Are you a new Cricut crafter who is not quite sure what you go yourself into? Today, I have a simple Five Minute Cricut class for those of you who only have five minutes to learn how to use your Cricut.
TIP #1: CONNECT YOUR MACHINE VIA BLUETOOTH
Although that little cord comes in handy, it’s so much easier to connect your machine to Design Space via Bluetooth. Cricut has a great tutorial showing you step-by-step how to connect your machine to your specific device.
After you have added your Cricut machine to your list of Bluetooth Devices, you can go through the set-up tutorial. During the set-up process, choose connection via Bluetooth so that Design Space knows you are going to use a Bluetooth connection for this device.
If you have already established a connection between your machine and your device via the USB cord, all you need to do is connect your machine via Bluetooth to your device, then choose New Product Set-Up and follow the steps to connect your machine via Bluetooth.
TIP #2: SAVE YOUR PROJECT
I don’t know how many times I have worked for hours on a project and have forgotten to save. I start to have flashbacks of the many essays I wrote that had to be rewritten because I forgot to send them to my floppy disk.
Just like in any other program, you need to save your projects in Cricut Design Space after you are done creating so that you can come back to the project later.
To save a project, you will click on Save in the upper right corner, type a title for the project, then save to a collection if you choose. If you would like to learn more about collections, I have a video explaining how those work.
To find your saved project, click on your recent projects on the home screen or go to My Projects. To work on your design, choose Customize. If you wish to cut out the images, choose Make It.
TIP #3: SAVE YOUR PROJECT
When you are getting ready to cut out the beautiful project you made, you are going to be given an opportunity to choose the material you are using.
Make sure to choose the correct base material so that your machine will cut at the correct speed, depth, and cut pressure. I have another Five Minute video that shows this process in a little more detail.
You want to also choose the cutting mat based on the material you are using. There is nothing more frustrating that a material that won’t peel off a mat or material that slips on the mat while it’s cutting.
There are multiple options available for mat types and sizes, and it can get a little confusing. I have created a little cheat sheet to help you which can be found in my website resources.
TIP #4: TRY A PRE-MADE PROJECT
Cricut and it’s amazing designers have created some great pre-made projects that you can try as a new Cricut user.
Simply go to Projects, choose the category, and choose a project that matches your skill level and supplies you have in your collection.
Before I move on to Tip #5, I have a simple Five Minute Cricut Class video for you.
TIP #5: DON’T BUY EVERYTHING AT ONCE
As a crafter, this is one of the hardest battles we fight. We want “all the things” and it can become overwhelming when you are just starting out.
I suggest that you choose a few of those pre-made projects, buy a few items on the material list, and start simple. Throughout the creative process, you will discover which materials you like to use and learn a few new things along the way.
Remember, learning a new skill takes time. Give yourself a little grace and don’t expect perfection right away. Just enjoy the creative process as you learn something new.
I hope this inspired you to try something new. If you have any questions about this project or the supplies listed above, feel free to leave me a comment.
Hey friends! I wanted to let you in on the products I use in my videos. Just so you know, I’m not getting paid to promote any of them, but I do have some affiliate links available if you want to check them out. If you end up buying something through those links, it would mean a lot to me and my business. And don’t worry, you won’t be charged any extra. Thanks for your support! Learn more