Cricut

I am a Cricut fangirl and recently became a member of their affiliate program—but I would never promote a product that I didn’t personally use and enjoy.

I use my Cricut Maker 4 ALL THE TIME for miniature making. Here are some of my favorite materials and tools for making.

• Veneer: Walnut | Maple

• Chipboard: 2mm | 1.5mm

• Heat Transfer Vinyl (called Everyday Iron-on)

• Scoring wheel tip and housing (you need both)

• Fabric Rotary Blade

• Knife blade

• Mat Medley 

• Fabric mat

• Tiny iron - Not just for heat transfer vinyl!

I’ve also created a super detailed guide for how I use my Cricut to make minis, which you can download here.

Photography & Videography

I prefer to purchase my photo and video supplies from local camera stores or B&H photo, but below you’ll find affiliate links to products on Amazon.

I shoot 95% of my video on my iPhone 16 Pro Max and enhance it with:

• Overhead mount - admittedly, this isn’t the highest quality mount (there are much nicer ones out there!) but it’s what I use with my phone to record content while I’m making things and to record a lot of my reels. It clamps onto my desk and can be positioned in lots of different angles.

• Photo & Video Light - super bright light with softbox that I use to illuminate mini scenes for photos and videos. You can adjust color temperature and brightness with a remote. I also use it as a light for crafting when I’m working at night! Note, does not include a stand.

• Lighting stand - I have a different brand but you don’t need anything too fancy. You will need one for the light linked above.

• Fluid head - attachment for a tripod that I use with my phone and camera for smooth rotations and tilts in videos.

• Autodolly - inexpensive yet effective remote control dolly that I use with my phone and camera for panning shots in videos. You’ll need a phone tripod mount to attach your phone to it.

• Cardboard boxes, 3-2-1 weights, pieces of wood, crouching on the ground - get really creative to get the shots you need!

Most of my final photoshoot photography is shot with a Fujimax XS-10 camera and the kit lens it comes with (18-55mm zoom lens) which I purchased used (and discounted!) from a local camera store. I also use a macro lens (borrowed from a friend) and have been experimenting with a macro probe lens for dynamic video shooting. The helpful photographers in my life are Fuji fans so that’s what I use, but you can find similar equipment for Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc. cameras.

I rely a ton on my husband who is a photography and lighting whiz, and I honestly don’t recommend investing in this more expensive equipment unless you also have patient loved ones and friends who are willing to help you out.

But with the less expensive tools listed above, you can do A LOT with just your phone camera!

Tools

• Bending pliers - my favorite tool for paper crafting. So handy!

• Pin vise - used to drill tiny holes

• Handheld saw and mini mitre box - key for cutting trim and small pieces of wood, metal and polystyrene

• Angle shears - used to cut wood

• 3-2-1 blocks - keep pieces square while gluing or to add weight. The added benefit is that they are 3 inches x 2 inches x 1 inch (hence the name)

Adhesives

• Bearly art glue - my go-to glue for paper, fabric, wood (sometimes!) and basically everything else. It comes in a bottle with a fine metal tip and is perfect for mini making

• Wood glue - this wood glue dries close to clear

• Loctite Super Glue Gel - my favorite superglue!

• Faller Plastic Glue - used for polystyrene and creates a very strong bond

• Blue painters tape - one of my favorites to use as a “clamp”, hold pieces together, hang mini art…you name it!

• Scotch Satin finish Gift Wrap tape - I apply this tape over printed items to create a durable but not-too-glossy finish

Sanding & Finishing

• Sanding files - like nail files with different grit sand paper, perfect for sanding any surface

• Metal files - good for metal and wood, especially when you want to really change the shape of something. They nicely complement the sanding sticks.

Materials & Surfaces

• 2mm Basswood - Used for furniture, window trim, etc. I primarily cut it with my laser cutter

• Metallic Contact paper - used to clad appliances and other metal surfaces

• Mirror sheets - used to make tiny mirrors. Looks realistic but can be cut with scissors, a craft knife, or a Cricut.

• Polystyrene rod assortment - a great starter kit. These rods come in handy for so many projects!