The Crafter’s Box Review April 2022

The Crafter’s Box is a subscription service that aims to deliver a joyful crafting experience right to your doorstep by providing all the materials, tools, and expert instruction you need to complete each month’s project. This subscription is perfect for those looking to explore new crafts, learn new artistic styles, or expand their personal creative boundaries. They kindly sent us this box for review.

Subscription Details

Each The Crafter’s Box is thoughtfully curated in collaboration with the featured artist or maker. Subscribers will receive high end materials and tools needed to complete the project, as well as access to the accompanying digital workshop and live/recorded Q&A chat led by the featured maker. Crafter’s Box also hosts a marketplace where you can purchase past workshop kits, premium workshops, digital classes, and tools and supplies.

The Crafter’s Box Subscriptions cost $65 per month with cost savings for those opting for longer term subscriptions. Boxes ship for a flat rate of $6.50 within the United States, $20 to Canada, and $30 internationally. The Crafter’s Box is unique in that it offers subscribers the option to skip or swap out a box if the upcoming box theme is not of interest. I love this kind of flexibility!

Botanical Plaster Casting

“Create elegant botanical plaster reliefs and discover the ancient sculptural technique of plaster casting. Also known as ‘bas-relief’ or ‘low-relief’, plaster casting has been used since antiquity in many forms, for both artistic and academic endeavors. In this workshop, Liz Wagner shares how to make botanical impressions, create a mold, and work with plaster to make delicate home decor.”

Let’s take a closer look at all the materials and tools:

Project Card

Each The Crafter’s Box includes a folded card describing the project and introducing the maker. It also lists all the materials inside the box, and any additional materials to have at home. These are usually common household items. For instance, to complete this project, I will also need a kitchen knife, a hairdryer, a bowl, cutting board, floss, a hammer, toothpicks, and of course florals of any type I want to cast.

White Modeling Clay: We will be using the clay to create an impression of the subject to cast, before filling it with plaster. The clay can be used again and again to cast different subjects.

Plaster of Paris: Liquid plaster will be used to cast the subjects. This kit provides enough material to create 8-10 botanical plaster casts.

Acrylic Clay Roller: The acrylic roller will be used to roll out the clay. This is a tool that will come in useful in other crafts involving clay.

Stainless Steel Craft Tweezers: I imagine these will be used to handle the delicate florals and botanicals during casting.

Heavyweight Cardstock: The cardstock is used both during the imprinting and plaster pouring process.

Protective Sheet: A plastic sheet to protect your work surface. It’s so thoughtful that even something like this is provided!

Round Detail Paint Brush: This little brush will be used to clean off any clay from the plaster surface.

120 Grit Sandpaper: After cleaning off any left over clay, use the sandpaper to sand off any rough edges.

Binder Clips: I love that even something like this is provided! The clips will be used to hold together the cardstock mold during pouring.

Disposable Gloves: Protective gloves to keep your hands from directly touching plaster which can be irritating to the skin.

Safety Goggles: These will protect your eyes from the plaster dust.

The Crafter’s Box Review April 2022 – Final Thoughts

I think The Crafter’s Box is a great subscription service! I love the idea of getting a box to complete a new crafting project each month curated and sent to you complete with a video tutorial to complete the project. While you may pay less if going to source the materials yourself at the craft store, I think the price paid is worth every penny for the convenience. Often I spend too much time figuring out supplies when starting a new craft or searching online for the right tutorial. You can also keep and reuse the tools, now if I want to cast more items, all I need is to go out and get more plaster. I am already dreaming up things to cast outside of the botanical theme haha. If you are someone who likes to try out different crafts, I can’t recommend this box enough.

Toby & Rocket – http://www.tobyandrocket.com