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

The newest addition to the Cricut family is a self-proclaimed pint-sized powerhouse.  And I couldn’t agree more! 

The Cricut Joy is a mini but mighty cutting machine that offers the precision, speed, and quality crafters have come to expect from Cricut, but with a much smaller footprint (and price tag) than it’s larger predecessors like the Cricut Maker and Explore Air 2!

The Cricut Joy is a small cutting machine, capable of cutting and writing on a variety of popular craft materials (like vinyl, Iron-on, labels, paper, cardstock, Infusible Ink, etc.  It is the cutest member of the Cricut cutting machine family and it holds its own remarkably well, against it’s bigger counterparts, the Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker.

Cricut’s special superpower is to take any digital design (made by you, Cricut, or an outside party), upload it to Design Space, and then create it in/on a material of your choice.

The Cricut Joy makes this process so simple because it is SO approachable and easy to use.  This is perfect for beginners and experienced crafters alike!

Here’s How It Works:

• Upload your project design into Cricut’s software called Cricut Design Space. Or, you can select from one of the thousands of digital patterns that Cricut makes available. Some are free; some require a premium purchase.

• Use the Cricut Joy to draw or cut out your design. 

• Enjoy your masterpiece!

How much does the Cricut Joy cost and where can I buy it?

The Cricut Joy costs $179 and you can grab it HERE.  You can also find it available for purchase in most major craft stores, Walmart, and Amazon.

The Cricut Joy can cut one image up to 4.5 inches wide and 4 feet long.  It can repeated cuts (like polka dots, stripes, herringbone, etc…) up to 20 feet long!

Project Ideas

There are so many fun projects perfect to make with your Joy.  Here are a few ideas to get your brain flowing:

• Coozies
• Cards
• Organizational labels
• Banners
• Envelopes
• Valentines
• Address labels
• Coloring pages
• Decals for mugs, tumblers, and water bottles
• Custom t-shirts and onesies
• Patches for clothing
• Plates
• Shoes
• Slippers
• Stuffed animals

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

What is Cricut Design Space?

Cricut Design Space is a design platform compatible with Cricut’s newer machines: the Cricut Maker and the Cricut Explore family.  It works with both Windows and Mac operating systems, and mobile apps are available for iOS and Android devices.  

Design Space stores your projects in the cloud, so you can start a design on one device and finish it on another!  It does require a high speed internet connection, but there is an offline mode for the mobile iOS app — which means I can keep designing on the plane ride to Disney World!

The Cricut Design Space Library

An important component of Design Space is the Cricut Library.  The Cricut Library contains thousands of images, fonts, ready-to make projects, and sewing patterns.  

Each Design Space user has access to 50 free designs.  And there are thousands more Cricut fonts, images, and projects available for purchase for just a few dollars each.  

When you first create an account for Design Space, you are also given $10 to spend at Cricut.com.  You can use this for design elements OR physical products, like extra mats, blades, or craft tools.

One incredible feature of Design Space is that you can use fonts already downloaded onto your computer, and can upload your own images and SVG files into Design Space absolutely free.

There are many places to find free and paid SVG files including some of my personal favorites:

• Caluya Design
• I Should Be Mopping The Floor
• Poofy Cheeks

CRICUT ACCESS

The best way to take full advantage of what Design Space has to offer is by purchasing a membership to Cricut Access.  

Cricut Access is a subscription service (billed monthly or yearly) that grants you access to all unlicensed images, fonts, patterns, and ready-to-make projects in the Cricut Library.  Cricut Access memberships range from $7.99/month to $9.99/month.

There are 3 different memberships to choose from:

Monthly Membership

• Unlimited access to over 400 beautiful fonts
• Unlimited use of over 90,000 covet‑worthy, cut‑ready premium Cricut images
• 10% savings on all product purchases on cricut.com, including machines, accessories, materials, and more – including sale items!
• 10% savings on premium licensed fonts, images, and ready‑to‑make projects from brands like Disney, Sanrio, Simplicity, and Anna Griffin
• Priority Member Care Line (50% less wait time)

Annual Membership

• Unlimited access to over 400 beautiful fonts
• Unlimited use of over 90,000 covet‑worthy, cut‑ready premium Cricut images
• 10% savings on all product purchases on cricut.com, including machines, accessories, materials, and more – including sale items!
• 10% savings on premium licensed fonts, images, and ready‑to‑make projects from brands like Disney, Sanrio, Simplicity, and Anna Griffin
• Priority Member Care Line (50% less wait time)

Premium Membership

• Unlimited access to over 400 beautiful fonts
• Unlimited use of over 90,000 covet‑worthy, cut‑ready premium Cricut images
• 10% savings on all product purchases on cricut.com, including machines, accessories, materials, and more – including sale items!
• 10% savings on premium licensed fonts, images, and ready‑to‑make projects from brands like Disney, Sanrio, Simplicity, and Anna Griffin
• Up to 50% savings on licensed fonts, images, and ready‑to‑make projects
• Free economy shipping on orders over $50
• Priority Member Care Line (50% less wait time)

CRICUT JOY FEATURES

What are my favorite features of the Cricut Joy?

I have several…

• Versatility – This Joy can draw and cut several popular crafting materials!  It can even cut designs up to 5 times LONGER than any other Cricut machine.
• Convenience – The Cricut Joy is the most user-friendly machine I have ever had the privilege of crafting with!  It’s perfect for beginning crafters, crafting-on-the-go, or any project you don’t want to haul out “the big guns” for!
• Easy Set Up – There is no lag-time with the Joy.  All you have to do is plug it in and it is ready to craft!  Awesome!
• 50 Free Designs included – Design Space includes 50 ready-to-make projects specifically for the Cricut Joy.
• Weekly free designs – Each week, Cricut offers a selection of free designs and images for your use.  Once selected in the Cricut Library, you can use them to make any project you like.  For FREE!  The only catch?  You have to complete your project before the end of the week, or the designs are no longer free.  They are still available in the Cricut Library, but you will have to pay a small fee to use them.
• Bluetooth – The Cricut Maker is bluetooth enabled AND Bluetooth controlled.  Which, again, lends itself to convenient crafting without feeling tethered to a computer.  When connected via Bluetooth, it can do its job from up to 15 feet away!  The bluetooth function also means I can take full advantage of Cricut’s mobile apps.  Which leads me to…
• Mobile apps – The ability to design a project on the run, at my kid’s soccer practice, or even on an airplane, instead of being stuck at my computer is life-changing.

Are there any drawbacks to the Cricut Joy?

As I see it, there are 2 drawbacks to the Cricut Joy.

• Width of cuts – Although the Joy can cut very LONG designs, it can only cut designs up to 4.5” wide.  You can still make projects larger than this, but will have to do a little more assembly after-the-fact to piece a large design together.  It’s not as convenient for projects that are big (in width and length) as the Maker or Explore are.
• Compatibility with Other Tools – The Joy has its own line of Smart Materials and its own special Cricut Joy Pens, which are wonderful and incredible in their own right.  But they are a separate purchase you’ll want to make in order to get the most out of your Joy.  

WHAT’S INCLUDED AND WHAT ELSE DO I NEED?

What comes with the Cricut Joy?

When you open your brand new Cricut Maker box, you will find:

• Cricut Joy machine
• Blade + Housing
• Fine Point Pen, Black (0.4 mm)
• StandardGrip Mat, 4.5″ x 6.5″
• Welcome card
• Power adapter
• Free trial membership to Cricut Access™ (for new subscribers)
• 50 ready-to make projects online
• Materials for a practice cut
• Warranty information
• Step-by-step set-up instructions

What accessories will I want?

There are a few must-have accessories, depending on what projects you plan to complete. 

• Cricut Joy Tote — perfect for storing and transporting your Cricut Joy.
• Starter Tool Set — used for weeding vinyl, handling delicate materials and embellishments, and cleaning your mats.
• Cricut Joy Card Mat — for cutting and embellishing premade cards at lightening speed.
• Cricut Joy 4.5” x 12” Standard Grip Mat — useful for using your already-owned craft materials, including card stock, iron-on, vinyl, and more.

What materials will I want?

• Smart Vinyl, Iron-On, and Labels – long and thin, designed for making the most out of your Cricut Joy.
• Pens & Markers — compact-sized pens and markers, in a variety of thicknesses, for use in your Cricut Joy.
• Cricut Joy Insert Cards — pre-folded cards compatible with the Card Mat, great for quick crafting
• Transfer Tape — for applying vinyl onto other objects, like wood, plastic, and metal.

SETTING UP YOUR CRICUT JOY

Bluetooth Set-Up

Bluetooth setup is simple on both the computer and mobile apps.

1. Make sure sure Cricut Joy is plugged in and close by.
2. Open Cricut Design Space.  Click on your picture or initials in the top left corner to access the full drop-down menu.
3. Select Machine Setup, then CRICUT JOY.
4. Make sure your computer or phone Bluetooth is ON.
5. Hit CONNECT, then find your Cricut in the list (the last 4 digits will vary).
6. UPDATE the machine, if prompted, then hit Continue.
7. Follow the onscreen prompts to create your first project!

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Cricut Joy is a little wonder of a craft machine!  It is simultaneously accessible for beginning crafters and also sophisticated enough to please crafting experts.  It has something for everyone, and is a strong addition to any craft room!

What will you make with your Cricut Joy?  What kind of tutorials would you like us to create for the Joy?  Let us know in the comments below!