I'm not a crafter or scrapbooker, but I am a mother who does the occasional project with her school-age daughter. I've never owned another crafting tool such as from the expensive Cricut line, and frankly, I was intrigued by a 'multi-function' crafting machine that doesn't use batteries, heat or electricity to get the job done, and I jumped at the chance to check it out for myself.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
"It's heavy and pretty big!" This could be considered portable, but I don't think I'd want to lug it around much, as with each function change you need a different cartridge such as the
Xyron 3405-30-00 Creatopia Cutz Cutting Cartridge Starter Kit for cutting, and the
Xyron 3404-30-00 Creatopia Border Patternz Roller Cartridge Starter Kit with Bonus Floral Cartridge for embossing, as well as the cutting and embossing cartridges that work with the starter kits for each. A buyer of this item would really want to have a space where they could use it and have ample storage for the cartridges that make it work.
"It's solidly made." I'm sure that with proper care this machine could be used effectively for all its muti-functions for many years to come. The Xyron Refillz (adhesives and laminates), Patternz (embossing), Cutz (cutting) and Shapez (die cutting - introduced in 2010), are all part of the Creatopia line that will be used to expand the possibilities of this machine. Each cartridge and starter kit that I received with my special Vine package were sturdy and milled to fit easily together for smooth operation.
"I could do a lot with this tool." The machine comes with a 25' roll of adhesive. I am already thinking of buying the
Xyron 3402-06-40 Creatopia Refillz 2-Sided Lamination 40-Feet Cartridge to archive my child's school photos and awards and the
Xyron - Creatopia Shapez - Shape Maker Die Press Starter Kit, COMING SOON when it's available. There are many cartridges that add to the versatility of this machine, and the bottom line: the cartridges you own MAKE the machine what you want it to be.
OPERATION: EASE OF USE
The directions that come with this machine are not great. Dare I say, for me at least, they were bad. I almost went to the Xyron site to see if I could find video tutorials, but after almost 2 hours of playing with the Cutz starter kit and the Patternz (embossing) starter kit, I finally figured out how to add and remove cartridges with ease and get the desired effect. I also learned how to position the adhesive cartridge to properly feed it through the rollers.
If you're thinking that I'm just bad with directions... I have built desktop computers from the ground up, and am always called by other members of my family to set-up home electronics. I think if there is one flaw in the Creatopia machine packaging, it's in the directions. Clear, concise, step-by-step instructions with photos that are bigger than a postage stamp would be a helpful reference when getting used to and setting up the machine for each new function.
Once you get past the 'how to do I put it together' thing, it's easy. Slide the cartridges you want to use into the machine until it locks the cartridge into place. Crank the handle clockwise as you feed the paper or fabric (up to 1/2" thick) into the machine.
VALUE
If you know what you want to do with the machine initially, you'll save yourself some money. The machine ships with 25' of adhesive and that's it. Starter kits for cutting and embossing will run between twenty-five and thirty dollars with limited options in each kit. You're mainly paying for the main cartridge that seats in the machine. The cartridges that expand each function run another ten to fifteen with 2 new options in each. Examples:
Xyron 3404-33-00 Creatopia Border Patternz Border-Embossing Roller Cartridge, Stars and
Xyron 3405-33-00 Creatopia Cutz Blade Cartridge Kit, Set of 2, Pinking.
Yes, this machine offers many handy functions in one portable, manually operated package, but the costs will rise quickly the more options you add to it. Not uncommon to specialty craft items, but something to be considered.
CONCLUSION
The Xyron Creatopia Multi-Function Crafting Machine allows you to cut, emboss, adhere, laminate and cut out shapes without heat, batteries or electricity. Items up to 12" in width and 1/2" in depth can be fed through this machine, adding to its versatility.
Cartridges that expand the uses of this machine are bulky and will need storage space. They are well made and serve their intended purposes well, but are somewhat heavy due to the rollers that are used. Starter kits are somewhat expensive, but needed to accomplish the tasks as promised by the machine.
Offerings for the expansion of this machine are somewhat limited at the time of this writing, but Xyron promises more options soon including a die cutting cartridge. Prices are reasonable when considering the 'multi-function' capabilities of the machine and other crafting tools on the market.
This machine will appeal to crafters who sew, scrapbook, or make cards, and also to teachers and parents who like to help their kids with school projects.
A good machine that seems to be durably built and full of promise.
