DIY Network

Custom Crafter's Kit Give the gift of creativity. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-613

Everyone – especially crafters – needs a place for their stuff. So what could be a better gift for the creative person in your life than a personalized tool tote stocked with craft essentials? Michele Beschen's custom crafter's kit also makes an excellent gift for a beginning crafter or someone who wants to try a new way to B. Original.

There's something for everyone...

With these tricked-out totes.

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Custom Crafter's Kit

Materials:

soft-sided canvas tool bags
fabric markers or fabric paints
wooden letters
wire and beads
hard-sided cases, tool boxes or tackle boxes

	Figure A
	Figure B

• When choosing a container or tote for this project, think about the gift recipient and their creative activities. Michele Beschen demonstrated the project on a canvas tool bag; jewelry crafters may be happier with a tackle box or a plastic bin with several separate compartments.

• Inspiration gets creativity in motion. Michele Beschen likes to personalize these containers with inspirational quotes to help keep the creative fires burning. Pick an appropriate quote, then use paint pens, fabric pens or squeezable fabric paints to write it on the container. Make sure to choose something with a fine point to make the lettering easier (figure A).

• Personalize the bag with the recipient's initial using small, wooden letters. Paint and decorate the letter as desired, then drill a small hole in the top of the letter.

• Run some wire through the hole, add some beads and thread the wire through a zipper or handle on the container. Curl the end of the wire to secure it (figure B).

Fill the Kit

With the container ready to go, it's time to fill it with creative tools and supplies. Tailor the contents to the person's interests, or get them started on something new. Michele Beschen likes to include a small sketchbook to hold ideas, as well as a how-to book that ties in with the craft materials.

Here are some of her other recommendations for some custom crafter's kits:

How-to Newbie: variety of small hand tools drill bits and screw tips measuring tape small flashlight screws, hooks and hardware

Jewelry-Making: (Try using a jewelry box as the container) assorted jewelry wires assorted cording variety of beads bracelet and necklace closures miscellaneous jewelry findings

Painting: small canvases art brushes pencils paints drawing supplies

Sewing: colorful threads needles measuring tape fasteners good pair of fabric scissors fabric scraps seam ripper handmade pincushion

Decorative Painting: gloves painter's tape (assorted sizes) brushes rollers putty knife sand paper paint cups sponges