I'm new to crafting, help!

Hey! If you're new here, welcome :) 

I'm Debbie, and just like you, I was a a newbie, and had no idea where to start. Here's the guide that I wish someone gave to me!

You may have just got yourself a Cricut or a Sillouette machine. but basically, any cutting machine will open up so many possibilites for you! Whether you want to make personalized gifts, decorate your home, or add a personal touch to special occasions, the possibilities are endless with this amazing tool.

I'm on a Cricut machine, and when I first got it - it was intimidating. There were so many buttons, settings, and accessories that I had no idea how to use. But don't worry, I've been through it, and I'm here to guide you every step of the way.

Watch my videos to get familiar with the machine. My "Cricut Hacks" highlight on my Instagram is a good place to start!

Next, gather your materials. The Cricut works with various materials like vinyl, cardstock, fabric, and even wood. Start with something simple, like vinyl, as it's easy to work with and provides fantastic results. 

Permanent or Self Adhesive Vinyl: 
Perm vinyl is best for any kind of hard surface - most crafters start with a personalised drink bottle as one of their first projects! Perm Vinyl is used by signwriters all over the world, and if you think about it - street signs are out in the weather through hail, rain and wind, so if you put vinyl on a drink bottle, it should last the wear and tear - except of course if you're like my kids and throw their around at school, haha. In this case would just peel and add on another Vinyl decal when it's worn :) 

The brands I like are: Orafol/Oracal, Teckwrap and Metamark

You will also need transfer tape to add perm vinyl on to your surface. A little hack is to use masking tape or book contact. Once you're comfortable and want something more hearty, I stock transfer tape in my store.  

HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl)
HTV is best used for fabrics. Think T-shirts, tote bags, even wallets and purses (my favourite is PU leatherette, see my video here). You'll need a heat press or an iron for this material. 

The brands I like are: HTVRont and Siser. 

Blanks
"Blanks" is a crafting term to describe the blank item before you personalise it! There is where I come in - I stock all kinds of trending blanks that are like your blank canvas to start off with. I have a beginners course with video tutorials that will get you crafting in no time, oh and you also get a free pack of crafting blanks to get you started! 

Once you have your basic materials, it's time to get making! See my other videos on how to design, cut, weed and adhere your decals on to blanks. 

So, if you're a newbie like I once was, I hope this guide gives you the confidence to dive into the world of personalised items with you're amazing new machine. Trust me, once you get started, you won't be able to stop. Happy crafting!

Once you've had some time to practice and are making lots of personalised items, you might want to start a little side business with your new found skills. If you do, I've got you covered with that too, see here!