Cyn Gagen, Author at Makers Gonna Learn

Sealing Your Cricut Projects

May 17, 2023 by Cyn Gagen Leave a Comment

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links provided for your convenience. This means, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase

Sealing your Cricut projects – is it necessary? What is the best product to use? What’s the best technique? This is one of the top 3 questions we get again and again here at Makers Gonna Learn. People always want to know about sealing their Cricut crafts.

If you’re curious about when and how to seal your Cricut craft projects, this is a must-read. We’re going to share everything we know based on our years of experience working with Cricut machines and making thousands of Cricut projects. Let’s dive in.

Sealing Your Cricut Projects

Supplies and products we’re talking about in this video:

UV Resin: https://amzn.to/3BvlpHI

UV Light: https://amzn.to/3BsD7vj

Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge: https://amzn.to/354190H

Minwax Polycrylic: https://amzn.to/2KzC588

Minwax Polyurethane Clear Satin Spray Sealer: https://amzn.to/3cIRSh5

Tumbler Turner – https://amzn.to/3W7nwMM

CrystaLac Grand Finale Fast Dry Tumble Coat – https://thecrystalacstore.com/collections/tumbler-products/products/grande-finale-fast-dry-tumbler-coat

1 – Your vinyl doesn’t always have to be sealed.

In fact, we rarely ever seal ours. Adding sealant over the top of vinyl can make it look less professional (often brush strokes show through). If you use a high-quality vinyl and make sure to burnish it well, it should last for a very long time. Burnishing adds that extra bit of pressure to help with adhesion of the vinyl.

Many types of vinyl are water-resistant as well and they simply don’t need the addition of sealant. You can also look into the different types of vinyl that you’re using. For example, with Oracal you can buy it in different adhesive strengths for different types of projects. For example, you will want to use one specifically suited for outdoor projects and that sort of thing.

2 – What about sealing Cricut mugs?

We believe that when something is handmade, it should be hand washed. So, if you follow this rule, then no, you don’t need to seal your mugs. If you know that the mug is going to be thrown into the dishwasher, you’re going to need to use some Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge. One thing that is really important to note about this product is that it takes 28-30 days to fully cure. Yes, that means you need to make it and then put it aside for a whole month before using it! You also have to apply multiple coats and once again, you can have the issue of there being brushstrokes in it, so it is labor intensive and time consuming to make your mugs dishwasher-safe.

3 – What should I use for sealing tumblers?

We highly recommend using UV Resin. You will either need to have access to the sun or a UV light for curing it and you will definitely want to use a tumbler turner for the best results.

Another product we really like is CrystaLac Grand Finale. This is a fast drying, self-levelling product. It takes multiple coats and you will need a tumbler turner for this as well.

Adding resin to a tumbler can make it look so much more professional and will make it more durable. Tumblers often get rougher use than mugs as they are taken on the go so sealing them with resin can be a really great idea.

4 – How do you seal projects that will be placed outside?

Again, we always recommend looking for the higher-level vinyl for your outdoor Cricut projects. There are vinyls made to remain durable even when exposed to the elements outside and these are your best bet. But, if those aren’t available to you, what else can you do to seal outdoor projects?

We have two great products to recommend. A clear sealant spray is a fantastic idea. We really like the Minwax Polyurethane but Rustoleum and Krylon also make excellent products. The main drawback of these sprays is that they have a tendency, especially when exposed to the sun, to yellow a bit.

Another one we have a lot of success with is a polycrylic. We use this same product for making glitter ornaments during the holidays. This is also a fantastic product but it is not self-levelling, so a disadvantage of using it is that you will see brush strokes. This might be a good opportunity to try the CrystaLac product since it’s self-levelling instead.

SUMMARY OF PRODUCTS

Polyurethane spray –

This is a great sealer. It’s thinner and less noticeable and since it’s a spray, there are no brushstrokes. This is good to use on wooden signs that will be exposed to the elements when you don’t have access to the higher level vinyl.

Polycrylic sealer –

This is fantastic for giving a really good seal, but you need to be okay with seeing brushstrokes. It’s not as noticeable on some items as it is on others. For example, it’s very noticeable on metal.

Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge –

We use this for the rare occasions we want to seal a mug or for other similar projects where we can’t use a resin-type sealant.

UV Resin –

This is, in our opinion, the best product to use for tumblers. It’s the fastest with the best results. The only negative to this is that you must have a tumbler turner to use with it because it is self-leveling.

CrystaLac Grand Finale –

CrystaLac also requires the use of a tumbler turner. It takes quite a bit longer than UV Resin because you need to wait at least an hour between coats and it requires multiple coats. However, if you’re hesitant to use resin, this is your best choice. It is non-yellowing and non-toxic.

Dollar Tree Hidden Gems

May 10, 2023 by Cyn Gagen Leave a Comment

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links provided for your convenience. This means, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase

We love getting craft supplies from Dollar Tree and in this post, you’re going to find SO MANY Dollar Tree hidden gems to take your crafts to the next level. Not only will you be able to make some amazing Cricut projects but you’ll save money on them too! There are so many different types of Cricut crafts you can make with Dollar Tree supplies and we want to share all of our ideas with you here.

Dollar Tree Hidden Gems

If you are a Cricut crafter who is not shopping at Dollar Tree yet, what are you waiting for? There are so many great products to be found there and we think that by the end of this article, you’ll be convinced! These have become staples in our Cricut craft room!

Glass Bowls

We are using them for many craft projects. You can even spray paint them too!

Hot Wheel Tracks

You can use these for home decor items like our very own Lauren did! Check it out here:

Tumblers

For under $5, you can grab some fantastic tumblers at Dollar Tree, including stainless steel tumblers that are perfect for all kinds of projects. Whether you are making glitter tumblers with resin or making those trendy Citristrip tumblers, Dollar Tree (and Makers Gonna Learn) have you covered!

Plant Pots

These are so easy to work with! Add a vinyl decal and transform the pot into a custom creation. There’s even plenty of space to accommodate a multi-layer vinyl design. Use the pot for plants as expected or to store items in. These make great gifts, especially for teachers, neighbors, and housewarmings.

Charger Plates

You can make so many beautiful home decor items with charger plates and we have found some really good quality ones at Dollar Tree. Add a vinyl design and use them for holiday decor or give them as gifts.

Silicone Facial Mask Applicator

These are really helpful tools to have in your craft room. What we like to use these for the most is applying resin. It’s a great applicator for resin instead of, as we often have done in the past, using our gloved finger to smooth it out.

Picture Frames

We are really impressed with the quality of frames that Dollar Tree carries now. There are quite a few different ways you can decorate frames to turn them into Cricut craft projects you’ll love for your own home or to give as gifts. Add vinyl to the frame itself or place it on the glass. There is so much you can do with frames!

Make a custom family sign with a frame.

Adding vinyl to a photo frame.

Make a teacher shadowbox.

Baby Wipes

These are perfect for cleaning your Cricut cutting mats! It’s an easy and inexpensive way to keep them clean and sticky without having access to a sink or other special equipment in your craft room.

Floral Foam

This is great to have on hand in your craft room! Obviously, they’re very important for floral projects, but we have used them for multiple other things as well. For example, you can carve out a portion of it to hold a rounded object – like a glitter ornament – for you while you work on it. Or, how about sticking bamboo skewers into the foam so it can hold painted beads while they dry? There are so many ways to make use of floral foam!

Chalkboards

Chalkboards are another versatile Cricut blank that you can pick up inexpensively at Dollar Tree. We have used them so many times! Make menu boards, chore lists, add quotes, seasonal and holiday decor, and so much more.

Pro Tip: You need to season your chalkboard before using it. Using the side of a piece of chalk, rub it across the entire board and then wipe away.

Pillar Candles

These are much cheaper than candle melts. So, buy pillar candles and melt them down to use as you wish. You can purchase unscented ones that will allow you to add your own essential oils if you’d like. Save the glass container to use for another craft project (vases, for example).

Paper Mache Boxes

There are so many ways you can use these boxes but one of our favorites is to create a pop-out photo box. You can paint or decoupage the boxes to change the look of them and customize them according to your preferences. Make personalized gift boxes, storage containers, and many other projects with these boxes.

Pop Dot Tape

If you’re a paper crafter, you definitely want to check this out. Be sure to check both the home improvement and craft areas. These can add dimension to your projects and they come in a variety of sizes and thicknesses.

Hot Glue Gun Sticks

As with their other adhesives, Dollar Tree has a variety of sizes of glue sticks and you can never have too much on hand! Grab some the next time you’re in the store.

Clear Cellophane Wrap

This allows you to create a custom gift-wrapped look quickly and inexpensively. It’s especially handy for gift baskets and other awkwardly shaped items. Add some ribbon and a bow and you’re all set!

Appetizer Tray

These are so cute and trendy! We bought two of them because we’re planning to – get ready for this – use the wood to make a shelf! The piece of wood would be really great as a blank for creating a small sign too. Save the glass bowls because those are perfect to use for candles or as storage containers for your small craft items.

Pro Tip: If you’re working with hot glue, keep a small bowl of cold water nearby. If you accidentally burn yourself, you can dip your fingers into the water to stop it from getting worse.

Bamboo Cutting Board

Whether you want to make crafts with your Cricut machine or your GlowForge, these are perfect blanks for your craft projects. Apply vinyl, do some wood burning, or engrave a design to create a beautiful home decor project.

Mugs

These are a Dollar Tree staple for us! They carry a variety of mugs that you can add your own designs to. We love putting vinyl on mugs to create our own custom designs. Add coffee, tea, or hot chocolate to put together a special gift.

Zip Ties

Another great item to keep on hand in your craft room so you’re ready for any emergency is these zip ties. They are smaller and less bulky than others and are perfect to use when making things like wreaths.

Baking Soda

What?? Why would we want baking soda in our craft room? First of all, you can sprinkle it on HTV to be able to see your cut lines and weed more easily. You can also mix it with paint to create your own chalk paint.

Clips

If you’re using a roll of vinyl, you can use some of these clips to secure the roll to the end of your cutting mat. You can also use them to hold items together while glue is drying or hold items in place while attaching ribbon or wire. We’re sure you’ll find plenty of uses for these handy clips.

Jute and Rope

These are great additions to signs, wreaths, and so many other crafts. They add that bit of texture and rustic charm to nearly any project.

Ribbon

Dollar Tree has really been delivering on so many different widths and types of ribbon. You can use them for creating bows to add to your wreaths, signs, and other projects or as that finishing touch for your gift wrapping.

Sandpaper Kit

You can purchase a sandpaper kit at Dollar Tree that has some small sample pieces of sandpaper that will prove helpful if you’re working with any wood for your craft projects. We strongly advise going over your wooden blanks with sandpaper to ensure that it is smooth and ready for painting, staining, or applying vinyl.

Lint Roller

If you’re working on a t-shirt, sweatshirt, or other fabric projects, we always advise going over it with a lint roller to ensure that all bits of lint and debris are removed. Having a nice clean surface means your vinyl will go on much more smoothly and will last longer. They’re especially important for sublimation projects.

Pro Tip: In a pinch, you can use the lint roller in place of transfer tape.

Jenga Blocks

You can use these off-brand Jenga blocks from Dollar Tree for so many different things – ornaments, little frames, keychains, and so much more.

Bleach

They have small bottles of bleach available at Dollar Tree that are perfect for keeping in your craft area so you can use them to make bleached sublimation shirts.

Magnetic Boxes

These are great to use for shadowbox ornaments, to put on pizza pan crafts, use for storing small craft supplies, and so much more.

Masking Tape

We use this ALL the time in our craft room. It’s a great way to hold down materials on your Cricut cutting mats – for example, if your mat isn’t sticky enough or you’re using a thicker material like chipboard.

Wreath Hangers

These go over the door and allow you to easily hang a wreath on your door without having to use a nail or anything like that.

Bamboo Skewers

These are so handy in the craft room! You can put beads on them to dry after painting, hold various other round objects so you can paint without your fingers touching them, and so much more.

Pizza Pans

We use these all the time to make fun magnetic crafts like the Christmas countdown pictured here. Dollar Tree offers pizza pans in a variety of sizes.

Pro Tip: It takes 2-3 coats of paint to get good coverage on these.

Signs and Craft Blanks

You can find all kinds of signs and other craft blanks of that sort at Dollar Tree. These give you endless possibilities for Cricut craft projects that you can make. Add quotes, names, and images to create your own custom designs. Apply decals or stencil on them. They’ll be amazing!

Profitable Cricut Projects to Make

April 3, 2023 by Cyn Gagen Leave a Comment

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links provided for your convenience. This means, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase

In this post, we are going to share the top crafts to make and sell using your Cricut machine if you want to make some cash fast! We’ll share the most profitable Cricut projects to make so if you’re looking to start or jumpstart your Cricut craft business, you’ll know just what craft projects to begin with.

Not only are these Cricut crafts quick and easy to make, but they are some of the best-selling items too! If you’re ready to dive into your own Cricut craft home-based business, this is a must-read for you!

Profitable Cricut Projects to Make

Some of the products we used for these projects:

Our Favorite Printable Vinyl: https://amzn.to/3nhkd2P

Bulk Rolls of HTV: https://bit.ly/3u5lk9j

Scorch Marker Pro: https://amzn.to/35wYKfY

Torch Paste: https://etsy.me/3AWRzf2

Heat Gun: https://amzn.to/3kTCXHG

Stain: https://amzn.to/36XO3at

Staining Rags: https://amzn.to/3azAJVJ

Cricut Maker 3: https://amzn.to/357R2c9

Masking Paper Transfer Tape: https://amzn.to/3bB57jJ

Our Favorite Burnishing Tool: https://bit.ly/33Ejamf

Our Favorite Weeding Tool: https://amzn.to/3pwnJc2

Pin Pen Tool: https://bit.ly/2SCiMlZ

Our Favorite Cutting Mats: https://amzn.to/3pdN1KN

Cricut wooden cutting board with recipe on it

Ideas for Profitable Cricut Crafts

Custom Cutting Boards

One thing we love about Cricut is that you can import images and make custom projects really quickly. This custom cutting board is such a lovely keepsake! It has a family recipe, in that person’s handwriting on it and would be a treasured gift for anyone. All we did was use heat transfer vinyl to cut out and apply to this basic blank and voila! A beautiful custom craft you could easily sell for a premium. We wouldn’t be surprised to see this sell for anywhere from $35 to $45.

Stickers

Stickers are incredibly popular and you can really make a great profit from them. To make stickers all you need is your Cricut machine, ink, and printable sticker paper, so material costs are low. At Makers Gonna Learn we have thousands of cut files. Find the ones you want to use and as a member, you can make up to 500 of the same stickers under our commercial license that is included in the membership. We have seen people charge anywhere from $3-5 per sticker and you can actually bundle them and sell that way as well for even more profit.

Woodburning

Try woodburning with your Cricut projects. This opens up a whole new area for you to explore. You can use the scorch pen or torch paste to do it and it really adds a beautiful new dimension to your projects. The fact that the design is burned into the blank means it is permanent and you end up with really high-quality results.

T-shirts and Onesies

T-shirts and onesies are another great way to make products you can sell for high profit. Of course, you can use the traditional method with heat transfer vinyl, but if you’re looking for something a little bit different, how about screenprinting? Using the same screen over and over again is actually a more efficient way of making them and it’s more profitable too! This is an especially good idea for a bulk order.

Tumblers and Water Bottles

Tumblers and water bottles continue to be very popular. You can use UV resin and Dawn Power Wash to create a permanent design on your tumbler. Again, this is a great project that you can take custom orders on and when it’s personalized, you can charge more!

Sublimation Projects

Yes, this blanket is made with sublimation BUT it was designed in Cricut. If you’re not sure how to make sublimation projects, we have a whole course that can help you out! Makers Gonna Sublimate

Cricut Hacks That Won’t Cost a Dime

March 6, 2023 by Cyn Gagen Leave a Comment

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links provided for your convenience. This means, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase

We love to craft but we love to save money too and sometimes it seems like those two things don’t go together. So, whenever we find some great ways to save money on our craft projects, we love to share them. These Cricut Hacks That Won’t Cost a Dime are some of our all-time favorite economical tips!

When you can save money on craft supplies, you can buy and make even more. Keep reading to find out how you can save some cash on your Cricut projects.

Cricut Hacks That Won’t Cost a Dime

1 – Save those empty wipes containers.

You can use them as a place to contain all those little pieces of vinyl that you weed away from your projects. You can cover it with adhesive paper or cardstock if you want to, but it’s not necessary. This is a really helpful way to keep your workspace neat and tidy.

2 – Put redeemed gift cards to use.

Old gift cards are perfect for burnishing vinyl! Use it just as you would a squeegee and rub it across your vinyl or transfer tape to help it adhere better.

Using Parchment Paper When Layering Vinyl

3 – Use parchment paper for easier application of adhesive vinyl.

This is an especially helpful tip when you’re trying to layer vinyl. Simply place the top layer on a piece of parchment paper and pull back a little at the top to reveal the adhesive. Line it up over your design and gradually pull back more of the parchment paper, a little at a time, until the top layer is perfectly placed.

4 – Attach two glue sticks together for longer use.

When you’re in the groove and working on a large project with hot glue, it can be frustrating to have to stop and add more glue sticks. All you have to do is apply some hot glue to the end of one glue stick and glue it to another! Hold for 15-20 seconds until set. Now you can keep crafting for a longer time without having to refill your glue gun.

5 – Apply HTV to a t-shirt perfectly every time.

To line up and center your design, we like to use the folding trick. Fold the shirt in half lengthwise, lining it up at the sleeve seams. Lay the folded shirt on the heat press mat and press along that fold for 15-20 seconds. Now you’ve got a center line to help position your design perfectly.

6 – Use your household hair dryer when applying vinyl to a textured surface.

That’s right. We’re going to make use of your hair dryer. Apply your adhesive vinyl to the textured surface and be sure to burnish well. You might want to use your fingers to help get it into all of the grooves. Use the hair dryer to apply a little heat to help it adhere even better.

7 – Save your transfer tape!

Save your transfer tape and reuse it for other projects BUT if you don’t happen to have any, we’ve got alternatives you can use instead. Best of all, you probably have them on hand already. Painter’s tape works really well as does a lint roller. The lint roller is good for smaller projects and isn’t quite as sticky as the painter’s tape.

8 – Tape vinyl down to your mat.

With materials like glitter heat transfer vinyl, it will have a tendency to want to roll up. Use some pieces of painter’s tape on each corner to help it stay flat on your cutting mat so you can get a better cut.

9 – Add an offset to Print then Cut images.

By adding an offset you can turn a Print then Cut image into a beautiful sticker. Add the offset (it’s a free feature on Cricut Design Space) and change the color as desired. Turn your whole design into a Print and Cut sticker in just a few easy steps!

10 – Use non-Cricut brand markers in your Cricut machine.

This is such a great way to use markers that you already have on hand.

11 – Turn any font into a drawing font.

If you have a font that you’d like to use with pens and the drawing function, but Design Space only wants to draw the outline, we’ve got a great hack for you. Using our Lines file as well as a font (we’re using our font Atmospheric), place the lines over the text, and with both selected, choose Intersect (under Combine). Change the Operation from Basic Cut to Pen.

Now your Cricut will draw not only the outline of the text but it will also fill in with all the lines too.

12 – Stop paying for Cricut Access.

Did you know that you don’t need to pay in order to use Cricut Design Space? It is free software used with your Cricut machine. But some people think that this is the same thing as Cricut Access. It’s not!

Cricut Access is a subscription that allows you to use Cricut’s library of cut files and fonts. If you have a Makers Gonna Learn subscription, you don’t need Cricut Access. So, if you’re not actually using their files, cancel your Cricut Access subscription and save some money!

Note: There are a few premium features for Cricut Design Space that are available through your Access subscription. You can easily make most of your crafts without ever needing these premium features.

13 – Use this amazing stencil hack for flawless results.

After you have laid your stencil down on the surface, apply your paint/ink using the same color as the base color you have on the blank. This may seem like a waste of time, but it really helps to give you crisp, clean lines. Be sure to apply a very thin layer of the base color. Once that layer is dry, you can go over the stencil with your chosen color.

14 – With this trick, you can easily apply vinyl to rounded surfaces.

When working on a rounded surface like a mug or an ornament, it is sometimes difficult to get it to lay flat. Our trick is to snip around the design – just where the transfer tape and backing are. Be sure not to cut into the design itself. This gives you leeway as you apply the vinyl to the surface and you’ll be able to get it to lay flat!

HTV Hacks You Need to Know

February 20, 2023 by Cyn Gagen Leave a Comment

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links provided for your convenience. This means, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase

If you love working with heat transfer vinyl, you’re going to love this post about HTV Hacks You Need to Know. We’re going to teach every single iron-on vinyl hack that we know here! Whether you are a Cricut beginner or a seasoned pro, you might just learn some really helpful tips and tricks today.

HTV can be used on a wide variety of surfaces (not just fabric!) and offers so many possibilities for Cricut projects. Once you see these Cricut hacks, you’ll be all set to make all kinds of Cricut iron-on projects.

HTV Hacks You Need to Know

Working with mandalas

Use a setting like Kraft board or heavy cardstock or add more pressure and it will cut your mandala all the way through. Then, instead of having to weed it, you will be able to peel the mandala up and it will be ready to go. A few pieces may be left behind but it’s quick and easy to remove those.

Once you apply it to your surface and heat it, we like to then go in with a weeding tool to help lift away the transfer tape. Even though you cut it all the way through, the transfer tape is still there and needs to be removed. We like to do a warm peel on this.

Make weeding easier

Heat up your heat press to about 300-350 degrees. Press it down for about 10 seconds to heat up the bottom plate. Open up the press and place your HTV on the bottom plate. Weed (carefully – be mindful of the heat!) right there on the press and you’ll find it so much easier.

Pro Tip: You can do the same thing with an EasyPress. Heat up your EasyPress mat and place your HTV on it for weeding.

Find the center of your shirts.

This is so simple and so helpful when it comes to lining up and centering your designs. There are a few different ways of doing this.

1 – Match up the seams where the sleeves are attached to the shirt. Lay it down and press along that line to leave a gentle crease that marks the center.

2 – Use a t-shirt ruler. Simply place it on your shirt and it will show you exactly where to position your design.

Center your design on your shirt.

The next step after you have found the center of your shirt is to find the center of your design. To do this, gently fold over your design, matching up the edges of it. Remember to line up the edges of the actual design, not the transfer tape. Then, make a little crease at the top and the bottom to mark the center. Be sure to only crease the transfer tape and not your design. Match this center line with the center of your shirt! Ta-da!

Remove HTV from a shirt.

Place your EasyPress Mini inside the shirt with the design positioned over the heat plate. You want to set your EasyPress to the second level. As it heats up the design, you can use a weeding tool to easily start removing it from the shirt. Keep moving it as needed to heat up the rest of the design until your whole design – or the part of the design you need – has been removed.

Don’t choose tiny fonts.

Tiny fonts, skinny fonts, intricate fonts – these can all be more difficult to work with. If they are going to be less than 3-4 inches in size and are really thin fonts, you want to avoid these with HTV. Although your Cricut may be able to cut it out really well and you have no problem with weeding it, once you apply heat, these fonts can start looking a bit wavy and distorted. You won’t get the clean look you are going for.

It’s also important to know that even if you’re able to apply it well, since it is so thin, there isn’t much adhesive to hold it in place and keep it down. The durability of such designs is not as high as with a larger design.

Layer vinyl without it being bulky.

When you layer vinyl, especially on things like clothing, it can start feeling and looking bulky. So, we like to use the knockout method instead. You’re going to create two layers but one of them is essentially going to be an outline of the second one. That way, when you line them up, they will appear layered but won’t have the bulk of two pieces of vinyl on top of each other. You’ll also save vinyl this way!

And best of all, with this method, each layer of heat transfer vinyl gets to adhere directly to the fabric you’re applying it to thereby giving you a better and longer-lasting result.

Use up your HTV scraps.

Cut them into strips and lay them shiny side up on your cutting mat. Do not mirror your design. Cut the same way as with the mandala – heavy cardstock, more pressure, Kraft board or something similar to cut through it.

Once your design is cut out in those beautiful multiple colors of heat transfer vinyl, you will want to grab some HTV transfer tape to peel the whole thing up. Apply it to your design and remove it from the mat. Use heat, as usual, to adhere your design to the blank and then peel up both layers of transfer tape.

Pro Tip: You may be thinking that you don’t want to purchase any HTV transfer tape since you’ll only use it once in a while. Here’s what you can do. Save your pieces of HTV transfer tape from other projects. We use waxed paper as backing paper for it to keep it safe until we use it. Another great use for this is with printable HTV. Some brands don’t include a transfer sheet in the package so this can really come in handy there too.

Use HTV on top of traditional adhesive vinyl.

This is a great hack for when you have run out of the color you need in regular adhesive vinyl but you have it in iron-on vinyl. You can actually use the HTV over top of regular vinyl. Simply apply the HTV on top of the regular vinyl and lay it on your EasyPress mat. Use light pressure with your EasyPress and apply some heat to the design to adhere it.

Let it cool completely. Peel away the transfer tape. Now you have a regular vinyl design that you can apply just like a sticker.

Make weeding easier.

Use cocoa powder with light-colored HTV and baby powder with dark-colored HTV. We like to apply it with a small paintbrush. Then, you can brush away the excess and you’ll see that the cut lines stand out better and make it easier to see where to weed.

Apply heat transfer vinyl to cardstock.

Simply place the HTV on the cardstock and heat for about 10 seconds. This is a great method to use on paper napkins too! Customize them for a party.

Use HTV on wood.

This is a method we use all the time! Once again, simply place the HTV design onto the wood and heat. We find it especially easy when using the EasyPress Mini! Heat for about 20 seconds in each section of your design. Remember that you want to see bubbles forming. This is a great alternative to stenciling.

Pro Tip: When choosing the wood for this project, you want to use wood that is really smooth and not too textured. The smoother the better!

Cut out and weed glitter heat transfer vinyl more easily.

Create your design and then duplicate it. For the second one, you want to use the drawing function. Attach the two together. This way your vinyl will cut out and it will draw the design on the back. It makes it much easier to see and to weed!

Apply HTV on a mug.

Use heat-resistant tape to tape down your design to the mug. Even with the curved surface, this will help it to adhere to the mug. It’s okay if the transfer tape crinkles a little bit as long as the design is sticking well to the mug. Using the high setting, apply heat with your heat gun. It will take about 10-20 seconds. Don’t put the heat gun too close to the surface of the mug. Do a cold peel.

We hope you learned something new in this post about some of the best HTV tips we’ve found. Which of these HTV hacks is your favorite?

#1 Way to Clean Cricut Mats

February 13, 2023 by Cyn Gagen Leave a Comment

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links provided for your convenience. This means, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase

When you make a lot of Cricut projects, your Cricut mats are bound to get dirty now and then. The dirtier they are, the less adhesive they are. So, we want to share the #1 way to clean Cricut mats with you.

When you clean your Cricut mats, you will be able to get more use out of them and won’t have to replace them as often. This will save you money and time as you won’t need to run out to the store in the middle of a crafting session. Keep reading to find out our favorite way to clean Cricut mats.

Check out these Cricut Maintenance Tasks You Need to Perform too!

#1 Way to Clean Cricut Mats

baby wipes for cleaning cricut cutting mats

This is our all-time favorite way to clean our Cricut cutting mats because it is inexpensive and easy to do. Simply grab a baby wipe and using a small circular motion, go over the cutting mat one section at a time.

As you work your way across the mat, you’ll see that even the toughest debris, such as these bits of felt left behind from a Cricut project, will come off of the mat.

Once you allow the cutting mat to dry, the adhesive will be back to new again! Your mat will last 2-3 times longer simply by using this cleaning technique.

This is such a handy way to clean your mats without even having to leave your crafting space.

Make $100 a Day with Cricut

February 6, 2023 by Cyn Gagen Leave a Comment

What if we told you that you could make $100 a Day with Cricut? In this post, we want to show you how you can use your Cricut machine to make profitable craft items. You can make money with your Cricut and we’re going to show you how!

We will give you our best tips and tricks to get into the right mindset so you can figure out just how you can make money with your Cricut. We are going to break it down for you into a step-by-step process. If you’re ready to open up a whole new world of Cricut projects you can sell, let’s get started.

Make $100 a Day with Cricut

Step One: Know Your Numbers.

Don’t overthink this. You just need to know a rough range of what your expenses are to typically make a project. If it’s something that costs less than 50 cents, it probably isn’t worth your time to count up every one of those little expenses. For each of those, just count them as 50 cents to make it easy. Remember to include your blanks, your materials, and all of your supplies.

Step Two: Focus on High-Profit Margin Projects.

Once you know how much it costs to make these Cricut projects, you can then focus on the 2-3 with high-profit margins. We know that you may have all kinds of projects that you like to make, but if you really want to get to a place where you’re making $100 a day, you really need to hone in on the ones that will bring in the most profit. This way you can spend less time but make more money!

Step Three: Recognize that Bulk Orders are Your Friend.

By taking bulk orders, you can work with fewer people and still get big results. You don’t have to worry about sales and marketing as much and can put more of your focus on the creative part. And let’s face it. That’s our favorite part!

Offer a discount for bulk orders to encourage people to order in bulk. This will ultimately save you time and effort while still bringing in the money you want. Once you make an order, it becomes easier and easier to replicate it.

Pro tip: Think about businesses, churches, schools, and other similar places to partner with. They often need shirts and other custom items for their special events. Once you have had a successful custom order, we find that these often become repeat customers!

We encourage you to sit down and do the math to figure out your costs and the items that would be most profitable for you to sell so you can get started on your Cricut business journey!

Color Etching on Glass

February 3, 2023 by Cyn Gagen Leave a Comment

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links provided for your convenience. This means, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase

If you have ever seen glass etching you know how beautiful it can be. We’re going to show you not only how to use your Cricut machine for etching glass, but also how to do color etching on glass. This is such a fun technique that you can use to add a permanent design to glass for any holiday, occasion, or home decor theme.

Glass-etched projects make lovely custom handmade gifts. They’re perfect for weddings, anniversaries, teacher gifts, and so much more.

You can etch on stainless steel too! Check this out – Etching Stainless Steel

Color Etching on Glass

Supplies Needed:

Oh Come Let us Adore Him – https://makersgonnalearn.com/cut_file…
Glass canister – https://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Hob…
Armor Etch – https://amzn.to/3zxsd87
Starcraft Vinyl: https://bit.ly/3uP2GUo
Paint Brush – https://amzn.to/3vFyTA0
Gloves – https://amzn.to/3zUV87C
Rub’n Buff – https://amzn.to/3vHAR2W
Candles – https://amzn.to/3JyrUic

Step-by-Step Tutorial:

Working in Design Space

1 – Choose the cut file that you’d like to use for your design. Download it and upload into Cricut Design Space. We’re going to turn this design into a stencil for your etching project.

2 – Add the design to your canvas in Design Space.

3 – Measure the dimensions of the space you have available for your design on your blank. Size your design accordingly.

Pro Tip: Remember to lock the dimensions of your design if you want to maintain them while sizing.

Weld The Two Layers Of The Design Together

4 – With the design we’re using, you can see in the layers panel that it is two layers. If we cut it as is, it will cut each layer on a separate mat. We want this to be one stencil so we need to select each layer and Weld.

Cutting and Applying the Vinyl

5 – Click Make It. Choose your material setting. We used Permanent Vinyl, Removable. Cut out your design.

6 – Weed your vinyl. Remember that this will be used as a stencil. So, you want to weed out the opposite of what you usually do. In this case, you’re removing the letters and decor elements and leaving the negative space behind. Cover your weeded design with transfer tape and burnish it down.

7 – If you’re applying the vinyl to a non-porous surface like glass or ceramic, clean the area where the vinyl will be placed with rubbing alcohol on a paper towel. This will ensure that there is no dirt, fingerprints, or debris to interfere with smoothly placing the vinyl.

8 – Remove the backing from your vinyl. Place the stencil on your blank. Be sure that you get out all of the air bubbles and that the edges are very well-adhered. You want to get a good crisp result from your stenciling. Carefully peel away the transfer tape.

Stenciling

9 – Put on your gloves. This is a very important step – you don’t want etching cream to come in contact with your skin! Paint the etching cream over the stencil. We like to paint it all over, going back into each area again so that we’re sure the cream gets right down into the design well. Move the cream around for 1-2 minutes for best results. Apply a fairly thick layer of etching cream. Set your timer. The bottle directions say to leave the etching cream for 1-3 minutes but we find that 5 minutes works best.

Pro Tip: If you’re concerned about the etching cream getting onto the glass around the edges of the stencil, you can always add some painter’s tape around the whole design.

10 – Use your paintbrush to remove the excess etching cream from your craft project. Put it back in the jar to use again. Wash off your project under running water. Be sure to leave your gloves on for this part.

Pro Tip: Once the design is dry, you can hold it up to the light and double-check to ensure that all parts have been etched to your satisfaction.

Adding color to the etching

11 – Remove the stencil. Apply Rub n Buff to your design to add color. It’s a good idea to wear a glove for this process. Work the color into the etched design.

Important: We recommend only using this on a decorative piece that you aren’t going to be washing. After testing, we found that if we washed it, it would remove the color.

12 – This dries quickly so go in and use a paper towel to remove the excess. Alternate between applying the Rub n Buff and removing excess with the paper towel. Once the design is thoroughly covered with Rub n Buff, your project is ready to display!

Dishwasher Safe Cricut Projects

February 1, 2023 by Cyn Gagen Leave a Comment

You’ve worked hard on a special Cricut craft and now you want to know how to make it safe to put in the dishwasher? We’ve got you covered. In this tutorial, we will show you how to make dishwasher safe Cricut projects. Don’t let all your hard work designing and creating an amazing Cricut craft go to waste. Cricut beginners and seasoned pros alike, this is must-have information to keep in your back pocket for when you need it.

We’ll be honest. We rarely ever seal our Cricut projects. For the most part, we just don’t find it necessary and prefer to leave the design uncovered. But, there may be times when you really want to add a sealant to your craft project and that’s why we are going over the best kind to use to make it safe for the dishwasher.

Dishwasher Safe Cricut Projects

Let’s start by talking about WHY we don’t usually want to use a sealant. When you apply this Mod Podge to your project, it will likely leave brush strokes. If you use it on a clear glass mug or plate, it will probably make the image cloudy. That’s why we are not huge fans of this.

We find that if you use really good, high-quality vinyl, you get great results and truly don’t need to seal it. Our rule of thumb here is that if something is handmade, it should be hand-washed so that the design is long-lasting and the item maintains its quality. However, you may want the convenience of using your dishwasher, and if that’s the case, you’ll need to use Dishwasher-Safe Mod Podge.

Pro Tip: High-quality vinyl that we like and use regularly at Makers Gonna Learn – Starcraft, Oracal 651, and TeckWrap just to name a few.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Cut Files/Fonts Used: What Would Dolly Do? – https://makersgonnalearn.com/cut_files/what-would-dolly-do/

Dishwasher Safe Mod podge – https://amzn.to/3Z9JFeS

Coffee Mug – https://www.dollartree.com/royal-norfolk-contemporary-white-square-stoneware-mugs-12oz/18235

How To Make A Cricut Project Dishwasher Safe

STEP-BY-STEP TUTORIAL:

1 – The first thing you need to know about using Dishwasher-Safe Mod Podge is that it will dry in just a few hours BUT that doesn’t mean that it is ready to use at that point. The full cure time for it is 28 days. It should not go into the dishwasher until after those 28 days have passed. This is key to getting the best results from this product.

2 – To get the fewest brushstrokes and marks on our design possible, we prefer to apply the Mod Podge with our fingers. It is a non-toxic product and safe to touch, but once finished, we do like to wash our hands right away. If you don’t want to touch it with your fingers, you can apply it with a foam brush, but remember that you will get brushstrokes this way.

Important: Before you apply vinyl to a non-porous surface like glass or ceramic, clean it well with rubbing alcohol and a paper towel to remove all dust, debris, and fingerprints that might interfere with proper application of the vinyl.

Snip slits into the transfer tape to help adhere the vinyl to a curved surface.

3 – Remove the backing from your vinyl design. Apply to your mug.

Pro Tip: When applying vinyl to a curved surface, we find it helpful to snip slits into the transfer tape. Be sure not to cut into the design. This allows you to get it nice and flat on the surface of the mug.

4 – Burnish well. We find it helpful to use our fingers to press it well onto the mug.

5 – Peel away the transfer tape carefully.

6 – Using your finger, dab the Mod Podge over the vinyl design. As you apply it, it may change the texture and appearance of the vinyl, so be aware of that. Apply a thin coat. Let it dry for a little while until it’s just a bit tacky.

Pro Tip: Once partially dry, we used the heel of our hand to tap over the design. This helps remove some of the finger strokes. Using a paper towel, we also removed any excess Mod Podge from around the design. Don’t touch the Mod Podge on the vinyl itself, but any that is on the mug around the vinyl.

7 – Wait 1-2 hours. Apply another coat of Mod Podge. In all, you want to apply 2-3 more coats to your mug, drying in between. Be sure to repeat the process of tapping over the vinyl and removing excess Mod Podge from around the design with each application.

REMINDER: Once you put on the last coat, put the mug aside and let it cure for 28 days.

Never Use These Cricut Supplies

January 23, 2023 by Cyn Gagen Leave a Comment

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links provided for your convenience. This means, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase

When you’re a Cricut beginner, you may be wondering what supplies you should use with your die cutting machine. Sometimes it’s just as important to know what supplies not to use with your Cricut machine! In this post, we’re going to share ideas of Cricut supplies we think you should never use.

Now, don’t get us wrong. Cricut makes amazing machines and some of their materials are our favorites. But, in many cases, we have found materials to use with our Cricut machines that are just as good or even better than Cricut brand supplies AND they will even save you money on craft supplies!

Never Use These Cricut Supplies

Cricut Brightpad

We have found in our experience that the Cricut Brightpad really doesn’t do much and for the money, it’s just not worth it. The only time it ever improved our weeding situation was with glitter HTV. With anything else, we couldn’t see a difference.

You’d be much further ahead to invest in some better lighting that will work for a multitude of different crafting scenarios. You can even just put your material up to a window to see the weeding lines better.

Cricut Vinyl

Cricut brand vinyl was great several years ago but then they changed the formula and now it simply isn’t the easiest material to work with. There are other brands that are much better and easier to use and less expensive to boot. Try Siser, Starcraft, or Oracal. They make our crafting so much easier!

12 x 10″ EasyPress

You might be surprised by this one but we find that the 12 x 10″ Cricut EasyPress is not the best one to use. Once you pick it up to use it, it quickly begins to lose heat, giving you uneven heating of your project. The smaller ones are much better and the Mini EasyPress, in particular, is one of our favorites for applying heat transfer vinyl. If you find you need a larger heat press on a consistent basis for things like Infusible Ink or really large projects, we suggest investing in a clamshell or other industrial-type heat press that will give you more versatility and more even heating.

Pro Tip: The 9 x 9 Cricut EasyPress doesn’t have this same issue and is another great alternative!

Cricut AutoPress

Sometimes we invest in Cricut supplies to check them out and try them for ourselves but this is one we haven’t bothered to buy. Why? Mainly because of the price point. You can purchase good quality heat presses for half the price of this one so it simply doesn’t make economical sense to us. Now, if you’re someone who struggles with traditional presses because of physical conditions like arthritis, this may very well be the best investment for you, but for the rest of us, there are other better options.

Infusible Ink

Some people really enjoy working with Infusible Ink but we find that if you are someone who wants to make a lot of sublimation projects, we recommend that you invest in a sublimation printer and other sublimation supplies. This way, you can create custom designs and use any colors your would like. In addition, since Infusible Ink sheets are simply sheets of sublimation ink that you have to cut and then weed, it’s quite easy to damage them and waste material.

Cricut Hot Glue Gun

When it comes to the many hot glue guns on the market, there are simply so many other, better options than the Cricut glue gun. It’s small, it’s corded, and it’s expensive. Check out the Lynn Lilly glue gun. You can use it cordlessly for up to 2 minutes at a time and it has a precision tip. It’s our favorite!

What are your favorite craft supplies? Which ones have you tried that you wouldn’t recommend to a crafting buddy? Let us know on social media, tagging us with the hashtag #MakersGonnaLearn.