Cricut Joy FAQ’s, Where to buy in Ireland and what to make?

Let me share a pocket rocket of a craft machine with you. I got my hands on a Cricut Joy machine, and I gave it a road test. In this post, I will answer the most common Cricut joy questions, from where to buy a Cricut in Ireland to what can I make and the difference between the Cricut machines. 

If you ever wondered how people make perfectly personalised items, they probably use a vinyl cutting machine like the Cricut. 

Cricut machines are an affordable way to create with vinyl compared to spending loads on larger cutting machines. 

The Cricut Joy is an entry-level machine in the Cricut range. The Cricut Joy is the cheapest model of the three, but you can still create just as much on it compared to the other models. 

_{* I work with Cricut. This blog post is not sponsored by Cricut. However, the tools I have are gifted as part of previous campaigns. As always, all opinions are my own. ** This post contains affiliate links.}

What’s the difference between Cricut Joy and Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker?

I have a Cricut Maker as well as the Cricut Joy. The Cricut Maker cuts over 300 varieties of materials, and you can also change the blades and use knife blades, embossing tips etc. 

The Cricut Joy can cut up to 50 materials and has three tools. The knife tool, the foil transfer tool and pen tools. It is perfect for cutting vinyl, creating cards and drawing. 

The Cricut Joy is much smaller and lightweight compared to the Cricut Maker. Therefore it is perfect if you have a small crafting space. 

While I have experimented with cutting wood on the Cricut Maker, I mostly use the Cricut machines for cutting vinyl, and I have been reaching for the Cricut Joy because it is so lightweight and small. I can even use it in my greenhouse when I take a break from crafting in my office. 

If you are a newbie and mainly want to cut vinyl, cardstock and draw, then the Cricut Joy is a perfect machine for you. 

For pro makers, or if you want to use a Cricut machine as part of your business, I recommend the Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore. 

Where can I get a Cricut Joy in Ireland?

If you are like me and want to see items in person before taking the plunge and purchasing, then I have some good news. 

Selected Harvey Norman stores are now stocking the Cricut range, including the Cricut Joy in Ireland. Not all stores have the Cricut range in store, so check with your local Harvey Norman visiting to avoid disappointment. 

Currys also stock some of the Cricut range online, but I am unsure if they have any in-store displays. Click here to see their Cricut range. 

Some smaller independent Irish craft shops are selling some of the Cricut range, I haven’t shopped from them yet, but this may be a good option to shop local and support small businesses. 

You can also shop from the Cricut store on Amazon here. 

Does Cricut ship to Ireland?

If you prefer to shop online and get your Cricut Joy delivered to Ireland, you have a few options. You can shop from the stores I mentioned above or from the Cricut store on Amazon. 

Take into consideration any VAT or import duties when shopping from international websites. 

Is Cricut Joy any good for beginners?

Absolutely yes, the images of projects in this blog post were all created using the Joy. It took me about half an hour to unbox and set up and do my first test cut. 

The Cricut machines are not hard to use, but the design space app might be difficult at first if you are not used to designing software. However, there is an abundance of tutorials online that will help you. 

Just like using a sewing machine, you learn from making. Sometimes we get discouraged when we make a mistake, but that is how we learn. So, set aside time to lay with the machine and don’t worry about getting it perfect on the first try. 

How do you load mats into Cricut Joy?

With the Cricut Joy, most of the instructions to the machine are communicated via the app. Whereas the Cricut Maker and Cricut explore have buttons that you can press up to load and unload the mat. 

Slide the mat into the machine and follow the instructions on the screen in the design space app to load and unload your project. Click the load button on-screen, and the Cricut machine will load the mat. 

Can I use non Cricut brands of vinyl in my Cricut Joy?

Yes, you can use non Cricut vinyl in a Cricut Joy. Use the standard grip mat that comes with the machine to load the vinyl into the machine. You will have to cut the non-Cricut brand of vinyl to size to fit your grip mat. 

Do I have to use Cricut Smart vinyl in my Cricut Joy?

Your Cricut Joy comes with a mini standard grip mat. So, if you have scraps of vinyl that you want to use up or a smaller project, you can use the mat. 

You can also purchase a longer grip mat for larger projects, like this one. So, don’t worry if you have used up your Smart vinyl, as you can use other Cricut and non Cricut vinyl on the mat to cut. 

Can I change the blades in a Cricut Joy?

While you can replace the knife blade in the Cricut Joy when it becomes blunt, you can’t use specialist tools. 

You cannot use the Cricut tools used in the Cricut Maker inside of the Cricut Joy. 

The Cricut Joy has three tools that you can use, a pen tool, a knife tool and the foil transfer tool. 

A DIY personalised runner project with the Cricut Joy 

Here is a mini video sharing how I pimped my pumps using the Cricut Joy, iron-on vinyl and my Cricut mini-press. I hope you get some inspiration from it. 

Let me know below in the comments section if you have any other questions about the Cricut Joy, and I will do my best to find the information for you.

Have fun crafting! Chat soon, Catherine. 

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