Learn how to use your Cricut with Cori George’s Cricut Academy, the most comprehensive Cricut class for crafters.
I have something amazing to share with you. Have you heard of Cricut Academy? Whether you’re brand new to the Cricut family or you’re a Cricut expert, everyone can benefit from the Cricut Academy.
What is Cricut Academy?
First, it’s important to note that Cricut Academy is not affiliated with the Cricut brand.
Cricut Academy is owned and run by Cori George at Hey Let’s Make Stuff.
It’s a self-paced course, consisting of 14 courses covering everything from how to setup and connect your machine, to Cricut Design Space, to designing your own cut files and more.
One of my favorite things about Cricut Academy is that it’s broken up into over 200+ lessons. Don’t be overwhelmed, this is a great thing. It means instead of taking a lesson on everything there is to know about the Cricut Tools, you have individual lessons about each tool.
This makes it really easy to find the information you’re looking for and makes it easier to go through the course.
- Did you purchase a new blade, material or tool? Congrats! Go straight to that lesson to learn about it.
- Don’t have to commit hours at a time? Neither do I! Taking lessons is easy to do with the lessons broken out!
What does Cricut Academy cover?
This is the most detailed Cricut classes on the market and I’ll show you why. Let’s walk through each of the 14 courses starting with the free Basics courses.
Cricut Explore and Maker Basics
This free course is for Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker owners.
The first lesson covers an overview of the Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker including what’s in the Cricut box, how to connect it, getting to know the parts of your machine, and what tools and accessories you’ll need to get started.
Then there’s a great lesson on Cricut Design Space that’s perfect for beginners. You’ll learn about the different panels and toolbars and the screens you go through to cut your project. You’ll also learn how to use Cricut Design Space offline.
My favorite lesson in this course is How to Find Images and Projects to Make, including ready-to-make projects, Cricut Image Library and Cricut Access, how to design within Cricut Design Space, outside programs you can use to design and how to download files from designers and upload them to Cricut Design Space.
The next lesson is all about Cricut Mats where you’ll learn how to choose the right mat for your project, how to prime your mat and materials before you add them to your mat, how to remove materials from your mat, and how to clean and store your mats.
Next, you’ll learn how to use the Cricut Scoring Tools including how to insert the scoring tools, how to score Cricut images and Cricut Design Space projects, how to score in Adobe Illustrator and Inkscape projects and how to create deeper score lines.
Then you’ll learn how to use a Cricut Pen including how to insert the pen, different writing style fonts, writing/drawing with the pen and with Cricut images.
Lastly, you’ll take what you learned to make your first project. Here you’ll use the skills and tools you just learned in the lessons above to make a greeting card!
Sign up for Cricut Explore and Maker Basics course here.
Cricut Joy Basics
This free course is for Cricut Joy owners.
The first lesson covers an overview of the Cricut Joy including what’s in the Cricut box, how to connect it, getting to know the parts of your machine, what tools and accessories you’ll need to get started, and a review of the materials the Joy can cut.
Then there’s a great lesson on Cricut Design Space that’s perfect for beginners. You’ll learn about the different panels and toolbars and the screens you go through to cut your project. You’ll also learn how to use Cricut Design Space offline.
My favorite lesson in these basics courses is How to Find Images and Projects to Make, including ready-to-make projects, Cricut Image Library and Cricut Access, how to design within Cricut Design Space, outside programs you can use to design and how to download files from designers and upload them to Cricut Design Space.
The next lesson is all about Cricut Joy Mats where you’ll learn how to choose the right mat for your project, how to prime your mat, how to remove materials from your mat, how to clean and store your mats and how to use matless cutting which is specific to the Cricut Joy.
Sign up for the Cricut Joy Basics course here.
Cricut Materials
The Cricut Materials module starts with a lesson on where to buy your materials. One of the things I love most about Cricut Academy in general is the tips on where to buy all of the craft supplies.
Spoiler alert, you don’t need to buy all Cricut brand tools, accessories and materials.
There are a lot of options for budget friendly places to buy from and Cori gives you tips on what and where to buy throughout the course.
The next three lessons in this module go over what each Cricut machine can cut. Obviously the Cricut Maker can cut more than the Explore or Joy and this lesson outlines all of the materials each machine can cut.
Then there are a few lessons on the material sizes & settings and how to make a Cricut project bigger than your mat.
Lastly, Cori breaks down 23 different materials, what you can make with each, how to cut that material and where to buy it.
Here is a list of the materials that are covered in this module:
- Paper & Cardstock
- Adhesive Vinyl
- Iron-On Vinyl (HTV)
- Fabric
- Bonded Fabric
- Tissue and Crepe Paper
- Chipboard
- Basswood
- Balsawood
- Matboard and Artboard
- Leather and Suede
- Craft Foam
- Stencil Material
- Washi Sheets
- Acetate and Vellum
- Party Foil
- Cricut Iron-on Designs
- Cricut Infusible Ink
- Print then Cut
- Adhesive Backed Paper
When I say this is the most comprehensive course on the market, this is a great example of why.
I’ve yet to see a course on the market that goes into this much detail.
The Iron-On Vinyl section alone has 12 lessons that show you how to cut, weed, adhere, layer HTV and more.
Whenever I’m working with a new material, I go to this module first to get the right material settings, tips and project ideas.
Cricut Tools
The Cricut Tools module starts with an overview of the Cricut Mats. You’ll learn how to prime your mat, the best way to remove material from your mat, how to clean your mats, especially how to clean your FabricGrip mat.
Next there’s a lesson on each of the Cricut blades: Fine-Point Blue, Deep-Point Blade, the Bonded-Fabric Blade, the Rotary Blade and the Knife Blade. These lessons walk you through what each blade is, how it works, what material you can use it on, calibrating the blades and more.
Then you’ll learn about the Cricut Scoring Tools where you’ll learn the difference between the scoring wheel and scoring stylus, how to score Cricut images, as well as your own Cricut Design Space projects and how to score in Adobe Illustrator and Inkscape.
Next, you’ll learn about Cricut Pens and Markers including the Fabric Pen and Infusible Ink Markers and Pens.
Let’s not forget about all of the other fancy Cricut Tools made for the Cricut Maker including the Debossing Tool, Engraving Tool, Perforation Tool and the Wavy Blade. These lessons include a step by step tutorial on how to make a project with these tools.
Cricut launched their own Foil Transfer System which is amazing. I love it! These lessons include an ultimate guide to the Foil Transfer System, how to use it, step-by-step projects and what foil you can use with this system.
Every wonder which of the Cricut Hand Tools you need? There are 13 lessons on each of the Cricut hand tools, which ones are needed, where to buy them and alternatives to the Cricut brand.
Before Cricut launched their own Foil Transfer System, We R Memory Keepers had a Foil Quill which is the only non-Cricut tool that covered in this course. Some crafters still use this tool.
Cricut Extras
Ever wonder about all of the extras the Cricut brand offers?
This course covers everything you need to about the Easy Press, the Brightpad and the Cuttlebug.
The first lessons are on Cricut’s EasyPress line of products. Here you’ll learn the anatomy of an EasyPress, the different between the EasyPress and EasyPress2, how to use an EasyPress, the different between an EasyPress, a professional heat press and a home iron, how to use an EasyPress with sublimation and everything you want to know about the EasyPress Mini.
Next, you’ll learn about Cricut’s Brightpad including what it is, the anatomy of the Brightpad, how to use the Brightpad to week and others ways you can use the Brightpad for crafting.
Lastly, you’ll learn about the Cricut Cuttlebug which has now been discontinued but can still be found. The lessons in this section will go over what the Cuttlebug is, how to use the Cuttlebug to cut dies and how to emboss with the Cuttlebug.
Cricut Design Space
Cricut Design Space is broken up into three different modules: Cricut Design Space for Desktop, Cricut Design Space for iOS and Cricut Design Space for Android.
The content within each of these modules is the same but the tutorials are different depending on which device you’re using.
These modules start with the Main Menu which has all sorts of things you might need to access while working in Cricut Design Space. They aren’t the fanciest of tools, but you may need them so it’s good information to cover.
Next you’ll review the Design Panel which has many important tools that will allow you to do more in Cricut Design Space. Each lesson is designed to teach you about each individual tool—what they do and tips and tricks for using them, as well as examples for what you can do with them.
Then, you’ll learn about the Edit Toolbar which has several tools that will probably be familiar to you if you’ve used any sort of computer program (like Microsoft Word). There are others that are fairly standard to design programs—these will help make your work in Cricut Design Space much faster and more professional!
Next, is probably the most exciting lessons on the Layers Panel which is a bunch of different sets of tools put together in one panel such as Slice, Weld, Attach and more.
Then you’ll learn everything there is to know about Fonts and the Text Edit Toolbar. This is where things really start to get fun. Here you’ll learn about the different styles of fonts, how to size, align and space the fonts, Cricut fonts versus system font and how to curve text.
You’ll also learn where to find cheap and free fonts, how to use glyphs and the best fonts to use for cutting on your Cricut.
Lastly, you’ll learn all about the Prepare and Make Screens. When it comes time to make your project you’ll need to know how to modify and select different options on these two screens to ensure your project turns out right the first time.
Cricut Joy Specifics
Cricut Joy is Cricut’s newest, smallest cutting machine. While many of the features are pared down with the Cricut Joy, it also has several new features that are exclusive to this newest machine.
This module starts with everything you need to know about the Cricut Joy including what you can make with it, the difference between the Joy and other Cricut cutting machines, and an overview on the mats, blades and materials.
You’ll then go through a deep dive on the must have Cricut Joy Accessories including which blades, mats, tools and pens.
The rest of the module is broken out into tutorials so you can learn how to use the Cricut Joy card mat, use matless cutting, making labels with the writable vinyl and how to use adhesive paper.
Lastly, you’ll learn how to use the Cricut Joy App to create simple projects.
Projects and Tutorials
This is my favorite part in the entire course. You’ll first learn the best ways to find new projects including Ready-to-Make projects, using Cricut Image Library and Cricut Access, using outside design programs, designing within Cricut Design Space, where to download files designers and how to upload them to Cricut Design Space.
Then there are 16 step-by-step project tutorials that use all of the skills you learned in the course and puts them into action.
Adobe Illustrator for the Cricut
I was most excited about this Adobe Illustrator because shortly after I got my Cricut Maker I learned how much I loved to design my own cut files. This course is what started Maggie Rose Design Co.
You will need Adobe Illustrator to take this course but if you’re not sure about investing yet, go through the course without it to see if it’s something you think you want to do.
Cricut Design Space has its limitation so using a software like Adobe Illustrator is a must if you want to share or sell your cut files.
The course starts with an overview of what Adobe Illustrator is and what vector files like SVGs are.
It then walks you through keyboard shortcuts, comparable tools to what you know from Cricut Design Space, and an overview of the Adobe Illustrator lingo.
Before starting you’ll go through how to set up your workspace, how to create a new document, and where all of the toolbars and panels. are located.
Then you’ll go through 9 lessons that cover different skills to make cut files including designing a simple text, using font glyphs, converting a sketch to an SVG, using the pen tool, creating a score line and creating a shadow or offset.
Make Money Using Your Cricut
This course teaches you how to make money using your Cricut by starting a business selling the crafts you make with your Joy, Explore or Maker.
I love this course because it starts with the WHY? Starting a business can be exciting but you first need to know why you’re starting it.
Once you’ve determined the why, this course will teach you all about Copyrights, how to start a Cricut craft business, the best places to get blanks for your business, how to price your items, and where to sell them.
This course also gives you a lot of ideas of what you might want to sell.
Cricut Glossary
The world of Cricut crafting has all sorts of terms that you might be unfamiliar with. Get to know all the Cricut lingo and terminology with this extensive Cricut Glossary!
Resource Library
Last but certainly not least is the Resource Library which is set up as a repository for all of the goodies and resources made available to you as a part of your membership.
Here you can explore the library, access its resources, and download them while you are a member.
Every month new SVG cut files will be added that include a commercial license for up to 500 handmade items. This alone is worth the cost of the membership each month!
My Take
Overall, I can’t recommend these courses enough. Cori has done an amazing job.
The lessons are conversational like she’s sitting there right next to you, sipping her coffee while she teaches you everything she knows.
I love her tips and tricks throughout each of the lessons too; like what types of brands she likes to buy and where to buy them or links to her favorite blogs to buy bundles.
These tips are incredibly helpful. Crafting is not a cheap hobby to have and I love having the inside scoop on where to get the best deals.
Who should join Cricut Academy?
You don’t have to be a beginner to join Cricut Academy. Even expert Cricut users will benefit from these courses.
Plus, there’s more to just the lessons, Cricut Academy offers a full community of like-minded crafters. Join the Facebook group to share your projects, ask questions and get updates.
The monthly cut files alone are worth joining!
What’s included in Cricut Academy?
- 200+ lessons, covering Design Space; tools, materials, mats, and blades; and more!
- 15+ new commercial-use SVGs per month, plus full access to our growing library of cut files
- Free printable vinyl guide and printable keyboard shortcuts guide
- Access to our exclusive VIP Facebook group, where you can ask our team questions, get advice, build community, and share your Cricut creations
- Facebook Lives that include Design Space tutorials, Cricut crafts, industry updates, and more
- Automatic entry into our big monthly giveaway
How much is it?
Cricut Academy is a monthly membership with two options to purchase:
- Monthly membership at $12.99 per month
- Yearly membership at $129.90 (which gives you 2 months for free)
Is it worth it?
YES YES YES! I’ve been a member since 2018 and I still go back and review lessons when I start working with a new tool or material.
Plus, anytime Cricut comes out with a new product, the lessons are updated to include the new information.
How do you enroll?
If this all sounds good, click the link below to be taken to the Cricut Academy website where you can purchase.
Conclusion
Not only has Cricut Academy covered every aspect of using whatever Cricut machine you own but it also has projects and tutorials, how to design your own cut files and how to sell the crafts you make with your Cricut.
This makes Cricut Academy the most comprehensive Cricut course in the market.
And with the added bonuses of a Facebook community, a monthly giveaway and free monthly cut files, this course pays for itself and beyond each month.
If you’re starting out with your new Cricut please check out Cricut Academy, you won’t regret it.
Have you already taken one the Hey, Let’s Cut Stuff Academy courses? Tell me about your experience in the comments below.
Want to learn about other Cricut courses?
Head over to my post on The Best Cricut Classes in 2021 where you’ll find options for both free and paid Cricut classes.