45 Must Have Art and Crafts Supplies
Starting a new creative hobby always feels a little exciting and a little overwhelming at the same time. When I first started exploring art and crafts supplies, I remember walking into the craft store and feeling like I needed absolutely everything. Every aisle looked magical and every little tool felt like a possibility. It took me a while to learn what I actually needed in order to start crafting without feeling confused or overspending.
Over the years, I have collected my favorite art and craft supplies that make creating so much easier and way more fun. If you are just starting your crafting journey, this guide will help you build a beginner friendly toolkit that works for almost any project. Today we are going through 45 essential craft supplies for beginners and how to organize them.
Crafting is supposed to spark joy, so the goal is to make things accessible and easy to reach. With the right setup, you will be excited to sit down and create whenever you have a little spare time.
Let’s get into the ultimate list of art and crafts supplies every beginner needs.
Essential Art and Crafts Supplies for Beginners
Whether you prefer painting, scrapbooking, journaling, DIY home projects, or creative hobbies that you can do on the couch while watching a show, these craft supplies for beginners will give you a solid starting point.
Below are 45 must have art craft supplies that work across countless projects.
1. Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is beginner friendly, dries quickly, and works on so many surfaces including canvas, paper, wood, and clay. There are so many cute projects that you can do with acrylic paint, it’s an absolute must.
2. Watercolor Paint
I dipped into the world of watercolor last year and absolutely loved it. This is a great activity for all skill levels, especially beginners.
3. Paintbrush Set
Get a variety pack so you have different shapes and sizes to experiment with.
4. Canvas Panels
Affordable surfaces for acrylic painting and crafting.
5. Sketchbook
A space to practice, doodle, plan projects, or experiment with new techniques.
6. Drawing Pencils
A simple graphite pencil set goes a long way for sketches and basic outlines.
7. Erasers
Grab a kneaded eraser and a standard white eraser for clean, smudge free corrections.
8. Fine Line Pens
These are great for outlining, drawing, journaling, and adding details.
9. Colored Pencils
A classic art supply that works for beginners and experienced artists.
10. Markers
Brush markers, permanent markers, and dual tip markers are all great to start with.
11. Mod Podge
A beginner friendly glue and sealer for decoupage, crafting, and DIY projects.
12. Craft Glue
A strong, clear glue is essential for paper crafts and mixed media.
13. Hot Glue Gun
A must have for DIY home decor, crafting, and quick fixes.
14. Glue Sticks
Perfect for scrapbooking, journaling, and lightweight projects.
15. Scissors
A good pair of craft scissors will be used constantly.
16. Precision Knife
Great for cutting paper, vinyl, or detailed shapes.
17. Cutting Mat
Protects your table and gives you a clean cutting surface.
18. Ruler
Helpful for measuring, drawing straight lines, and planning layouts.
19. Washi Tape
Cute, decorative, and functional. Use it for journaling, scrapbooks, and labeling.
20. Cardstock
Thicker paper that works for cards, crafts, and DIY decorations.
21. Construction Paper
A colorful and affordable staple for beginners.
22. Craft Sticks
Perfect for DIY projects, kids crafts, and home decor.
23. Pipe Cleaners
Fun, bendable supplies that work for beginner crafts and creative shapes. If you have never used this before, put them at the top of your list right now. Some of my favorite childhood memories are with pipe cleaner crafts, they are the best!!
24. Pom Poms
Cute additions to cards, decor, and handmade projects. You can also just buy some yarn and DIY these yourself.
25. Googly Eyes
Instant personality for any craft project. One year my sister stuck some googly eyes on a rock and gave it to my brother for his birthday. It was his new “pet rock” lol.
26. Yarn
Great for crocheting, weaving, tassels, pom poms, and DIY decor.
27. Embroidery Floss
Perfect for friendship bracelets and delicate string crafts.
28. Felt Sheets
Soft, colorful, and easy to cut for beginner friendly creations.
29. Fabric Scraps
Useful for sewing practice, DIY patches, and mixed media art.
30. Needles and Thread
Great for hand sewing and learning basic stitches. These are also great if you want to start to learn embroidery or make friendship bracelets!
31. Beads
Perfect for jewelry making, bracelets, and decorations.
32. Jewelry Wire
A beginner supply for bracelets and more detailed jewelry pieces.
33. Pliers
Helpful for bending wire and attaching jewelry pieces.
34. Clay
Air dry clay is perfect for simple, creative projects at home. If you want something on the cheaper side, try Model Magic. It is so much fun and you still get the same sculpting experience as clay.
35. Sculpting Tools
Make working with clay easier and more precise.
36. Paint Palette
Keeps paints organized and gives you room to mix colors.
37. Spray Bottle
This helps activate watercolors and keeps paint from drying too quickly.
38. Apron
This will help protect your clothes during messy projects. An oversized t-shirt also does the trick!
39. Paper Towels
Necessary for painting and cleanup. You can also use this as a tool when painting to create different textures.
40. Sponges
Great for texture techniques and watercolor blending.
41. Craft Storage Bins
Useful for keeping supplies sorted and easy to reach.
42. Sticker Packs
Perfect for journaling, scrapbooking, or adding personality to your projects.
43. Stamps and Ink Pads
Great for decorating cards, journals, and craft projects.
44. Ribbon
Adds texture and color to DIY crafts, gifts, and handmade decor.
45. Mini Craft Tools Kit
Small tweezers, clips, and measuring tools help with details and organization. I use a makeup bag for this and it works perfectly!
How to Organize Arts and Crafts Supplies as a Beginner
When I first started collecting art and crafts supplies, I did not realize how quickly things can pile up. A few paint bottles here, some yarn there, and before you know it, you have a closet full of supplies that feel impossible to sort through.
Learning how to organize arts and crafts supplies can make such a difference in your creative routine. When your tools are easy to find, you spend more time crafting and less time searching. Organization does not need to be complicated or Pinterest perfect. A few simple habits can transform your space into a place that feels inspiring and ready for creativity.
Here are eight practical craft organization hacks that beginners can easily incorporate into their routine.
8 Easy Craft Organization Hacks
1. Use Clear Bins for Easy Visibility
Clear bins help you see exactly what you have so you do not accidentally buy duplicates of the same art craft supplies.
2. Sort Supplies by Category
Keep painting supplies together, paper supplies together, and yarn or fabric supplies in their own bin. This keeps everything simple and consistent.
3. Use Drawer Organizers
Drawer organizers are perfect for markers, pens, washi tape, and smaller craft supplies for beginners that get lost easily.
4. Repurpose Jars and Cups
Old candle jars, mugs, or mason jars are great for storing brushes, scissors, pencils, and tools.
5. Label Everything
Labels help your brain relax and make cleanup faster. Plus, they look cute.
6. Keep a Small Caddy for Current Projects
Instead of pulling out all your art and crafts supplies every time, place what you need in a portable caddy. This helps you craft anywhere in your home.
7. Use Vertical Storage
Wall shelves, pegboards, or hanging organizers help free up table space and keep tools easy to reach.
8. Declutter on the First Day of Each Month
A quick monthly reset ensures your supplies stay neat and your crafting area stays inspiring.
Arts & Crafts Essentials
Building your collection of art and crafts supplies is such a fun part of starting your creative journey. It does not matter if you are brand new to crafting or returning to it after years. With beginner friendly craft supplies, easy tools, and a simple organization system, you can create projects that feel relaxing, joyful, and fulfilling.
I hope these 45 essential craft supplies for beginners help you feel excited and confident as you build your creative toolkit. Whether you are painting, journaling, sewing, or exploring mixed media, you now have everything you need to get inspired. Take a look at the Crafts page for ideas on how to put these art and crafts supplies to use! I also have a blog on beginner crafts to get you started.
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xoxo,
Kayla Mae 🫶🏻
