The types of handmade cards that are available are as various as the minds of those creating them. The choices of tools, colors, papers, embellishments, vary as much as the tone, type, arrangement, and personality of the card. The typical card maker usually has a preference for creating cards that are unique to their creative talent. The opportunity to create so many different types of cards brings about a new set of tools for each type of card.                                 The choices to make a card can be watercolor, ink, chalk, stencil, die cut, stickers, rub-ons, stamped, embossed, punched, sewn, pierced, computer designed - the list of creative choices is unlimited. However, each requires an inventory of tools that the buyer of a handmade card does not normally consider. They see a handmade card that meets their need and its purchased. Never giving a thought (and shouldn't really) to what has been required of the card maker that produces the handmade creation that should be considered a work of art.                                                  For example, the creator may prefer to watercolor. This can be done by watercoloring a stamped image or by creating their own watercolor image. Watercoloring has various techniques. The creator can use brushes, blenders, chalks or pencils. Each of these also brings an arsenal of choices for the individual tools needed for each medium. There are watercolor brushes that hold the water in the barrel of the brush, fine tipped brushes of various sizes that are dipped into water and then across the various color mediums, q-tips can be used, watercolor crayons can be applied directly to the paper and then spread by a brush or another tool that will give the effect that the creator is striving to accomplish. The different types of paper that can be used and the different look that a paper can achieve would be a topic in itself.                                        This guide isn't to teach any particluar technique, but to show the large amount of tools that go in to making cards - watercoloring is just one option. Any medium requires its own individual set of tools. The collection of tools for the experienced card maker can often require several cabinets, boxes, or shelves for their storage. Most often, we don't have enough room and the actual card is produced in a little cleared spot in front of us. We are surrounded by boxes of all types, full cabinets, filled closets, and a various assortment of containers that allow us to see their contents. Then there is the paper. This is another item that most card makers will tell you is an item that requires more storage than they have room. The types, colors, designs, size, etc are all the beginning of the card. It is generally accepted that 80 lb paper is the best for cards. However, you can purchase thinner paper and strengthen it with the type of adhesive used, adding mats or layers of papers, and even the embellishments can provide support. Embellishments - something the card maker is always on the look-out for .. that will make their card "pop" ! Most of us will have more ribbon than the average consumer would consider sane :) Just as we look for unusal paper, ribbon can drive us crazy! Can never have too much or enough of a variety. The tools to apply embellishments and embellishments themselves are a list that can go on and on ...some are tweezers, pinchers, brads, eyelets and eyelet setters, paper/plastic/ribbon/ flowers, stickers, staples, bottle caps, chipboard, buttons, paper piercer, cutters, cutting mats, scissors, glue, double stick adhesive, tape, glitter, punches...and on and on and on. The different types of each one of these items can be a blog on the use for each one. Listing all the different types of punches, scissors, cutting tools is an exhaustive topic.                             Images - one of the popular tools for the card maker is the rubber stamp. There are so many choices available in craft stores, online, home parties, magazines, department stores, hobby stores, etc. The card maker is always looking for better ways to store their stamps. This is another item that comes in so many varieties. Wood mounted stamps or unmounted stamps that are the typical red rubber, clear acrylic stamps, foam stamps, peg stamps, stamps in sets, or individual stamps. With the purchase of the different stamps, the card maker must also purchase the correct cleaner, inks (wether to use dye or permanent), markers, embossing powders, heat guns, etc. Computer - more and more card makers are using their computers for pictures, images, verses and sentiments. While to some card makers this is not considered a "truly" handmade card, to others they are! and the results can be awesome. This is a short but hopefully brief insight into what has gone into the handmade card you have purchased. For most of us, these litte creations are hard to part with ..but knowing that they are appreciated and admired keeps us going.                                     The amount of time that goes into designing and creating a card, the supplies purchased to be able to create different cards, and then the supplies needed to ship them - far exceeds the median sale price of $2.50 per card. Most card makers are talented, creative artists that find great enjoyment in creating a card that will bring pleasure to someone.                                               So the next time you buy that perfect handmade card, remember that somewhere there is someone buried in a room full of storage, who has invested a huge amount in supplies and tools, working into the night and just wants to hear .... OOOHHHHHH! THIS CARD IS SO BEAUTIFUL!   Enjoy!    from a crazed card maker