If you’re looking for gift ideas for that side hustlin’ mama or Etsy shop owner in your life, this post is for you! Not only will they love these products for personal use, they can help them in their business too!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
One of the hardest people to shop for are the creatives. You know, the ones who make the best projects, always have the funniest t-shirt designs and basically rocking the mompreneur life. Maybe that’s you and you’re looking for some things to add to your list. Either way, you or the one your shopping for, will LOVE seeing any of these gifts under the tree! The best part is you can use all of these items to help you in your business too!
I owned a small shop for a year after my oldest daughter was born and used every one of the items listed below. They’re tried and true items that really do make running your Etsy shop or side-hustle so much easier!
PS you can use code WINTER10 on Cricut.com to save 10% and score FREE shipping on $50+ orders (excludes machines). That’s on top of the 10% discount Cricut Access members get automatically!
Cricut Machine – Explore Air 2 or Maker
If you really want to WOW them on Christmas morning, it doesn’t get better than opening a brand new Cricut machine! And you can’t go wrong with either the Explore Air 2 or the Maker. I have both and use them both multiple times a week.
- Maker – The ULTIMATE cutting machine – You can cut over 100 different types of materials with the maker including fabric, wood, chipboard and more. There are also new tools for the Maker that allow you to deboss, engrave, create perfect waves and more. You can read about the adaptive tool system and tools available here.
- Explore Air 2 – The Air 2 is a GREAT machine for any Etsy shop owner, and a great option for a first time Cricut user. You can cut alot of the same materials as the Maker (just not the thicker materials like chipboard) and can even cut fabric (with a backer). It’s also $100 or so less than the Maker. If you’re looking for a machine to start your shop and you’re on a budget, this is a great machine to start with (and you can always upgrade to the Maker later).
EasyPress 2
The EasyPress 2 (starting at $79) is a game changer when it comes to making shirts, onesies, pillows, signs and more! I’ve even used it to press seams when making a quilt! There are 3 sizes available, 12″x10″, 9″x9″ and 6″x7″.
- If you make a lot of larger shirts (like adult size large or bigger) and pillows, the 12″x10″ is probably the best one to get.
- If you make mostly onesies, the 6″x7″ is your best bet.
- In my opinion, the 9″x9″ is the most versatile since it’s not too big for onesies but big enough that you won’t have to do more than one or two presses for larger projects too.
And don’t forget the EasyPress mat! It makes a HUGE difference in the longevity of your projects. The materials inside the EasyPress mat help keep the heat in your shirt (or pillow, tote bag, or whatever you’re pressing iron-on on) so your iron-on sticks better and stays longer.
If you want to learn more about the EasyPress 2, check out this post. Debating between a heat press and EasyPress? Check out this post!
Cricut Access
Cricut Access is the gift that keeps giving. Giving a year long subscription to Cricut Access ensures that your Etsy Shop Owner will have the right fonts and designs to craft with all year long. Just this year Cricut has added over 100,000 images to Cricut Access and there are designs and images for every holiday, occasion and celebration you can imagine!
This is also a great stocking stuffer gift to give too. With prices starting at just $7.99 a month, it’s a great smaller gift to give someone as well.
If you’re looking for ideas of how you can use Access in your small business, check out this post with over 50 items you can make and sell with your Cricut. Most are designs included in Cricut Access!
Cricut Iron-On Vinyl
Iron-On vinyl is my absolute FAVORITE medium to work with. It is so versatile and can be used on a never ending list of supplies including: apparel, tote bags, wood, paper products, canvas and more!
I’ve used many brands of iron-on vinyl in both my blog and my small shop and I can honestly say I prefer using Cricut’s new line of iron-on. There are a ton of colors, styles and designs and it holds up better than the competitor’s products I’ve used.
You can check out all the iron-on colors and styles here. If you’re looking to get several different colors and styles, the samplers are your best bet!
Cricut Premium Vinyl
Cricut’s redesigned vinyl is AMAZING! It is so easy to use because it lays flat right off the roll. This makes it a whole lot easier to get on the mat and weed. It also comes in removable (like Oracel 631) and permanent (like Oracel 651) and in dozens of colors, sheers and designs. You can even get vinyl with Disney and Marvel characters!
I’ve used the Premium Vinyl for mugs, porch signs, holiday decor and more. And recently, we used the Premium removable vinyl to do a faux wallpaper on an accent wall!
Don’t forget to use code WINTER10 on Cricut.com to save 10% and score FREE shipping on $50+ orders!
Essential Tool Set
This kit is my go to for almost EVERY project I make! I use all of the tools in the set on a regular basis!
- The paper trimmer is not only great for cutting paper and cardstock, but I also use it to trim down my vinyl and iron-on so I don’t waste it on smaller projects.
- The tweezers and weeding tool make weeding vinyl and iron-on SO much easier!
- The little scissors are super sharp and great for cutting just about ANYTHING
- The spatula I use regularly to help lift paper and cardstock off the mat after I cut it to help prevent curling and ripping.
- The scraper is great for getting vinyl to stick to the transfer tape and from the transfer tape to your project.
- The scoring stylus is amazing at making score lines in the Air 2 machines, which makes folding things (like cards) super easy!
Precision Cutting Kit Bundle
This is another tool set I use regularly. The TrueControl knife is super handy for cutting clean straight lines (and for opening packages of vinyl, iron on and Infusible Ink without ruining the packaging). The ruler is SO handy for lining up your designs on your project. And the self healing mat is great for cutting larger pieces of fabric, iron-on or vinyl down to size. It also makes a great backdrop for product photos too!
EasyPress Mini
I know I talked about the EasyPress 2 earlier but I think the Mini is a great companion for it. Like the EasyPress 2 it has heat consistently spread on the heating plate which makes it a much better option than an iron. But my favorite part about it is that it can fit those tight spots that sometimes the EasyPress 2 can miss because of raised seams (like in onesies and tote bags). It’s also the perfect size for making those popular Stuffed Animal Birth Announcements!
Cricut Chipboard
This is another fun material you can cut with your Cricut and is PERFECT for making cupcake and cake toppers; especially if you ship them. You can easily adhere vinyl or iron-on to chipboard to truly customize every project you make. Other project ideas for chipboard include home decor pieces, lanterns and inserts for wreaths.
Cricut Pens
Cricut Pens are another great stocking stuffer idea! I use these to make thank you notes for customers, coloring pages, invitations and more! There are SO many new colors and tips to choose from, you can check them out here. Not sure which one to get? You can never go wrong with this Ultimate Set.
Everything in this gift guide I have personally used for my small shop and absolutely love each and every product! As a recap here is everything on the list and their prices:
- Maker – starting at $369
- Explore Air 2 – starting at $227
- EasyPress 2
- Cricut Access $7.99-$119.88
- Iron-On Vinyl $6.59-$14.99
- Premium Vinyl $6.99-$14.99
- Essential Tool Set$25-$49.99 (depending on color)
- Precision Cutting Kit Bundle $39.99
- EasyPress Mini $49.99
- Chipboard $10.99
- Pens $6.50-$34.99
Remember, you can always use code WINTER10 on Cricut.com to save 10% and score FREE shipping on $50+ orders (excludes machines). That’s on top of the 10% discount Cricut Access members get automatically!
If you want some project ideas for things you can make and sell, check out the posts below (just click the picture and it will take you to the post).
Need help with your Cricut? Join our Cricut Support Facebook Group! Happy shopping!
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