el molde
El molde is a shaped form used to repeat the same design in materials like clay, resin, or soap. It helps you produce consistent pieces.
Common Phrases
- hacer un molde — to make a mold
- molde de silicona — silicone mold
Example
Hice un molde de silicona para la arcilla.
I made a silicone mold for the clay.
Common Mistake
Using the wrong gender: el molde, not la molde.
las tijeras
Las tijeras are scissors, and Spanish usually treats this tool as plural. You use them for cutting fabric, paper, and more.
Common Phrases
- usar las tijeras — to use the scissors
- cortar la tela — to cut the fabric
Example
Usa las tijeras para cortar el papel.
Use the scissors to cut the paper.
Common Mistake
Forgetting the plural: las tijeras, not la tijera (for the everyday tool).
la lija
La lija is sandpaper, used to smooth a surface by rubbing. It is common in woodworking and DIY finishing.
Common Phrases
- pasar la lija — to sand (to pass the sandpaper)
- lija de grano fino — fine-grit sandpaper
Example
Pasa la lija de grano fino por la madera.
Pass the fine-grit sandpaper over the wood.
Common Mistake
Mixing up similar-looking words: la lija (sandpaper) vs lisa (smooth).
la aguja
La aguja is a needle used for sewing, knitting, or other precise work. It is small but essential for clean stitches.
Common Phrases
- enhebrar la aguja — to thread the needle
- punta de la aguja — needle tip
Example
Enhebra la aguja antes de coser.
Thread the needle before sewing.
Common Mistake
Using the wrong article: la aguja, not el aguja.
el cartón
El cartón is cardboard, often used for templates, mockups, and sturdy shapes. It is a practical, low-cost material for crafting.
Common Phrases
- cartón corrugado — corrugated cardboard
- una caja de cartón — a cardboard box
Example
El cartón corrugado sirve para hacer plantillas resistentes.
Corrugated cardboard works for making sturdy templates.
Common Mistake
Dropping the accent: cartón, not carton.
la regla
La regla is a ruler used to measure and draw straight lines. In craft contexts, it usually means the tool, not a rule.
Common Phrases
- usar la regla — to use the ruler
- medir la distancia — to measure the distance
Example
La regla me ayuda a medir cada lado.
The ruler helps me measure each side.
Common Mistake
Wrong gender: la regla, not el regla.
la goma
La goma commonly means an eraser in many contexts (especially in Spain), and it can also mean rubber. In crafts, it often refers to erasing pencil marks cleanly.
Common Phrases
- goma de borrar — eraser
- borrar el trazo — to erase the line/mark
Example
La goma de borrar quita la marca sin manchar el papel.
The eraser removes the mark without smudging the paper.
Common Mistake
Assuming it only means chewing gum: la goma can be an eraser; chicle is chewing gum.
el botón
El botón is a button on clothing or a craft project. It is also used for buttons on devices, but sewing is a common context.
Common Phrases
- coser un botón — to sew on a button
- botón de camisa — shirt button
Example
Cose el botón con hilo fuerte.
Sew the button on with strong thread.
Common Mistake
Missing the accent: botón, not boton.