I got my first Cricut for Christmas 2020 from my husband. I had mentioned I wanted one a couple times after seeing some crafty YouTubers use them. But OH THE JOY I felt when I ripped the wrapping paper off and saw the pretty Cricut box shining back at me. I had a shiny new mint explore air 2. That intimidation was there for a week or so - but once I opened her up and followed the VERY simple start up instructions- in which they basically do hold your hand as best they can- I was hooked! I’ve never owned anything I love as much besides my cameras… ok and my chihuahuas. LOL. I now own a Maker 3, Joy, and all the sizes of heat presses. I am a design space subscriber. I love it too. Yes, it has its glitches. I wish they could go in cahoots with Apple on their software because then Cricut would be freaking awesome! Until then I’ll just keep using design space. I love every new update. I’m usually in beta. I do also utilize Canva, a design bundles membership, and photoshop. I’m a Cricut snob. I plan on buying the Joy extra even tho I know I don’t need it. I just think they’re adorable, and they bring me much Joy. If you’re an empty nester like me, this is something I recommend to help. My kidults love all the tee shirts & sweatshirts they get. So if you’re on the fence or your poor Cricut is still in her box - go for it friend. You won’t be sorry you did.

Proprietorial software that means you pay for it with the purchase of the machine. They then want want you to subscribe to Cricut access in order to do anything but the simplest child like of projects. They are now limiting the functionality of the machines by also making that a part of Access subscription. They say they are improving the software in reality they are just finding more ways to charge a monthly fee to be able to use a machine that has already been paid for. I have over a $1000 out in my cutters and it is getting less and less that I am able to do with them. Even with Procreate and Affinity it is getting difficult to design and cut my own projects because of the limitation of design space. The next step and final one for me is going to be charging for uploads. You know it’s coming so they will be able to limit creativity and use fullness even more then they already have. Update well they did figure out a way to limit it even more. Now it is either flattened or big black square. You can no longer erase or anything but those 2 options. I can no longer connect using blue tooth from my iPad on my Maker 3. They say it has nothing to do with the update. But it a little weird that it worked before the update and now it doesn’t. It never worked right from the start. Cricut had to know there was issues with this version and yet they reasoned it and then wouldn’t take care of the problems.

It is so common to see users leave negative reviews, or frowny Facebook statuses in my Cricut groups, on how they purchased this expensive machine, and have just left it in their closets FOR MONTHS to collect dust because they are too intimidated. I’m sorry, but I honestly wish I had the money to just throw at a hobby I have never done research on, and just let it sit there. Then to complain that Cricut isn’t there to hold their hand in the process. I do my research before I make a purchase and at least watch or read a few tutorials so I know what is going on. Even though my Cricut purchase was done fairly quickly, with only a couple days to study what it was, I had enough knowledge to get it going same day, right after I got home with it. I am so glad I did because it is probably one of my favorite hobbies that I have. There are so many tutorials on the Internet, and even Cricut has their own guides if you take the time to do the research online. Sure the machine only comes with a basic blade and some sample vinyl, but what else did you expect? I don’t ever expect my other hobbies (3D printing or Laser Engraving) to come with a “Let me hold your hand guide” with steps on how to do EVERYTHING it can handle. It’s up to you to succeed and learn the product that you have invested hundreds of dollars into! If I can make multi-layer projects 2 hours after opening the box, so can you! The information is out there!