Everyone has that one friend who looks at something beautiful and says, "I could make that." And they usually do. Their hands are never still. There's a half-finished sketch on the table, a pile of paper scraps they're "saving for something," and a new hobby they picked up last weekend.
Shopping for a crafter can feel intimidating. They already have opinions about paper weight, they know which tape actually sticks, and they can spot a cheap supply from across the room. The good news is that the best gifts for crafters aren't complicated. They're well-made tools, a few fun materials, and a little inspiration for the next project.
At Dovetail Studio, we're makers first. Everything in this guide is carved, printed, stitched, or bound by hand in our Florida studio, by two people who have more paper scraps than we'll ever admit. Here's what we'd want to unwrap.
What Makes a Great Gift for a Crafter?
Before you start shopping, it helps to know what makers actually value. Here's a quick checklist:
- It gets used. The best art supply is the one that leaves the shelf. Look for things they'll reach for every week, not something too precious to touch.
- It's good quality. Crafters notice paper that buckles under paint and tape that won't hold. Quality materials make the work more fun.
- It sparks an idea. A themed kit or a new material can nudge them toward a project they wouldn't have started on their own.
- It has a story. Makers love knowing how things are made. A handmade gift from another maker means something.
Keep those four things in mind, and you can't go wrong.
Start with a Sketchbook Made to Be Used
Every artist goes through sketchbooks, and most of the ones at big-box stores have flimsy paper and bindings that fight you. Our Hand Bound Watercolor Sketchbooks are different. Each one is hand-bound with a longstitch binding, so it lies completely flat whether you're painting, collaging, or sketching on the first or last page.
Inside are 100 pages of watercolor paper, heavy enough for paint, ink, gouache, and pencil. Plus, they are ready to take everywhere for ideas on the go, with just the right size to toss in a bag for a day of plein air painting.
Gift tip: pair a sketchbook with a small watercolor set or a favorite pen, and you've got a complete gift in two pieces.
For the Collage Lover: Junk Journaling Kits
If your crafter loves scrapbooking, collage, or anything involving glue and tiny scraps of paper, they've probably heard of junk journaling. It's the art of turning everyday ephemera, like ticket stubs, old book pages, receipts, and ribbon, into layered, personal journals. (We wrote a whole post on how scrapbooking got a rebrand, if you want the history.)
Our Junk Journaling Kits do the hardest part for them: collecting the materials. Each kit is a curated mix of recycled papers, ribbon, buttons, and ephemera in a theme, like Garden or Dog. At $12, they make a great add-on or stocking stuffer.
Want to give the full experience? Our Junk Journaling Starter Kits pair a hand-bound watercolor sketchbook with a roll of trout washi tape and a full materials kit. Everything they need is in one package, so they can start the moment the wrapping paper comes off.
The Little Things Makers Never Have Enough Of
Ask any crafter and they'll tell you: you can never have too much washi tape. Our washi tape is made from scans of our hand-printed linocuts, so every roll keeps the texture and small imperfections of real block printing. There are more than a dozen designs, including:
- Bunnies and garden gnomes
- Chickens in cowboy boots
- Swiss florals and checkered florals
- Strawberries, oranges, and sunshine
- Bugs, cats, trout, and seashells
Each roll is 15mm x 10m, perfect for journals, packaging, cards, and planners. At $4.50 or 3 for $10, they're easy to collect, so let them pick a few favorites.
Round it out with our Botanical Glitter Sticker Sheet, a whimsical mix of linocut-print designed flowers, fish, and faces that's made for journal spreads.
A Gift That Teaches: Hands at Work
Some crafters don't just want supplies. They want to learn something new. Our Hands at Work publication is a 64-page, St. Pete–based magazine celebrating local makers and small businesses. Inside you'll find stories from creative entrepreneurs, plus beginner-friendly printmaking and bookbinding tutorials designed to inspire making at home.
It's part coffee-table book, part how-to guide, and a lovely gift for anyone curious about block printing or binding their own books. It pairs perfectly with our free online tutorials on linocut printmaking and long stitch bookbinding.
The Easy Button: The Maker's Bundle
If you'd rather not piece it together yourself, we did it for you. The Maker's Bundle includes:
- Swiss Floral Watercolor Sketchbook
- Junk Journaling Kit - Garden Theme
- A roll of floral checkered washi tape
It's a complete creative kit that covers drawing, collage, decorating, and experimentation all in one place.
FAQ
What is a junk journaling kit? It's a curated bundle of papers, ribbon, buttons, and ephemera used to build collage-style journals. Ours use recycled materials and curated crafting materials grouped by theme.
Is watercolor paper good for other mediums? Yes. Heavier watercolor paper handles ink, gouache, pencil, and markers well, which makes a watercolor sketchbook a flexible gift.
What's a good gift for a crafter under $20? Washi tape, sticker sheets, and our $12 junk journaling kits are all thoughtful picks under $20.
Find Their Perfect Gift
Still not sure? Take our 6-question gift quiz on the Holiday Gift Guide page. It takes about a minute and points you to the right wishlist for anyone on your list ✸
