coolshitstudio

THE COOLSHIT FIELD GUIDES

Gifts for craft lovers who would rather make it.

Paper flowers, embroidery, music-making and small tools for a hands-on afternoon.

A craft gift can be a project to start or a tool for something they already make. Those are different purchases. Ask whether they want to try a new technique or replenish a familiar creative setup. Time, workspace and materials matter as much as the finished object in the product photo.

Meet the 13 picks
Gifts for craft lovers who would rather make it. — an editorial selection of objects from the studio collection

How we chose these

We chose thirteen kits and tools spanning paper, thread, pressed flowers and a hand-cranked music project. These are researched selections without tested skill ratings or completion times. Kit images can show finished examples; check the contents to understand what the recipient will actually unwrap.

This is an editorial selection based on brand information, not a hands-on product test. Prices are USD snapshots before tax and shipping. Each pick links to its details and the original brand.

Find the right fit

The findA good fit forPrice at last check
Flowers Mini Embroidery KitKikkerlandFor someone who wants a small floral cross-stitch project.$8
The Paper Florist KitPrintworksFor a paper-craft enthusiast interested in making botanical forms.$85
Flower Press SetPrintworksFor someone who gathers flowers for future cards, collages or keepsakes.$65
Make Your Own Music Box KitKikkerlandFor a music lover who would enjoy punching a tune into paper strips.$40
Spectra ScissorsCraighillFor someone who cuts paper for detailed craft or collage projects.$48
Bird Felting KitKikkerlandFor a maker interested in turning wool into a small bird keychain.$10
IRIS Circle Drawing ToolMakers CabinetFor the sketchbook owner who enjoys the tool as much as the drawing.$209
ELIPSO Ellipse Drawing ToolMakers CabinetFor someone who enjoys exploring geometry with pencil and paper.$179
Pigeon Punch Needle KitKikkerlandFor someone who would enjoy learning a small textile craft.$15
Book of Secrets Model KitUgearsFor a model builder who enjoys a hidden mechanism.$74.99
Frank Lloyd Wright Origami KitGalisonFor someone who likes architecture and a small paper-making session.$17.99
Automaton Cyclist Model KitUgearsFor a cyclist who also likes a project on the workbench.$43.99
Arduino Starter Kit R4ArduinoA practical starting point for turning a curious idea into a working circuit.$95

Choose around their routine

A complete project or a supporting tool?

The embroidery kit supplies a defined project; markers and scissors support activities the recipient already does. A tool alone is less satisfying if they lack the other materials. Check each merchant’s included-items list and ask what they already own before buying duplicates.

Explore these picks: Flowers Mini Embroidery Kit · Spectra Scissors

Choose for the process, not just the finished photo

Pressed flowers need gathering and preserving; paper flowers need assembly; the music-box kit asks the maker to punch a melody into strips. Choose an activity they would enjoy doing, with enough space to leave the work out if needed. We do not promise a particular completion time.

Explore these picks: Flower Press Set · The Paper Florist Kit · Make Your Own Music Box Kit

The studio shortlist

A SMALL STITCH SITUATIONFlowers Mini Embroidery Kit by Kikkerland
Play & curiosity$8

Flowers Mini Embroidery Kit

A small floral cross-stitch kit with a bamboo hoop, fabric, threads and pattern. Build the bouquet stitch by stitch, leaving the finished work in its little circular frame.

KikkerlandShop the find

Who we’d give it to For someone who wants a small floral cross-stitch project.

Before you choose A floral cross-stitch project with a bamboo hoop, fabric, colored threads, needle, and pattern guide. This is a kit to make yourself; the photo shows the finished design.

Details, variant & last stock check
GROW A PAPER GARDENThe Paper Florist Kit by Printworks
Play & curiosity$85

The Paper Florist Kit

A paper-flower kit created with Susan Beech. Colored crepe papers, wire, a cutting tool and glue provide the materials for building a bouquet that starts flat.

PrintworksShop the find

Who we’d give it to For a paper-craft enthusiast interested in making botanical forms.

Before you choose Created with botanical paper artist Susan Beech, this flower-making kit includes ten colored crepe-paper rolls, floral wire, a precision cutting tool, and craft glue.

Details, variant & last stock check
KEEP THE GOOD PETALSFlower Press Set by Printworks
Play & curiosity$65

Flower Press Set

A wooden flower press with absorbent papers, scissors, tweezers and a guide. Flatten collected blooms and keep materials ready for turning them into a later creative project.

PrintworksShop the find

Who we’d give it to For someone who gathers flowers for future cards, collages or keepsakes.

Before you choose A blue wooden flower press with screws, absorbent paper, cardboard, art paper, stainless steel scissors, tweezers, and a guide. A hands-on way to preserve flowers for future creative projects.

Details, variant & last stock check
WRITE A TINY HITMake Your Own Music Box Kit by Kikkerland
Play & curiosity$40

Make Your Own Music Box Kit

A hand-cranked music mechanism that plays punched paper strips. Use the supplied punch to compose a tune, feed the strip through and hear the pattern take shape.

KikkerlandShop the find

Who we’d give it to For a music lover who would enjoy punching a tune into paper strips.

Before you choose Punch your own tune into paper strips, then turn the crank to play it. The kit includes the music mechanism, hole punch, paper strips, a starter Happy Birthday melody, and instructions.

Details, variant & last stock check
CUT ABOVE THE DESK DRAWERSpectra Scissors by Craighill
Desk & stationery$48

Spectra Scissors

Compact cast-steel scissors with cream and forest-green coated finger rings. The smaller format suits the careful cuts involved in collage, paper work and other detail-focused projects.

CraighillShop the find

Who we’d give it to For someone who cuts paper for detailed craft or collage projects.

Before you choose Compact cast stainless-steel scissors with vinyl-dipped rings, in cream and forest green. Their smaller shape is designed for detailed cutting, collage and craft projects.

Details, variant & last stock check
MAKE YOUR OWN LITTLE BIRD.Bird Felting Kit by Kikkerland
Play & curiosity$10

Bird Felting Kit

A felting kit for building a small wool bird keychain. Colored wool, a needle, working pad and finishing parts let the recipient make the creature themselves.

KikkerlandShop the find

Who we’d give it to For a maker interested in turning wool into a small bird keychain.

Before you choose The photograph shows the finished project. The kit supplies wool, a felting needle, pad, eyes, keyring and instructions; it is not a finished bird.

Details, variant & last stock check
A CAMERA-LIKE APERTURE FOR A PAGE FULL OF CIRCLES.IRIS Circle Drawing Tool by Makers Cabinet
Desk & stationery$209

IRIS Circle Drawing Tool

A brass circle-drawing tool that opens like a camera aperture. Adjust the opening to set the circle, with a walnut centering piece that also displays the tool between drawings.

Makers CabinetShop the find

Who we’d give it to For the sketchbook owner who enjoys the tool as much as the drawing.

Before you choose The brass aperture opens and closes to set a circle. A walnut centering tool doubles as a display stand; drawing materials are separate.

Details, variant & last stock check
A MOVING ARM FOR A PAGE FULL OF ELLIPSES.ELIPSO Ellipse Drawing Tool by Makers Cabinet
Desk & stationery$179

ELIPSO Ellipse Drawing Tool

An ellipse-drawing system with a magnetic base, extendable arm and moving shuttle. Guide the pencil through the mechanism and turn a coordinated motion into a regular curved outline.

Makers CabinetShop the find

Who we’d give it to For someone who enjoys exploring geometry with pencil and paper.

Before you choose The set combines a magnetic base, extendable arm and circle shuttle. Paper thickness affects the magnetic connection; check the maker’s setup guidance before using heavy card.

Details, variant & last stock check
MAKE SOMETHING OF IT.Pigeon Punch Needle Kit by Kikkerland
Play & curiosity$15

Pigeon Punch Needle Kit

A punch-needle kit for making a textured pigeon picture. The printed cloth, hoop, yarn and tools turn an urban bird into a small project for the wall.

KikkerlandShop the find

Who we’d give it to For someone who would enjoy learning a small textile craft.

Before you choose The kit includes an adjustable hoop, punch needle, threader, printed cloth and yarn. The photograph shows the finished project; the recipient supplies the making time.

Details, variant & last stock check
MAKE SOMETHING OF IT.Book of Secrets Model Kit by Ugears
Play & curiosity$74.99

Book of Secrets Model Kit

A 263-part wooden mechanical book with secrets built into its construction. Assemble the model and discover how its book-like exterior contains the workings of a more complicated object.

Who we’d give it to For a model builder who enjoys a hidden mechanism.

Before you choose The wooden mechanical kit has 263 parts and is intended for ages 14+. The photograph shows the assembled model; allow time and patience for construction.

Details, variant & last stock check
A LITTLE HANDS-ON POSSIBILITY.Frank Lloyd Wright Origami Kit by Galison
Play & curiosity$17.99

Frank Lloyd Wright Origami Kit

An origami kit with papers inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's patterns. Follow the folding projects and watch the graphic designs change as flat sheets become three-dimensional forms.

Who we’d give it to For someone who likes architecture and a small paper-making session.

Before you choose The kit pairs patterned origami paper inspired by Wright’s designs with folding instructions. The recipient makes the models; check current paper quantities and project contents with the brand.

Details, variant & last stock check
MAKE SOMETHING OF IT.Automaton Cyclist Model Kit by Ugears
Play & curiosity$43.99

Automaton Cyclist Model Kit

A wooden automaton kit that becomes a pedaling cyclist on a decorated base. Build the mechanism and watch the finished figure turn an ordinary motion into a moving display.

Who we’d give it to For a cyclist who also likes a project on the workbench.

Before you choose The wooden mechanical kit creates a moving cyclist above a decorated base. The image shows the assembled project; follow the construction, winding and age guidance.

Details, variant & last stock check
THERE’S AN IDEA IN HERE.Arduino Starter Kit R4 by Arduino
Creative tech$95

Arduino Starter Kit R4

An electronics starter kit built around the UNO R4 WiFi. A project book and components take you from an empty breadboard to circuits you programmed yourself.

Who we’d give it to A practical starting point for turning a curious idea into a working circuit.

Before you choose Includes an UNO R4 WiFi board, an English project book and components for the guided projects. A compatible computer is needed for programming.

Details, variant & last stock check

A few good questions

Are these craft kits beginner-friendly?

We have not tested or assigned beginner ratings. Read the maker’s instructions, tool requirements and age guidance, then match the technique to the recipient’s experience and interest.

Will the gift arrive as the finished item in the photo?

The embroidery, paper-flower and music-box picks are kits or making projects. The flower press is a tool for preserving flowers. Check the product listing rather than assuming the example finished creation is included.

Make the shortlist personal.

Choose between a few things they might love. We’ll suggest gifts that fit their interests and your budget.

Find their kind of cool

Keep following their interests.