Friday 29 Mar 2024
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This article first appeared in Digital Edge, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on October 11, 2021 - October 17, 2021

As the world becomes increasingly tech-centric, even the creative people who prefer handmade to mass manufactured have kept up with the times. There is an array of tools out there to help beginners get into the art of crafting as well as enhance the capabilities of seasoned artists. 

Here are some gadgets that are on most creators’ wish lists.

 

 1  3D drawing pen

A 3D drawing pen is a versatile craft tool that can be used to draw on paper to give an elevated effect or to create 3D models and figures. These pens are easy to use. All you need to do is load plastic filaments into the pen, which melts them at the tip to produce shapes. This tool can also be used by jewellery makers or anyone looking to design miniature models, but the creative possibilities of this gadget are endless, if used correctly.

These pens are widely available on e-commerce websites for as low as RM20, but be sure to read the reviews on their usability before purchasing.

 

 2  Thermal sticker printer

A Bluetooth-enabled portable thermal sticker printer is the best companion for scrapbookers. It is simple enough to use: pick an image to turn into a sticker and edit it using the device’s mobile app. Just connect your smartphone to the device via Bluetooth and print the sticker! As it is a thermal printer, the images will be in black and white. However, the thermal paper comes in various colours, which is where you can get creative.

The printer retails for as low as RM110 on e-commerce sites, depending on the capabilities of the device and the size of the sticker prints.

 

 3  Drawing projector

If drawing was never your thing at school and tracing seemed too difficult and messy, perhaps a drawing projector is the tool for you. There are several types of projectors, the simplest and cheapest option being an optical mirror reflection tracing plate, which is able to mirror images from the screen of a smartphone to a piece of paper on the table for tracing. The most sophisticated device is a wall projector to trace murals on walls.

Drawing projectors cost between RM20 and RM800, depending on the complexity of the tool.

 

 4  Cricut

A cricut machine is every crafter’s dream as the possibilities are endless with its automatic cutters, as well as its drawing and fabric printing capabilities. The latest in the series is the Cricut Joy. All you need to do is load the machine with the right tool (pen or cutter blade), connect your phone to the device via Bluetooth and load the image you want designed. Other machines have the capability to cut thicker materials such as wood, fabric and plastic sheets.

These smart machines cost upwards of RM970 at the company’s Lazada flagship store. For tips and ideas on how to use the machine, visit @cricut_sgmy on Instagram to see some Cricut creations.

 

 5  Procreate

The newest digital art craze, Procreate is an Apple-exclusive application that is favoured by creative professionals. The app is a complete digital art studio that has everything a creative designer needs, from expressive sketches to rich paintings, gorgeous illustrations and beautiful animations. The app comes with a library of brushes that include pencils, inks, charcoal and textured artistic brushes.

Procreate Pocket costs RM19.90 for the iPhone and RM39.90 for the Procreate iPad. Available at the iOS App Store.

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