September 2023

Recently, I had the joy of being invited to Silhouette Summit 2023 in Waikiki and I am so excited to bring you all the details on the Silhouette Curio 2. This one took our breath away! The Silhouette Curio 2 is one of four machines released in Fall 2023 by Silhouette.

WHAT IS THE CURIO 2?

The Curio 2 is the new version of the original Curio. The Curio 2 is one of four machines set to be released in 2023 by Silhouette. The other machines are the Portrait 4, Cameo 5, and Cameo 5 Plus.

The Curio 2 is unique and has a design unlike most cutting machines we’ve seen – it’s a flatbed! A flatbed cutting machine that does much more than just cut, it can emboss, engrave, foil, punch, stipple. Pretty cool. Some features require additional tools but overall this is a great cutting and engraving machine. The Curio 2 is the more expensive of the four machines, with a starting price point of $429.99. The machine is available to order now and in stock to ship to your home.

Let’s get back to the flatbed – when we first saw it, we immediately thought of a desktop laser but don’t get confused, this is not a laser cutter, this is a flatbed diecut machine that does not laser. There is no laser that will “fire up” in the Silhouette Curio 2. The Curio 2 uses blades and accessories to achieve its features. The Curio 2 like the original Curio is going to highlight it’s embossing and engraving capabilities so you can maximize your projects and not just “cut”.

WHAT DOES THE CURIO 2 DO

Guess what else is cool? Besides the Electrostatic mat (see below), the machine won’t cut and have your materials bang against the wall. The machine does not move, instead the cutting arm moves. Your materials stay stationary. When they did demos, for larger items they used a masking tape to keep thick materials, like a canvas or wood, in place.. Regardless, these materials won’t feed through the machine so they will stay in place.

The Curio 2 also has an automatic thickness detection in the software and the tool carriage adjusts its height or position according to the material on the base, so yup, you can cut some pretty thick stuff and don’t have to worry about measuring thickness and telling the machine.

As a note, the flatbed Curio 2 has a 20mm clearance. I saw them foiling journals, sketching on canvases, engraving acrylic, and writing on small wood pieces. They didn’t cut these materials but using the added tools you can accomplish some neat effects on the thicker materials. The tools are available to purchase later this fall and will be able to emboss, engrave, foil, punch, and sketch through the use of the Power Tool Carriage 2. These tools are not included with the machine but are optional add-ons.

What is included with the Curio 2? Included in this big ol’ Curio 2 box is your Curio 2, a power cord, the ES Bed (mat) 12×12, and the auto blade. The machine is bluetooth. Even though you don’t get a USB cord, the machine does have the option for one.

SHOULD I BUY THE CURIO 2?

The Curio 2 is a great buy. You can make your money back quickly if you’re a papercrafter. HTV will be limited since this is a 12×12 bed. I would recommend the Cameo 5 or Cameo 5 Plus if you’re making shirts.

Even though it’s more expensive than the other machines, let me explain why. Silhouette came out with brand new technology for their machines. The Curio 2 has all the technology with no need to buy extra parts so that really makes it shine!

Electrostatic “ES” Technology

This one is really going to change the game. This technology is patented and no more sticky mats y’all. The Electrostatic “ES” Technology is patented and creates a based powered by the cutting machine so that the static electricity holds the materials in place. You can cut thinner materials and more materials at once. Plus you can easily wipe away any leftover cuts without worrying about a sticky mat or losing stickiness over time. No curls, no tears, mess free!!!! ES is an add on for the Cameo 5, Cameo 5 Plus, and Portrait but standard with the Curio 2.

Intelligent Path Technology (IPT)

You know how it is to have your materials move all over the place when you’re cutting something on the mat? The IPT is a feature in Silhouette Studio you can select that will tell the software to cut your materials along the best path that keeps your materials in place and gives you the best and cleanest cut. We got a demo and were introduced to this feature but I haven’t played with it yet to know if this is something I recommed doing with a standard cutting mat.

Silhouette New Architecture (SNA)

SNA is Silhouette’s new look at their exisiting products and improving what was already great. We have new designs and quiet machines! Yes, quiet machines! WHOO HOO. The machines were running and I couldn’t even hear them.

I would recommend purchasing the Curio 2 because of the new technology and because your creativity can really be endless with the machine but just like with every brand new tech item, there may be some kinks to work out. I recommend really understanding the software and testing out some cuts before you put the Curio 2 into rotation for your business or hustle needs. That advice is for anything new you add to your craft room though!

WHERE CAN I PURCHASE THE CURIO 2?

Due to popular demand, the Curio 2 is limited to purchase right now BUT there are some in-stock. Grab yours here. These are available and in stock to ship to you today!

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. This commission is at no cost to you and helps us all so that I can keep us up to date on the new new craft stuff!

The CreateRoom Cubby, an efficient and effective storage solution to get you organized. Here’s my honest review.

Just as a disclosure: This post is in partnership with Create Room and contains affiliate links and a discount code for my community (you!). As y’all know, I only bring the real deal in crafting so this is an honest review and my own opinion. To save some money on your Cubby, use our exclusive code: COADSCUBBY.

Hey boo! Today I’m sharing a look into how I organized some of my craft supplies using the Cubby from Create Room.

You probably know Create Room because they make the epic DreamBox! I may not have a DreamBox yet, but this Cubby has sold me on anything Create Room makes. I’m excited to get the most out of my Cubby and add a DreamBox soon.

I don’t know about you but it’s hard to be creative when your craft room (or any space in your house!) is in chaos. I feel like a clean craft room reflects a clean mind, but let’s be honest – crafting is messy! Not only is crafting messy, crafting requires a lot of supplies. Some of those supplies are small and need organized. Keeping things tidy helps me be more efficient when I’m crafting because I can actually find stuff! Nothing worse than papercrafting and not being able to find your foam squares!

What comes with the DreamBox Cubby

The Cubby is a compact, storage system with multiple shelves and tote containers designed specifically for organizing all types of crafting materials. I’m talking about your Cricut or Silhouette tools, papercraft supplies, stamp needs, paper and vinyl! The totes can hold 12×12 paper – YASSSSSSSS…..!! Not only is it useful, it’s cute y’all. The totes are clear but you can add your personal touch to them – more on that later. So you’ll get a Cubby that measures 28×28.5×15. I ordered the white so that I could match it with more things based on my vision for my new craft room.

How is delivery for Create Room Cubby

Your Cubby is such a great size that the delivery person can drop your Cubby and Inview Totes off without any help from you. I went outside one day and there she was! At my front door. The Inview Totes came in their own box but I was able to lift both and bring them in. If heavy objects are an issue for you, you will need help bringing the Cubby inside. I wish I had known more about when the Cubby would be delivered because I would’ve met the delivery person at the door. I didn’t really receive any tracking updates so seeing it outside was a surprise. It came in about three weeks. Not bad, just wish I had known it was coming because it did rain that day!

Despite the rain – the packaging was intact and everything inside was just fine!

How to Assemble Create Room Cubby

Surprise surprise! The Cubby is actually easy to assemble. I assembled it myself based on the instructions included in the delivery but having another person help me would’ve made this way easier. I worked up a sweat and it took about a hour but if you’re used to putting together furniture and actually read the instructions (don’t be like me and just skim them!) you’ll probably get the Cubby assembled in under a hour. Once I took the time to read the instructions, I was moving and shaking. The Cubby comes with everything you need to put it together but you will need to have a drill and screwdriver on hand. Also will probably help to have a rubber mallet so you can make sure the sides are locked and tight. Don’t bang too hard!

I was sweating but super excited I assembled the Cubby on my own! Call me a CHAMP! The Cubby looked goodt and really had me ready to get organized. It may sound crazy, but I immediately felt at ease and thankful to have the Cubby because I knew some sense of order could be restored in my crazy craftroom!

How to organize Create Room Cubby

As I mentioned, the Cubby comes with Inview Totes. The Totes are clear so you can see everything you put in them and they say Create Room on one end. I was so excited to organize my Cubby that I didn’t even seperate my craft supplies. I just dove straight in. You may want to plan and prepare ahead but this worked for me. It worked for me because I knew the Cubby would be the best place for small supplies and 12×12 paper/vinyl. Yup! The Inview Totes can hold 12×12 paper. I know I said that before too but finding storage for 12×12 items soothes my soul.

Once I got my hodgepodge of items in the totes, I realized I didn’t like the way it looked anymore. Since the Cubby Inview Totes are clear, I could see everything in them. This is one reason you may want to think through what you’re putting in the mats but don’t worry because the tote liners saved me! They will save you too. I recommend having some 12×24 paper on hand for the larger Totes. I didn’t so my liners for the 12×12 storage totes are a little short but look at how much better that before and after is! I plan to cut some vinyl on my Silhouette Portrait and label the Totes so I know what’s in each one.

How freakin pretty right? I used a paper pad from Micheals and my Cricut Maker to cut out the liners. These colors match right up with the brand colors – on pointtttt! I also like how there’s room on top of the Cubby to fit my Silhouette Portrait (any desktop cutting machine) and some decor.

Let me know if you have any questions about the Create Room Cubby. I’m convinced I need a DreamBox2 now. I just can’t imagine how easy my craft life will be once everything in the room is organized. The Cubby is definitely a great start and product to keeping me organized completely. We deserve ease and soft life, remember that organization is a part of that.

To get your Cubby AND save $50, click here and use the code: COADSCUBBY!

SILHOUETTE CURIO 2 – EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CURIO 2

WHAT IS THE CURIO 2?

WHAT DOES THE CURIO 2 DO