Best of Crafting Step by Step
How We Review Craft Tools and Supplies
Every Best of list follows the same rules, so you always know why a product is on it and what we get from it.
We use what we recommend
A product goes on a list only after hands-on use at the craft table, on the kinds of projects our tutorials teach. Until that testing is done, a list says so at the top.
Every list shows its criteria
Each list starts with what we judged on, such as how easy a machine is to set up or whether a glue dries clear, so you can weigh our picks against what matters to you.
Prices are checked on the date shown
Prices change often. When we show one, we show the date we checked it. Until then the button simply says to check the current price.
No invented ratings
We never make up star ratings, scores, test results or quotes. If we have not measured something, we do not claim it.
Affiliate links are labeled, and nobody pays to be listed
Some buttons are affiliate links: if you buy through one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which products make a list, and no brand can pay for a place on one.
Our own products are labeled, one per list at most
If something from our own shop fits a list, it is clearly marked as ours, and no list has more than one.
Lists are dated and re-checked
Every list shows the date it was last updated. We re-check our picks and their links, and change a list when a better choice comes along.