Setting up a Cricut Explore Air 2
I have had other Cricut machines so I am familiar with how they work and how to set them up. I am going to take you through the steps I took to get my new Cricut Explore Air™ 2 machine working with my mac computer and the first project I made with my new machine.
The Mat
One mat comes with your new machine. Over time you will want more, but to get started, this will suit you well. I heard a tip online about labeling the clear cover. I have found this very handy and will show you in the video below.
Basic Tool Set
This set does not come with your machine but you may find it useful. All 5 tool can be stored on board your Cricut Explore Air™ 2 machine. One tool not included but you will want to purchase right away is the scoring tool.
scoring tool
Power Cords
There are two cords that come with your machine. You don't need both if you are working with blue tooth but I wouldn't discard it either. You never know when you may want it. The following video explains the difference between the two cords.
Starting up your machine
It is as easy as pushing a button. The machine makes a few noises while it adjusts its self but it doesn't take long at all to get started. Don't worry about the noise, it is normal. While doing so, take a look at the housing inside the machine. There is a section labeled A and B. B contains the cutting blade and it is already in place. Section A is where you will place pens for writing or the scoring tool. Both sides operate the same way with a lever that flips away from the center of the device.
Connecting Bluetooth
There is usually more than one way to get a job done and I found it here. I went ahead and connected Bluetooth through the setting on my computer instead of following the tutorial on the Cricut site. Thankfully both ways work and get the same end results. Watch both videos to see the difference.
Cutting and Scoring a Project
There are many files available through Cricut Access. Once you become familiar with working on your machine, you may branch out and find files on the internet that you are interested in making too. I tend to make my own files and the one I am working with today is one I made. It is a winter themed lantern.
Finishing up the Project
After the machine is finished, the arrow (load) button will flash. Push that button to remove the mat. Lift the paper from the mat. There are a variety of different ways to do this, I begin with the large unused paper. I then remove the project piece gently with patients. Once that is done, the remaining scraps can be easily removed with a scraper tool.
For this specific project, I need to fold on the score lines, attach a piece of tissue paper and glue the lantern together. You can get a basic grasp of this process in the video below and the finished photos.
Here are two pictures of different sides of the finished lantern. The battery operated flicker light is inside the lantern lighting up and through the tissue paper allowing the cut cardstock to appear as a silhouette.
I am happy to have worked with Cricut on this project.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
