Gemma Jaleel tested the Cricut Joy compact smart cutting machine and snapped it up at a low price in the Black Friday deal.

For many years, I have been a closet craftsman, although not always able to complete a project.

I like the idea of ​​taking time to create something from scratch with my own hands, but I don't always have time and patience.

Let's put it this way-I have been knitting the same scarf for the past 15 years.

But I recently rekindled my love for making during the lockdown, and I found it to be very healing.

Therefore, when I was asked to comment on Cricut Joy, I was both excited and curious, because I have coveted this machine for nearly a year.

Described as "your DIY best friend", I have high hopes and hope that it can become the perfect crafting partner-I am not disappointed.

The machine is versatile, and you can make the most exquisite gifts, from personalized Christmas baubles, biscuits and socks to clothing, bags, labels, decals for household items, including bottles, cups, and more.

Cricut Joy comes with an installed blade, but it is easy to remove to replace a pen for writing items such as pantry labels. It also comes with standard cushions, you need to tailor the design, but if you buy "smart" products, you can cut them without a cushion.

You must also register your machine online with Cricut, and then download the application on your desktop, tablet or mobile phone to start production. Cricut provides a series of free projects and designs that you can customize in the "design space". You can also use the software to import your own designs for processing.

If you upgrade to Cricut Access (£7.49 a month or save £18 and pay £71.88 a year), you will have unlimited access to more than 200,000 images, more than 700 fonts, thousands of ready-made items, and unlimited use of collections .

If you plan to do some serious production, it is well worth it, but if you pay monthly and find that you are not using a subscription, you can cancel at any time and still have access to more than 1,000 images and more than 250 items.

Cricut holds free and paid online seminars, where I learned how to make my own Christmas cookies and design vinyl decals to transfer to my own Christmas stockings. Remember, when using iron vinyl, you also need a Cricut EasyPress, but they also come in mini versions and even mugs.

However, Cricut also has a YouTube channel with many tutorials, including how to make vinyl stickers, labels, T-shirts, birthday cards and even doormats. You can also find hundreds of tutorials from passionate craftsmen who have made some amazing works with this machine.

At the beginning, it was easy to fall into Cricut's pit and feel very overwhelmed, so I suggest joining some Cricut to make Facebook groups to get inspirational suggestions and ideas.

For people who have never used this type of equipment before, I think it is an ideal machine for beginners. If you feel more confident, Cricut also offers larger machines-Cricut Maker and Cricut Explore.

Don't get me wrong, this may be an expensive hobby, but once you get all the kits, you will find discounts and discounts on materials.

This will also provide an amazing gift for your cunning friends or family, or if you want to like one yourself, make sure to put it on Santa’s Christmas list!

Cricut Joy is currently priced at £179.99, but with Cricut’s Black Friday offer, you can enjoy a 40% discount and pay £109 from November 25.

Cricut Maker also has a 40% discount, currently priced at 229 pounds, starting from 379 pounds. There are also many bundles in which you can purchase machines containing materials.

Crafters can also enjoy a 40% discount on all Cricut consumables and accessories on November 25.

Other benefits starting from November 25th include:

Cricut Explore Air 2-£169, less than £259-save 35%

Cricut EasyPress 2 9x9-£99 £169.99-Save 40%

Cricut EasyPress 2 12x10-£129 £213.99-Save 40%

Flash Sale-Up to 40% discount on all Cricut consumables and accessories