Sam's "MUST HAVE!" Supplies List for Laser Makers

I'll update this periodically. Vendors are listed in no particular order - I love them all for different reasons. 

Are you new to the laser world or looking for some vetted and trusted suppliers? Here's the list I've compiled over the last few years - feel free to leave your own in the comments!!

Cerulean Tides - Acrylic

• Free shipping over $199

• Fast turnaround

• A great variety of acrylic, especially specialty - glitter, pearl, pastel, frosted, etc. 

• 3M Tape and All Craft Glue available

• Current favorites: All Craft Glue & Cerulean Shimmer Acrylic
  

CM's Acrylics - Acrylic

• Free shipping over $50

• Fast turnaround and very reasonable pricing

• Black, Clear, and White are standard, other colors as they are available

• Current favorites: Custom Cuts - Chris is awesome when I need a larger size cut out!
  

Craft Closet - Acrylic, Wood, & More

• Free shipping over $99

• Fast turnaround

• A really fun variety of acrylic, especially specialty - glitter, pearl, pastel, frosted, etc.

• A large variety of quality wood

• ColorBoards - choose your core with different colors and patterns (Including the Samantha's Doodles collection!) 

• Rewards program (Craft Coins)

• Custom blanks

• 3M Tape available

• Diode Collection is clearly marked

• Current favorites: Midnight Mermaid Color Wave & the Samantha's Doodles COLORboard collection
  

Custom Made Better - Acrylic

• Free shipping over $65

• So many different collections of acrylic!!

• Printed pattern acrylic including customs available on most styles of acrylic

• Rewards Program

• Wide variety

• Current favorites: Itty Bitty Leopard and Textured Mirrors
  

Houston Acrylic - Acrylic, Leatherette, Wood

• Free shipping over $100

• Fast turnaround

• A big variety of acrylic, especially specialty - glitter, pearl, pastel, frosted, etc.

• Wide variety of materials 

• Current favorites: Ivory Haze and Emerald Starry Sky
  

Smokey Hill Designs - Wood, Patternply (TM) 

• Wide variety of wood styles

• Eco line - pre-finished and so easy to cut, remove char, and color fill!

• Patternply (TM) - mdf with patterns,  including solid color Pantone options

• Patternply (TM) Acrylic - acrylic with patterns - colored cores for engraving without having to fill, including mirror and glitter

• High quality "Misfit" drops

• Current favorites: Eco Birch and Glitter Core Patterns

Gold Acrylic - Goldie by Bee

• Gold Mirror acrylic - bundles available, took over from Chris at CMs when he stopped mirror

Creative Spark Acrylic

• Located in Canada - local pick up available

• Free shipping on all orders above $200

• Promo code for first order - FIRSTORDER for 15% off

Miscellaneous Tools and Materials

• A wagon - I use it for markets, transporting stuff, etc. and it has been a LIFE SAVER - bought on Amazon 

• Plastic razor blade for removing masking: variations available at many shops, but I got mine from Craft Closet 

• Battery operated air blower (alternative to canned air): Amazon 

• Digital caliper for measuring material thickness: Amazon

• Masking paper (transfer tape - get the PAPER option only): Vinyl Ease on Amazon

• Palm sander

• Scraper for applying masking - I have a few cheap ones, they can be any type or brand (example from Amazon)

• X-acto knives (be careful!) for poking out small pieces, cuts that didn't go through all the way, etc.

• Stand-offs and hardware
  

Specific Tools and Materials

Earrings

• Various jump rings, chains

• Findings - check out Monarch Pine Designs, Campbells and Chaos, and Fire Mountain Gems

• Jewelry pliers: Amazon

Tumblers

• PiBurn Grip chuck rotary

• LA Awesome for cleaning up tumblers
  

Paints

• Spray paint from Martha Stewart, Rustoleum, and Krylon. I've seen good reviews for Montana as well.

• Craft paint from Michaels 

• Posca paint markers for small details and filling engraves: I got mine from Blick because they have a wide variety of sizes and colors available

• Tooli paint markers from Amazon

• Filler primer for a smooth finish
  

Glues

• 3M Sheets - I find I prefer the sheets to the rolls

• E6000 - takes 72 hours to dry but holds well even if smelly (Amazon, Craft Stores, Walmart, etc.) I usually use this paired with super glue so the super glue makes an immediate bond and then the E6000 dries and provides stability. Make sure to have good ventilation.

• Krazy Glue All Purpose Control Pen for gluing small areas

• Gorilla Glue with Brush - easier to control and brush on pieces

• Loctite Ultra Gel Control - for gluing 2 part earrings together

• All Craft Glue - This won't crack mirror acrylic!!