Are you the proud owner of a brand, spankin’ new Cricut Machine? Are you confused on what Cricut Accessories to buy? Check out my recommendations in the below Cricut Accessory gift guide! This post contains affiliate links.
On Black Friday, I went with a friend to a well-known craft store to snag some Cricut accessories on sale. While in the Cricut aisle, I had the privilege of talking to a few ladies who seemed overwhelmed by the Cricut accessories. They had just purchased a Cricut Explore Air but didn’t know where to begin. The store associate had no advice for them at all. After the store associate walked away, I started up a conversation with them, and I’m hoping that I helped take away some of their Cricut-crafting anxiety.
Are you in the same boat? Do you have a new Cricut and you’re not quite sure where to begin or what to buy? Or maybe you’ve had a Cricut for a while, but you’re not sure what supplies are worth the cost? Read on for my recommendations!
You’ll find 10 recommended products below– 4 Must-Have Items and 6 Awesome Items!
4 Must-Have Items
–Cricut Tools Basic Set – For weeding vinyl, scraping the mat clean, adhering vinyl to projects, this kit is a must! I use something from this kit each and every time that I use my machine. The set includes scissors with protective blade cover, tweezers, a scraper, a spatula, a weeder, and four interchangeable end caps. And, yes, call me crazy, but I put my tools back in the packaging after using them. It helps me to keep up with them.
–Cricut Machine Tote – Contrary to its name, I’ve never carried my Carry Bag anywhere. However, it’s still a Cricut accessory that I wouldn’t want to go without! If you have to store your Cricut between uses, the carry bag acts as a dust jacket and a cord keeper. Read more about the Cricut Machine Tote over at my Cricut Storage Guide.
–Cricut Stencil Vinyl – Confession: I didn’t know about stencil vinyl until recently, and I’m kicking myself for not knowing sooner! Are you tired of wasting your good, colored vinyl on projects as a stencil that will just be ruined and removed? Stencil vinyl to the rescue!
–Cricut StrongGrip Mat – For using any heavier materials, the StrongGrip mat will be a game changer! If you’ve ever had your material move on the mat while trying to cut, then you know how frustrating this can be. The StrongGrip mat is the perfect solution for cutting adhesive foil, faux leather, craft foam, and more!
6 Awesome Items to Have
–Cricut Faux Leather – In a variety of colors, this faux leather has many uses. My favorite use is for jewelry and accessories. This is another one of those supplies that I thought I would never use, but I use it just as much as card stock!
–Cricut Adhesive Foil – In the past, in order to add a metallic shimmer to projects, I’ve had to make a vinyl stencil and then use metallic paint to create the design. With adhesive foil, I can skip all those extra steps and make the design out of foil for that metallic look without the painting.
–Cricut Cutting Mats in 12×24 inch size – These are super handy for larger projects. If you are considering a wall vinyl project or cutting long pieces of paper, these mats are a must have!
–Cricut Pens – Confession: I never thought I would use the pens. But I now use them in many projects! From invitations to faux leather, the Cricut pens work on a range of materials, and they come in a variety of color options. Are you a fan of the hand lettered look? Use a handlettering font with a pen to get that look on your next paper project!
–Cricut Scoring Stylus – If you’re a paper crafter, add this to your must-have list! The scoring stylus is awesome when if comes to card making. It creates a perfect folding line.
–Cricut Design Space Access Subscription – Cricut Design Space has many free designs, but if you use your Cricut for multiple projects, you may benefit from more image and font choices. I use the “Access” images weekly. If you wonder if Cricut Access is for you (or what it is at all), check out “Do I Really Need Cricut Access?”
Do you have a Cricut? What are your Must-Have supplies?
Looking for more Cricut ideas, information, and tutorials? Click here!
This is a great list! I already have most of these items, so now I know the other ones I need to get.
Thanks for the useful information! My husband got me one for Christmas, and I I need all the help I can get!😉
What a great Christmas gift! Happy crafting!
I use Crayola fine line markers in my cricut all the time!
I will have to try that. I don’t think that I have any fine line markers. Thanks for the tip!
I just got a cricut for Christmas. I want to put vinyl on glass cups and mugs for my bridesmaids. What would be the best vinyl to use? I get so confused on if I need transfer paper or not… and also, is the vinyl going to need to be heated up to apply or will it just stick! I need guidance lol.
Hi! These are great questions. For glasses, always use permanent vinyl. There is a removable vinyl, but it will come off. Even with the permanent vinyl, the glasses will still need to be hand washed. Transfer paper will help a TON. If not, you’ll have to put each piece on individually, as well as line it up straight. The vinyl does not need to be heated. It has adhesive and will stick on its own.
Where do you typically purchase your vinyl? I have not purchased a cricut yet but I’m just trying to figure out if it is what I am really looking for.
I have purchased from a few places. I have purchased from the Cricut website and in craft stores. I purchased a lot of vinyl from Pick Your Plum back when they sold vinyl. Many bloggers buy from Expressions Vinyl and like them, but I have never personally bought from them.
I was lucky enough to get the explore air 2 for my birthday and I am looking for accessories. I will be using it for card stock and want to use scrapbook paper as well. Would the light duty mat help me with that? I tried using the brand new mat with some card stock I already had, and it just tore the paper when we tried to peel it. Have you elver tried cutting fabric or real leather?
Hi, Yes, I have cut both fabric and real leather. The fabric has to be backed with interfacing or something similar. I actually have a post that will be up tomorrow where I cut burlap with my Cricut. It was backed with paper and cut great with the strong grip mat and the deep cut blade. Your standard grip mat was probably just too “new” for the card stock (especially if it wasn’t thick card stock). Some crafters press new mats against their shirts a few times to make it less sticky for their first cut. The light grip mat is generally great for thin cardstock, printer paper, vellum paper, and construction paper. If you are interested in trying out a variety pack (the strong grip is recommended for fabric and leather), the variety packs are $14 off this week on the Cricut site (affiliate link) this week.
I am waiting on my Explore Air 2. I am so excited! I have never even used a Cricut before so your posts are so helpful. Thank you! I have a question about your storage bag. It got some really bad reviews on Amazon about being too small for the machine and power cord. How well does your machine fit?
It has to be placed in the bag quite strategically for them both to fit. The new Cricut totes are definitely roomier, nicer, and more well made, but they are a splurge to say the least!
I love how helpful you are … Can you help me choose a machine?
I am a teacher who loves to scrapbook. SO I would like to use the machine for displays in my classroom and also scarpbooking lettering etc. I am not hugely tech savy, but I will give things a go.
Which Cricut should I choose? Is a second hand machine an option? Is there an option that doesn’t need cartridge, of so is there a cost for the fonts?
Hi, Yes, a second hand machine is an option. For non-cartridge options, I would go with the Cricut Explore, Explore Air, or Explore Air 2. There are many fonts in the Design Space that do not have a cost. I also download fonts from The Hungry Jpeg and they can be used in Design Space, too. There are other fonts in Design SPace that come with a charge, but you can pick and choose if you like one of those and purchase if you want.
The new Cricut Maker comes out this month, but it is $100 more and is for “tougher” materials like leather, etc. If you are only doing card stock then you would be fine with the Cricut Explore, Explore Air, or Explore Air 2.
I am a member of an art group I have painted stenciled journaled etc…I love stencils. At a recent fundraiser my Niece an accomplished artist restored a curb side dresser rescue In addition to the art work she added French phrases to the drawers..She did those stencils with her Cricket…Now I will not rest until I own one myself…I will ask her for help but a question for now Can I get step by step help on your site Are there others that might also be helpful. I have a tendency to overbuy the shelves in my art room are testament to that I am trying not to make the same mistake here…I would like to create wooden signs as gifts Have dozens of sayings that I want to use The pallet wood is piling up Any advice would be much appreciated Thank you
Im wondering this too!
Hello, I want to buy a cricut sinces i do hair bows all the time. I have alot of faux leather ribbon and vinyl fabric I bought at hobby lobby. They are not the ones from CRICUT. Can I use those as well or only CRICUT brand?
Yes, you can use any brand with the Cricut.
Hi, I just got the cricut expression explore machine with 2 cartridge & the plug. That is it. I was wondering if you can kindly help me get started. I am new to this machine & I can’t wait to start, but I getting overwhelmed. Mostly because I don’t know what to buy. So it just sitting there taking dust:( Please help. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Hi, have you set the machine up and read over the instruction manual? That would be a good place to start. Also, what kind of projects would you like to make?
Hi, I’m looking into buying a Cricut machine, I’m looking at the Explore Air 2. I’m just wondering if the bundle is the way to go or if I really need all the stuff. I’m wanting to do t-shirts and cups and glasses. Thank you
Hi, thanks for your question. A Cricut is a great machine! If you have never owned a Cricut machine before, then a bundle is an excellent way to get started. The supplies can be overwhelming at first, and the bundles come with many items that you will need (plus, it will save money from having to purchase them all individually). For t-shirts, cups, and glasses, you will need a minimum of a weeding tool (this comes in the basics tool set), iron on vinyl, regular vinyl, and transfer tape.
I’m new to cricut but there is a lot that I would like to work with vinyl , paper, cloth, thin wood, more I’m a crafty person. Have been checking out different ones and there are 3 cricut maker, silhouette or expressions need help Thanks
Hi, if you want to work with thin wood or fabric, then the Cricut Maker is the machine that will handle those items the best.
Thanks so much for this post. I am purchasing one as a gift this year and had no clue what else she needed.
Love the guide! Thanks for the info!!
I got a pretty sweet deal the other day on Cricut Expression and it came with tons of
cartridges ,tool set, card stock you name it, anyway, I was wondering how good the Expression machine is? I want to use the pens but I don’t think I can…. I think I’ll sell the one I have, because I want to be able to write & draw. What do you think I should do?
Hi, It really depends on the crafter and how much you think that you will use it (and for what purposes). I have kids and am always making some sort of classroom card, gift tag for a teacher, or custom coloring sheet, so I use the draw/write feature weekly. Now that I have the Air 2 that writes, I couldn’t imagine the machine without it! But, again, that is all up to you. If you think that you will use it for any kind of card crafting, then you would find it beneficial to have one that writes.
This is a great beginner list. Except for the faux leather and the larger mats, this is pretty much what I started with by getting the Explore Air “Essentials” bundle. It seems, though, if you do complex or long projects, you will need multiple mats of each given hold texture. I would also suggest (given faux leather!) the Deep Cut Blade and Deep Cut Blade Housing.
I’d also invest in some on-sale or on-clearance materials to test with while getting used to your new machine.
(P.S. I got my machine less than 3 weeks ago, so I think I still qualify as a new user… )