You're right! It helps a lot when one is not on a schedule. I don't have a regular job so the secondary sleep or an afternoon nap help a lot to achieve lucidity. Peaceful mind is most important I believe...
As for the tech tools.. they are some gadgets on the market for quite a long time, that help waking up inside the dream :)

Dreamcatchers are actually very easy and simple to make... I watched some youtube videos in the past to learn how to make them :)