Ann Williams Monthly Craft Box is a DIY kit subscription featuring their own craft kits for ages 6-8, ages 9-12, teens, and adults.
We received this box for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
This review is of the "Teens" age range, $24.95 a month, box.
The Subscription Box: Ann Williams Monthly Craft Box
The Cost: $24.95 a month + free shipping. Save with 3, 6, and 12-month prepaid subscriptions.
ACTIVE DEAL: save 30% off your first box!
CODE: OMGSURPRISE
The Products: DIY craft kits from Ann Williams valued at $30 - $50 each month
Ships to: Free shipping in the US, including Hawaii, Alaska, PO Boxes, and APO/FPO
Check out all of our DIY & Crafting Monthly Boxes in our subscription directory!
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A welcome card is included that directs to Ann Williams Monthly Craft Box's social media channels. It's always nice to check out other people's creations when you're building from the same craft kit, so they encourage lots of sharing!
Craft #1:
Craft Crush Macrame Necklace Kit (Ages 13+) - Value $9.99
The first of two included crafts is this macrame necklace kit. I loved the boho style of it, so I was excited to get started! Fair warning, though: I am not a crafter, and I am not typically someone who seeks out DIY projects. I went to school for studio art and art history, so I do consider myself to be an extremely visual person, but my interest in aesthetics is more oriented towards color and more specifically painting and design. Just some friendly context for the sake of this review! Now, onto the crafts!
Materials included:
I couldn't have gotten through this project without such clear directions. I've never tried macrame (or knitting, for that matter), so my experience with knots and textiles is generally pretty limited.
As I made my way through each section of knots, the photos were key. It's so nice to have a visual representation of each step for reference!
The different types of knots are explained on a card that's separate from the craft's directions. It was convenient to have access to these two sources: one with basic information about the knots themselves and the other with detailed instructions around each step.
Here's my finished project:
Not the most perfect knot pattern, but I'm proud of it! This project was pretty daunting for me at first, so I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it wound up being. I had a lot of fun with the knot succession once I got the hang of it.
The only slightly confusing part involved taping down strings. The directions instructed that you tape various cords to the table throughout the process in order to keep them taut. After a little while, understanding which strings needed to be tightened became second nature and the pattern came together.
Craft #2:
Craft Crush Felt Succulents Kit (Ages 13+) - Value $19.99
Materials included pre-cut felt strips, a large adhesive square and 13 smaller squares, chalk, and a cardboard base. Again, the instructions are very clear in order to help you re-create this craft as its pictured.
The first part of this craft is the one that I had the most trouble with: putting the base together. I'm not the greatest with spacial relations, so it probably took me way longer to figure out than it should have. You're guided to fold the cardboard along the lines provided and apply adhesive according to a visual guide in the directions. That part was fine. It was the bending the box into place that really confused me. But I eventually got it!
Once I successfully put together my base, I began forming my succulents. Each felt piece is rolled tightly, and the pre-cut leaves on each strip begin to take on a succulent shape. You have the option of cutting some strips down length-wise or even shortening their leaves to customize the final product. Wrap two felt strips together to create a two-toned look. I also had the option to finish each bloom with chalk to add a more life-like quality and stick them to the adhesive surface of the base.
Final result:
I really enjoyed this project, and I'm happy with how it turned out! My only gripe with this craft is that the base was such a pain, and, after all, it's just cardboard. It would have been nicer to affix these pretty succulents to something a little more substantial.
Verdict: The Ann Williams Monthly Craft Box is fantastic is you're looking to add some creativity to your life. Though these boxes were made for 13+, there are other offerings that are more suitable for younger children or adults-only.
For the $24.95 cost of the box, I received two kits that are valued at around $30.00. Though I think that the quality could have been better, both kits resulted in a very cute final product. I felt very accomplished to complete two crafts that were both so tactile, and I'm curious to know what the adult kits are like!
What do you think about the Ann Williams Monthly Craft Box? What DIY and creative boxes do you currently love?
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