Creative Mercantile's Mercantile Mail subscription box is a monthly box meant to ignite the creativity of scrapbookers, planners, and stationery lovers. Each month, Mercantile Mail will send you 10-12 paper craft supplies by companies from all over the world. The items will include stickers, washi tape, stamps, and more.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Mercantile Mail by Creative Mercantile
The Cost: $24.95 a month
The Products: Crafty supplies for stationery, scrapbooking, and other paper projects.
Ships to: US (for free!) and International ($10 shipping)
Check out all of our Mercantile Mail reviews and the DIY + Crafting Subscription Box Directory!
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This box is all about winter fun. I got so excited reading over the item list on this month's info sheet!
What I love most about this box is that there are so many supplies inside with a ton of different possibilities. But that can be intimidating, too, so this box graciously includes a bunch of inspiring ideas for how to put these pieces to use. I turned to this sheet as I went through to box to help jog my creativity.
Everything comes neatly inside adorable little bags.
3 Arrow Paper Clips - Total Value $0.89
These copper-colored paper clips are super cute. I've gotten a lot of creatively shaped paper clips in subscription boxes—these arrows are some of the more conservative shapes I've seen. But that also means they'll likely be the most practical!
I'm going to use these in my planner to point out important items, the same way I'd use sticky note flags on documents.
Hot Cocoa Wood Stir Stick - Value $0.70?
I was a little underwhelmed by this stir stick since it's such a simple item with such a specific purpose. Plus, there's only one in the package, so it's not like I can break some out at a party or anything. I based the value on a similar style found on Etsy.
The info sheet was helpful here, as it suggested a few clever ways to give this stir a new life. You can use it as a plant marker, a bookmark... cute things I wouldn't have thought of off the bat!
Hero Arts Build a Wreath Stamp Set - Value $3.89
This is such an adorable idea! This stamp set features all the "ingredients" for a wreath—the idea is to use them to "build" your own wreath design.
These stamps are made from photo-polymer, which makes them flexible and easy to clean and reuse.
I noticed that they create sort of spotty prints, which makes for a more rustic design than I expected.
Studio G Pigment Inks in Silver and Red - Total Value $0.58
I have a little collection of these inks going, and I really like them.
The pads arrive nice and juicy with ink. They're just the right size for the petite stamps in this box!
The non-toxic inks are bright and festive. The silver has just the slightest sheen to it.
I also like that these little jewel boxes stack on top of one another. It helps me keep that growing collection I mentioned neat and tidy on my desk.
2 Holiday Postcards - Value $1.00?
The first postcard is a little on the juvenile side, but I do love the pink deer and the playful, almost handwritten style of lettering.
The card is blank on the back. I'll admit that I do with this was a more traditional greeting card rather than a postcard. Still, this would be cute to either send to a far away friend or to frame and use as decor!
The second card also has a youthful vibe. The design looks almost marker drawn.
Again, it's blank on the back. I think this one would fare better acting as a holiday "print". Framed, it could make a cute stocking stuffer!
Daily Flash Washi Tape - Value $3.79
Washi tape is a staple item in Creative Mercantile boxes. I love the quality and the cool, crisp design of this pattern!
This days-of-the-week tape is perfect for kicking off 2017 planners, or for keeping your holiday season organized. You could even roll out a whole week's worth at the top of a blank journal page to transform it into an instant weekly planner!
Keep Calm and Plan On Washi Tape - Value $3.00?
This limited edition tape is perfect for planner lovers!
This tape was a little bit sturdier than other washi I've encountered, and I like the cheeky play on the classic British "Keep calm and carry on" saying.
One Sheet of Creative Mercantile Winter Planner Stickers - Value $1.99?
These stickers are made by Creative Mercantile and the value is based on similar options. They're matte so you can write on them if you end up popping them in your planner. The simple flags and boxes will be helpful, and the other designs are pretty cute. I do think they're a little more juvenile than I'd have liked. But if there's a time to feel like a kid again, it's the holidays!
4 Sheets of Creative Mercantile Planner Stickers - Total Value $11.96?
These stickers are really versatile. You could use them in a planner, or use them to dress up greeting cards, letters, and other winter crafts. The value was also based on similar sticker sheets in their Etsy shop.
This is one of the first December boxes I've seen to nod to New Years as well as Christmas, etc. I like having those in my craft arsenal!
Snow and Cocoa Crate Paper Phrase Stickers - Value $1.94
More fun stickers! These are written in typewriter-inspired text, so they feel a little retro. Some of them even look like raised, label-maker letters.
I think my favorite is "Coats, Boots, Mittens, Scarf, Hat". It's kind of the "Phone, Keys, Wallet" of winter!
5 Topping Syrup Sticker Sheets - Total Value $7.70 USD?
These planner stickers are my favorite items in the box. They're from Korean brand Topping Syrup, which is pretty hard to find stateside (even online, the only Topping Syrup products I could find were on a British site). I love the simplicity of the designs and the charming, dainty patterns and colors.
I like that there's a handful of wintry designs as well as general, everyday patterns. These have a transparency about them, almost like washi tape and seem easy to write on.
Verdict: This box of Mercantile Mail was full of seasonal craft finds that I really liked. The estimated value of the items in the box was about $38.00, which is great compared to the $24.95 price of the box. I do think Creative Mercantile marks up their sticker sheets a bit, so that value is a bit high for what you get, but the box is a fair value regardless. Thinking about getting this box? I think it comes down to how avid and adventurous a crafter you are. If you're someone who's forever building their craft supply collection and thinking of new, out-of-the-ordinary projects, this box is probably a great fit for you. I think my concern is whether I'll be able to put all of these items to use!
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