Kal-Elle Fandom Monthly is a monthly subscription box that delivers “specially hand selected high-quality fandom inspired designs” from one fandom each month.
You can expect items like jewelry, accessories, small decor items, and other finds, often sourced on Etsy or designed by Kal-Elle.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Kal-Elle Fandom Monthly
The Cost: $19 per month + $3.50 US shipping
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 10% off any length subscription!
CODE: WELCOME
The Products: 4-7 pieces of jewelry or collectibles from one fandom
Ships to: USA ($3.75 shipping), Canada ($11 shipping) and the rest of the world ($14.25 shipping).
Good to know: Kal-Elle Fandom Monthly recently opened a shop page where you can purchase any extra past boxes!
Check out our Kal-Elle Fandom Monthly reviews and the Geek + Nerd Subscription Box Directory for more geeky boxes!
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This month's featured theme is... Super Mario!
Super Mario (well, Super Mario Bros. 3, to be exact) was my jam in college. This is my first Kal-Elle box, so I'm curious to see what kind of items they found for this fandom.
Super Mario Necklace by Kal-Elle
This is such a neat idea for a pendant! I love how Mario is his own separate charm so that he dangles below the mystery box.
There are only about 9 inches of super-delicate chain between the 2-inch-long pendant and the lobster claw clasp of this necklace, so it hung almost dead center on my chest. There is a bit of slack on the chain, so you can adjust it to the length you like. My only qualm with this item is that it has a black finish, which seems a little harsh. I would've liked if it was a more traditional metallic.
Yoshi Earrings by Kal-Elle
This is more like it! These silver Yoshi studs are the kind of thing I could get away with wearing every day—even in more formal settings. I love this simple, subtle homage to Mario's trusty sidekick.
My only worry here is that the studs feel a little wobbly on the posts. If it seems like it's a big problem, though, I might just go to the craft store and nab some replacements. I really like these earrings and want to make sure they last awhile!
Star Ear Cuff
Oh man, I remember wearing ear cuffs all the time in middle school. That was also a period of time when my ears weren't pierced, so ear cuffs seemed like the "coolest" not-actually-an-earring earring option, haha!
I managed to get this silver star-shaped cuff over the outermost "fold" of my ear, but when I tried to loop it over anything more (like the gal in the picture), it was a little too uncomfortable. I did like that the cuff hangs down a bit from wherever it lands so that you can tell that it's a star shape. But it didn't feel all that secure to me. It doesn't bend or anything, either, so it sort of works or it doesn't. I was also a little confused by the hole in the one arm of the star. Was something supposed to go there?
Set of Two Coasters by Kal-Elle
I love the idea of these coasters (I especially love the fire flower!), but the execution isn't my favorite. The material these are made of reminds me of an inexpensive mousepad—basically, it's a thin layer of foam with a felt back and fabric front. The silvery paint is pretty cool and has a really nice shiny sheen to it. These will definitely work as coasters, I just wish they were slightly higher quality.
Super Mario Notepad by Kal-Elle
Ha! I like how this notepad is pre-formatted as a note from Princess Peach to Mario. It'd be cute to dedicate this notepad to writing notes and reminders to your partner! The pad is about postcard dimensions, so not too big. The pages are thicker than regular paper, which makes them feel a little more important in a weird way.
Super Mario Magnet
Get outta there, Mario! This magnet stresses me out in the most delightful way. I mean, clearly, he's going to just hop on those bricks and climb that vine... right? That Bullet Bill does come awfully fast though... Anyway, this is an awesome magnet. It's not the strongest magnet in the world, but my magnet collection at this point is really more of a tiny refrigerator gallery at this point. The scene on this design fits right in!
4" x 6" Art Print by Megan E. Risk
This is a fun little design, though I don't see myself using it as decor or anything. It's done on simple postcard-like paper and has a very slight sheen, similar to what the info cards are made of. The way the artist conveyed the foreground and background is really cool—there is a real feeling of dimension. It's cute, but I don't know that it's quite my style.
Super Mario Lip Balm by Pure Aurora - Value $3.25?
According to the info card, this is the one "handmade" item in the box. It was created by an Etsy shop owner called Pure Aurora, who makes soaps and other body care products.
This clear gloss has a pineapple scent to it, which smells sweet and refreshing. I'm not really sure how it connects to Super Mario apart from the packaging (pineapples feel more like a Donkey Kong thing to me). Still, it's a nice balm with a light, smooth consistency.
Bonus Item: Boo the Ghost Ring
This wasn't listed on the info card, so I'm guessing it's just a fun bonus gift!
As with everything in the box, the ring isn't the highest quality—the band is made of a flexible metal, making it adjustable, and the image itself is a bit pixelated (and not in an on-purpose 8-bit way). But it is a cute idea. I like it. I just don't love it.
Verdict: This was my first Kal-Elle Fandom Monthly box, and I liked what I got for the most part. These aren't the most sophisticated, meticulously made products, but they do create fun ways to incorporate my fandom into my everyday life (and wardrobe). What I don't like would probably make fun gifts for fellow fans. Plus, this box only costs $19.00 and had 9 items inside, meaning each piece is probably only worth around $2.11. Thinking of it that way, the quality of the items seems more than fair. The shipping cost was $3.50 for me, which isn't too bad. If I had to pay their international shipping rates, however, I don't think the box would feel quite worth it. I'm eager to see what next month has to offer. Will the items be a bit more impressive? Will I like the theme?
What do you think of Kal-Elle Fandom Monthly?
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