The Best Tools
When I wrote my previous blogpost about staying sane in hobbyist life, there was one part I omitted as it quickly spun out of its own and felt like it warranted a separate post: maker supplies (using this as a loose umbrella term for crafting, writing, drawing, music-making, etc etc). I feel rather strongly about this, but my thoughts are scattered in bits and bobs. Might flesh this out more in the future. You're warned: this post contains multiple threads pooled together, many generalizations, and unfinished thought process.
Every now and then, I want to speak at length about my hobbies. I was part of a maker community for a long time, having found joy in mentoring newcomers and help them getting started on their path of creation. But there's a certain... trend? That's always been there forever but only more pronounced each day: the extreme importance placed on tool selection and acquisition (tool used loosely for both tools and supplies). I have written about this briefly before. As a tinkerer myself, I will accede that I personally find enjoyment in exploring and utilizing new tools in my crafts. However, this is mostly a side show along the path at best, done as you go along your creation process, not a roadblock to start or an end goal unto itself.
To distill many good discussion topics into which tools to acquire is reductive, and so I find myself growing more and more reluctant to talk about the practice. In the beginning, when someone asked me what tool to use, I would readily reply with reviews and recommendations. I learned quickly to tone my zealousness down and pare down the number of things I mention. The long lists, while comprehensive, were intimidating. However, receptions tended to end up with have and have-nots (despite my insistent clarification that what worked for me might not work for someone else and we all have different needs), sometimes defeatist views such as "I can't wrap my head around this highly-lauded tool, so this craft is not for me". These days, when someone is to ask the tools I use, I would usually take time to inquire them as to the kind of art they want to make, their goal in pursuing the craft, ... a more general overview rather than direct recommendations.
I wonder since when hobby and art space become so brand-centric. It feels like many things feel prescriptive now, a post detailing an activity will have a long list of items mentioned. Not just "journaling" or "scrapbooking" but "using my Hobonichi HON", specific model number for every scissors, glue sticks, craft knives... generic supplies just don't cut it anymore. Brands being more prominent in articles supposedly about techniques, methods, or philosophy of the craft. Start a hobby and you can find ten thousand "resources" offering you list of "essentials" and "starter kits", convincing you that you will need two dozen things when you can go a long way with two (and perpetuating the trend that hobbies always come with the collection aspect).
On one side, it's useful to see what people use, especially if you see something you've been interested in. On the other hand, this is just another facet of influencer culture, and brands will gladly pour big money to get their products in the hands of as many people as possible, giving you an impression that they are indispensable while neglecting the things you already have in your house.
We enable each other, justify each other. Many of the creators are genuinely passionate and earnest, I believe. Many are writing/vlogging/... for fun, you can hardly fault them for following a format that works. Many are genuinely struggling with acquisition addictions, and they post publicly to hold themselves accountable. Many of these contents I do peruse in moments of guilty pleasure.
Yet I don't find them comfortable in the long run and I don't want to contribute to the feeling, so whenever I feel like writing something along the line, I overanalyze and retract.
The best tools are tools you actually use. The best tool to start is whatever you can procure easily and not feel too precious about.