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10 Fun Projects to Make with Your Cricut Explore Air 2

Written by: | Published: February 26, 2020 | Updated: May 30, 2023

If you love to create and craft, the Cricut Explore Air 2 is a must-have tool in your craft space. Here’s my list of favorite Cricut projects to make and what I love about this fantastic Cricut cutting machine! Take a look, browse tutorials, and let me know what you’d love to craft first.

Create with Cricut Explore Air 2 - project ideas you can make
Create with Cricut Explore Air 2 – project ideas you can make

Make all kinds of projects with Cricut Explore Air 2!

This first project is an example of the versatility the Cricut Air 2 offers when creating all kinds of projects. From customizing tote bags with the new Infusible Ink pens to creating personalized stationery and even cut-out printed stickers. The tools and materials together offer a wide array of creative options!

Make a custom tote bag and set of personalized stationery with your Cricut machine. Grab some infusible ink pens and create this one-of-a-kind gift for that special person in your life.

You can also create these note cards in just black and white to create coloring cards. Include colored pencils with the set for a fun activity for your recipient. There are so many possibilities and this Cricut project makes a great gift idea for all ages, too!

Easy Repeat and Layered Cuts

With the Cricut Explore Air 2, you can create your own paper-layered jewelry in no time. Cut identical pieces easily and quickly. I love to create charms and pendants by layering cut cardstock and Mod Podge.

It’s an easy way to create unique designs without requiring pro-level jewelry equipment. Plus, cardstock is an easy-to-find material the Air cuts with ease!

Use your Cricut to make your own pink ribbon jewelry charms. All you need is some cardstock and your Cricut, and you can create all sorts of gifts with this single cutting file.

The pink ribbon represents so much for many families whose lives have been touched by cancer. It is so dear to my own family, and I love that I can create a special keepsake to express love and support for friends and loved ones.

Perfect Personalizing

Easily customize any project. Whether you are making cards or gift tags, t-shirts or decor. The Air 2 can cut personalized designs that are perfect for customizing.

Handmade cards are easy to create with a Cricut Explore, and they make the best DIY gifts. This Mother’s Day (or any day), make Mom a Mother’s Day card that lets them know just how much you love them and how thankful you are for all that they do!

You can even personalize your project with Mom’s favorite colors and sentiments just from you. These are so easy to make, and she is sure to love it!

Cricut Explore Air 2 electronic cutting machines in black and light teal
Which color do you like best?

Party Hosting Help

With all the different events we host, decorating and prepping can take up half the time… shopping for it all is another big time-consuming activity. I love using my Cricut machine to create my own personalized decorations. I get to pick my own colors, designs, and even the materials and sizes. It makes hosting events even more fun and uniquely my own.

Be ready when Valentine’s Day rolls around to create these bright and cheery Valentine’s Day treat bags and tags with your Cricut.

These adorable goodie bags can be filled with all kinds of sweets and surprises to give to friends or family. You can also set up all the supplies for a fun group craft. Cut out individual letters and include them for a class party craft the kids will love to create!

Make pretty printable paper cut designs with your Cricut Explore Air 2
Make pretty printable paper-cut designs with your Cricut Explore Air 2

Need an easy gift idea? Learn how to make a decorative serving tray with a wood tray and vinyl cut designs.

This easy step-by-step tutorial will show you everything you need to create your own pretty serving tray with your Cricut Explore in just a few minutes.

Create pretty table accents for just about any occasion when you use your Cricut to cut out these gorgeous cut flowers.

This really is such a simple and fun project to make with your Cricut and would be great to use for spring, Easter, Mother’s Day… you name it!

Help Organizing

I like to think I’m an organized person. Really, if I didn’t have my lists and labels, I would be lost! I use my Cricut machine to help create stickers and labels for all the things.

I like to personalize with my own choice of fonts and phrases right in Cricut Design Space, and then my machine does all the rest. It’s magical!

I love making all kinds of stickers with my Cricut because I can print out the designs I want and the Cricut Explore Air 2 will cut around the shapes.

These planner stickers are custom die-cut stickers that I’ve personalized myself! Change up the text to say something different or change the font. You can also change the color of every sticker with ease!

Add Hand drawn Art

If you’ve been following me for a while, you already know I love… LOVE the Cricut pens. The details and designs you can create with any project are amazing, and the Cricut machine is the perfect companion for creating this line-art magic.

Add hand-drawn accents to your Cricut projects using the Cricut Explore Air 2,  Cricut pen and writing functions.

If you love the look of hand-drawn art, but don’t want to draw it yourself, let your Cricut Explore Air 2 do the work for you!

Make cute picnic invitations with hand-drawn picnic-themed doodles all with your Cricut Explore. I designed this picnic art so you can make original invitations without spending hours hand drawing or cutting for hours.

These picnic invitations are fun to create and easy to customize with your own color style.

This Guide for Writing and Drawing with your Cricut will show you everything you need to get started on your own designs. It is full of great tips and sound advice to make writing and drawing with your Cricut a simple process.

I often get asked about How To Use the Pen to Write Fonts with Cricut Explore. It might seem complicated or overwhelming, but using your Cricut machine and pen to write or draw is much easier than you might think.

What I love most is that you can pick the look, the color, and even the style of the pen you write with. Imagine how many ways you can customize a card or a special written message on your paper crafts!

Let’s Recap – Cricut Explore Air 2 Projects You Can Make

This Cricut Explore machine is an electronic cutting machine that can help you personalize a variety of Cricut project ideas. Combine this machine with the Cricut Access, and you’ll have countless hours of crafting ahead of you. There are so many different materials and types of projects you can make.

This is a great machine for beginner Cricut projects and a fun way to create projects for all of your friends and family members. Start with easy Cricut projects and work up to more advanced projects with different materials.

You won’t be able to cut the thicker materials, metal or leather with the Explore Air 2. But there are plenty of materials to make all kinds of fantastic projects!

Circut Explore Air 2 Project FAQs

What projects can you make with a Cricut Explore Air 2?

The Cricut Explore Air 2 can help you create more than just paper projects. You will be able to craft with adhesive vinyl, Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV), card stock, Infusible Ink and many other materials. Just about anything that can be personalized with these materials is a possible project to make with your Air 2.

Here are a few fun project types you can create with Cricut Explore Air 2.

Cricut Explore Air 2 Projects Ideas:

  • Stationery, greeting cards, and note cards
  • Stickers and Decals
  • Jewelry
  • Tote bags
  • Custom t-shirts and hoodies
  • Home Decor
  • Paper flowers
  • Handmade gifts
  • Coffee mugs, tumblers, and water bottles
  • Planner pages and stickers
  • Party decorations
  • Stencils

What do I need as a beginner with Cricut Explore Air 2?

To get started making projects with a Cricut Explore Air machine, you need the Cricut machineCricut Design Space software (the Cricut app used to layout projects), a cutting mat and a cutting blade (such at the fine point blade). All of this is included in the box.

Plus you’ll need material to cut and a project idea. It’s also helpful to have a weeding tool and some basic craft supplies like scissors, glue, etc. Read more about the steps to make a Cricut project

Can you use wood on Cricut Explore Air 2?

You can make wood projects with this machine. You will need Deep Cut Blade, a strong grip mat and thin, craft wood-like balsawood.

Can you engrave with Cricut Explore Air 2?

The Explore series machines can engrave some materials with the help of 3rd party engraving blade. I have not tried it personally, but my friend Angie has a great tutorial explaining how to engrave with the Cricut Explore machine.

Can Cricut Explore Air 2 make stickers?

Yes! All of the Cricut machines can cut sticker material such as sticker paper and printable vinyl. The Cricut Explore Air series machines can also use the print-then-cut function to make custom-printed stickers with a die-cut shape.

Do I need a printer to use a Cricut Explore Air 2?

No, you can make a variety of projects with your Cricut without using a printer. Create custom t-shirts, greeting cards, mugs, and more. However, you will need a printer to make print-then-cut projects with your Cricut.

Can I make nail stickers with my Cricut?

You can definitely make nail stickers with your Cricut. I have a number of nail art tutorials using a Cricut to show you how.

Is Cricut Explore Air 2 outdated?

Absolutely not! The Cricut Explore 2 is still very useful and relevant. The Explore Air 2 works perfectly with Cricut Design Space and with most Cricut materials.

The biggest difference between the 2 and 3 machines is the ability to cut Smart materials, which are intended for different machines like the newer Cricut Maker 3, Explore Air 3 and Cricut Joy.

However, you can use some of the Smart materials with an Explore Air 2 and a cutting mat similar to other cutting materials.

Shop Cricut Explore Air 2 machines and supplies at Cricut.com

The Cricut Explore Air 2 is the perfect size for any craft room and you can make such amazing things with it!

One of my favorite things about this machine is all the fun colors to choose from. My goto is one of the black machines.

Get great prices on Cricut Explore Air and other machines

More Cricut Project Inspiration

The following articles provide tips and tricks along with inspiration to help you create more amazing projects with your Cricut Explore Air 2.

Project ideas you can make with Cricut Explore Air 2
Project ideas you can make with Cricut Explore Air 2
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Jen is Passionate about Creativity. She is the owner and "doodle in charge" of JGoode Designs, a Denver based design studio. She is an illustrator, mixed media artist and creative lifestyle blogger. Jen has been a creative professional since 1998 but says she's been an artist since she was old enough to eat glue.

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