Craft Articles

Hello, my name is Anice and I am a card maker and craft designer for Funky Hand. I have been making cards for over two years and in that time have learned that it is a hobby that can take over your life! If you have decided that it is something that you would like to try then join me on a simple guide to getting started.

When I decided that I would like to start card making I was in the lucky situation of having a Mother who was already heavily addicted to it, because of this I had easy access to most information that I needed and got some realistic advice about getting started rather than the sales pitch that you can sometimes come across. Over the next few weeks through the articles that will be posted here I intend to give you a simple guide to getting started with card making, and then go on to introduce you to general card making, ideas and techniques. If you are an experienced card maker then this first article might be a little too basic for you but take a look anyway you might learn something new… right lets get started!

What on earth do I need to get started?
The first time you enter your local craft shop can be a bit daunting. there are so many shelves full of different papers, card, stamps, inks, pens, glues, knives and other stuff it can be a bit overwhelming. If you are just trying out card making to see if you would like to take it up then you don’t want to spend a fortune in order to get started. My Mom told me that when she started she bought stuff that she has never used and she still has it in her stash (Stash: This is a crafters term for all their crafting collection, paper and embellishments etc…there we are, starting to get into it all ready!) I don’t want you do the same so, let’s talk about what your basic needs are to get you making your first card:

Basic Card Making Items that you will need:

A Cutting mat – This is a real staple as it will double as a cutting matt a protector for your table and the craft item you can never find anywhere to store flat!A pair of Scissors- You probably have a spare pair of scissors lying around in a kitchen draw, to get you started they will be fine, later you might want to go out and buy some smaller or larger ones or even fancy cutting edge ones for different craft techniques but when you are just trying out the craft what you have got will do fine.

Glue: In the craft store there are loads of different types of glue but to get you started just buy a small bottle of All purpose PVA glue, get one that dries colourless so that if you put a bit to much on when you a trying out your first cards it wont show up so bad!

Card for making the base of your card: There are hundreds of different types of card available and in the future if you decide that card making is something you would like to continue then you can buy every type (and you probably will!) but, I suggest when you are just starting that you buy a small pack of ready scored and creased cards. They usually come in packs of about five with matching envelopes, buy whatever colour takes your fancy but I usually stick to white or cream because that will go with any embellishment that you decide on. I have chosen a cream card for my example card

Card for matting and layering: What’s matting and layering I hear you ask. We will get to that in the next article. Just get yourself a couple of pieces of A4 card in co-ordinating colours to go with the pre scored cards you have chosen. I have chosen to use a pink and a silver mirror type of card for my example card but you choose what ever you like.

Backing Paper: Now, backing papers are my passion. Backing papers are the patterned papers that you see on a card on top of the base card underneath the greeting or embellishment. They come is every size and pattern imaginable. To get you started I suggest just buying one or two papers from your craft shop. Choose designs that you like and will co-ordinate with the card that you have decided on. The backing paper on my example card is pink with hearts over it.

Embellishments: This is the fun part. Embellishments are the bits and pieces that you use to make the card special and different to any cards you might buy in the shops. There are many different types of embellishments and later on in this series I will be showing you ways to create your own embellishments for your cards. But to get you started I suggest that you buy a ready made set of embellishments. They are made by companies like Jolies and Paper Mania, when you go into you craft shop you will see hundreds to choose from. Buy something that takes your fancy or will fit the type of card you are planning to make. For my example card I have gone for a simple pink fabric flower.

Peel offs: Peel offs are the sheets of silver or gold stickers that can be either pictures or wording. I have to admit that I am not a big fan of peel offs they are used very badly by some card makers but they are great when you are first starting out as they are pretty cheap and an easy way of adding a sentiment to a card. Buy yourself a sheet with something like ‘Happy Birthday’ or ‘Best Wishes’ in whichever colour goes best with your choice of cards and papers. Those sentiments are the ones you will probably use the most.

Even though all through this guide I have been talking about going to your local craft shop I know not everyone has one near them or can get to one so you will find many web based craft shops where you can buy everything that you need. My favourites are Mad about Cards and Create and Celebrate, have a search on the web you will find lots and lots.

OK so now you know what goodies you need to get started, next time using all the items that I have told you about here, I will show you step by step how to put together a simple card like this one:

Anice McNamee
http://www.funkyhanddigital.com/