Crafts

Picture Frame Flower Box: a Mother’s Day Gift DIY

April 26, 2024 by Bre 5 Comments

Looking for a sweet and sentimental Mother’s Day gift DIY project? Try this easy DIY picture frame flower box!

This DIY picture frame flower box craft is SO cute! And because it’s a bit sentimental, I think it’s a great DIY Mother’s Day gift.

But . . . it’s definitely NOT limited to Mother’s Day.

You could make this for anyone at any time. 🙂

Now that we have that disclaimer out of the way, let me fill you in on how you can make this adorable picture frame vase. Best part? The supplies are SO inexpensive! They’re all from Dollar Tree!

Use Dollar Tree wood bead picture frames or other 4x4 picture frames to create a DIY flower box. This picture frame vase is a wonderful Mother's Day gift DIY project!

Supplies Needed to Make a Picture Frame Flower Box

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure policy or more information.

Four, 4×4 picture frames
Wood box
Vase
Hot glue gun
Lazy Susan (optional but amazing)
Pictures
Flowers

How to Make a DIY Picture Frame Flower Box as a Mother’s Day DIY Gift

Start by removing the stand or flap on the back of each picture frame.

Then, hot glue one of the frames to the front of the wood box. If you buy the same box I used, they come in a set of three (like nesting boxes), and you’ll use the largest of the three boxes.

Next, glue a frame to the outside edge of that first frame. This second frame will not touch the wood box (if you’re using the same box I did). None of the other frames will touch that box – just the first frame!

Continue gluing the frames together until you’ve formed a cube.

Love Dollar Tree Crafts? I Bet You’ll Also Like These Dollar Tree Projects!

Now you can insert some special photos, and then – if you’re extra – glue a lazy susan or turntable to the bottom so that it can spin. Mom will love turning her photo cube planter to see the special photos!

Want to see it spin? Check it out in this Instagram Reel!

Finally, place the vase into the wood box.

Fill it with flowers and present this as a beautiful and sentimental Mother’s Day gift!

I also think photo flower boxes like this could be beautiful centerpieces at things like bridal showers, weddings, milestone birthday parties, and more!

Which Craft Laser Cutter is Best? A Comparison of Glowforge Aura and xTool M1

October 19, 2023 by Bre 2 Comments

Thinking about purchasing a craft laser cutter? Here’s a thorough comparison of the Glowforge Aura and xTool M1: both laser cutters that I own.

I am so fortunate because I own both the Glowforge Aura Craft Laser and xTool M1 Laser Engraver. #HappyCrafter I am.

I was gifted both of these lasers (by Glowforge and xTool, respectively), but I want you to know that neither company has sponsored this post and that all opinions I share are my own.

These are expensive pieces of equipment, and I want you to be able to make the best purchasing decision possible! So, read on and feel free to ask any questions in the comments!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

What are the Glowforge Aura and xTool M1?

If you’re not familiar with these machines, both the Glowforge Aura and xTool M1 are laser machines that let you cut, engrave, and score many types of materials.

They’re different from electronic cutting machines like a Cricut, for example, because they don’t use a blade (*except for certain materials in the xTool M1 – more on that later), but instead cut, engrave, and score with a laser.

This means you don’t need any sticky cutting mats or blade replacements (unless you use the blade feature of the M1 – again, more on that later!).

Using a laser, as opposed to a blade, leads to cleaner cuts, the ability to cut more intricate designs, and the ability to work with materials a blade cannot always accommodate (like leather, wood, and acrylic, for example).

Both of these laser cutters open up a huge realm of possibility for crafters and small business owners. There are so many ways to expand crafting capabilities with these types of machines!

Comparison of xTool M1 and Glowforge Aura

I thought long and hard about the information I’d want to know if I were deciding which craft laser to purchase, and I’ve written about all of those factors in this post. If there’s something you’re wondering about that’s not included, please comment at the bottom!

What’s the price of the Glowforge Aura and the xTool M1?

At the time of publication (October 2023), the Glowforge Aura retails for $1199. The Personal Air Filter (which I HIGHLY recommend purchasing), is an additional $399.99. This brings the total cost for Glowforge equipment to $1598.99.

The xTool M1 retails for less at $1099. But, the xTool Smoke Purifier (which I also recommend you buy – just as is the case with the Aura), is an additional $799. This brings the total cost of xTool M1 equipment to $1898.

Is a filter required for the Aura or the M1?

Neither the Aura nor the M1 requires use of a separate filtering device, AS LONG AS YOU PROPERLY VENT the machines out of a window and/or use them outside.

In my opinion, it’s easier said than done to properly vent out of a window. I tried that with the xTool M1 for awhile (you can read more about that in the post about my experience with the xTool M1). Not only was it very energy inefficient for my home, but the smell of burning wood lingered inside, even with the window open.

If you choose to vent either of these machines out of a window, I recommend checking their community groups (on Facebook, for example), for proven ways to properly vent and fan the devices.

If you’re able to buy the Personal Air Filter for the Glowforge Aura or the Smoke Purifier for the xTool, I recommend doing that instead.

What type of laser is the Glowforge Aura and the xTool M1?

Here we’re entering the scientific portion of our program. Wink wink. You may not think the type of laser matters to you, but it should because it can impact the types of materials you can cut and what you’re able to do with your craft laser.

The Glowforge Aura uses a 6-watt diode laser. This is different from the other Glowforge models, which use much more powerful 40-watt and 45-watt C02 lasers.

Similarly, the xTool M1 also uses a diode laser, but it is higher wattage at 10-watts. This means it should have faster cutting and engraving times, and be more efficient than the Aura.

Importantly, for both the Aura and M1, because they are diode lasers there are limitations on the colors or types of acrylic that can be used. Diode lasers cannot cut or engrave blue acrylic or clear acrylic, and generally, dark and opaque acrylic colors work best.

While there are some tricks for cutting translucent, blue, clear, and/or light acrylics with diode lasers, those are not foolproof. So, just be aware of this!

What materials work with Aura and M1 craft laser?

With that understanding of how diode lasers work with acrylic, it’s important to know that both Aura and M1 can cut a wide variety of materials that every crafter will find useful!

Popular Materials Compatible With These Craft Lasers

This is not an exhaustive list, but it will give you a great idea of the most popular types of materials that are compatible with both Glowforge Aura and xTool M1:

wood
acrylic (certain colors and thicknesses)
laser-safe vinyl (for cutting with the laser function); regular vinyl (ONLY XTool M1 when using the blade function)
leather (must be laser-safe vinyl)
slate (engrave only)
paper materials (cardboard, cardstock)
felt
metal (certain types for engraving only)

You can find a more thorough list of Aura-compatible materials on the product landing page, and a more complete list of M1-compatible materials on its product landing page (you have to scroll down a lot).

Material Thickness

The Aura is able to cut materials up to 1/4″ thick. It can engrave materials up to 3/4″ high. And finally, it can fit materials measuring 12″ x 12″ inside the machine. Aura’s passthrough slot lets you work with materials that are longer than that, though, which is a huge asset to this small machine.

The M1 is able to cut materials up to 8mm in thickness (which is just over 1/4″ thick). As for engraving, I cannot find an official measurement anywhere as to the maximum height the M1 can accommodate for engraving! I did find that if you add the optional Riser Base you can engrave materials up to 120 mm high (which is around 4.7 inches). Finally, the M1 can fit materials measuring 385 mm x 300 mm inside the machine (which is approximately 15″ x 12″).

Cylindrical and Spherical Objects

If engraving objects like tumblers, rings, balls, and rolling pins (among others!), is important for you, only the xTool M1 is able to do that (not the Glowforge Aura). However, you must purchase the xTool RA2 Pro attachment separately (retails at $319 at time of publication), to have that capability.

What software is compatible with Glowforge Aura and xTool M1?

Both the Aura and the M1 use their companies’ respective software or apps.

Glowforge Aura works with the Glowforge App, which is not actually an app you download on your device, but instead is accessed through the internet. There are two versions: free and premium.

The Premium Glowforge app is $50 per month or $239 per year, and gives you extra features like unlimited design storage, faster processing times, thousands of free designs in the Glowforge catalog, DXF file processing, and 20% off Proofgrade materials. (Proofgrade materials are Glowforge’s premium quality materials that are guaranteed to work with Glowforge models. The cut, engrave, or score settings automatically populate when using these materials, which makes them incredibly user-friendly.)

The free version of the app does not have as many bells and whistles. It also does not allow you to store your projects in the app (which means you’ll need to store files in the cloud or on your computer), and limits you to file sizes under 100k. This can be frustrating, especially for people who are not tech-savvy. If this is you, I recommend the Premium subscription for Aura. You will want to add that extra cost into your pros and cons list!

As for xTool M1, there is only one level of software and it is free! xTool Creative Space doesn’t offer upgrades like Glowforge Premium does (for example, faster processing), but you can do all of the same things if you have the tech know-how. Unlike Glowforge, xTool Creative Space is an actual app you download to your device.

How large are these craft lasers?

In my opinion, one of the big benefits of both the Aura and the M1 is their smaller size. They are much less intrusive than larger laser cutters! Glowforge even goes so far as to call the Aura “portable” – but it’s not like you’d pack it in your purse and take it somewhere.

To give you some reference, I store my xTool M1 in a small closet, and I store the Glowforge Aura in a little nook next to a desk. Both laser cutters fit perfectly on this rolling craft cart (to be clear: I have a cart for each tool; two carts total).

The Glowforge Aura measures 20.5 x 22 x 5 inches and weighs 21 pounds.

The xTool M1 measures 22 x 18 x 9 inches and weighs 21.6 pounds.

Comparison Chart of Glowforge Aura & xTool M1

This is my first time making a chart like this on my blog! I hope it helps to see the comparison of these craft lasers in a scannable format.

	Glowforge Aura	xTool M1
Laser Price (at publication)	$1,199 USD	$1,099 USD
Optional Filter or Purifier Price (at publication)	$399.99	$799
Software Price	$0 for regular / $50 per month or $239 per year for premium	$0
Laser Type	Diode	Diode
Wattage / Power	6 watts	10 watts
Warranty	12 months standard. Unclear if extended warranty available for Aura.	12 months standard. Extended warranty (xTool Care) available for $89.99
Materials Differences	Only laser-safe vinyl	All vinyl when blade function is used
Ability to Engrave Cylindrical & Spherical Objects (like tumblers & rings)	No	Yes when additional RA2 Pro product is purchased ($319)
Machine Sizes	20.5 x 22 x 5 inches	22 x 18 x 9 inches
Inner Working Area	12″ x 12″	approximately 15″ x 12″
Cut Thickness	Up to 1/4″ thick	Up to 8mm (just over 1/4″) thick

Which Craft Laser is Best? Glowforge Aura or xTool M1

After working with both of these craft lasers for months and writing this post (which was a lot of work!), here’s my final decision: the best craft laser is the one that’s best for YOU.

I know, I know – you may be thinking that’s a cop out. But it’s the truth. You need to weigh the factors set out above and do your research, and decide which of these machines makes the most sense for your needs and/or wants.

For example, if you must have the ability to engrave cylindrical or spherical objects, then you should purchase the xTool M1 (and the RA2 Pro attachment). If you want to have the ability to work with longer objects, you should purchase the Glowforge Aura because of the passthrough feature.

Here’s one thing I’ll tell you though: don’t stress about it too much. I love both the Glowforge Aura and the xTool M1, and I don’t think you’d be disappointed with either if you do your research. Both companies offer great support if you have a problem, and the user communities are strong in forums like Facebook.

Thanks for reading my thoughts on these laser cutters, and please don’t hesitate to leave any comments or ask any questions!

Dollar Store DIY Pumpkin Topiary

September 11, 2023 by Bre 6 Comments

Get ready for the autumn season with a beautiful DIY stacked pumpkin topiary.

A piece of fall decor that I’ve always admired is a pumpkin topiary. I love the way stacked pumpkins look when added to a pretty planter on a front porch, or when displayed on a cozy fireplace hearth.

On a recent trip to Dollar Tree I spotted a set of plastic stacking pumpkins in the “Plus” section, and I knew I had to have them! My dreams of a pretty pumpkin topiary were within reach!

(Sidenote: do you have Dollar Tree Plus in your store yet? In mine it’s essentially one aisle of higher-priced items (in the $3-$10 range). They seem to have a lot of seasonal decor, home organization, and crafting items in the “Plus” section. It’s also online.)

These faux pumpkins were quite plastic-looking and not realistic at all (hello, candy corn colors!). But, for $5 I decided to see what I could do to make it work. Let me show you!

Update: In 2025 these Dollar Tree stacked pumpkins are in-store at a price of $7.

Supplies Used to Make a DIY Pumpkin Topiary

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Here are the materials I used to create the DIY stacked pumpkin topiary as shown in this post. I purchased most of the materials in-store at Dollar Tree, but have linked similar online versions for your convenience. Feel free to substitute items to make this project your own!

Stacking pumpkins (from Dollar Tree)
Terracotta spray paint (the brand I used is out of stock; linked spray paint is similar)
Brown acrylic paint and paint brush
Faux leaves
Faux sunflowers
High-temperature hot glue gun and hot glue

How to Make Stacked Pumpkin Topiaries for Indoors or Outdoors

This project came together so quickly that I was able to make it in between soccer games one Saturday. How great is that? Practically instant fall decor!

Step One: Spray Paint the Pumpkins

As I mentioned, these Dollar Tree Plus plastic pumpkins are quite fake-looking. To combat that and give them a more natural look, I spray painted them in a traditional fall color: orange.

I used flat spray paint in a terracotta shade, that was suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Make sure to choose a spray paint that works outdoors if you plan to display your topiary outside!

Two coats of paint later and the candy corn color scheme was gone. Yay!

CHECK OUT DOLLAR TREE’S 2025 NEW MINI STACKED PUMPKINS AND THE MAKEOVER I GAVE THEM!

Step Two: Add Detail with Brown Paint

As with anything spray painted a solid color, the pumpkins looked a little flat in their solid terracotta color.

To help fix that, I decided to add some detailing using brown craft paint. I used a pared down version of the technique I shared for how to make fake pumpkins look real, and this went a long way to improving the appearance of these plastic pumpkins.

I also painted the stem brown, as it had gotten a heavy coat of terracotta spray paint in step one.

Step Three: Embellish the Pumpkins with Fall Decorations Like Fall Leaves and Faux Flowers

These particular pumpkins fit together nicely and did not require any modifications for stacking. So, the only thing left to do was dress them up a bit and make them even cuter.

I cut apart stems of fake fall leaves (in cream shades) and fake flowers (cream sunflowers), and used extraordinarily hot hot glue to fasten them to the stacked pumpkin topiary.

If you don’t have a hot glue gun that gets to a VERY high temperature, I recommend using a glue like E6000 to fasten your fall embellishments, because regular hot glue will not work well for attaching anything to the plastic pumpkins.

Step Four (Optional): Add Weight Inside the Bottom Pumpkin

This pumpkin topiary is pretty lightweight, so if you plan to display it outside, you should add rocks or something heavy inside the bottom pumpkin. This will keep it from blowing away.

***

That’s where I finished my DIY pumpkin topiary project, and I love how it turned out! Some other things I’d like to add to it eventually are grapevine and perhaps some twinkling fairy lights. Wouldn’t those look beautiful on it, too?

I plan to put this on my front porch once I get my fall decorating underway out there. Where would you display a stacked pumpkin topiary?

DIY Wood Block Craft: Create Your Own Picture Holder

June 7, 2023 by Bre 2 Comments

Unfinished wood blocks are full of craft potential! Learn how to make a picture holder or picture frame with this wood block craft project.

Whether you buy unfinished wooden blocks at the craft store, Dollar Tree, or make your own cubes with scrap wood, you can create this simple project!

Turning wood blocks into personalized photo holders or printable holders is not only fun, but it’s also so easy to do.

In this tutorial I will show you how to make your own version of this simple wood block craft, which is a great project to do with the kids or to use as a handmade gift idea.

DIY Wood Block Photo Holder Supplies List

These are the basic supplies I used to create the wood block picture holder shown in this post. Some of the links are affiliate links, and you can read my disclosure policy for more information on that.

Unfinished wood block (I purchased this craft wood cube at Dollar Tree. Craft stores also sell wooden blocks, and you can make your own with scrap wood, too.)
Hand saw and miter box (you could also use power tools, like a miter saw, if you’re so inclined)
Ruler and pencil
Acrylic craft paint, water, and a paintbrush
Scrapbook paper
Mod Podge and a paintbrush

There are so many ways to personalize this project to suit your style! Other supplies you could use include rubber stamps, stickers, rub on transfers, vinyl, ribbon, napkins or tissue paper (for decoupage), 3D embellishments, and more.

How to Make a Wood Cube Picture Holder

Although this is one of the easiest projects you’ll ever do, step by step instructions may help! So, here we go!

First, draw a straight line across the top of the wood block. This is where you’ll create the slot for the picture or printable to go. I drew the line about 2/3 of the way back, but you could really place it wherever you like.

Next, fasten the block into a miter box and saw along the line you drew. Don’t saw too deep – you need just enough of a slit that the picture can stand upright in the block, but you don’t want it so deep that the picture rests too far into the block (obstructing the picture’s visibility).

With that slit in place, it’s time to customize the photo holder! As I mentioned before, you can do this part however you like!

I created a faux stain by watering down craft paint and brushing that over the entire cube.

Once the whole thing was painted, I cut scraps of floral paper into little pieces. I then put a thin layer of Mod Podge on the back of that paper and pressed it onto the wood block.

Looking for Other DIY Picture Frame Ideas?

After about twenty minutes, I covered the top of the paper with another thin layer of Mod Podge. This seals that paper in place and helps make sure it won’t come off!

And with that, my adorable wood block photo holder was complete.

It looks great with a regular photo in it . . .

and even holding a free printable for my Fourth of July decor! (It’s a vintage sheet music cover printable. I have a set of six available in that linked blog post if you want them!)

Now, after I made this, I realized these would also be great for wedding table numbers, place card holders, and they would even make great centerpieces with a dinner menu propped inside. So, you’re not limited to photo holder wood block crafts by any stretch of the imagination!

I hope you enjoyed this creative wood block craft idea. Please let me know in the comments what you think and if you have any questions!

DIY Ribbon Holder Tutorial: a Simple Ribbon Rack

April 3, 2023 by Bre 4 Comments

Looking for an effective way to organize ribbon? Make this DIY Ribbon Holder and get your ribbon stash in order!

Confession: my ribbon storage used to consist of a box where I’d throw ribbon spools and ribbon scraps alike.

It was a jumbled mess and almost impossible to find what I needed for any given project. I was like an animal burrowing in the dirt in that ribbon box! Imagine wild tails of ribbon flying everywhere in my craft room. What a disaster!

When I was given a large quantity of beautiful craft ribbon recently, I knew this had to change! I needed an effective ribbon storage organizer: something more sophisticated than my janky box.

But to my surprise, the ribbon organizers available at craft stores were too small, and the ribbon storage racks available online were too expensive. No thank you!

Since nothing pre-made seemed to meet my needs, I knew I needed to take matters into my own hands. As a result, I came up with this DIY Ribbon Storage Rack, which has given me an amazing way to store ribbon and keep my craft area tidy!

Let me show you how you can keep your ribbon organized, too!

DIY Ribbon Organizer Supplies

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

These are the exact supplies I used to make the ribbon holder as shown in this post. Feel free to modify to make this project your own!

Wooden dowels (I used two 3/16″ dowel rods and one 5/16″ dowel. Note that these are the long dowels purchased from home improvement stores; not the short dowels you purchase at a craft store. Also, before purchasing dowels, it will be helpful if you look at your ribbon collection to find the spools with the largest center holes and the smallest center holes. Purchase dowels that fit both sizes to accommodate your collection.)
1″ x 2″ common board (I cut one board into six pieces that are each approximately 3″ long)
Circular saw or hand saw (or have the boards and dowels cut at the home improvement store)
#6 Zinc screw eye hooks (I used 8 total: 6 with the 3/16″ wooden dowels and 2 with the 5/16″ dowel)
Command Picture Hanging Strips (12 pound rating or more)
Recommended: Electric drill
Optional: paint

How to Make a DIY Ribbon Holder or Ribbon Rack

This wall mounted ribbon storage goes together so quickly and easily that I know you’re going to wish you made one for your ribbon collection sooner!

Step One: Measure and Cut

The first step is to determine how much space you have for your ribbon organizer. Measure the wall space, and then cut the dowels to fit within the width of that space.

It’s very easy to cut the dowels with a hand saw, so you don’t need to use power tools for this part!

Next, cut the common board into 3″ pieces. I needed eight three-inch pieces (“blocks”) to make the ribbon storage shown in this post (three rows of ribbon storage).

The thinner 3/16″ dowels required three blocks each, while the 5/16″ dowel only needed two.

I used my circular saw to cut the board, and I wasn’t overly precise in my cuts. If you want the blocks to be perfectly straight, it may be better to use a hand saw in a miter box (tedious) or a miter saw.

Note: if you want to paint your DIY ribbon organizer, do it now – before you hang it on the wall! That might sound obvious, but I didn’t paint at first, and only after I had it on the wall did I decide to paint the wooden blocks. That was dumb.

Step Two: Attach Screw Eye Hooks to the Wooden Blocks

Next, I drilled a small pilot hole in the middle of each wooden block, and was careful not to drill all the way through.

Then I screwed a screw eye hook into each of the blocks, making sure the screw hooks were straight up and down on each block.

Note that I did not screw them all the way into the blocks – it is actually good to have them sticking off the block as much as possible. The more space you have between the dowel and the wall, the easier it will be for the ribbon spools to spin when needed.

Step Three: Fasten the Wooden Blocks to the Wall

Instead of anchoring the blocks to the wall, I decided to use Command Picture Hanging Strips, which are one of my favorite inventions of all time. Not only do I love them because they don’t damage the wall, but they also make it really easy to get things like this level! You can readjust them easily until you get it just right, which is wonderful for a (sometimes) inaccurate person like me!

Anyway, I used the 12 pound Command Picture Hanging Strips, and mounted two on the wall; putting them at a distance that the 5/16″ dowel could rest in the screw hooks with a little bit of overhang on each side.

I put some of the largest ribbon spools onto the dowel, and then used that sizing to determine how far down to hang the next set of wooden blocks and corresponding dowel.

The next two rows were for the skinner dowels, which cannot accommodate as much weight without sagging, so I placed an additional block with hook in the center for each of the 3/16″ dowels (not pictured above!).

Step Four: Place the Ribbon Spools Onto the Ribbon Rack

Finally, slide one end of the dowel out of the screw hook, and place the spools of ribbon onto the new ribbon rack!

Ribbon spools with large center holes fit best on the wider dowel, whereas ribbon rolls with smaller center holes fit best on the skinnier dowels.

This inexpensive but effective method for storing ribbon has made my craft table work area so much neater! And, it’s so much easier to find what I need! (I even found ribbon that I know is from 2103! I used it to make this DIY Ribbon Chandelier!)

How to Organize Ribbon Scraps

While the DIY ribbon storage organizer has solved the problem of what to do with all those spools of ribbon, you might be wondering what I did with the previously mentioned ribbon scraps.

Obviously they can’t hang on the rods like the spools!

Well, my “janky” old ribbon box is still being used, but in a much more effective way now!

I’ve grouped types of ribbon or string and put them into Ziploc bags within the box. But another creative idea for DIY ribbon storage of scraps is to wrap them around cardboard scraps. Store them in old shoe boxes or plastic storage containers.

More Ribbon Storage Organizers

Okay, if my DIY ribbon storage ideas aren’t for you, maybe you’d benefit from a premade or store-bought ribbon organizer! Just because those didn’t work for me doesn’t mean they won’t be a perfect solution for you.

Here are some of the best ribbon storage options I’ve found for your craft room! Click any picture to shop.

Comment below with any questions about my DIY Ribbon Storage Rack! I’m always happy to help.

10 Reasons Crafters Will Love the xTool M1 Laser and Blade Cutter

January 12, 2023 by Bre 6 Comments

As a lifelong crafter and DIY’er, I’ve been amazed at the proliferation of craft technology products in recent years.

And to be honest, I’ve been slow to embrace such machines. I took a strange pride in using craft tech only when absolutely necessary.

However, I was given the chance to review the xTool M1 Laser Engraver and Cutter, and I couldn’t pass it up. It looked way too cool not to!

Thank you to xTool for giving me the products featured in this post. The projects and opinions expressed herein are all my own. Also, this post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

This all-in-one machine is a PERFECT size and scope for crafters, hobbyists, and small business owners, and it has so many amazing features. I can’t wait to show you my favorites!

What is the xTool M1?

The xTool M1 is an enclosed hybrid laser and blade cutting machine that cuts, engraves, etches, and scores a multitude of materials. (And by multitude, I mean like over 300 materials!)

Think of it as a Cricut machine x100.

I’ve been testing and experimenting with the machine over the past several weeks, and I can’t say enough about its capabilities.

How User-Friendly is this Laser Cutter and Engraver?

To me, this laser cutter and engraver was simple to set up and is intuitive to use.

I’m not sure if I missed something, but I didn’t locate any type of comprehensive beginner guide on how to use all of the features though. That was surprising to me.

In order to learn best practices for cutting and engraving specific materials, I turned to YouTube and Google. Creators with project tutorials have been the best way of learning – for me at least!

Expect there to be trial and error. You will make mistakes. That is the best way of learning though!

What are the Benefits of the xTool M1?

There are so many benefits of the xTool M1, and I’m going to tell you about my favorites.

As I continue to work with the machine and make more difficult projects, I will update this review.

1. Setup is Easy

When the M1 arrived on my doorstep, I was a little intimidated. The box was huge!

The hardest part of setup was getting the machine out of the box. Let’s just say that xTool has the efficient packing down to a science.

Once I actually got to the product, within ten minutes I had the whole thing set up. All you have to do is attach the ventilation tube, plug in the outlet, and plug in the USB cable to the back of the M1.

2. The xTool M1 Works With Over 300 Materials

Okay, as I mentioned above, this laser machine is able to cut and engrave just about any material you could want or need!

I won’t list the 300+ items here, but instead, I’ll give you the highlights (you’re welcome):

Wood (basswood and more): cut and engrave
Metal: engrave (very thin stainless steel may be cut)
Leather: cut and engrave
Colored Acrylic (clear requires modifications): cut and engrave
Vinyl: cut
Paper: cut
Rubber: cut and engrave
Rock: engrave
Cardboard: cut
Fabric: cut

Because it works on so many materials, and because it can cut, engrave, and score, the M1 could replace any other craft technology you have or want. Let that sink in.

Plus, you can purchase materials and materials bundles right from xTool, which ensures they’ll work perfectly with the laser and blade cutter.

3. The List of Materials You Can’t Use with xTool M1 is Small

And, the list of materials you cannot laser cut with the xTool M1 is small. I don’t even know what half of these items are, so I don’t think it’s hard to avoid using them!

According to xTool, some of the materials you should not laser cut or laser engrave with the xTool M1 include:

PVC
Polycarbonate
ABS
Polystyrene and Polypropylene Foam
HDPE
Coated Carbon Fiber

Again, these aren’t your everyday craft store items, so these materials don’t limit your ability to use the laser cutter in any way of import. (NOTE: this list is for the laser cutter; not the blade cutting feature.)

4. The Project Possibilities are Endless with xTool M1

I can’t adequately express how there is no limit to what you can make with the M1 laser cutter and engraver. Seriously, and as cliche as this sounds, you’re only limited by the extent of your imagination!

For my first project, I engraved a slate coaster with the logo of my husband’s favorite team and his name. He doesn’t usually get excited about my projects, but he loved this!

After that, I upped the ante and moved on to cutting and engraving wood. I made an adorable wood gift card holder. I colored it in with paint markers and couldn’t believe how cute it was.

Then I used the blade cutting feature to cut a glossy red acrylic sheet and translucent acrylic sheet into hearts to make super cute Valentine’s Day Lights.

But there’s so much more that I want to make!

I’m especially excited to engrave photos onto objects (YES, you can do that!), and engrave my own handwriting (or loved ones’ handwriting) onto things. That is so cool!

I will continue to update this list as I make more projects with my hybrid laser cutter engraver.

5. The Rotary Attachment Lets You Engrave Curved Surfaces

One amazing feature of the xTool M1 is that you aren’t limited to cutting and engraving flat surfaces.

With the Rotary Attachment, RA2 Pro, you can also engrave curved surfaces like tumblers, coffee cups, wine glasses, and more!

I haven’t used the rotary engraver yet, but I will update this post when I do.

Learn more and shop all xTool products in their online store! Save 10% with code ABI10!

6. You Can Use the M1 Indoors or Outdoors

As with all laser cutters and engravers, you must properly vent the machine when using the laser feature (not the blade cut feature). Laser cutters give off fumes that need to be released outside – not trapped indoors!

The xTool M1 can be vented right out of a window, which means that it can be used indoors or outside.

When I use the machine, I open the window and point the attached ventilation tube to the outside. If it’s very cold (I live in Wisconsin, so it’s usually very cold!), I stuff a blanket around the tube to keep as much of the cold air out of my house as possible.

I also run my air purifier for extra odor and fume removal, but having an air purifier isn’t necessary.

I have seen more permanent solutions where people use plywood to fill in the window area around the ventilation tube. This is similar to when people put window unit air conditioners in their homes.

And, if this sounds like too much trouble, xTool has introduced the Smoke Purifier product, which lets you attach the M1 ventilation tube to the Smoke Purifier for proper ventilation! That means you don’t have to vent it out a window!

The fact that you aren’t limited to using the M1 outside is really wonderful. I know that I, for one, would not like working in my garage in the winter!

7. You Can Easily Store the xTool M1

My craft area is in a corner of my basement where I don’t have a window nearby.

Because of that, I purchased this rolling cart to hold my laser cutting machine. It’s amazing because the xTool M1 sits on the top of the cart, and then the laser cutting accessories (like the RA2 Pro rotary attachment, the triangular prisms used to elevate items being cut, and the XTool M1 Premium Materials Box), fit in the drawers beneath.

I keep the machine in my home office, and roll it out of the closet up to the window when I’m ready to use it.

It stays out of sight when I don’t need it, and is easily accessible when I do. That is absolutely wonderful for a hobby laser cutter you’re not using every day; you don’t need it to be out on display all the time.

8. The Included Laser Engraver Software, Creative Space, is Easy to Use

A wonderful thing about the xTool laser products is that they work with xTool’s free laser engraver software, Creative Space. You don’t have to purchase any additional software if you don’t want to!

If you’ve ever used a Cricut or Silhouette machine, you’ll find Creative Space similar to those vinyl cutter’s design software.

Also, I was surprised that Creative Space uses the same types of files for cutting and engraving as is used for cutting vinyl; namely .svg files. There are tons of options for free cut files online, and for more advanced project files on places like Etsy.

My favorite thing in working with the Creative Space software is that the M1’s built-in camera allows the exact material you’re working with to show up on screen. This makes it foolproof to line up your design exactly right on the object (especially if it’s scrap material!).

The one drawback I’ve identified so far is that the software’s estimated time for projects is totally off. It always takes much longer for the machine to complete a project than it says it will.

9. The M1 is a Wonderful Glowforge Alternative

Being in the craft and DIY space, I’ve heard a lot about Glowforge over the years. (Glowforge is a very popular laser cutter and engraving machine. They invest a lot in marketing.)

At one point I considered buying one, but the steep price was a barrier. At the time of writing this article, Glowforge machines range in price from $3,995 for the basic model to $6,995 for the pro model.

Since publication, Glowforge has introduced the Glowforge Aura, which is most comparable in price and function to the xTool M1. You can read my complete comparison of Glowforge Aura and xTool M1 for more information on these two machines.

Note that none of the Glowforge machines features a blade cutter like the xTool M1. That means that the Glowforge cannot cut as many materials as easily as the M1 can.

10. The xTool Maker Community is Incredible

And finally, one unexpected (for me, at least) reason to love the M1 is the maker community involved with it.

Facebook groups aren’t usually my thing, but the M1 Facebook group is so helpful! It is filled with machine owners who are excited to share their successes, and who turn to the group for help with their failures.

People share their knowledge of things like cut settings and the best materials to buy on Amazon, for example. And I’ve never seen one rude comment (which is crazy for Facebook)!

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In just a few short weeks of owning this amazing laser cutter, I have learned so much and gotten so many incredible project ideas. I am even wondering if I should sell items I make in my shop (the xTool M1 is great for small business owners)!

Please ask me any questions you have about this hybrid laser and blade cutting and engraving machine. I will do my best to answer or to steer you to where you will be able to find the answer!

And, stay tuned for more posts on projects I create with the xTool M1!