5 Things I Am Loving About My Cricut Explore Air 2

I had been seeing special cutting machines for quite some time and while I am a creative person and love making things for my home and gifts for others, I thought "Meh, I don't know if I would really use one all that often." Well, I was wrong.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

Not only do I now own a Cricut Explore Air 2, but I use it every single day. The moment a design or project pops into my head, I grab my phone, bring up the Cricut Design Space app, and start right in. I can take an idea to finished product in little to no time at all thanks to Cricut.

The Cricut Explore Air 2 cuts and even writes 2xs faster than previous models, and you can cut over 100 different materials. It cuts vinyl, cardstock, glitter cardstock, cork, fabric, foils, and so much more.

There are so many amazing things I could tell you about this fabulous machine, but allow me to narrow it down to my top 5 reasons I love it, and why you're going to love it, too.


1. User Friendly = Easy to Learn
Its easy to feel slightly intimidated by the thought of designing a project and learning to use a new machine, but it's not going to matter if you are a veteran crafter or beginner, this machine is so incredibly easy to learn that even my 7 and 13 year old kids have it figured out.

Setting up the machine the first time was made incredibly simple by on screen instructions in Cricut Design Space (Free app available on computer, tablet, and mobile). You'll create a free account and get your machine set up in just a few minutes. The great thing is that the Cricut Explore Air 2 comes with a free project right in the box so you can learn the ropes and get a feel for how everything works. They take you step-by-step through the process from start to finish.

2. Design on the Go
Cricut Design Space makes it so easy to design on the go. Let's say you are waiting at the school to pick up your kiddo from after school activities and an idea for a project comes to you? Or the waiting room at the doctor's office? Most of the time, by the time we get home we've forgot about it, right? Not anymore. With the Cricut Design Space app, you can design right from your mobile device, anywhere! Once you've finished your design, you can save your project to the cloud and are able to upload it later anywhere you have Design Space! This means you can design a project in your car on your phone, and open it up and finish your project from your laptop at home. I personally love using the app on my phone because it's completely wireless and cuts via bluetooth, plus, I can carry it around with me all the time.

3. Endless Design Possibilities
With thousands of fonts, images, and ready to make projects, plus the ability to create and/or upload your own design (or one's you've purchased and downloaded), the design possibilities really are endless. The ready made projects are already designed and ready to cut but you also have the option to customize them as well. For example, there's a ready to make project for a box with holly on top. I went in and customized the design so I could remove the box and just print the holly. I didn't have to do much else to it design wise, it was all ready for me which made things quick and super easy.

4. Relaxing and Stress Free
It might be just me, but crafting is something I do to relax and I've come to find out that weeding projects is incredibly relaxing to me and actually helps relieve some stress. There's something so satisfying about slowly peeling away excess vinyl or paper and revealing what you cut. With the whole process of design to finished project being so simple, that really helps reduce stress as well. Don't know what to get someone for the holidays or can't find something specific? Make it! Making a personalized gift is incredibly less stressful than going store to store and battling crowds during the holiday season. Save yourself the stress and just create something beautiful at home.

5. Great Way to Earn Extra Money
As I'm finding out, if you have a great design idea and you share the finished product with others, you're probably going to be asked if you can make more or if you sell them. People love personalized products! Anything from tees to mugs and even vinyl decals for their vehicle. It's personalized to them and often is a one of a kind product. Because of this, your Cricut Explore air 2 is a great way to start up your own business. It also is an incredible asset if you already own a business. Bakery? Guess what? You can make tags for the goodies, signs, matching tees for your employees... As I keep saying, the possibilities are truly endless.

Probably one of my favorite projects so far has been these Moon Child mugs, and it's so easy that I included the tutorial for you to make your own!

Moon Child Mug Tutorial

Let's talk! Do you have a Cricut cutting machine? If so, what is your favorite thing about it? If not, tell me what kind of things you would create with one? Tell me in the comments.