All About the Cricut Joy: Why I Love It and What I Wish I Had Known

Updated January 12, 2023.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cricut. All opinions are 100% mine.

Despite my best intentions, I have a bad habit of starting projects and then not finishing them.  I’m also not a very crafty person.  But then the Cricut Joy came into my life.  And now this self proclaimed non-DIYer can’t stop making projects!  Keep reading to find out what what I wish I had known before I got the Cricut Joy and why I love it so much!

All About the Cricut Joy: Why I Love It and What I Wish I Had Known

I used to go back and forth, debating if I should purchase a Cricut, which is a cutting machine that can be used to make a variety of projects.  I loved seeing other people’s creations, but I didn’t know which Cricut machine would be the right one for me. At times, it seemed so overwhelming, but now that I have the Cricut Joy, I’m glad I took the leap.  As a result, here’s a list of things that I wish I had known about the Cricut Joy before I got it and why I love it!

Cricut sells different machines and one size does not fit all.

Cricut currently sells three different machines:  the Cricut Maker, the Cricut Explore Air 2, and the Cricut Joy.  Which machine you want largely depends on the type of projects you want to make.  For example, my friend Desert Chica has a Cricut Maker and she loves it because she can make her own costumes.  However, while I may attempt to make my son’s Halloween costume at some point, I’m glad that I started off with the Cricut Joy, Cricut’s newest machine, because it’s great for a beginner like me.  Which brings me to my next point…

It’s very easy it is to make projects with the Cricut Joy.

The Cricut Joy is small, but mighty.  Because it’s so compact, I can easily move it from room to room.  I can even travel with it if I want to – all I need to do is plug it in and connect it to my laptop or my mobile device via bluetooth.  Additionally, the Cricut Joy does not require cutting mats for some of the materials.  I can also easily use Cricut Design Space, which is Cricut’s free design software.  For example, Design Space instructs me when to load the cutting material and unload it.  It really takes guessing out of the whole process.

I can make a variety of DIY projects.

I’ve only had the Cricut Joy for a few months and I’ve already made several items with it, including cards, tumblers, masks, gardening gloves, decals, and a tote bag.  For Halloween, I already purchased material so I can use my Cricut to make pillows for Halloween and other fall decorations.  I’ve been able to make all the projects listed above, thanks to Cricut Access.  Speaking of which…

Cricut Access is worth the subscription cost.

Cricut Design Space is free, but Cricut Access requires a paid subscription.  Having tried a Cricut without a subscription and with a subscription, I believe that the subscription is worth it, especially if you are just starting out with a Cricut.  With Cricut Access, I’m able to get several ideas for projects, including instructions and a list of materials I need in order to make a project.  The projects are also rated for their levels of difficulty so I’m able to choose projects that are easier to make.  Additionally, the Cricut Access also includes some images and fonts.  To show you an example of a project I made thanks to Cricut Access, please see below for the tote bag I made with infusible ink 🙂

Infusible Ink Tote Bag

Infusible ink is one of Cricut’s latest products and is very similar to iron-on material, only a lot smoother to apply. It can be used for several different projects, including tote bags.  When deciding on a particular project, though, you’ll want to make sure that the material is compatible with infusible ink.  For this particular project, I used infusible ink transfer sheets (cool splash pad) and heat resistance tape.

I was a bit nervous since this was the first time I used infusible ink but I loved how it turned out!  For more detailed instructions on how to make the tote bag, you can search for “Don’t Be Trashy Tote Bag” in Cricut Access.

Cricut also has free tutorials and the Cricut Joy has a free app. 

I watched so many DIY youtube tutorial videos to the point where I could feel my head start to spin.  It seemed overwhelming, especially since many youtube tutorials skip important steps.  Once I signed up for a subscription to Cricut Access, though, I realized that Cricut actually has its own free step-by-step tutorials for different projects.  For example, I found the Cricut tutorial here to be extremely informative when making the tote bag referenced above.  Likewise, Cricut released an app for the Cricut Joy., which is free to download.

Basic tools, like a weeder, scraper, and scissors are essential.

I quickly learned that besides the machine itself, basic tools are also important. My scissors and weeder are my go-to tools for any project, and I recently used my scraper to apply wall decals (more about that below).  So you’ll definitely want to order these tools when you order your Cricut.  Additionally, you’ll want to consider purchasing the Cricut Joy as a bundle here.  Not only it comes with the machine, but it also comes with a variety of materials to make different projects.

Space Wall Decal Project

My son loves anything to do with science and outer space so his bedroom is space themed.  I used the Cricut Access to access the design for outer space wall decals.  Besides the Cricut Joy itself, the only materials I needed were Smart Vinyl – Removable (Vivid Blue) and a Scraper.  

I followed the instructions on the app to load the vinyl, and from there, the machine cut the vinyl into decals.  The decals were extremely easy to place on the wall and I love how it turned out!

Cricut creations make great gifts, including cards.

I love both giving and receiving personalized gifts.  So far, I’ve made monogrammed tumblers, gardening gloves, and a t-shirt for family and friends.  I love that it’s more personal and not something that can easily be purchased in a store.  I can also easily make cards with my Cricut Joy, so there’s no need for me to rush to the store at the last minute to purchase a card for a special occasion.  

As you can see, I love my Cricut Joy!