Crafting is a beloved hobby for many people. Whether it’s scrapbooking, card making, or creating home decor, there’s something special about making something with your own two hands. One essential tool in many crafters’ arsenals is a set of craft dies. These dies are essentially templates that allow you to cut out intricate shapes and designs with precision. While craft dies can be pricey, there are ways to get the most out of them without breaking the bank. In this blog, we’ll explore some tips for crafting on a budget and making the most of your craft dies.
- Look for versatile dies
When you’re shopping for craft dies, look for sets that include a variety of designs and shapes. This will allow you to get more use out of each set. For example, a set of nested circle dies can be used to create frames, backgrounds, and embellishments for a variety of projects. Similarly, a set of alphabet dies can be used to create custom sentiments for cards and scrapbook pages.
- Mix and match dies
Don’t be afraid to mix and match dies from different sets to create unique designs. For example, you can use a flower die from one set with a leaf die from another set to create a custom floral design. This can help you get more mileage out of your dies and create truly one-of-a-kind projects.
- Use scraps
When you’re die-cutting, don’t throw away the scraps! Small pieces of cardstock can be used to create accents and embellishments for your projects. For example, you can use a small heart die to create a bunch of heart accents from scraps that you can use to decorate a card or scrapbook page.
- Try partial die-cutting
Partial die-cutting is a technique where you only cut part of a die design, leaving the rest of the paper intact. This can create unique shapes and designs that you can use as accents on your projects. For example, you can use a square die to partially cut a shape from a cardstock panel, then fold the cut portion back to create a dimensional element.
- Experiment with different materials
Craft dies aren’t just for paper! You can use them to cut shapes from a variety of materials, including felt, fabric, and even thin metal sheets. This can open up a whole new world of crafting possibilities and help you get more use out of your dies.