Here are my 10 top Silhouette-related items I suggest you pass on in no particular order (these are all items I've used myself).
- Silhouette Pen Adapters - The set of three pen holders are supposed to make using regular pens or markers in the CAMEO or Portrait easy - but the poor quality of materials left them broken and unusable after a single use. For the money, you're better off purchasing the Amy Chomas pen holder. Full Review
- Silhouette brand Vinyl and HTV - The quality of the vinyl and HTV just can't complete with the industry standard: Oracal. If you get some Sil brand vinyl with your machine, it's fine to practice with, but after that stick to the good stuff- especially if you're planning to sell.
- 40 Pack of Vinyl - The 40 sheet variety pack of adhesive vinyl sold on Amazon is seriously lacking in the adhesive department. The price might be right, but in this case you get what you pay for. If you're looking for a variety pack, get the 30 pack.
- Silhouette Sketch Pens - The Silhouette brand sketch pens fit into the CAMEO, Portrait and Curio without any type of attachment, however they're often hit or miss. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't - they almost always dry up quickly. Full Review
- Silhouette CAMEO Tote Bag - What can I say other than I was disappointed to find out this wheeled bag is too large to fit as a carry on when traveling - the whole reason for my purchase. The oversized bag could be designed smaller to fit the CAMEO and would still make it as a carry on. The smaller Portrait bag does not have wheels and must be carried on the shoulder, but would qualify as a carry-on. Full Review
- Rhinestone Setter - The Silhouette Rhinestone Setter runs through batteries and fails to heat up to a temperature that's hot enough to effectively apply rhinestones for the long haul. Pass.
- Weeding Hook - The Silhouette brand weeding hooks I received when I purchased my CAMEO bundle and the Portrait were perfectly sharp and easy to use. Six months ago I would have said to buy it every day of the week. But recently, I've purchased at least 3 extra weeding hooks and they've all been dull and difficult to weed with. I even sent one back to Amazon hoping the dull point was a dud - but the replacement arrived the same way. Bummer...
- Stamp Material - The Silhouette Stamp material cut fine on the machines, but it doesn't produce high quality stamps. If you're a stamper and you want to make your own stamps, stick with the Silhouette Mint stamping machine instead. Full Review
- Silhouette Interfacing - The Silhouette brand interfacing works fine, it's just entirely too little for the high price. Heat and bond or another interfacing works just as well and for a lot less money!
- Silhouette CAMEO or Portrait Cover - Who needs a cover? With as much as you'll be loving and using your Silhouette machine no dust will ever settle on it!
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I certainly agree with you on the pens and the vinyl. I only got small quantities to start out, so I am still compiling a list of "who to buy from". I really appreciate being able to read fact, not hype. Buying supplies for any craft is expensive; wish I had known this when I purchased my Cameo last March!
ReplyDeleteI learned a long time ago not to buy the hobby material when I used to own a Cricut machine. The materials (vinyl, htv, etc.) usually doesn't hold up. I figured the same would apply to my Sil (although I certainly am glad I switched to the Sil -- I absolutely LOVE it!!)! The one thing I continue to use from my old Cricut days is the old tool kit. The weeding tool is sublime!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you suggest we use for weeding instead of the silhouette hook?
ReplyDeletea seam ripper.
Deletetweezers! :)
DeleteDental instruments from Amazon
DeleteI use those super pointy, curved tweezers for weeding. I don't think I could manage without them. And, as far as HTV goes. I really love Siser EasyWeed. That's all I use.
DeleteLove my Cricket accessory kit comes in a great little case with everything you need!
DeleteI bought a set of tools at harbor freight works great.
DeleteI have to agree on the pen holders, the sketch pens, and the vinyl. All were disappointing. I found out about the Amy Chomas pen holders right after I bought the silhouette package. Mine are still okay after dozens of uses, but they don't like the softy grips on most of my gel pens.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I got a newer weeding hook in the model section of Hobby Lobby. $3 and it is much sharper. My problem with the Silhouette brand one is that after a while, the hook swivels around in the wooden base. A single piece tool is much better.
Also, I got an amazing deal on the Mint, which is still in the box while I determine if there are other sources for the stamp 'blanks'. The stuff is crazy expensive! Any suggestions?
I have the Silhouette Cameo bag which I love. It is great for holding my Cameo, mats, printer, and computer with room for cords and miscellaneous stuff. Have found that it works well for when I go to 3-4 day crops but I don't have a need for it to fit in the carry on luggage compartment of a plane.
ReplyDeleteAmazon is not offering the 30 pack of assorted vinyl - says not available on their website.
ReplyDeleteI have not used some of the things you mentioned, so it's great to read your list. The last item - the dust cover - made me chuckle. When I first got the Silhouette Cameo, I got a nice cover and only put it on the machine when I am going away. I use the machine every day so the cover sits to the side!
ReplyDeletedito
DeleteGreat to see an honest review of these items. What pens do you recommend if not the SIL sketch pens? It's one of the features I haven't used much but like the idea of as I cannot draw for nuts!
ReplyDeleteI have not had any problems with sharpies. Used with the other pen holder she talked about.
DeleteSo glad to read that you dislike the weeding tool. I had a great one from Silhouette prior to May 2013. I misplaced it and ordered another one only to send them a video showing that it does not 'stab' the vinyl. Silhouette sent another one only for it to be the same way. Then they sent two more and all four are the same way. Why they can't understand that something changed I'll never know. Oh how I wish my old one would reappear but I'm afraid it went out with the trash :(
ReplyDeleteSo to make them work, I have to sharpen them on a whetting stone that my husband had :(
I also tried the Cricut weeder ...too fat.
Tried the ones from Harbor Freight...don't like the grip. So I'll continue to sharpen the Silhouette ones and pray the other one is still hiding somewhere :)
I agree with you on several of the items mentioned, especially the vinyl, and the sketch pens dry up to fast! AND you can't tell how much ink is left in them to ensure you can finish a project. I LOVE my Silhouette and I love the customer service that they give, but some of the products need quality attention. Thanks for your blog , I follow it consistently.
ReplyDeletekd
I agree with most everything you mentioned (and thanks for such a honest review!). I used my Silhouette CAMEO bag for when I went on a scrapbook retreat and it was well worth the money (I got it for less than $50). I was pleasantly surprised that it held so much; my machine, mats, laptop as well as several other items. Although, I did have to watch a video to learn how to set it up lol :). I do love the Chomas holder. And instead of using the sketch pens, you can use so many other types of regular pens and markers instead.
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa, Thank you for your produce review, I like your honest opinion on how things work or not work!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your family, Keep up the good work through 2016,cheers Anna
I haven't had any issues with the Silhouette Vinyl but I did buy some Oracel and had a problem with it not being sticky enough. I just wonder if you could tell me why you don't like the Silhouette vinyl. Is there something that I don't know about that will happen. I have made dozens of gifts with it and haven't had anyone say they had a problem. I also buy the Vinyl Ease 3o pack from Amazon and I really liked that too. The only problem with that is the sheets are not wide enough for everything I want to make.
ReplyDeleteDitto on the dental tools for weeding. I got mine from Harbor Freight, SUPER inexpensive!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your reviews! I bought a Silhouette weeding tool at Michaels a few weeks ago and it was really sharp. My stabbed finger can attest to it! I wonder why there is a quality difference.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your reviews. I haven't had an issue with my Sketch pens and use them frequently and no problem with my weeding tool either. I did buy the cover for the Cameo and it's nicely made. I do use my cover to keep it pet fur clean as I have 5 indoor pets.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the Silhouette vinyl, I didn't like it and do use another brand.
I was reading some info you discussed about Amazon June 15 sale day. Your top items to put on a wish list for that day. I lost the link and can't find it again. Can you direct me me to that info.
ReplyDeleteI have the sketch pens and have had some go dry and work on and off. I love the cover keeps dust off and also the sun off as mine sits by a window. I also have the pen holder and hate it. Doesn't work will save up to purchase the one mentioned. I did order a holder that held markers but gave it to my daughter never heard if it worked and could not find it again. I thought it was a Silhouette America product. I would not need to take a bag on a plane so might like a bag with wheels when going to friends houses. Will see. Agree vinyl needs to be gotten from other dealers. Thanks for all the info.
ReplyDeleteAAAAHHH, the pen holder..........have to agree what a waste of money, i actually complained to silhouette a it, they said they were working on it, i just use tape with other pens and markers it works just fine. the silhouette pens work just for me.
ReplyDeleteDental tools from the dollar store work great.
ReplyDeleteI do like my dust cover. I have nosy kitties that hang out in the craft room and found cat hair on my Cameo.
I use the pen adapters ALL the time. I love them. They fit wonderfully with sharpie fine pens and I use them to write on cards. It looks awesome! They also fit frixion clicker colored erasable pens (available on amazon) that write wonderfully.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking to my own experience, my Sketch Pens are still writing fine 6 months down the road.
ReplyDeleteFor me the cover is a godsend. I have four cats and without the cover my machine would constantly be clogged with cat hair. I washed it once and threw in the dryer by mistake; Silhouette sent me a new one even though it was my fault it shrank!
I love the pen holder/adapter. I have had no issues with it. I do not see the point in buying a more expensive one.
ReplyDeleteI use my Cameo cover only when I take pictures in my craft room. Lol!
ReplyDeleteThe cover I actually bought at the same time as my Cameo bundle. I knew it was going to be hanging out in my glass studio and I wanted to make sure it was protected from all that glass dust. :) I like the fact that it's easy to just put on, no straps, clips, etc. The rest I will look at carefully!
ReplyDeleteI'm so with you on the pens! I love my cover though. It makes my desk look pretty for the hours I have to be working for the man and not able to be creating.
ReplyDelete