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There’s an endless amount of fun & unique Cricut Maker project ideas out there that you haven’t tried or even thought of yet. I mean, don’t let the Cricut Maker’s size fool you – it can do BIG things, and quite a lot of them! With it’s ability to cut through hundreds of different materials, to include denim, cardstock, printable sticker paper, faux fur, and many more, the possibilities are endless. The massive variety on the list of things to make on your Cricut Maker can make deciding what to create be pretty overwhelming, BUT it doesn’t have to be. I recommend that you follow my motto: “Take it slow & smoothly to make somethin’ groovy” 😜
Of course, mistakes happen while we are learning anything new, but you want to be patient & careful to help prevent any errors that will waste materials. To do this, answer the following questions first:
- Have you found a reliable source of instructions? It is important to choose detailed instructions that are easy to read and include a lot of helpful tips. When the person giving instructions lets you know what they learned the hard way, it helps you avoid mistakes!
- Have you read through all the instructions first to ensure they make sense to you? It is never fun when you’re going through instructions & find yourself stuck at step 12 because it isn’t clear. That just ends up causing you to need to search online for an alternate set of instructions to try and figure it out. Uh, no thank you! Been there, done that. 😂
- Do you have all the materials you need? This may seem like a no-brainer, but always double check you have all the materials listed on the instructions. Get all of them as instructed, If you want your result to resemble the examples prettied up in the pictures, even if you think they may be unnecessary.
12 Unique Cricut Maker Project Ideas
Since you’ve been officially pre-briefed on the importance of patience and attention to detail, get to cuttin’ & struttin’! Here are some super fun things you can make on a Cricut maker, along with easy to follow directions that’ll provide you with such a smooth process that would even make ex-lax jealous…
1. Suncatcher Window Clings
Let me say it for you: Why have I not tried this amazing, holographic, vinyl-sliced, piece of heaven craft cake yet?! I swear, I could just kick myself because I actually just discovered this idea when I was TODAY year’s old. But for those of us who are just now discovering this – are we ashamed? NEVER – Because we will let all of Earth’s bright, sunshiny rays of glory beam down on our big, beautiful, sun-catching window clings that we’re all about to make – with big, jumbo smiles on our faces. 😂😍
🟪 Supplies Needed
Another great reason to make a suncatcher window cling? Well, they don’t require too many additional supplies, so all you need is:
- Window Cling: Holographic Window Privacy Film
- Permanent Vinyl: Any color you’d like – In the tutorial video holographic vinyl is used, but in the photo above, black vinyl was used.
- Weeding Tool: You likely have one already, but if not: Cricut Weeding Tools (Amazon)
- Squeegee Tool: You can buy a squeegee if you want, but the scraper tool that comes in the weeding tool link above would also work!
- Standard Grip Mat: Again, you probably have this already, but just incase: Cricut Standard Grip Mat
- Transfer Tape: Definitely needed, but luckily affordable and easy to find: Cricut Transfer Tape
🟩 How to Make a Suncatcher Window Cling
For this project, you don’t need to worry about the instructions being confusing or hard to follow! The crafter who made the window cling in the photo, Corinne, does a wonderful job taking you through the entire process. From prepping the image in Design Space, all the way to the final result, all you need is in this video tutorial:
2. Acrylic Engraving: LED Lamp
Your dandy little Circut Maker can engrave acrylic, so there are tons of things you can make, like keychains or ornaments, but the coolest option? These fun LED lamps, of course!
Definitely get excited about this, but be careful when gathering up the supplies! Many of the blanks for these lamps (especially many on Amazon) are too thick to cut, but the blanks I link to below are the correct size!
🟪 Supplies Needed
Here’s all you’ll need to master this fun Cricut Maker project idea:
- Acrylic Blanks – 2mm thick lamp inserts (Available multiple shapes!)
- LED Lamp Base – These come with the cord and the remote for custom colors: LED Base Set
- Cricut Engraving Tool – If you have the QuickSwap housing already then you just need the tip, otherwise buy the housing + the tip together.
- Strong Grip Matt – You’ll definitely want to the strong grip cutting mat for engraving the blanks!
- Blue Painter’s Tape – I bet other colored tape would also work, but the majority of tutorials I have seen for this project have blue painter’s tape, so I’d STICK with it – lol
You can get yourself more familiar with the engraving tool by reading the frequently asked questions, reviewing the instructions on switching out the tip & check out the tips to help you prepare for this project on Cricut’s website, here: All About: Engraving Tip
🟩 How to Engrave an Acrylic LED Lamp with your Cricut Maker
When you’re ready to engrave your little heart out, refer to this simple tutorial by Jennifer Maker: How to Easily Engrave Acrylic
3. DIY Magnets
There are few activities in life that seem as appealing to me right now than making some CUSTOM FREAKING MAGNETS! Can I get an Amen?! 😆Don’t get me wrong, I love making stickers, but the thought of whipping up some little magnetic nuggets of bliss? That’s living, right there!
You can make your own custom magnets for decorating your fridge, labeling a magnetic dry erase board and more! You can use printable magnet sheets with your inkjet printer or use adhesive to add your favorite patch after your machine gives you a perfect cut. Keep in mind that these are not intended to hold up heavy pieces of paper and are best for decorative purposes!
🟪 Supplies Needed
- Deep Cut Blade & Housing – A must-have for cutting through the magnetic sheets is Cricut’s deep cut blade. (Don’t worry that it says “Explore” – it is compatible with your Maker).
- Strong Grip Mat – The Strong Grip mat is best for magnetic sheet cuts.
- Adhesive Magnetic Sheets – These magnetic sheets with adhesive are great if you don’t have an inkjet printer and want to attach a fabric/photo, or give printable magnet sheets more grip.
- Printable Magnetic Sheets – If you have an inkjet printer, these printable sheets by Avery are the ones that have the best customer reviews for this purpose!
- Printable Vinyl – If you prefer printable vinyl sheets over the printable magnetic sheets, you’ll definitely need the adhesive magnetic sheets I mentioned earlier!
- Brayer – To help flatten your design when applying any layers, you’ll want to use a brayer roller.
🟩 How to Cut Magnets with Cricut Maker
Whether you prefer video tutorials or written instructions, this Cricut Maker project idea offers both – thanks to the creator, Angie. For the written instructions on her site, click here. Otherwise, here is the YouTube video tutorial:
4. Apply Vinyl to Resin Blanks
This pick on the Cricut Maker project ideas list doesn’t really require you to buy much more than what you already have – especially if you already know how to cut vinyl. I came across a video explaining how to apply vinyl onto resin and they turned out absolutely stunning. Sure, you could simply stick permanent vinyl onto resin, but to give it a shiny gloss and protective coat, you can actually apply resin over your decals! After you do that, this is the amazing result you get:
🟪 Supplies Needed
- Opoxy Resin – This resin kit includes the cups, applicator/mixing sticks and the resin, however you can also purchase the resin bottles from the tutorial, you’ll just need to buy the other supplies separately.
- Silicon Mats – You definitely want a couple of these mats to protect your table or surface area.
- Acrylic Keychains – These keychains also have adorable tassels included!
🟩 How to Seal Vinyl using Resin
There are other optional supplies you can get that the crafter uses in the tutorial video below, which contains the entire list in the video description:
5. Holographic Photo Stickers!
Your 2 new favorites words are about to be Print & Cut (Oh, and applying breathtakingly stunning holographic overlays, but there isn’t a word for that 😆), because who doesn’t love eye-catching, sparkly, holographic stickers?! Printing & cutting your own with full creative control is a whole other level of happy though. THE DOPAMINE WILL SIZZLE!
You don’t NEED a Cricut to make these, BUT if you don’t cut with a cutting machine, they will not turn out crisp & professional looking. Trust me – I tried cutting mine without my Cricut, using a pair scissors and the result? Well, no matter how hard I tried, they looked like garbage compared to the clean cuts my Cricut delivered. 😜
I was expecting stickers to be more difficult to make than regular vinyl projects, but It’s not. If you don’t believe me, take a look at the GIF below of the first sticker I ever made on my Cricut:
Not too shabby, right?! Anyone can master this fun process + there are so many different ways to get creative with it.
🟪 Supplies Needed
- Printable Sticker Sheets – You can use plain white or holographic printable sticker sheets. (you can turn the white sticker sheets into holographic stickers with various types of overlays & film or laminate, which the tutorial video will explain as well)
- Holographic Laminate Sheets – You can find tons of different levels of patterns and intensities for these laminate sheets on Amazon, as well as on Etsy.
- Inkjet Printer – If don’t have an inkjet printer already, you need one. You won’t regret it! #YOLO
🟩 How to Make & Cut Holographic Stickers
For this tutorial, I had to go with another of Corinne’s excellent instructional videos, as she goes through the entire process in a way that makes learning a breeze:
After you realize how easy making these are, you’ll be ready to open up your own Etsy shop!
6. Printable HTV Vinyl?!
Did you know this was a thang?! PRINTABLE HTV?! Gimmie some of this stuff STAT! I always assumed that the only way to get photos or complex graphics onto shirts was through a sublimination machine, but I was mistaken. This will surely be a fun Cricut Maker project idea that you’ll want to try…
🟪 Supplies
- Printable HTV Vinyl Sheets – In the tutorial, StarCraft is used, but if you’re a loyal Amazon customer, check out these alternatives: PrintWorks (For Fark Fabrics) or TransOurDream (Glow in the Dark) or NuFun (for light fabrics).
- LightGrip Mat – The instructions in the video below use the LightGrip 12 x 12 Mat
🟩 How to Cut & Apply Printable HTV onto T-Shirts
This how-to video is by one of my favorite content creators – CRAFTY! For anything Cricut related, I highly recommend you check out his videos for more Cricut Maker Project ideas & Tips! They are always so simple to follow and fun to watch, just like this one on how to use and apply the printable HTV to a shirt:
Boy oh boy – my printer is about to need a whole lotta ink! 😂
Pin it: More Cricut Maker Project Ideas
If the bold suggestions on that list left you longing for even more, here are some honorable mentions that are just as worthy. The list below are Pinterest links, so be sure to pin them all to your craft idea boards!
How to Make Vinyl Decals from a Photo
Tutorial: Cricut Infusible Ink to Make Drink Coasters
DIY Speech Bubbles with Dry-Erase Vinyl
HTV Totorial: How to Use the Knock Out Method
How to Etch Glass the Easy Way
How to Create a Personalized Doormat with Cricut Maker
If you have suggestions or Cricut Maker project ideas that I missed, drop them in the comments section below. 💚
Great post! So helpful! You always make everything so fun! 🙂