Resources

Below are some of the resources and tools that I use currently or have used in the past. I’ve done a lot of trial and error so hopefully this helps you cut to the chase and get creating faster!

Please note that some of the links on this page are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase. Read the full disclosure.

 Shop my Amazon Storefront

Products: Body Painting

Body Paint Product Ideas for Specific Looks

Body Paint Brands

Where to Buy Body Paint

Eyelashes

Hair Tools and Products

Products: Prints, Merch, Packaging, Shipping

Packaging and Shipping Materials

Business Cards, Postcards, etc.

Stickers and Labels

Rubber Stamps

Photo Prints, Art Prints

On-Demand Printed Products

  • Redbubble: This is where many of my art products are made.
  • Printful: On-demand apparel and accessories with drop shipping. It can sync with Shopify, Etsy, and other e-commerce platforms. This is where some of my apparel is made.

Training: Body Paint & Special Effects

Tools: Body Paint and Art

Cricut Maker Cutting Machine: Great for cutting stencils, vinyl, paper, thin craft foam, cardstock, etc.
Airbrush – Iwata Eclipse Gravity-feed
NOTE: If this is your first airbrush, consider a kit that includes a compressor and hose. This Iwata kit is a nice option for getting started.
Iwata-Medea Air Hose
Badger Air-Brush Co. TC910 Aspire Pro Compressor: I like that this compressor has an air storage tank and a case around it for my airbrush holder.
Master Airbrush® Brand Universal Clamp-on Airbrush Holder
Fiskars 18×24 Inch Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Sewing Machine – Brother Project Runway CS5055PRW: A good, basic sewing machine. Cons: Has a lot of plastic parts that could break.
Serger – Baby Lock BL450: Baby Lock doesn’t sell their sergers online, so find a retailer, such as JoAnn’s. I bought this machine in 2006 and it’s still going strong.
Dremel 4000 Rotary Tool Kit:
Dremel 225-01 Flex Shaft Attachment
Xacto X7747 Board Cutter: For cutting angled edges on EVA foam.

Supplies: Costume and Prop

Worbla

EVA Foam

Contact Cement for Foam

Jacquard Fabric Paints and Dyes

Fabric

Unitards

Rhinestones

Wigs

Misc. Tools

  • Harbor Freight Tools: Chip brushes, paint brushes, buckets, hot glue sticks, heat guns, nitrile gloves, work gloves, respirators, utility knife replacement blades, protective eyewear, etc.
  • Michael’s: A good alternative for art supplies in a pinch, especially when you have coupons.

Tools: Business

Websites and Hosting

  • Website Domain and Hosting: Web Hosting When you’re starting a website from scratch, you’ll need to set up your domain (i.e. www.mywebsite.com) and hosting (where all the images, text, and data is stored). A company like SiteGround can help you with both your domain and hosting.

Building a Website

  • Shopify – Online Store: If you’re selling a product, take a look at Shopify as an e-commerce solution for building your online store. You can use your existing domain (ie. www.mywebsite.com) and Shopify has all the tools to set up your product pages, payments, and shipping options. They can also handle your domain and hosting if you’d like it all in one place.
  • WordPress.org: To build a basic website, I typically direct people to use WordPress, a free, open-source platform. If you’ve set up your domain and hosting with SiteGround, look for the option in your control panel to install WordPress. If you already have a domain and hosting with another provider, install WordPress, then look for a theme with templates that fit your brand. See my next bullets for theme ideas.
  • Divi – WordPress Theme: After you’ve installed WordPress, you’ll need a template or theme. Divi from Elegant Themes is very robust and has a visual builder. Follow their instructions for installation.
  • Make – WordPress Theme: Make from the Theme Foundry is another useful theme that has a basic free option if you’re just starting out. Follow their instructions for installation.
  • Squarespace: If you don’t feel up to the task of building a website with WordPress, Squarespace can handle your hosting and has easy-to-use templates.
  • Wix: Free, basic websites; great if you’re just starting out.

Email Marketing

  • Mailchimp: Email marketing (FREE for up to 2,000 subscribers)

Invoicing and Accounting

  • Freshbooks: Online invoicing, time-tracking, and expense tracking.