Condo Blues: 32 Gifts for Crafters and DIYers

Thursday, November 8, 2012

32 Gifts for Crafters and DIYers

I asked a bunch of my favorite craft and DIY bloggers what cool gifts for women they received or are on their gift list. While we all agreed gift cards to our favorite home improvement and craft stores are always winners, sometimes the people in our lives are looking for new and unique gift ideas because they have gone to the gift card well a little too often.




Ironically, most of the gift ideas we talked about I've gotten or given as gifts myself. True story.

Gift Ideas for a Quilter


(Disclosure: I am including affiliate links in this post for your convenience.)

"The big thing on my Christmas Wish list this year is Electric Quilt (it is a quilt designing software.)"


You can check out Electric Quilt here. This software has new image effects and filters you can use to design quilts. It also has 5000 blocks and 5000 scanned fabrics and will allow you to scan your own.




Photography Gift Ideas


"A light tent kit/photography studio in a box"

This is a personal addition to this gift list because I got the LimoStudio Table Top Photo Photography Studio Lighting Light Tent Kit in a Box  for my birthday. I like this model because it folds up and has a carrying case when it isn't in use. I also use it to take photos of items I want to sell on line.


" last year, I got the bamboo capture which included Photoshop elements and some other cool software. It allows you to write, draw, etc on your computer"

The Wacom Bamboo Capture Pen and Touch Tablet  lets you edit photos on your computer, draw, and digital scrapbook with a pen instead of a clunky mouse on the tablet. I've used tablet for graphics at work and it is handy once you get used to drawing with it. The Wacom Bamboo Capture Pen and Touch Tablet also comes with the software Photoshop Elements, AutoDesk Sketchbook Express and Nik Color Filters 4. 

"a remote shutter trigger for camera"

I have a corded remote shutter for my film SLR camera. It was handy for taking group photos because I didn't have to set the timer on my camera and dash into the photo before the shutter clicked. When my Dad the photographer geek (and mentor) recently visited he took group photos of us using a wireless remote shutter for his camera which was even more convenient. For that reason I recommend the 
Rainbow Imaging 100 Meter 2.4GHz Wireless Remote Shutter Release for Canon DSLR cameras (BTW family, this guy works with my camera hint.

If you are a Nikon user I recommend the RFN-4s Wireless Remote Shutter Release for Nikon  DSLR cameras.

I added a wish from my own gift idea list.

"Professor Kobre's Lightscoop for DSLR cameras"

Often the built in camera flash blows out the detail when you are taking a photo indoors and need to use the flash. The Lightscoop fits over the pop up flash on most SLR and DSLR came and acts as a bounce flash to keep the direct flash of light from blowing out the detail of your subject. 

Tool Gifts


"I put a jig saw on my list"

If your DIYer cuts varying thicknesses of wood or plastic I recommend the 

Black & Decker Jig Saw with Smart Select Dial because it has seven preset material thickness settings (which my current very basic jigsaw doesn't have and I wish it did.)

"I got a Dremel one year and it has proven invaluable." and "Last year my parents got me a Dremel, which was super cool."

Add me to the I got a Dremel for Christmas and love it list too. I recommend buying corded Dremel Rotary Tool over cordless models. Most of the time you need to run your rotary tool for longer periods of time and that drain batteries way too fast.  That doesn't happen with the corded model.



A Dremel is only as versatile as the number of bits you have for it. I use my Dremel for more projects than I thought I would because I also opened a Dremel 110 piece Super Accessory Kit the same year I got my Dremel. Life. Saver.  











"Dremel multi-tool"


Do not confuse the Dremel Multi-Max with the Dremel Rotary Tool. They are two different tools that do completely different things. The Dremel Multi-Max has flat blades cutting and scraping, and sanding while the  Dremel Rotary Tool uses round.


"A palm sander"

A hand sander makes great gift. I know because that is how I got mine. You can go with the single speed SKIL 1/4-Inch Sheet Palm Sander


Or the multi speed Milwaukee Random Orbit Palm Sander. Both the Skil and Milwaukee  have a dust collection bag (recommended) and can be attached to a shop vac or fancy pants dust collection system which I personally do not have but really, really want someday.

If your DIYer  does a lot of furniture refurbishing projects, I also recommend the Black & Decker Mouse Detail Sander because the point easily gets into corners to remove paint or stain where the other two types of hand sanders cannot. I use mine constantly.










"butane pencil torch"





If your DIYer is into brazing, plumbing, soldering, jewelry making, or culinary arts (think creme brulee) then they will like the  Blazer Pencil Butane Torch



Gifts for Crafters



This set of ideas may not seem like a "real" gift if you are not a crafter or DIYer. Not true! Crafters and DIYers love to make something out of nothing but we almost always need extra tools and supplies to do it. The following suggestions make great stocking stuffers or lump a bunch together in a gift basket and watch their eyes glow when they open it!

"Specialty papers.Yes, these are all answers my non-crafty friends get when they ask what I got for Christmas, Mother's Day etc."


To save yourself from getting lost in the scrapbooking paper aisle of the store, I suggest giving pads of printed craft paper like the  Die Cuts With A View Tattered Time Paper Stack printed papers or  Best of Brenda Walton Designer printed papers pad because you get a variety of papers which is generally what paper crafters need and want because they often using several types and designs of craft paper on a project.



"I also really love the Westcott Scissor Mouse"

If you use paper, you need to cut it. The Scissor Mouse can cut from the center of paper, move it straight a cross a piece of paper like computer mouse to cut paper, coupons, etc. A great cutting tool if you are prone to getting hand cramps from a regular pair of scissors. 










"supplies for their favorite tool ( ie a big bundle of vinyl)"

If you and yours uses a vinyl cutting machine to upcycle and repurpose items in order to save them from the landfill  this package of 27 Glossy Color Vinyl Sheets  will help them do just that.

 "embellishments"



You can go traditional with a kit of embellished doodads for their favorite craft like the

Creative Impressions Tropical Embellishment Kit.

If you are not a crafter or DIYer you may not realize what type of embellishments the receiver uses for their projects. In that case, I suggest you play it safe and give books on embellishment techniques.


People who love vintage and sew will love Fine Embellishment Techniques by Jan Conlon. Jan teaches you how to give current fashions a vintage look by adding threadwork, beading, trims, piping, etc.


Scrapbookers and paper crafters will like The Scrapbook Embellishment Handbook by Sherry Stevenson. This book discusses new ways to add flair to projects using new materials like acrylic and chipboard as well as stickers, stamps, buttons, brads, eyelets, rub-ons, and digital scrapbook kits.

"a collection of paints" 

Milk Paint
Milk Paint is hot in DIYer circles especially for furniture upcycling or remaking projects.  It is eco friendly too!

If your crafter works with multiple surfaces, I suggest giving them a set of Martha Stewart Satin Paints. I have several bottles of Martha Stewart paint in my craft room. They are indoor/outdoor paint and work on fabric, paper, wood, and ceramic surfaces where other brands may only work on one or two of those surfaces.

"I keep my foam brushes in a milk glass pitcher. Whenever I look at it, I always think of what a nice gift that would make for a crafter. So, simple, always-used, prettily-packaged craft supplies would be a welcome gift for me, I agree with the foam brushes."

Some crafters go through foam brushes constantly. Give a package or two of the 50 Piece Woodstock  Foam Brush set and watch them go wild. 

"spray paint!! Would love a basket full of that stuff!!"

This might sound weird to you but as a DIYer with a spray paint collection, I love this suggestion! I couldn't find gift baskets full of spray paint, but Amazon sells Krylon Fusion For Plastic Spray Paint in sets of six. Buy it in their favorite color and wait for the happy reaction.






Sewing Gifts


"I'd like a rotary cutter for fabric this year."

Buying a fabric rotary cutter is just like buying a cheap pizza cutter - you get what you pay for and it barely cuts anything. I like the Olfa Deluxe Rotary Cutter  because it cuts up to eight layers of fabric and is tough enough to use in industrial sewing. Etsy shop owners and heavy duty sewers/quilters this is your rotary cutter! The blade self retracts into the handle after use and my sliced finger tips wish I had this cutter.

"a new large rotary mat (mine has seen better days)"

To extend the life of their rotary cutter, table, and mat, give them the OLFA Self-Healing Double-Sided Rotary Mat. This large 24 inch by 36 inch rotary mat has measurements and grid lines printed on it which is super helpful if you replace your ruler while cutting on a  rotary mat. Not that I would know anything about that.

"Cool sewing machine feet"

I've been sewing since I was five years old and only recently started playing with the different feet that came with my sewing machine. I cannot tell you how much easier it is to hem using a hemming foot! Here are two sets of sewing machine feet that appear to fit on any sewing machine.

The 11 Piece Sewing Machine Foot Kit

  • Zipper foot,  
  • Cording foot (love mine!),  
  • Low Shank Adapter foot, 
  • Hemmer foot, 
  • Straight Stitch foot,  
  • Multipurpose foot,  
  • Buttonhole foot, 
  • Overcasting foot, 
  • Button foot,  
  • Quilt Bar Adjustable foot, 
  • Hemmer foot
or the
  
Low Shank 11 Piece Snap-on Foot Kit comes with:

  • 3 Hole Cording Foot
  • Low Shank Snap-On Ankle
  • Blind Hem Foot
  • Button Hole Foot
  • Seam Guide
  • Zig-Zag Foot
  • Straight stitch presser foot
  • Over Edge Foot
  • Zipper Foot
  • Rolled Hem Foot
  • Button Sewing Foot

"I want a pair of those adjustable scissors from Westcott. You can loosen or tighten the screw in them to allow the cutting of very fine or very thick fabrics."


The official name of the scissors is the Westcott ExtremEdge Adjustable Tension Titanium Bonded Scissors but I agree with our crafter and call them super cool adjustable scissors. According to Westcott you can adjust the tension to cut thick items like cardboard to thin wispy fabrics.






"I'd love a big fabric cutting table too haha!"

Most home sewers do not have cutting tables because they take up too much space in the workroom when you aren't using them. The Sullivans Home Hobby Table solves that problem by folding flat and being able to wheel it into a corner between uses. If you throw a tablecloth on it, you get an extra buffet or snack table for holiday entertaining too.


While some of these gift ideas may seem strange to you, your crafter or DIYer will think it is a "real" gift and it will make them dance like a kid on Christmas morning!

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2 comments :

Brandie said...

Great list! I will take one of everything for sure =)
I think though, my favorite is the light scope. Sometimes I hold a piece of light linen over my flash to help prevent the blowout, but it doesn't always work!

Sarah said...

Thanks for the list! I have lots of crafters in my life so this might help with my Christmas shopping.

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