Those tiny sequins and small embellishments can be trouble for many. Our fumbling fingers don’t always work. But where there is a paper-crafter, there is a tool! And pick up style tools are popular in many shapes and forms.
How do you know which one is right for you? Or even where to start? I will cover some of the basics to help you get the right tool in your hands to help you pick up those little project decorations. And maybe assist you in keeping them off the floor, where the vacuum finds them days later!
Helping Hands
Of course the first tool at your disposal, as you work, is your own hands. And more importantly, your fingers. Some of my fellow crafters swear that long fingernails are helpful, while others say they just get in the way.
It is really hard to get a good grasp on the tiny embellishments and sequins, let alone position them properly onto our paper. Why do they make cute things so small?
So, even though hands and fingers work some of the time, there are better ways to go. And tools are the answer!
Scissors Vs. Tweezers
The battle over scissors and tweezers as top pick up tool is a tough one. They both essentially do the same work when used for small embellishments.
When you hold either of them in your hand, you approach your chosen item and then close the tweezers or scissors under and around the embellishment to scoop it up. While it is still in play on the tool, you position the embellishment onto your project and ease it into place.
Scissors
The best thing about using scissors as your pick up tool is that you already should have them in your craft area. Obviously they are useful in many ways!
Sometimes it can be hard to get the right grip on an embellishment using the scissors. The hold requires fingers and thumbs to complete, plus some dexterity. And practice.
Things I Use Scissors For
- Cutting paper
- Opening packages
Tweezers
This is another item you probably already have somewhere in your home, if not particularly in the craft room. So they would be a good choice for a pick-up tool in a bind or on a budget.
Tweezers need a different grip from scissors, but again there is a motion needed for opening and closing. With the tweezers, you have a little more ease of grabbing hold of small items and moving them around as needed.
Things I Use Tweezers For
- Removing splinters
- Playing Hasbro Game, Operation
Placement Tools
I find it interesting that when there is a need, there is a product. Therefore, placement tools were invented. And crafters bought them and there was much rejoicing.
QuickStik
The first placement tool I bought is called the QuickStik. It is sold by a company called We R Memory Keepers. There are 2 functions to this tool. One end has a sticky putty substance that grabs small items, and the other has a hard plastic spatula that scoops things up quickly and easily.
While I rarely use the putty end, I love the hard plastic spatula. Could it be wider? Yes. The important thing is that it is firm, unwavering. I compliment it on the solid nature of its existence.
Take Your Pick Tool
After I had owned and loved my QuickStik for some time, Stampin’ Up joined the pick up tool game and offered a new tool. This one is called the Take Your Pick Tool. It is the jack-knife of pick up tools!
The Pros of the Take Your Pick Tool
Like the QuickStik, the Take Your Pick Tool is handy for scooping up small embellishments with the spatula end. And it has a putty end as well. In fact, the Take Your Pick Tool comes with 2 of the putty ends, so you have a replacement right away! (Of course, additional refill packs are available if needed).
But wait…there’s more!
I did mention the jack-knife like resemblance, right? This tool also has a paper piercer (known as a pokey tool), small and large stylus (for scoring), and protective end caps. Sold separately is the Take Your Pick Die Brush (with 2 foam pads), that also easily attaches to the tool. This is useful for cleaning small paper stuck in your dies and on die cut paper itself.
So with a quick change of attachments, you have the ability to do 6 different jobs with one tool. One tool. And super useful, as space in the craft room is typically limited (here I speak for myself as I have a tremendous amount of supplies!).
The Cons Of The Take Your Pick Tool
If I could change 1 thing about the Take Your Pick Tool, it would be the metal spatula end. I like that it is wider than the Quickstik, but I don’t like that it is flimsier. It has some give and bend to it that I am not necessarily a fan of.
And while I really appreciate that there are so many attachments to this tool, they have to be kept somewhere. Yes, they are small and easily inter-changed. But I am the type of person who bought 2 of these tools, just so I can keep all my job functions at the ready. Immediate gratification!
Your Job, Your Tool
As you can see, there are many options to use when picking a tool to help you place those tiny embellishments. I am sure if you look around your kitchen or regular tool box, you can come up with ingenious everyday items to aid in your crafty work.
But if you want to use the Take Your Pick Tool, item # 144107, in your craft room, you can find it in my online store, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net. Be sure to add this handy item to your next order, and craft like a pro!