Craft Tools and Supplies Archives

Cricut Must Haves

July 21, 2023 by Cyn Gagen

These are some of our Cricut Must Haves that we just don’t see other people talking about. But most of these products are craft room essentials for us. We use many of these every single day!

Whether you are a Cricut beginner or have been using your Cricut machine for a long time, these craft products are items you may want to check out and keep in your craft room too. Have a look below and learn why we consider these must-have craft products.

Cricut Must Haves Nobody is Talking About

Lynn Lilly Glue Gun

Most crafters have some sort of glue gun in their craft rooms. However, if you’re like us, you might get frustrated with the limitations of your glue gun. We felt the same way until we started using a Lynn Lilly Glue Gun.

It has a precision nozzle keeping your glue application much neater than with traditional glue guns. And you can use it as a cordless glue gun for up to 2 minutes before putting it back on the stand. If you need to use it for longer than 2 minutes at a time, you can simply remove the plug from the stand and then plug it into the glue gun itself to use it as a corded glue gun.

Cricut Paper Cutter

We have tried many different paper cutters before we finally found one that we liked. The Cricut paper cutter is lightweight and affordable. We think it’s just what is needed for occasional or beginner paper crafters. It even has an extendable ruler arm for when working with larger materials such as 12 x 12 sized items.

Cricut Wood Veneer

We don’t use a lot of the Cricut specialty products but we are obsessed with the wood veneer. It comes in a variety of shades and it’s really slim and very smooth. You can get very professional results with this.

Nicapa Cutting Mats

We were really hesitant about generic Cricut mats at the very beginning but this brand is really reliable and consistent in quality. Really affordable, are durable, and it lasts quite a while. We are not a big fan of their strong grip mat but any of the others are great.

Faux Leather

Our tried and true faux leather that we used to buy from 143Vinyl is no longer available but we have found one available on Amazon that we love nearly as much. In fact, we have found it is even more durable than the one we used previously.

Cricut TruControl Knife

This is similar to an X-acto Knife but so much better. You don’t have to touch the blade to change it and they added elements to the design of the knife to prevent it from rolling around on your craft table. There’s even a lock mechanism for extra safety and you never have to touch the blade to change it. Most of all, it just works really well and we get great results from it every single time.

Bulk Packs of Blades

We like to buy variety packs of blades so we always have some of each kind on hand. For an average crafter, one pack should last multiple years.

Command Adhesive Hooks

These are perfect for storing your Cricut mats. Just hang them from the hook and they’ll be handy and safe. You can even put the hooks inside a cabinet!

Zig Two Way Glue Pen

This is one of our favorite adhesives for paper crafting and 3D paper projects. This glue goes on blue and dries clear.

Rubbing Alcohol in a Pump Bottle

You may be puzzled by this item but it is essential in our craft room. We use the rubbing alcohol to clean non-porous items like glass and ceramic so that they’re free of fingerprints, dirt, and oils from your skin. Any kind of dirt or debris can interfere with getting your vinyl to stick well to the surface.

Brayer

We are always talking about the value of burnishing and a brayer is a great way to burnish many materials. Burnishing helps to ensure that the material sticks well to the cutting mat and it helps to flatten it, removing any bubbles and wrinkles that might get in the way of a clean cut.

Cricut Mini EasyPress

If we could only choose one heat source for working with HTV, the Cricut Mini EasyPress would be it. We were skeptical when it first came out, but it provides such flexibility whether applying heat to larger projects or smaller ones. And it’s incredibly affordable.

Inkjet Printable Magnet Sheets

We don’t see many people talking about using magnetic sheets with their Cricut but it’s a great material to work with. It cuts beautifully with a Cricut machine and there are just so many things you can make with it.

HTVRont Printable Vinyl Sticker Paper

This HTVRont paper is one of our favorite products. The price point is fantastic and with 40 sheets in a package, this will last you quite some time. We get fantastic results with it too!

Cricut Wheels

Putting wheels on your Cricut may seem like an unusual idea but we have found it to be so handy. Move your machine so easily into your workspace or out of the way! Check out the video above to see how it’s done. We recommend watching the whole video but it’s such a good one but if you want to skip to the part about putting wheels on your Cricut machine, check it out at time stamp 19:58.

The Worst Dollar Tree Cricut Products

July 10, 2023 by Cyn Gagen

These are, in our opinion, the worst Dollar Tree Cricut products. We go to the Dollar Tree all the time and use many of their products. It’s one of our favorite places! But, that doesn’t mean that every product we have tried has been a win.

Here are some of the ones we have tried that we do not recommend using for your Cricut craft projects.

The Worst Dollar Tree Cricut Products

LA’s Totally Awesome Bleach –

We often use bleach for making bleached sublimated t-shirts and things like that. Unfortunately, this bleach is so diluted that it doesn’t perform well. For the price, you can actually get a bleach that works well and is on par or cheaper.

Storage Bins –

We find the ones at Dollar Tree a bit on the flimsy side. They don’t hold up well to many of the things we would need to store in them. Other stores have more durable options at comparable prices.

Vinyl Paper –

Check out our “Does Dollar Tree Vinyl Even Work” video below to see the results we got when we tried out this product. It is very thin and many of the colors are translucent meaning that when you apply it on a surface, you can still see the surface behind the vinyl.

Crafters Square Felt Roll –

This is a very thin felt that doesn’t cut well in a Cricut machine. It’s too flimsy for creating felt flowers and has a textured appearance that we weren’t fond of in our designs.

Door mat –

The door mats at Dollar Tree are thin and low-quality. They would be fun to put by your side door for protecting your floors from wet shoes, but they just simply a high enough quality and durability for placing Cricut designs on.

Acryology Acrylic Craft Paint –

Again, this is a very diluted product that doesn’t have the quality we want in it. As with many of the other products we are discussing here, you can simply buy a much better product for roughly the same price point.

Batteries –

These batteries simply do not perform as well or last as long as other battery brands. Comparing them to brands such as Duracell or Energizer, we find we only get about 1/10 of the lifespan of some of these bigger brands.

Hand towels –

They are very thin and just don’t feel as nice as we would want them to. These aren’t going to be as durable or last as long and certainly, if you’re going to take the time to put a Cricut design on them, you want them to last as long as possible.

Tulle –

The tulle only comes in packages containing 3 yards. Unless you’re just making something like one hair bow, that isn’t going to be enough for most projects using tulle. And to buy multiple packages will cost you more than simply going to another store and buying it in bulk.

Felt flower kit –

They’re cute, but not nearly as nice as the ones you could make yourself. Use our flower patterns and make some felt or paper flowers for your craft projects. You’ll be so pleased with the results.

How to Get Ready for Amazon Prime Days

July 6, 2023 by Cyn Gagen

Amazon Prime Days are right around the corner. On Tuesday July 11 (beginning at 3 am Eastern) through 2:59 am Thursday July 13, there will be tons of products on sale at Amazon – sometimes, these are the lowest prices you’ll see all year (or at least just as low as Black Friday). This means we are about to see a LOT of amazing crafting deals. If you’ve never experienced Prime Days before, buckle up. It can be a hectic ride.

Thankfully, we’re going to be here to help you. We will be going live on Youtube BOTH DAYS during Amazon Prime Days at noon Eastern to share the deals with you. In addition, we will have a blog post that we will update throughout the event to share the best crafting deals we find. This can save you hours of work searching out the deals for yourself.

We will also have some AMAZING deals right here at Makers Gonna Learn too! To get ready, check out our $1 deal. This will give you a taste of what our membership is like and you’ll be all set to snatch up a membership when they go on sale during Prime Days. Members, we haven’t forgotten you. There will be deals on other MGL products as well.

How to Get Ready for Amazon Prime Days

Disclosure: Some of the links below are paid 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

So, how can you get ready for Prime Days now?

1 – If you are not already an Amazon Prime member, sign up now.

You can sign up through our link and get Amazon Prime for free for 30 days. If you don’t want it after Prime Days is over, just be sure to cancel it before it automatically renews at the end of the 30 days. You can get a 30 day Amazon Prime free trial here! https://amzn.to/44ncjuR

If you are a student with a valid email account ending with .edu, you can get a free SIX MONTH trial membership to Prime Student here. Yes, you’ll still be eligible for taking advantage of these Prime Day deals! After the 6 months end, you’ll get Amazon Prime at half price each month.

2 – Go look at Amazon and make your list BEFORE Prime Days begin.

It is SO easy to get caught up in the moment and feel that pressure to buy now because the deals can come so quickly and sell out quickly too. So, it’s best to make your list now. Don’t let the fear of missing out pressure you into spending more than you can afford. Set your budget and make your list. Prioritize your list.

3 – Check other online stores for the same product.

You don’t have to do a lot of research here. We are going to be sharing the best deals we can possibly find with you! But, for your own sake, and for products that we don’t share, it’s a good idea to check prices at other stores to make sure you are truly getting a good deal before you spend your hard-earned cash. You can also check CamelCamelCamel which tracks Amazon prices over time so you can see how low and high that particular item has been in the past.

Sealing Your Cricut Projects

May 17, 2023 by Cyn Gagen

Disclosure: Some of the links below are paid 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.

Never Use These Cricut Supplies

January 23, 2023 by Cyn Gagen

Disclosure: Some of the links below are paid 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.

Cricut Must Haves for Beginners

January 9, 2023 by Cyn Gagen

Disclosure: Some of the links below are paid 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

Did you just get a new Cricut machine? YAY! We are doing a happy dance for you because we just know how much joy you are going to get out of it! We have put together this list of Cricut Must Haves for Beginners especially for you.

This is our list of the items we use the most with our Cricut. These are Cricut tools and accessories we rely on every single day in our professional die cutting craft studio and we highly recommend each one of them. Check out the list below and let’s get crafting!

Cricut Must Haves for Beginners

Check out this list of Cricut must haves and make your list!

Cutting Mats:

When talking with Cricut beginners, we often find that they think they can only use Cricut brand products with their Cricut machines. While we love many Cricut products, there are some off-brand items out there that work really well too. This is especially true when it comes to cutting mats. We are huge fans of Nicapa cutting mats. They are a fraction of the cost of Cricut mats, but have worked beautifully for us consistently time after time.

Cutting Mat Comparison

EasyPress Mini:

The EasyPress Mini is our favorite of the Cricut EasyPresses. It is the most versatile one because of its size and how it’s designed, allowing you to make a wide variety of projects with it including heat transfer vinyl crafts and some small sublimation projects. It’s affordable and easy to use, making it the perfect starter heat press. We still use ours daily even with bigger presses available!

Scotch ATG (Advanced Tape Glider):

The Scotch ATG is one of the best dry adhesives we have ever found. It holds much more than those small tape runners and will serve you for a long time with your Cricut paper projects. It may look intimidating, but we promise, it’s easy to use. We even have a helpful video on how to change the tape in your ATG.

Rubbing Alcohol in a Pump Dispenser:

This pump dispenser is a game-changer. If you are applying vinyl to glass, mugs, tumblers, or anything like that with a non-porous surface, you will use this with a paper towel to clean the surface before putting the vinyl on. Having a nice clean surface, free of fingerprints and dust, makes for a longer-lasting design!

Scissors:

Scissors are a necessity for any craft room and the Tim Holtz Tonic scissors are some of our favorites when it comes to multipurpose scissors! One of the best things about these scissors is that you can loosen or tighten them based on the material you are cutting. These would not be the ones we would use for fabric, but for Cricut crafting and other general craft projects, these are ideal.

Cricut TrueControl Knife:

Of all the craft knives out there, this is hands down our favorite! Ergonomically designed with safety in mind, it feels good in your hand when you’re using it. We love how they designed it so that it won’t roll off your work surface! We use our knife to trim away excess vinyl so we can save the scraps for future projects.

Tweezers:

Having tweezers on hand when working on your Cricut projects is a great idea! We really like the Siser brand tweezers because of the firm, comfortable grip on them. In addition, if you are a paper crafter, we would recommend that you get a pair of reverse tweezers as well.

Squeegee:

A squeegee is a must in a Cricut craft room! It’s an essential tool when it comes to burnishing and applying vinyl to your blank. Squeegees are really affordable too! Some, like our Makers Gonna Learn squeegee, have grooves on them so you can use them to hold things like tumblers in place while you work on them.

Siser Easy PSV Transfer Tape:

Siser Easy PSV Transfer Tape has quickly become one of our favorite transfer tapes. If you are struggling with finding a transfer tape that works well for you, we recommend that you give this one a try.

Cricut Brayer:

This brayer works hand-in-hand with the squeegee to ensure that your materials are flat on the mat and well-adhered to your mat or blank. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a Cricut brand brayer, but we do quite like theirs. If we had to choose only one tool for burnishing, it would be the squeegee but the brayer is a nice addition to your craft toolbox.

Painters’ Tape:

Painters’ tape is essential! We use it to help secure items on the cutting mat when needed. It’s perfect for use with thicker materials to ensure they stay in place during the cutting process or whenever you’re having problems getting your materials to stick well to the mat. This can help extend the life of your mat too because even if it’s not quite sticky enough anymore, you can continue to get use out of it by adding tape.

Which of these Cricut must haves do you use?

Black Friday Craft Deals

November 23, 2022 by Cyn Gagen

***Updated with Cyber Monday Deals***

We have searched for the best Black Friday deals we could find and are sharing them with you here. We want to make this your one-stop shop for Black Friday craft deals. As new deals become available or we find out about them, we will update this post so be sure to come back often.

MAKERS GONNA LEARN DEALS!

We are getting in on the Black Friday action and are giving you some amazing deals here at Makers Gonna Learn:

BRAND NEW! MAKE-A-THON VIRTUAL EVENT

Sign up here and reserve your seat now – Make-a-Thon

Join Makers Gonna Learn & Use code “BEST” for $40 off, GRANDFATHERED in, and LIMITED bonuses! FIRST 200 will receive PRINTED Cricut Reference BOOK + Mystery GIFT! Join now: https://makersgonnalearn.com/join

ALREADY A YEARLY MEMBER? But need to get an extension? No coupon code!! Click here: https://makersgonnalearn.com/checkout/?rid=pumHP8

Join Makers Gonna Sublimate for $70 OFF + SPECIAL Mystery Supplies MAILED TO YOU! Join ASAP: https://makersgonnalearn.com/sublimate

Join Design Make Sell for $50 OFF USE CODE “DMS” & PRINTED + SHIPPED workbooks! Join now: https://makersgonnalearn.com/design-make-sell

Join Makers University & save $50 use code “MAKERU” + Special Gift! Join now: https://makersgonnalearn.com/university/

Black Friday Craft Deals

Things move very quickly and have a tendency to sell out quickly on Black Friday. If you see items you are interested in, you will need to grab them as soon as possible. Some of the deals below are only available online.

Note: For Amazon, you will get the best bang by getting Amazon Prime so you can qualify for free shipping. You can purchase an Amazon Prime free trial here and cancel it after your shopping is completed if you’d like.

You can get a 30 day Amazon Prime free trial here!

If you are a student with a valid email account ending with .edu, you can get a free SIX MONTH trial membership to Prime Student here.

If you’re going to be shopping at Target, bear in mind that if you are a Target RedCard holder, you will get an additional 5% off your purchase AND free shipping if you’re shopping online.

JoAnn says that they price match so bear that in mind if you are shopping there.

NOTE: Any prices quoted are the prices listed on the store’s website at the time we published this article. Prices are subject to change at any time and are for a very limited time only! Prices are listed in USD.

CRICUT MACHINES

Which Cricut machine should you buy? Find out here.

Cricut Maker 3 on Amazon- $364.95

Cricut Maker 3 bundle at Walmart: Includes the Cricut Maker 3 as above, as well as 4 rolls of Cricut Smart Vinyl Permanent, Cricut Transfer Tape, Cricut Tools Basic Set, Digital Guide Pack – $449.99

Cricut Maker 3 Machine Tools and Rainbow Vinyl Bundle at Walmart – Along with the Cricut Maker 3 this includes 1-Cricut tool set, 6-13 in x 3ft rolls of Cricut smart vinyl (red-orange, yellow, green, blue, purple), 1-12in x 3ft transfer tape. Bonus materials include getting started with the Cricut maker 3 digital guide, project ideas for vinyl and seasonal designs for project inspiration. All are in eBook format.- $429.99

Cricut Maker 3 at Target (with an extra 5% off and free shipping for Target RedCard Holders) – $379 (Same deal minus the RedCard extras at Michaels)

Cricut Maker Bundle at Walmart – includes Cricut Maker Champagne, Knife Blade and Drive Housing, Cutting Mat Grip 12×12, Premium Essential Vinyl Pack- 20ct – $259 (Lilac Cricut Maker Bundle at JoAnn $299 and Blue Cricut Maker Bundle at JoAnn $229)

Cricut Maker in Champagne at JoAnn – $249

Cricut Explore 3 at Amazon – $279 (Same deal is available at Kohls) (Same deal at Michaels) (same deal at Hobby Lobby)

Cricut Explore Air 2 in Mint or Peacock at Amazon – $169 (Same deal at Hobby Lobby for the lilac one)

Cricut® Explore Air 2 Die-Cutting Machine, Mint Premium Shimmer Vinyl Bundle at Walmart – Along with the machine, this bundle includes Cricut StandardGrip Mat, Cricut Transfer Tape, Cricut Premium Vinyl Sampler, Cricut Premium Vinyl Pearl Metallic Sampler, Cricut Fine Point Pen Set (set of 5) – $199

Cricut Explore Air 2 Daybreak Machine – Tools & 40 Sheet Vinyl Bundle at Walmart – Along with the machine this includes $30 of exclusive digital content, 25 Sheets of Cricut Permanent Vinyl, 6 in x 6 in, 15 Sheets of Cricut Removable Vinyl, 6 in x 6 in, 34 Sheets of Cricut Transfer Tape, 6 in x 6 in, 6 Sheets Cricut Strong Grip Transfer Tape, 6 in x 6 in, Light Grip Machine Mat, 12 in x 12 in, Cricut Weeder Tool, Cricut Scraper Tool, Fine Point Pen, Black, Premium Fine-Point Blade + Housing, 50 ready-to-make projects – $169

Cricut Explore Air 2 Twilight Bundle at JoAnn – Includes • Cricut Maker Blue • Rotary Blue + Drive Housing • Premium Fine Point Blade + Housing • FabricGrip Machine Mat, 12 in x 12 in (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm) • LightGrip Machine Mat, 12 in x 12 in (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm) • Premium Vinyl Removable, White • Premium Vinyl Permanent, Black • Premium Vinyl Permanent, Silver • Premium Vinyl Permanent, Parchment • Everyday Iron On Sampler, Tea Party • Glitter Iron On Mesh, Black • Multi Pen Set (5 ct.), Black • Welcome Book, USB Cable, Power Adapter Multi Pen Set (5 ct.), Black – $229

Cricut Explore Air 2 in Emerald at Walmart – $169 (same deal at Hobby Lobby) (same deal at JoAnn in mint) (same deal at JoAnn in lilac) (same deal at Michaels)

Cricut Explore® 3 Smart Cutting Machine at Walmart – $279 (Same deal at Hobby Lobby)

Cricut Joy Machine & Digital Content Library Bundle – Includes 30 images in Design Space App at Amazon – $125.30

Cricut Joy at Walmart – $129 (same deal at Hobby Lobby) (same deal at JoAnn) (same deal at Michaels)

SILHOUETTE MACHINES

Silhouette Cameo 4 Pink Bundle with Vinyl Starter Kit, Heat Transfer Starter Kit, 2 Autoblade 2, CrafterCuts Vinyl Tool Kit, 120 Exclusive Designs, and Access to Ebooks, Tutorials, & Classes at Amazon – $299.99

Silhouette Cameo 4 Plus Bundle with 2 Autoblades, 3 different Cutting mats, CC Vinyl Tool Kit, 100 Designs, and Access to Ebooks, Classes and more at Amazon – $399.99

HEAT PRESSES

Which Cricut heat press is the right one for you? Learn more here.

Cricut EasyPress Mini at Amazon – $39

Cricut EasyPress Mini at Walmart – $39 (same deal at JoAnn)

Cricut Hat Press at JoAnn – $129

Cricut Mug Press at Amazon – $149

Cricut Mug Press at Walmart – $149 (same deal at Hobby Lobby) (same deal at JoAnn)

Cricut EasyPress 3 – 12″ x 10″ at Hobby Lobby – $179 (same deal at JoAnn)

Cricut EasyPress 2, 12″ x 10″ at Amazon – $149

Cricut EasyPress 2, 12″ x 10″ at Walmart – $149 (same deal at Kohls) (same deal at Hobby Lobby) (same deal at Target but with an extra 5% off and free shipping for Target RedCard Holders)

Cricut EasyPress 2 Heat Press Machine 12×10, Iron-on Starter Pack at Walmart – Includes the heat press and a 20″ x 16″ Cricut EasyPress Mat, Cricut Rose Weeding Tool, 12″ x 12″ Cricut Glitter Iron-On Sampler, Tuxedo; 3 sheets; 1 each: Black, Black/Silver and Silver, and 12″ x 12″ Cricut Everyday Iron-On Sampler, Basics; 6 sheets; 3 each of: Black and White – $199

Cricut EasyPress 2 Blue Bundle at JoAnn – Includes 12×10 heat press, 14×14 EasyPress mat, 4 square coaster blanks, 2 black Infusible ink transfer sheets, Infusible Ink coaster designs, and Heat resistant tape- $179

Cricut EasyPress 3, 9″ x 9″ at Hobby Lobby- $129

Cricut EasyPress 3 10”x12” with 16″x20″ Mat at Target with an extra 5% off and free shipping for Target RedCard Holders – $199

Cricut EasyPress 2, 9″ x 9″ at Amazon – $99

Cricut Easy Press 2, 9″ x 9″ at Kohls – $99.99

HTVRONT Heat Press Machine for T-Shirts, Portable Heat Press 10″X10″ at Amazon – $79.99

Cricut Autopress at Target with an extra 5% off and free shipping for Target RedCard Holders – $799 (Same deal except for the extra 5% off at JoAnn) (same deal minus the RedCard bonuses at Michaels)

CUTTING MATS

Cricut 3PACK Standardgrip Cutting Mat 12X12 3 Pack AMZ, 12″x12″, Green at Amazon – $15.99

Cricut StandardGrip Cutting Mats, 12″x12″ at Walmart – Two mats for $10.88

Cricut FabricGrip Adhesive Cutting Mat 12″x12″ – 3 Pack at Amazon – $14.40

Cricut Standard Grip Mat, 12″x24″, 2 Mats at Amazon – $8.99

Nicapa 12×12 inch Standard Grip Cutting Mat- 3 pack at Amazon – $7.99

VINYL AND STICKER PAPER

Cricut Everyday Iron On – 12” x 2ft at Amazon – $4.69

Cricut SportFlex Iron On Vinyl, DIY Supplies, 11.8” x 24” at Amazon – $6.49

Zicoto Printable Vinyl at Amazon – $8.96

Siser HTV at JoAnn – $9.99 a roll (same deal at Michaels)

TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES

Cricut Weeding Tool Set at Amazon – Includes 5 specialty weeding tools, including fine tweezers, hook tweezers, weeder, piercing tool, and hook weeder – $11.99

Cricut Basic Tool Set at Walmart- Includes fine-point tweezers, weeder, micro-tip scissors with protective blade cover, spatula, and a scraper – $9.79

Cricut Brayer at Amazon- $16.99

Cricut Scoring Wheel Combo Pack at Amazon – $30.66

Cricut Basic Perforation Blade with QuickSwap Housing, Silver at Amazon – $26.50

Cricut Premium Fine Point Blade Plus Housing at Amazon – $22.95

Cricut Vinyl Transfer Tape, 12X48, Standard Grip at Amazon – $4.44

Cricut Vinyl Transfer Tape 12”X48” at Walmart – $4.44

Cricut Ultimate Fine Point Pen Set, 30 Pack, Assorted at Amazon – $17.59

Cricut Ultimate Fine Point Pen Set at Walmart – Set of 30 pens – $17.59

Cricut Scoring Stylus at Amazon – $9.85

Cricut Scoring Stylus at JoAnn- $5.24

Cricut Heat Resistant Tape at Walmart – 0.75″ x 54ft – $4.19

Cricut Knife Replacement Blades at Amazon – $14.80

Cricut Bright 360 LED Floor Lamp with an extra 5% off and free shipping for Target RedCard Holders at Target – $149

Cricut Bright 360 Ultimate LED Table Lamp at Target with an extra 5% off and free shipping for Target RedCard Holders- $129

Silhouette of America SILH Cameo 4 Punch Tool, White and Black at Amazon – $9.70

CRAFT BLANKS

Gildan t-shirts – two pack at Amazon – $12.37

Gildan t Shirts at Michaels – $2.99 each

14 pack 8.3 x 5 Inch Blank Craft DIY Canvas Pencil or Makeup Case at Amazon – $7.99

Wood Slices 30 Pcs 3.5-4.0 inch Natural Rounds Unfinished Wooden Circles at Amazon – $16.69

Wood Slices 30 Pcs 2.4-2.85 inches Unfinished Wood Craft Natural Rounds at Amazon – $10.87

SUBLIMATION SUPPLIES

Epson EcoTank ET-2803 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan, Copy and AirPrint Support at Amazon – $229

Epson EcoTank ET-2850 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan, Copy and Auto 2-Sided Printing – White at Amazon – $299

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wireless Wide-Format Color All-in-One Supertank Printer with Scanner, Copier, Ethernet and 4.3-inch Color Touchscreen at Amazon – $699

Epson EcoTank ET-2400 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan and Copy Black C11CJ67201 at Best Buy – $179.99

HTVRONT Auto Heat Press Machine – 15″x15″ at Amazon – $236.79 – *Note: This is an exclusive deal for Amazon Prime members only.

Hiipoo Sublimation Ink with Heat Tape Refill at Amazon – $18.99

Hiipoo Sublimation Ink for EcoTank Supertank Inkjet Printer at Amazon – $26.38

White Kraft Butcher Paper Roll -18 inch x 2100 inch at Amazon – $13.59

SUBLIMATION BLANKS

25 Pack White Blank Can Cooler Sleeves at Amazon – $15.99

10pcs Sublimation Mouse Pad at Amazon – $12.99

50Pcs Sublimation Cup Coasters Blanks at Amazon – $9.99

Sublimation mouse pad blanks- 10 pack – at Amazon – $10.39

Sublimation Tumblers bulk 20 oz Skinny, 6 Pack Stainless Steel Double Wall Straight at Amazon – $31.99

15 PCs Sublimation Patches – Iron On Blank Patches at Amazon – $5.99

GENERAL CRAFT SUPPLIES

Canon Pixma Inkjet Color Printer, High Resolution Fast Speed Printing Compact Size Easy Setup and Simple Connectivity Up to 4800×1200 DPI Color Resolution, with 6 ft NeeGo Printer Cable – Black at Amazon – $99.99

Canon Wireless Pixma TR-Series Inkjet All-in-one Printer with Scanner, Copier, Mobile Printing and Google Cloud + Bonus Set of Ink at Amazon- $159.99

Canon PIXMA TR4722 All-in-One Wireless InkJet Printer with ADF, Mobile Print and Fax at Walmart – $59

Canon PIXMA TR8622a Home Office InkJet All-in-One Wireless Printer at Walmart – $139

Canon – PIXMA Wireless Inkjet Printer – G3260 – Black at Target – $159.99

Canon Pixma TR8620A Wireless Inkjet All-In-One Printer – Black at Target -$149.99

4 in 1 Thermal Laminator at Amazon – $41.99

Brother CP100X Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine, White at Amazon – $199

FolkArt Plaid Nylon Brush Set (3-Piece) at Amazon – $4.63

Scotch ATG Gun at Amazon – $23.54

WORKLION 12 inch Paper Cutter at Amazon – $8.99

Cup Turner Full Kit with Tumbler Turner, Epoxy Resin, Glitter Powder, Stainless Steel Tumbler and 27 PCS Epoxy Resin Tools at Amazon – $29.99

PLANTIONAL Portable Paint Tent for Spray Painting at Amazon – $25.99

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop at Amazon – $543

beyond by BLACK+DECKER Random Orbit Sander at Amazon – $41.60

Christmas paper packs at JoAnn – various prices

Christmas Ribbon at JoAnn – various prices

Clear glass ornaments at JoAnn – $6.99 for 12

Recollections Paper Packs- Buy 1 Get 1 Free at Michaels

UV Resin, 2 PCS Upgrade Ultraviolet Epoxy Resin at Amazon – $16.19

32oz Crystal Clear Epoxy Resin Kit Casting and Coating at Amazon – $27.19

Environmental Technology EasyCast Crystal Clear Casting Epoxy Mix (2-Part Kit) at Amazon – $14.94

Holographic Ultra Fine Glitter, 180G/6.35OZ at Amazon – $8.49

CRAFT ROOM ORGANIZATION

Pink Tool Box – Durable Tackle Box Organizer with 4 Compartments at Amazon – $24.93

Reversible L-Shaped Electric Standing Desk at Amazon – $299.99

Vinyl Storage Rack at JoAnn- $10.99

Weave Storage Bin 5 pack at JoAnn – $13.19

Vinyl Storage Rack, Vinyl Organizers Store Up to 40 Vinyl Rolls, Storage Wall Mount Available White 24 PCS at Amazon- $17.39

Cricut Mini EasyPress Must-Know Tips

April 29, 2020 by Paula W

By now, you’ve most likely seen the Cricut Mini EasyPress, but have you had the chance to use one yet? If not, you probably have some questions about it. If you use your Cricut die cutting machine to make HTV designs, you’re going to want to learn more about these simple EasyPress tips!

Don’t be fooled into thinking that since the Mini EasyPress is small, it’s not powerful. You can do a lot with this little machine! We have found it incredibly handy and might just be the EasyPress we grab the most now. Check out our Cricut Mini EasyPress Must-Know Tips below!

Cricut Mini EasyPress Must-Know Tips

We’ve got some fantastic tips to share with you about the Cricut Mini EasyPress. Be sure to watch the video and check out the summary below.

What is the Mini EasyPress Best Used for?

We just love using it for stuffed animals, t-shirts with pockets, koozies, hats and shoes. As you can see, it works so well for any of those items where there are curves or smaller sections that are harder to get right into with a larger EasyPress.

The Mini EasyPress just gets right into those nooks and crannies so easily! It gives you a little more control with the items you’re working on and ensuring that your HTV is well-adhered to your project.

If you’re working with a traditional EasyPress, you can still master working with iron-on vinyl and any of the surfaces we are showing you here, but it can take a little bit more practice. As compared to working with other heat presses, you will likely find them quite challenging with any of these items and will want to invest in a Mini EasyPress for sure!

The plate size on the Mini EasyPress from Cricut is 3.5 by 2 inches.

Because the heating plate is such a small size, you need to be mindful of it when you’re working on your craft projects. Obviously, as we have already mentioned, this small size has its advantages – getting into all those tiny little spaces with ease – but you still need to pay close attention to make sure that you’re heating your entire HTV project.

There is no specific information on the 3 different heat settings.

From our research and testing, we have found that these heat settings are about: 300 for the lowest, 350 for the middle, and 400 for the hottest setting.

Note: just like the other EasyPresses, this mini one does have an auto shut-off function.

There is no timer on the Mini EasyPress.

You will need to keep a kitchen timer or your phone timer handy when creating a project with your Cricut Mini EasyPress.

What about using the Mini EasyPress with Cricut Infusible Ink?

Yes, you absolutely can use it. We suggest using the Level 3 heat setting and only using it for the really small infusible ink projects. You want to be able to apply even constant heat to the whole design at once.

You don’t have to use it exactly as you do with the larger EasyPresses.

With the classic EasyPress models, we always tell you to apply it to your design and keep it in place. However, with this mini version, it works really well to move it around so that you get the entire design evenly heated. Just be sure to keep applying even constant pressure as you do.

Pro tip: If you’re on a budget, it might be tempting to purchase the Mini EasyPress first. Our recommendation is to spend about $30 more and get a first generation EasyPress. We feel it offers more versatility as you can use it for the larger projects very easily and of course, you can learn to use it for the smaller ones too.

How To Use HTV With a Household Iron

February 28, 2020 by Paula W

If you like creating die cutting craft projects with heat transfer vinyl, you’re going to love seeing how to use HTV with a household iron. If you want to make t-shirts, sweatshirts, or other customized projects with iron on vinyl but haven’t yet invested in a heat press, this is a must read!

It seems like nearly everyone has a Cricut EasyPress these days, but what if you don’t? If you don’t have an EasyPress or other kind of heat press, but you still want a successful iron-on vinyl project, check out this tutorial to see how to master using HTV with your iron. Yes you CAN have a successful iron-On project with your household iron.

How To Use HTV With a Household Iron

We’re going to give you all the tips and tricks you need to be able to apply your HTV designs with a standard household iron. It IS important to note that there are differences between your iron and a Cricut EasyPress.

The EasyPress provides even heat. That means that the entire plate of the EasyPress is the same temperature. Even heat means that it’s much easier (and faster!) to get flawless results with your iron on project.

We do believe that a Cricut EasyPress is a worthwhile investment. It will, in the long run, save you time and money by giving you more consistent results in less time. But we understand that it’s not in the budget for some people and they will need time to save up for it.

Cricut Easypress Vs Household Iron The Easypress Mat With Your Iron Can Make It Easier To Apply Htv

In the meantime, don’t let that discourage you from making heat transfer vinyl craft projects if all you have is a household iron. It’s going to require a little more time and patience, but it can be done.

We do suggest that while you’re waiting to purchase an EasyPress, that you go ahead and get a Cricut EasyPress mat. These mats work so well and are really affordable. They can take your household iron to the next level and make your iron on projects much more successful.

An alternative to the EasyPress mat is a terrycloth towel folded 3 or 4 times. This will help provide a surface that is well suited for applying heat transfer vinyl. It’s very important that you work on a sturdy table. Don’t have one? Work on the floor! It’s a great substitute.

Using A Teflon Sheet When Applying Heat Transfer Vinyl

You can see that we have a Teflon sheet to use with our iron on craft projects as necessary. For simple one layer designs, we find that we don’t need them that much, but they can really come in handy for more elaborate designs.

Want to learn how to layer iron on? Check out our tutorial!

Using A Household Iron To Apply Iron On To A T Shirt

We’re turning the iron to its highest heat setting. Make sure that steam is turned off!

Before applying the design, I always like to preheat the surface – in this case, the t-shirt. The bonus to preheating it is that it also helps remove the wrinkles. A warm, flat surface makes for better adhesion of the HTV.

You don’t want to use the iron in the traditional manner, moving it back and forth. Instead, you want to think of it more like a heat press. Press it onto the fabric, then lift, and press down onto another section.

Just remember not to apply too much pressure or you might end up with those little indentations from the steam holes showing up on your shirt.

Apply your cut design to the preheated shirt. The Cricut EasyPress has a built in timer but obviously, your household iron doesn’t. I like using the stopwatch on my phone for the best results.

Apply Heat To Your Iron On Vinyl For 30 Seconds

I place the iron on my cut design and give a little bit of pressure. With my iron, I find it’s the warmest right in the center so that’s where I apply it to the HTV. After a bit of practice with your iron, you’ll learn just where the most heat is on your iron too.

Check The Iron On Vinyl Design For Bubbles

We’re going to hold the iron down on our HTV for 30 seconds. Lift the iron and check your design. I can see on ours that there are some areas that are well adhered and some that still need more heat. You can tell you’ve applied enough heat when you see bubbles.

Move Your Iron To The Next Section Of Your Htv Design

Place your iron down on the other side of the time and hold it there for 30 seconds again. Lift your iron and check your design again. If you still see an area without those bubbles to show that it has adhered well, you’re going to apply your iron one more time to that section for another 30 seconds.

As you can see, with the EasyPress, this would have been completed in one application of 30 seconds, so this method takes a little extra work and a little extra time.

Use The Iron On The Back Of Your Iron On Project Too

Now, flip the shirt over and use the iron to apply some heat to the back of your project too. Once again, it’s best to place the iron down, then lift it up before moving it to another section.

Heating the back just gives your craft project a little bit of extra security. If there are any little spots that haven’t quite had enough heat, this will help ensure that it gets properly adhered.

Gently Peel Up The Cover Sheet From Your Iron On Vinyl Transfer

After letting your project cool, gently peel up the cover sheet from your design.

Completed Iron On Project Made With A Household Iron

That’s it! With a little extra time and care, we can easily make a die cutting craft project using heat transfer vinyl and a household iron.

Ready to buy an EasyPress? Check out our Cricut EasyPress Hacks You Should Know!

We loves sharing our tips and tricks for using HTV with a household iron, to help you create amazing craft projects on a budget. Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below. Happy creating!

Tanners Top Craft Products

October 1, 2019 by Paula W

You are going to LOVE this roundup because it’s crammed full of Tanner’s Top Craft Products! From Cricut products to his favorite adhesives and staple guns, you won’t want to miss learning all about the amazing products that Tanner uses in the craft room.

These are tried and true products that he relies on all the time and can recommend to you with confidence. It can be overwhelming to stand in the craft store or to look at a craft supply website and see all those different options. Having an expert weigh in with what he uses every single week is SO helpful!

Which product is the best one for you to buy? Before you get started on your next craft project, check out Tanner’s recommendations!

Tanners Top Craft Products

Cricut Favorites:

Cricut Maker

Cricut Weeder Tool

Cricut LightGrip Mat

Cricut Everyday Iron-On (Black and White are faves)

Cricut Vinyl (Black and White are faves)

Cricut TrueControl Knife

Cricut Portable Trimmer

Cricut EasyPress 2, 9×9

Cricut Easypress 9×9 Mat

Cricut Scraper

Cricut Transfer Tape

Cricut Printable Vinyl

It’s always great to have product recommendations from a crafting expert. Tanner has been DIY’ing for years and through a lot of trial and error, he has found the best products for his craft projects. Now you’ve got a great list of Tanner’s Top Craft Products that you can refer to anytime you want!