Card making has become one of the fastest growing creative pastimes in recent years. The craze for card making has meant a boom in supplies readily available on the high street. There is plenty to choose from and for the beginner it may be a daunting array of products. However instead of purchasing cardstock, glue, embellishments and blank cards separately there are many card making kits now in the shops. These are a good starting point if you are just starting out in card making.
Card making kits will typically contain everything you need to make the cards – you may need a basic tool kit but often only scissors are required. They will typically contain card blanks, envelopes, card stock, a small pot of glue, some embellishments and an instruction form. Do always check the contents list before purchasing.
What to Look For
If you are purchasing a card making kit for a friend as a gift, remember to think of the friend’s style and likes, not your own! Kits are often themed such as butterfly card making kit (Dempsey Designs), oriental card kit (QVC), new baby embroidery kit (DMC) Creative Card kit (Crayola).
Take into consideration the techniques involved. Some kits are aimed at those crafters who want fast cards and so they will be completed quickly. The kits where a craft is used, such as quilling or silk painting, may require you to take more time to get to grips with a craft.
When purchasing a kit for children, check the contents before purchasing to see if it has everything required to make the cards. Often a kit will specify on the box what age group it is aimed at.
A good idea if you are a beginner is to buy a card making kit which also has a book with it. This is more pricey than just a card making kit but it is worth it for the ideas and inspiration it will give you.
Where to Buy
Large chain stores will stock craft kits. The Range, WH Smiths and John Lewis are just a few which sell card making kits – even Tescos sell crafts and card making kits now!
Craft magazines will also sell card making kits. These are a good idea because often the magazine will include step-by-step instructions inside on how to make different projects using the materials provided, as well as templates and handy hints.
The TV shopping channels now regularly have craft days and these are a good source for card making supplies and especially kits. The kits sold may not contain items such as glue, foam pads or double sided tape. Also be aware that they do not always come with an instruction leaflet so you may not have a guide sheet from which to make the cards.
N.B. you will often have to pay postage and packing on kits bought through the internet or TV channels.
