Crafty Packing Lists: Ideas for Crafting on the Go

The summer is starting up, and unlike last year, it looks like things have opened up and we can start to finally go places! And, that means taking trips and vacations.

If you are going on a vacation where you will be busy and doing things all the time (like a trip to a theme park or camping in the woods), you may not have time for hobbies. However, if you’re headed to a destination that has time for you to rest and relax, why not bring your supplies and get some planning, crafting, artwork in while you have some time?

One of my favorite things about beach and mountain vacations is that there’s usually time to sit around and do something creative. And, this is when I am grateful that I have packed some arts and crafts supplies to fill my time.

Below are a few packing lists that you can use to prepare for some art therapy or me time while traveling. And, the vast majority are items you can safely take through security at an airport.

Packing Lists for Paper Crafting

Storage and Organizers

Before we get into the kinds of things you should consider packing for your art time on the road, you need to think about how you’re going to carry these items. There are lots of options for travel cases to hold stationery and craft supplies, some of which are pricy.

However, you don’t need to break the bank to be able to organize and travel with craft items. Below are some ideas for toting around your supplies.

Large, multi-storage option. This storage organizer is one I got for my daughter to use this summer. She has gotten into creative journaling and has a hard time choosing her supplies, so she wanted to be sure she had space for lots of options. This is such a neat bag. It is divided into two main compartments. One has 3 sleeves with several zippered compartments. That section also has zippered compartments lining the center and inner cover. The other section has pockets and another zippered section but it also has a large space that will fit a journal and pencil case or wooden stamps, as my daughter plans to bring. (#Ad)

Medium-sized, multi-storage option– If you don’t need as much room as my daughter does, I recommend this handy stationery travel case. It’s considered a “big capacity pencil case,” but I found that it holds more than just pens. As you can see, I have managed to store lots of paper, craft supplies, pens, and even my traveler’s notebook in this handy little case. And, it has a little hanger so you can hang it up and take your supplies out as needed. (#Ad)

Small storage, pouches and pencil cases. Of course, you can always just go with zippered pouches to hold your supplies. When I decide I want to paint or sketch while traveling, I use a lovely bag (see below) by Catalina Estrada, which I bought at a Hallmark store years ago (the tasseled charm is optional). It’s actually a makeup bag, but it’s so roomy, that I find it can hold all of my sketching and paint supplies. You can find them on Ebay, but this one is comparable. (#Ad)

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Paint brush pouch. If you don’t have any good travel paintbrushes and prefer to bring your favorite brushes, I recommend keeping them separate from your other art supplies. That’s especially true if they are watercolor brushes, since those tend to be more delicate than other types of brushes. A nice fabric paint brush pouch makes it easy to transport brushes while being lightweight and easy to pack. Here is one similar to one I have and love. (#Ad)

Tote bags. Depending on how much you intend to bring, you may want to have a tote bag to hold it all. A roomy tote bag can hold your planners, journals, sketchbooks and supplies so everything is in one place. Everyone has their favorite, but I am partial to the Vera Bradley line. I used to balk at the quilted designs, but when I got one on sale and tried it, I found that they’re really well-made, stand up to use, and their straps are comfortable on my shoulder. Here’s the size I have. (#Ad)

Creative or Travel Journaling

Now that you have your storage case, it’s time to fill it up! Creative journaling, and travel journaling, in particular, are easy to do on the road as long as you have a few key supplies. (For more about creative journaling, check out this prior post).

Here’s a packing list for items that travel well and help with journaling on the go.

Traveler’s Notebook. These fillable covers with their multiple inserts were designed for travel. They have also become a favorite among creative journalers, who are able to transform the pages into small works of art. They are also great for long-hand journaling. Here is one with a travel theme! (#Ad)

Or, if you want a pretty one like my daughter and I have, here is one we’ve purchased in the past. (#Ad)

Traveler’s Notebook Inserts. I have inserts from a variety of sources. Some are from JM Planning Essentials and some are from Paper Penguin Co. I even have some that I got off of Amazon, such as these using Tomoe River paper, which is great for watercolor and mixed media. (#Ad)

Notebook/Journal. For travel journaling, you need something to write on. I find that just a plain journal is the easiest kind of book to jot down what we’re doing on our trips. We just add a few drawings, stickers, and photos, and the rest is just writing. Here is an adorable journal that is travel-themed and perfect for travel journaling! (#Ad)

Portable Photo Printer. There is nothing better than journaling about your travels and including a photo to illustrate where you’ve been and what you’ve done. There are a zillion different ones on the market, but I am partial to the Canon Ivy. It is easy to carry, charges quickly, and prints nice photos on sticky-backed paper. Just remember to bring extra photo paper! This pack has 50 sheets, but they’re pack in sets of 10, so you can just pack what you need. (#Ad)

Travel-Themed Stamps. One way to dress up your journal or notebook is with some simple stamping. These can include words, pictures, or patterned designs. I think it’s especially nice to bring stamps that include the theme of your trip- perhaps nautical stamps for a cruise, nature stamps for a camping trip, or ocean stamps for a beach trip.

The all-in-one types, which can be a bit bulky to pack, are wooden stamps. Here are some travel-themed ones that are literally on my Amazon wish list. (#Ad)

Or, you can fit more in your bag if you use thin, cling stamps. Because they don’t come on a wooden block, they lay almost entirely flat, making room for multiple sets. You will have to bring an acrylic block to mount them on, or else they won’t stamp on your page properly. Here are some travel-themed cling stamps that would be fun to use on a trip. (#Ad)

Ink Pads. If you’re going to bring stamps, you’ll need some ink pads to use them. A black in pad is always useful, But, if you want some options, and have the room to store them, try for a pad set with multiple colors like this one. (#Ad)

Washi Tape. There is no easier way to make borders, hold in journaling cards, or stick down random travel finds than washi tape. And, they come in so many designs and sizes, it’s easy to find a few to throw into your bag so you have some options while traveling. The ones I will be using for travel this year are from this set. (#Ad)

Glue Sticks or Tape. One essential item you’ll need to bring is something to glue down your papers and any souvenirs that fit in your book. A plain old glue stick should work, as will glue tape like this. (#Ad)

Or, try a glue pen– these are easier to carry in a pencil case than a glue stick. (#Ad)

Ephemera. Torn bits of vintage looking paper are all the rage in creative journals. If you don’t have any books to tear up but want to have some options, I recommend buying a pack off of the web. I found this set at Amazon and was surprised at how many pieces of paper relate to travel in some way. From post cards to books referring to the ocean or mountains, there is plenty to use in these sets. And, having bought two of these sets, I can tell you that they are all different. (#Ad)

Stencils. These are another great way to add some dimension to your journal pages. Whether they are random patterns or have images that are travel-themed, throwing a few stencils into your bag will give you more options as you get creative with your journaling. Here is a set that I have, which has a few stencils that work for travel. (#Ad)

Scissors. As you cut out various items to place in your notebook, it helps to have a pair of good scissors that are also portable. These are my favorite from Fiskars. (#Ad)

Markers and Pens. You’ll be needing something to write with in your journals. Markers and pens are usually an easy way to bring some color to your pages (see the planning section below for some suggestions). You may also want to use brush pens. This one is my favorite for lettering a pretty quote or phrase. The firm nib makes it easy to control the strokes. (#Ad).

Tags & Journaling Cards. As I noted in this recent post, journaling cards and tags add a nice decorative element to any notebook and expand your room to write. So, if you have any of these already made, pack a few to use while your journal on your trip.

Art Supplies that Travel Well

I’m not a professional artist, but I love dabbling in art. It’s my therapy. Painting, drawing, oil pastels, it doesn’t really matter the medium, I’m willing to play around with it and see what I can create.

When traveling, I wish I could bring all of my supplies, but since traveling with a U-Haul full of craft items is out of the question, I try to limit what I bring to the supplies that travel well.

There are two types of art media I recommend for travel: drawing or sketching and watercolor painting. Below are my suggestions for travel items that travel well.

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Supplies for Sketching

Sketchbooks. There are lots of options if all you want to do is draw. Just be sure to find the right paper (white or cream are the most versatile, but toned grey and toned tan paper can produce beautiful sketches), unless you’re needing marker paper for alcohol markers. Mixed media paper is probably the most versatile. Here is the book I use when I travel. (#Ad)

Graphite Pencils. Pencils are great for sketching before painting or coloring, but they make some beautiful pieces all on their own. To achieve depth in your drawings, you actually need a set of pencils that range from soft to hard graphite. The hard graphite is usually lighter but can help you draw more precise lines. The softer graphite is much messier, and that allows for blending and shading. This is my favorite set, and it’s very portable. (#Ad)

Colored Pencils. A good, blendable colored pencil set is worth its weight in gold. Prismacolor makes great quality pencils, and they’re not the most expensive on the market. Since the colors are easy to blend, you can actually do a lot with a smaller set like this one. (#Ad)

Pencil Sharpeners. If you’re going to travel with graphite or colored pencils, it’s important to bring a good pencil sharpener. You would think any old sharpener will do, but some can whittle your pencils down more quickly than others or promote breakage. For colored pencils, I recommend this one by Prismacolor, as it helps to lengthen the life of your good pencils. (#Ad)

For graphite pencils, this dual-sided one has sharpeners for different sized pencils. (#AD)

Erasers. Along with a good sharpener, you should also bring an eraser that can handle erasing graphite and help to remove colored pencil. I enjoy these by Pentel. (#Ad)

Artist Pens and Fineliners. Just like pencils, fineliner pens are a staple of various art media. They allow you to define borders, add details, and do so very precisely. There are a ton on the market, but I prefer these by Faber Castell. They are waterproof and have a range of nibs, including a brush nib. (#Ad)

Markers. Whether you like the kinds of markers we used when you were a kid or want something more sophisticated, there are plenty of small, portable sets that are great for travel. Here are a few I like.

For alcohol markers (which blend beautifully), I prefer these by Ohuhu, which are highly rated and super cheap compared to brands like Copic. They blend like a dream! (#AD)

If you prefer water-based markers which are good for coloring, writing, and lettering, try this affordable set from Ohuhu. I’ve been using these to practice hand lettering. (#Ad)

Miscellaneous Supplies. In addition to the ones mentioned here, you may also want to bring some correction tape, a small ruler, and permanent markers in various nib sizes. See the image above this section for more ideas.

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Supplies for Watercolor Painting

Sketchbooks. This year, I will also be traveling with my homemade, vintage watercolor notebook. Here is the article that has instructions for making it. However, I have also made my way through two of these watercolor journals by Strathmore. The thick paper (140 lb) makes all the difference. (#Ad)

Watercolor palettes and pencils. My favorite palette is relatively inexpensive and yet high quality for the price. Windsor and Newton’s travel palette from its Cotman paint line has a great variety of colors. (#Ad)

I have also made my own watercolor palette using an old tin (Bob Ross’s mints, of course) filled with individually purchased, small watercolor pans, and adhesive magnetic tape to hold them onto the tin. You can either take paint pans from a set you already own or create your own by purchasing individual watercolor paint pans such as these from Arteza. (#Ad)

Use a strong magnetic tape like this to hold the pans onto your tin. (#Ad).

An even easier alternative are watercolor pencils. Just sketch out what you plan to paint or create a palette on scrap watercolor paper and activate with water. These are my favorite pencils for watercolor as well as an aqua brush that makes it easy to paint without having to bring a cup of water with you. (#Ad)

This is a nice and inexpensive set of aqua brushes. To clean, just continue squeezing water out until the bristles are clear. (#Ad)

If you want real watercolor brushes that are easy to carry, try this set, which comes with its own carrying case. (#Ad)

Washi Tape. To protect other pieces in your sketchbook and give your piece a framed look, it’s important to use some sort of tape to border your page. I find that Scotch washi tape works well for this. If you worry about it not coming off easily, just take a hairdryer and blow warm air over it before removing. Here’s a decent set that will last a while. (#Ad)

Planning

Pens and Markers. If you worry about making mistakes (especially if you’ll be doing some writing while in a motor vehicle), I recommend going with Frixion pens and markers. I have both of these sets and use them for planning and journaling. (#Ad)

Of course, if you like a nice dual-tip pen with brighter colors, but don’t want to break the bank, these are my favorites. (#Ad)

Highlighters. Whether you’re just drawing your eyes to a few key obligations or color coding your schedule, highlighters are key. And, I like having the option to erase mine, since my schedule often has things shift around. These are my favorites. (#Ad)

Stamps and Ink Pads. Rather than bring a ton of stickers on your trip, use planner stamps and ink to add icons and other planning images to your pages. Here is a stamp set that has lots of options and an ink pad that won’t bleed onto the back of your pages. (#Ad)

Here is one set with lots of icons–

Or, for some basic planning stamps, try this set-

And try this for a good, reliable ink pad. (#Ad)

Stencils. I don’t do much bullet journaling, but for those who do and want their pages to look like they were done with a steady hand, planner stencils make it easy to set up bullet journal pages. They’re thin and lightweight and perfect for travel. Here is a great and inexpensive set that has layouts and habit trackers. (#Ad).

Stickers. While I don’t recommend bringing large sticker books or sticker kits when traveling, I do think it’s handy to keep some dot stickers on hand for color-coding in your planner. Just fold up one sheet of these and place in your planner. I have been using these color-coding dot stickers for years, and they help me see instantly what categories of to do’s I have on my list for the day. (#Ad)

Hand Lettering Supplies

Hand lettering probably has the simplest set of supplies for taking on the road. Here are some of the must haves if you plan to practice your lettering while away.

Paper and/or a Workbook. Obviously, you need something to letter on. While I’ll be bringing pages from my Happy Planner Love Letters book, which I reviewed here, I also have some other workbooks I could bring along. There are also paper pads that work as well if you don’t need any prompts to practice those letters. Here are some recommendations. (#AD)

Brush Pens. As I noted in that prior post on hand lettering, there are a couple of types of brush pens you can use- firm and flexible nibs. Here are my favorite firm and flexible varieties. (#Ad)

Brush Lettering Set. Sometimes, it’s easiest to just go with a set of everything you need. I have this beginner set from Tombow and love everything in it- from the hard graphite pencil and eraser to the two colors of brush pens. this is a great set to play and learn with. (#Ad)

Craft Supplies to Leave at Home

While the lists above make it seem like the sky’s the limit when it comes to packing craft supplies for trips, I think there are some don’ts to add to this list that’s mostly do’s.

Liquids. Obviously, when you’re flying, liquids are going to be an issue with all the regulations on what you can and can’t take with you. But, even on road trips, it is risky to bring things that, if their containers somehow were to open, can ruin your other belongings and luggage. So, leave the acrylic paints, jars of gesso, molding pastes, and mod podge at home.

Sharp or dangerous items. This touches on another set of items that will get you in trouble at security. However, they are also just not safe to take when you have limited space to carry them in- they can puncture your storage bags or damage other suppies. These would include full-sized scissors, hammers, X-acto knives, awls or piercing tools, and the many types of plyers used for working with wire or jewelry.

Expensive supplies. You never know what you might end up leaving behind in the hurry to get repacked and headed home. Also, things can get broken while in transit. So, be sure to keep anything you’d regret losing or destroying at home.

Messy supplies. There are supplies that, like liquids, can make a mess when you travel. They include oil and chalk pastels, embossing powders, mica powder, small pieces (brads, eyelets, buttons), and gel presses (which require inks and paints spread with a brayer). Create things with them before you leave and bring those larger pieces with you.

Bulky supplies. Unless you’re headed to a craft show where you’ll be showing off your latest crafting techniques, there’s no need to bring your Cricut machine, hot glue gun, Big Shot die cutter, stamping platform, or large cutting mats- glass or self-healing. Crafting while on a trip should be a quick and fun activity that still allows you to enjoy your temporary home. So, if you think you’ll want to have some die cut papers or custom-made stickers, create them at home and just pack what you plan to use.

Now that the world is opening back up, there are so many fun ways to document our experiences, and crafting is a great way to do that. I hope these ideas inspire you to bring some craft supplies with you on your next trip.

Are you traveling this year? If so, what tips do you have for traveling with craft supplies? Leave a comment below!

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