Thursday, August 29, 2013

My first WhimseyBox

 Today, I received my first Whimseybox. And, oh, what a glorious day it is! I can't wait to tell you all about it!!

First, let me explain a little bit about what Whimseybox is. It's a website that's a combination of fantastic DIY projects that are totally Pinnable, a shop to buy supplies to make the projects they feature, a blog and community to gab, gawk, and gush all things crafty, and (best of all!!) a subscription service which sends a lovely Whimseybox straight to your address. This is perfect for people who want to create, but can't find the time to gather inspiration, instructions, and supplies all in one place. Whimseybox takes care of all of it for you.

Now, what is a Whimseybox? It's awesome, that's what it is. Inside you will find everything you need to make a cool project. In my first box, I got everything I needed (except scissors, but hey, what crafter doesn't have scissors?!) to make two fantastic bracelets. It was packed so prettily, too. I wish I would have been a tad less excited, because I would like to show you a picture of what it looked like before I dug in. Suffice it to say, I felt like I was opening a gift. Everything inside was wrapped in mint tissue paper and crinkly kraft paper shred, all tied up with a mint satin ribbon. Love!


The re-usable box really is a great feature. It's sturdy and you can close it completely. I love that I could take this on a road trip and have everything I need to complete a fun project, with quality materials, right at my fingers tips. The box is good for storage, but also doubles as a clean work surface and would be prefect for re-using to mail gifts.


 Above you'll see the contents of the box (oh, and the bracelet I made draped over the clipboard): mini clipboard, two binder clips, a needle (stuck to the mini clip board with that cute swatch of washi tape), two colors of leather cord, two sweet buttons, 6/0 beads in clear with silver centers, thread, and cement. They also included three really great pencils printed with three crafty saying: DIY4LIFE, MAKERS GONNA MAKE, and STOP PINNING. START MAKING (this one also happens to be their motto, and I love it! Who hasn't gotten stuck on Pinterest, drolling over projects that you'd love to make if only you could tear yourself away from Pinterest?) I want to mention that all the supplies are high quality and full-sized. No trying to squeeze a tiny dab of glue out of a miniscule plastic pouch because they gave you the exact two drops of glue the instructions call for or trying to complete your project only to find out you lack one inch of thread. With a little more cord and a few buttons, I have enough supplies to make another bracelet or two besides the second they sent me.


Isn't this pretty? It's the art print for this month, and they include one in each Whimseybox. On it is printed this:


Full-color, pictorial instructions for making the project in the box. These directions were fantastic: clear and concise. I stepped through the directions and successfully completed a style of beading I'd never even thought to try before.


See what I made? It's a beaded wrap bracelet, and I'm so happy with it! I made it in about an hour, and I have enough materials to make another. After I finished making my first bracelet, I packed everything back into the box. Now, everything I need for a fun, satisfying project is ready when I have a bit of time to dedicate to it. I'm already looking forward to next month's box and I think I know a few people who will be getting a gift subscription for the holidays!

Think you're too busy to create? Think you can't figure out how to make it look like the picture? Think interpreting long lists of obscure supplies is too much trouble? Then, check out Whimseybox. They make creating easy and fun. I'm hooked!!