know about wish, but I won't shop @ aliexpress, because of all the copyright theft that goes on there
I don't go through a lot of foam tape. I am on my 2nd thing of green backed tape. I know that I will be switching to the one you suggested. Thank you! I have looked forward to this video, and it was WONDERFUL!
Oh that is so great to hear; i'm so glad it was useful!!! YAY! Thanks so much for this!
My 21yr old son says the bone folders look like the candy stick from "dip n' lick". I find the tip on mine a little thick for scoring but for reinforcing folds it's quite good.
As far as the We R pick up stick, the opposite end comes out also to help you hold the sequin in place. I use the crystal katana myself and it works fine.
I have had a "Lawn Fawn" shammy for many years (since it 1st came out), its extremely discolored, but still works just fine. I keep it in a small Rubbermaid container along with a couple of small acrylic blocks (my business stamp on one and a to/from stamp on another). It doesn't smell or anything (a plus!!)
One day...I will get a Wagner heat tool...for now I have a supposedly "Wow" brand and a Martha Stewart heat gun, both of which you have to angle just right to get the best hot spot! They do the job ok, I guess!
Thanks for the reviews, I missed the makeup brush part(son was talking about spaghetti portions).
I haven't broken down to buy those yet but I have a cheap version in my Amazon shopping cart that I'll get eventually as well!!!
Until next time my crafty sister
Nancy Lee
Mickey Gini Paper Crafts
Thank you so much Nancy! For the makeup brushes, try the amazon ones first to see if you like them. I have so many blending brushes, Amazon Makeup, and craft brand. They are all the same to me! :) Love them all!
Thank you so much for posting this very valuable video. I just ordered my Accent papers, and gathering my card making supplies. So glad I watched this first.
Glad it was helpful! Be sure to check out more informational videos on my channel because i've done several of this type! :)
Watching this again the Chamois is the French I am told and it's pronounced shammy. My parents always used a chammy (mixed is best lol) for cleaning the windows. I find the best thing to use is a microfibre cloth, I just stick it in the washing machine with dark colours, I must admit it got to a point my hubby kept saying throw it away get another, but I didn't and it's now looking very colourful lol
YES....shammy..hahaha i don't know what was going on with my brain at that moment. lol thank you!
I would love a tape runner and glue review!!! Pretty please!!!
Oh so would i! lol I just don't know when i can fit that in. :)
Thank you Mary! I always learn so much from your videos!
Debbie, best compliment ever!! Thank you so so much for always encouraging me.!
Thank you again Mary. I like these comparison's on different products:-)
Thanks so much I'm so glad they are useful!
Fantastic video!!! May I please add a couple of my own observations. First, you can also find the chamois (shammy) in the car department in Walmart. It is a HUGE piece and comes in a plastic tube to keep it moist. I bought mine about 2 years ago, and I haven't used them up yet. Also, regarding the Wagner heat tool. You are absolutely correct to say that this is the BEST heat tool made. It used to be made by Milwaukee, but this is the EXACT SAME TOOL, it is now being made by Wagner. Just to give an idea...I am 62 years old. My mom bought me this heat gun when I started stamping back in 1971....and I finally had to buy a new one last year, in 2018. Actually, what finally stopped working was the switch, and if I would have wanted to manually plug and unplug the thing I STILL could be using it...but...well, you know. So that means that this wonderful tool was a work horse for 47 YEARS!!! It is well worth the price, at ANY price. Anyway...thanks for this video and helping people to realize that you don't have to spend an arm and a leg for every craft supply. I use the same foam tape as you do, and recently also found another brand (on Amazon) that is a bit thicker, only 1/4" wide and comes in white AND black that I use for shaker cards. The rolls are half the size, BUT for the same price you do get two rolls....Amazon is a fantastic place for crafters!! God Bless!
Robin, I so appreciate everything about this post you shared, thank you so much! I LOVE my Wagner heat tool and now I see that it will stand the test of time. YAY! I love all your other tips as well; very useful. If you know the name of the black foam tape you use please pass it my way; sounds great! Thanks again! :)
LOL I'm sorry to comment yet again, but I felt compelled to say, Use the pointy end of your stampin' up Bone folder, not the rounded end. 2 reasons, the point will get into smaller places than the round end, and also, that logo decal on the round end can and will rub off onto your project if you use that end... Plus, your stampin' up one is actually a BONE folder ( made from calf bones of cows. I called stampin' up and asked about that) so it is not a teflon folder like the others you have. Unless it has chipped and tears your paper, don't scrap it, its supposed to be that lovely ivory patina and should serve you well for many more years. Cheers!
Hi Robin....ALL great tips thank you so much for sharing this with me. I truly appreciate it!
And if the real bone one chips, you can smooth it with sandpaper.
I'm so happy to have found your channel!!! Making Amazon lists as I watch, so thank you for doing all this work, it's seriously appreciated! A couple notes: Wagner is now only available thru 3rd party vendors and the prices are high. The warmtree shammies are no longer available. And the price of the foam tape is now 30 bucks, but there are other options available. Thanks so much again for putting all this together!!!!!
Thank you so much for these shares! I really am sad about the Wagner tool. It was $18 on Amazon for the LONGEST time and now it is priced so high! :( I'm so sorry these prices have changed so much since the video. I want to do another one soon though! :) Thank you again!
Thanks for this Mary! I love to buy new things when I can... but I also love to save money where I can too then I can buy something new to try a new technique. Why waste money on the basics when there are alternatives. Thanks so much for keeping us money conscious crafters in mind- it helps so much! Glue & paper would also be good comparison videos.
Thanks so much Julie. If you head to my playlist called "informational", you'll find those videos (glue and paper reviews).
I have the We R one with the same problem. First it oozed out uncontrollably and now the tip is stuck and can’t be turned in either direction to advance it.
I bought a car chamois at Target for $18.00 and cut it up into eight pieces. A little more expensive than yours but no shipping charge. It came in a plastic container with a lid that I can keep pieces in moist ready to use so that is a bonus. I have been keeping pieces in that container for several months now with no mold or odors.
Awesome Audre, thanks so much for sharing all of this with us! That's a great deal though and it's so great there hasn't been any mold or smell!
Thank you for all of your great info! Also, I do know that the oils from your fingers can take the stick ability away, so it's real important to keep your fingers off of the tip. ☹️
Great tip, thank you for that; didn't think of it! :)
Love the Wagner heat gun. Thanks for the tip for the foam tape.
LOve that tool too; my pleasure!
Rather than paying for mats, I use a glass cutting board - it’s an old one I had in the cupboard. If I need extra space for a watercolouring palette or smudging lots of inks, I use a piece of laminating sheet. ( the same sheet I’ve used for years now...lol)
Great tip! Thank you so much for sharing this! YAY
This is a bit late and I couldn’t find another comment about it; so, with the memory makers quick pick up, if you twist the tip at the top where the putty/gummy stuff comes out, it will advance. You are correct about it not releasing well, but the tool in the other end helps it stay in the adhesive.
Thank you so much for the share. I could not get mine to come out for the life of me. I ditched it. lol
Just watched this again because my old jewel picker has lost its stick - forever. I went looking for the Anself on Amazon.com.au and found an identical one put out by Niome for AUD3.84. So I’ve ordered 2. At that price, who wouldn’t? Thank you so much for your vid..it’s been a big help to me this year 🌟
Oh you are most welcome! I LOVE that jewel picker; it just makes sense and so affordable. It hasn't lost it's stick yet and I did this video a while ago. lol
hi, everyone should watch your video before purchasing that certain craft item, thanks for all the infomation
Thanks so much, Michelle! I want to get the word out because we need to save where we can. I so appreciate you saying that!
I have never seen the pretty 2 for $7.99 picker tools. I fell in love with the Crystal katana at a stamp show. I have cerebral palsy. The wider handle that both of those have works well for hand issues.
If you don't have hand issues, go with a cheaper one that works well! If you do, one of those 2 might work better for you.
Great advice and input; thank you so so much!
Great info. Very helpful but without telling me where these less expensive item can be bought.
Hi Susan! All the items are listed in the description box below the video. Hit the "show more" and you should see them. 😊
I have found a jewel picker money saving tip. On the type that you screw the tip and a gummy substance comes out. You can refill them with the blue tack from the dollar store. When empty take a pea size amount of blue tack roll it into a worm about 1 inch long and stick it in the top portion. Then screw in the bottom portion until you feel resistance. Then screw the whole thing back into your pen. Disclaimer if you over fill it you can crack the plastic and you will get blue tack oozing from the crack. Just use a pea size amount and your ok.
WHAAAAT???? Love this so much thank you so much for sharing! YAY
Feeling out of sorts today and watching your video and hearing your wit has given me a smile. Loved your line about getting used to cutting foam tape with scissors if the price is right. I'm sure I have that same foam tape and it works just fine, super sticky. I also have the final wax pick up tool that you showed and it's great. Thanks for sharing.
This makes me so happy, thank you for brightening MY day but taking the time to share this. I am so glad it's helpful too; sometimes you just gotta weigh out the important things for yourself. :)
Thank you for this. I'm just starting out with card making and any information like this helps a lot. I've always pronounced Chamois, as Sham-wah. It is the name of the animal that the original chamois leather comes from. But you can call it what you like :) I assume what you have there are man made Chamois
I'm so glad this was helpful: thank you for letting me know! I know for sure I was saying that wrong. hahah Yes as a new cardmaker it is so important not to break the bank when you don't need to. Happy crafting!
It’s pronounced “shammy”. Lol
Awesome!! U did awesome!! Glad that u put this out there for people to realize. Always a great job and I love ur honesty!!!
Thank you so much; I truly appreciate it! I was hoping it would be helpful to folks! YAY
Mary, you are the best! I've watched this several times now and it still blows me away,you should know that Amazon has Neenah 110pound paper in a 250 sheet pack for 8.98 as of today, I'm buying 3 for myself, but I may go back for more!, also I can't remember if I told you, but Darice is going out of business, so you may want to stock up on their glitter paper while you still can!
Will do thank you!! You're the best!!! Make sure that Neenah is the right GSM. I bought a pack of 110 for $9 from Amazon and it was super thin because the GSM was really low