I was never that crafty person, but when I bought my first Cricut in 2018 I became one. There are limitless projects that you do with a Cricut. When I first started with my Cricut Air Explorer 2, I started out making t-shirts. I actually created my t-shirt company, Beahive Boutique that same year and sold over 200 t-shirts with my machine. I still use it now for some custom orders. I have also learned how to make projects and art projects for my toddlers too.
After 3 years, I have done dozens of different types of projects and I can confidently say, you can literally make anything with a Cricut Cutting Machine. The top question that I have gotten is “I want a Cricut, but where do I start?” and I have the answers right here for you.
Where do I start?
This answer is pretty simple- you start with picking out a machine! There are three machine categories to choose from: Cricut Joy, Cricut Explorer, and Cricut Maker. Each family has their own uniqueness and different capabilities. I started with the Cricut Air Explorer 2 (now they have the Explorer 3) and I also have the Cricut Joy. Here’s a break down of the differences between the machines to help you decide which one is best for you.
Cricut Joy
If you’re looking to make quick projects or work on the go, the Joy is a great machine to start with. It has Bluetooth capabilities that allows you to connect with your laptop, cell phone, or computer with no cords! It is also the smallest of the cutting machines and is compact enough to pretty much take it anywhere, It can literally fit in my purse. The Joy is perfect for smaller t-shirt designs, small crafts projects, and personalizing items for yourself or your kids. It’ll be great for beginners who want to start out with smaller projects and easy learner projects. Another perk of the Joy is the ability to not use a mat for cutting. With the Smart Materials, you do not need a mat to cut. Check out the Cricut Joy here.
Cricut Air Explorer
The Air Explorer is my “old faithful”. My first cutting machine was the Cricut Air Explorer 2 and I still use it to this day. The Explorer is much larger than the Joy and very similar in comparison to the Cricut Maker. The Explorer can cut 100+ lightweight and specialty materials. It can cut material up to 13 inches wide and 75ft long! do you know how long 75ft is?? This is perfect for larger projects link door signs, large t-shirt images, hanging banners, etc. Your project options are pretty much limitless with the Air Explorer. It also has Bluetooth and adapter cord capabilities. Check out the Cricut Air Explorer here.
Cricut Maker
I like to call this one the “BIG DADDY” because it is the most powerful Cricut cutting machine out there! Similar tot he Air Explorer, the Maker can cut 300+ materials including lightweight and specialty materials, fabric, leather, wood and so much more. It uses 13 tools, where the Air Explorer uses 6. It has a 10x cutting force compared to the Air Explorer and still cuts material up to 13 inches wide and 75ft long. This machine can do everything the Joy & Air Explorer can and then some. It is the larger of the three different machine types and works with Bluetooth or the adapter cord. The Air Explorer is my “old faithful”. My first cutting machine was the Cricut Air Explorer 2 and I still use it to this day. The Explorer is much larger than the Joy and very similar in comparison to the Cricut Maker. The Explorer can cut 100+ lightweight and specialty materials. It can cut material up to 13 inches wide and 75ft long! do you know how long 75ft is?? This is perfect for larger projects link door signs, large t-shirt images, hanging banners, etc. Your project options are pretty much limitless with the Air Explorer. It also has Bluetooth and adapter cord capabilities. Check out the Cricut Maker 3 here.
Over time, Cricut will make updates and create never versions of the different machine cutting families, but this is a great overview of each of them. Comment of here and let me know if this was helpful and which machine you are thinking about getting.
For my Cricut help and tips, check out my other Cricut blogs.
