This post is all about Cricut Joy and Cricut Joy Bundles.
Cricut Joy is a mini cutting machine that is budget friendly, cuts over 50 materials and just looks the cutest! The bright blue mini machine gives you the freedom to personalize, organise and customise a wide range of materials. Cricut Joy is incredibly user friendly and its suitable for beginner crafters but also long term crafters too.
Almost all of us craft at home, but the Cricut Joy gives you the ability to take your craft with you on holidays. What more could a crafter want?!
This post is based off my own experience with my own Cricut Joy.
–Disclaimer: This blog post contains some affiliate links. If you purchase through them I do receive a small commission, but this is at no extra cost to you.–
Who is Cricut Joy For?
EVERYONE!
But the first people I think would benefit the most out of a Cricut Joy are DIY Brides to be. Visualise the level of customisation you could have for your wedding! Imagine the $$ that you can save doing it yourself.
Then the beginner crafters are next on my list, this budget friendly cutting machine is the perfect starting point into the world of cutters.
I mean if you can find it under $150 that is an absolute steal!
Then you have the intermediate crafters, this is for you too! Picture this, your going away and you can pack your bag up and take your Cricut Joy with you! Crafting while on holiday is my ultimate dream. Imagine the places you could craft! Then if you are selling your crafts you can take photos in your hotel room and style your products with a different back drop. It is a complete win win.
Have you seen the travel/carry bags for the Cricut Joy? I have put a list of them together for you to browse. There really is a bag style for everyone.
What Is A Cricut Joy Used For?
Compatabile mats with the measurements 4.5 in x 6.5 in (11.4 cm x 16.5 cm) and 4.5 in x 12 in (11.4 cm x 30.4 cm)Â so this limits the projects you can make with the Joy. But just becasue its tiny doesnt mean it isnt mighty
Project you could try;
- Folied Cards
- Foiled Menus
- Foiled Thank You Cards
- Cut Out Cards
- Permanent Vinyl Decals – for Glassware, Containers, jars, notebooks, car windows.
- Heat Transfer Vinyl Decals – for t-shirts, hats, aprons, socks, towels etc
- Labels
- Stickers
- Personalisation of almost anything as long as you use the correct material.
What Materials Can I Cut On My Cricut Joy?
Definitely small but mighty when it comes to the materials that it can cut through! Over 50 different materials!!
- Smart Iron on
- Everyday Iron-On Mesh
- Everyday Iron-On Mosaic
- Glitter Mesh Iron-On
- Holographic Iron-On
- Holographic Iron-On Mosaic
- Holographic Sparkle Iron-On
- Infusible Ink Transfer Sheet
- Smart Iron-On – Glitter
- Smart Iron-On – Holographic
- Smart Iron-On – Patterned
- SportFlex Iron-On
- Deluxe Paper
- Deluxe Paper, Adhesive Backed
- Deluxe Paper Foil Embossed
- Foil Paper – 0.36mm Â
- Pearl PaperÂ
- Shimmer PaperÂ
- Smart Label Writable PaperÂ
- Sparkle PaperÂ
- True Brushed PaperÂ
- Adhesive FoilÂ
- Chalkboard VinylÂ
- Dry Erase VinylÂ
- Holographic Sparkle VinylÂ
- Premium VinylÂ
- Premium Vinyl – Frosted GlitterÂ
- Premium Vinyl – Frosted GrayÂ
- Premium Vinyl – Frosted OpaqueÂ
- Premium Vinyl – HolographicÂ
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic 3D TexturedÂ
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic Art DecoÂ
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic Bubbles
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic CrystalsÂ
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic ThreadsÂ
- Premium Vinyl – MosaicÂ
- Premium Vinyl – PearlÂ
- Premium Vinyl – Textured Â
- Premium Vinyl – Textured MetallicÂ
- Premium Vinyl – True BrushedÂ
- Smart Label Writable VinylÂ
- Smart Vinyl – Holographic PatternsÂ
- Smart Vinyl – Matte MetallicÂ
- Smart Vinyl – PermanentÂ
- Smart Vinyl – Removable Â
- Smart Vinyl – ShimmerÂ
- Stencil VinylÂ
- Glitter Cardstock
- Insert Card – Cardstock
- Medium Cardstock – 80 lb (216 gsm)
- Corrugated Cardboard
- Flat Cardboard
- Foil Poster Board
- Faux Leather
- Window Cling
- Party Foil
- Foil Acetate
Now that is a list isn’t it!!
Is The Cricut Joy Being Discontinued?
No, The Cricut Joy machine is not being discontinued. However the Cricut Joy used to have an app, but that is no longer available, nor the content related to it
Is A Cricut Joy Worth It?
If you are a new crafter, want to do crafting on a small scale or travel lots it is definitively a good option for you. Compact, travel size, aesthetically pleasing and accurate.
DIY brides will also get a lot of value out of the Cricut Joy, the personalisation for you big day is endless.
Even to make a vinyl sign would be easy to do one word at a time if you wanted to make the font bigger. So although the machine is small you can still achieve bigger projects, they will just take a bit longer.
Then think, personalised glassware, personalised napkins, personalised wishing well, personalised Bridesmaids gifts and Groomsman gifts, personalised guest book, foiled menu cards, foiled cocktail menu and so much more!
Can I Used My Cricut Joy Without A Subscription?
Cricut Design Space is a free software provided by Cricut. You have the option pay for the subscription which unlocks new fonts, images and much much more. This is call Cricut Access.
Cricut Access is worth getting if its a monthly subscription, that you could cancel at any point. Or if you struggle with making your own SVGs Cricut Access would be suitable for you too as it has so so so many options with new ones being added on a regular basis.
Fonts are another part of Cricut Access, I have never tried to make my own font nor do I think I will in the near future. Cricut Access is great in the way that you can search via the different types of font such as ‘Script’, ‘Bubble’ or ‘Handwriting’ this makes it easier to choose as there are a lot of different fonts to chose and we know sometimes more options can make us feel overwhelmed!
What Are The Limitations To A Cricut Joy?
Other than making projects within the size of the mats, but even then you can make your project in more than one piece. So really sticking within the size of the Joy your imagination is your only limitation.
What Is Included When You Buy A Cricut Joy?
There are plenty of buying options available, you can buy the machine on its own or you can buy a Cricut Joy Bundle.
Bundles are always the way to go if you are new to crafting, because you can’t make anything with just the machine alone. There are different types of bundles depending on what kids of crafting you want to get into.
I have put a list together of the best bundles available on Amazon below.
BUNDLE INCLUDES
-Cricut Joy Smart Cutting Machine
-Card Sampler (Pastel, 8ct)
-Card Machine Mat
-Sparkle Gel Pen Set (10ct)
-3-Piece Joy Tool Kit
BUNDLE INCLUDES
- Cricut Joy Smart Cutting Machine
-Cutaway Card Sampler Pack
-Card Mat
-Smart Label Writable Vinyl Roll
-Glitter Gel Pen Pack
BUNDLE INCLUDES
-Cricut Joy Smart Cutting Machine
-EasyPress Mini Heat Press
-Heat Press Mat (8x10in)
-Smart Iron-On Roll (Black 2ft)
-3-Piece Joy Tool Set
Do I Need A Computer For Cricut Joy?
The beauty of Cricut products is that it is not a must to have a computer to be able to use their products. Cricut design space is available to download on IOS and Android. It will also work from your iPad.
What Do I Need To Purchase With Cricut Joy?
Here we have put together two lists, one is a list of necessities when buy a Joy, but the other list is a bonus add ons you can buy.
Must Haves;
- Variety of mats
- Pen
- Permamnent Vinyl
- Heat Transfer Vinyl
- Cardstock
Bonus Add Ons;
- A spare blade
- Card Mat
- Travel bag
- Foil transfer kit
Is Cricut Joy Bluetooth Only?
Yes, you need your phone to be able to connect to Bluetooth to be able to use it.
What Is Cricut Joy Smart Material?
Smart Vinyl is vinyl that has been applied to a thicker backing compared to regular Cricut Vinyl. The thicker backing acts like a cutting mat and you can put it straight into your Cricut and cut! This makes it very handy when you are short for time or just want something a little more convenient.
Personally I don’t think it is a must have, but it is a gimmicky bonus add on you can have for a last minute project one day. You can also keep your scraps and cut them on a mat too.
I have found it easy to weed but the application of the Smart Vinyl seems to be more difficult. I think its because I tend to bend the backing a lot with regular vinyl when I use my transfer tape and the thickness of the back makes it more difficult. Just make sure you burnish it well front and back and use the correct transfer tape.
Overall
Overall the Cricut Joy is a mighty machine which make a great addition to any craft room.
What if you don’t have a craft room? Well this is the perfect size to add to a crafting nook or cupboard.
Calling all;
- DIY Brides
- Seasonal Crafters
- Begginner Crafts
- Full Time Crafters
- Business Starters
- Home Organisers
- Teachers
I think it will be a perfect fit for you!