Spool Tamers

These are a handy new tool from Beadalon.  They're made for keeping wire spools neat and tidy, and they work very well for that.

But I've been using them for my beading thread spools instead.  And I looooove them for that!  They keep all of the thread on the spool from unraveling.  If you grab the tail of the thread and the little elastic tab and pull, it feeds out thread.  And if you pull out too much, you just run the elastic tab around the spool and it winds it up in a jiffy!

The spool tamers come in a pack of three and they're a pretty good deal.  I highly recommend them whether you use wire or thread, or both.  I got mine here.

Parchment Paper

Yep, parchment paper.  I use this stuff for practically everything.

First of all, I do bake with it.  And if you bake, I highly recommend parchment paper.  I've found it to be a total life saver in the kitchen.  I never bake cookies without it, and it makes removing cakes from the pan so much easier.

But I also keep a separate roll of parchment paper in my craft room.  I use it anytime I need a non-stick work surface, or anytime I'm working on something messy.  Painting and applying patina is always done on parchment.  I use parchment whenever I work with polymer clay to protect my work surface - and then I stick the piece into the toaster oven right on the same piece of parchment.  I also bake shrink plastic on a piece of parchment paper, which allows it to slide as it shrinks.

If you've done any of these activities and needed a good surface to work on, I highly recommend parchment paper.  I don't use much at a time, so a roll lasts me a really long time.  You can get it all over, including Amazon (affiliate link), Michaels, or at the grocery store.

Tulip Beading Needles

When I read about Tulip Beading Needles, I was not quite convinced that they could possibly be as amazing as everybody made them out to be.  So when I got my first pair of size 12s, I decided to sacrifice one to the Beading Gods and see just how strong and flexible they really were.

Seriously.  No really, you guys.  I bent this thing into a complete "U" shape and it still didn't break.  If you do beading, you'll know how persnickety size 12 needles can be.  I used to buy them constantly.  Not only did I make this little guy to a complete back bend without breaking, but when I let go, the needle sprang back, only retaining a slight curve.  I honestly couldn't believe it.

I've been using the same pair for months.  The price, which initially seemed high, now seems very reasonable.  I've saved quite a bit actually, now that I don't have to replace broken needles all the time.  So, I'm convinced.  They really are that amazing.  To top it all off, they have a slightly larger eye for easier threading.  Need I say more?

Gingher Fabric Shears

Okay folks, if you or someone in your household sews, you will understand the importance of a good pair of fabric shears.  You will be familiar with the phrase, "Don't cut that with THOSE scissors!" and the accompanying look of panic and/or fury.

The Gingher 8-Inch Knife Edge Dressmaker's Shears (affiliate link) are the only fabric shears for me.  I got my first pair of these beauties in college and have never looked back.

Odds are, you've tried them, or are at least familiar with them, if you sew much.  They're pretty much the gold standard, and yet they won't break the bank.  It's an uncommon combination.  What the manufacturer says about these badboys is sufficient, so I'll let them do the technical explanation: "The 8 inch Dressmaker’s Shears have a versatile longer length cut and blades strong enough to trim and cut multiple layers of fabric effortlessly. The longer cut is ideal for cutting out patterns and trimming seams. Gingher’s precision ground knife edge cuts flawlessly all the way to the points. The bent handle allows for smooth, comfortable cutting across a tabletop or counter."

Basically, if you have to cut fabric on a regular basis, I can recommend no shears as highly as these.