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These are the supplies I find essential to my cardmaking. If you’re a beginner, just starting out, these are the items I would start with. I have tried a lot of different brands and supplies over the years, and these are some of the best I’ve found.

Tools

DieCutting Machine – I use the Spellbinders Platinum Six (because it integrates nicely with their Glimmer Foil Machine), but many other brands have good machines

Stamping Platform – I use the Tim Holtz platform, but it’s not made anymore. Most other crafters seem to use the Misti stamping tool. I would not be able to stamp without one as it ensures crisp, consistent images.

Scissors – Fiskars spring loaded small scissors

Guillotine Style Cutter – Tim Holtz’s cutter is a popular brand

Scor-Buddy – Necessary when making those card bases or any other style of card needing precise folds

Bone Folder – (usually one comes with the scor-buddy), used to make sure those folds are precise

Gem Picker – I prefer the ones with the double sided rubber tips versus the wax tip

Heat Gun –

Inks

In my own crafting I rarely used colored inks. Many other crafters do, but this is just what works for me.

Hero Arts Intensified Black Ink – My favorite ink, used for almost everything. This is great because it can be used with watercolors or alcohol markers and the ink will not run!

Versamark Black Ink – This is the ink I use specifically with embossing powders

Versamark Clear Embossing Ink

Hero Arts Unicorn White Ink