Tombow VIP Club is a monthly subscription box filled with art and stationery supplies.
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.)
About Tombow VIP Club Art Supplies Subscription Box
The Subscription Box: Tombow VIP Club
The Cost: $30.00 + free USPS ground shipping
The Products: "VIP" stands for "Very Inspirational Products"! Each Tombow VIP Club box includes a selection of favorite Tombow products, plus at least one exclusive item that's not yet available in the US or Canada!
Good to Know: All items are final sale! They don't accept returns or refunds on VIP Club items.
Ships to: the US and Canada
Tombow VIP Club December 2017 Box Review
Here's the info card for this month's box. I like that they include a visual product list!
There's also a card walking you through a project you can do with the items inside!
Tombow Mini Colored Pencils Set and Pencil Sharpener - Retail Value $8.99 (found here for $6.13)
I've misplaced so many of my colored pencils. I tend to grab a bunch and throw them in a tote bag before a night of doodling at a coffee shop or park bench. Of course, that means those pencils disappear into one of like, 5 tote bags I use on rotation (or spill out onto the back seat of my car)... they don't like to stick around. I love that this set of pencils is 1) small enough to pop into a bag and 2) comes in a cute tin that will keep this entire rainbow of colors in perfect order (and all together). The pencils feel great to work with, too—not to crayon-ish, not too waxy, just delightfully pigmented and rich. And getting a new sharpener isn't bad either!
Tombow Dual Brush Pens, Primary Palette - Retail Value $16.99
I think this year will be my year of really exploring brush pens. I've used them before, but it wasn't until the end of 2017 that I really started appreciating all of the versatility and uniqueness they can bring to drawings. This set of 6 pens actually functions like a set of 12—each color has a brush tip on one end and a firmer felt tip on the other. I usually play around with black brush pens and then fill in with colored pencils or watercolors, but this pack is a great excuse to shake things up!
Tombow Calligraphy Brush Pen Set, One Hard and One Soft - Estimated Value $6.98 (Buy 2, 2 packs here for $7.98)
The info card mentions that these pens are great for calligraphy in addition to illustration. I love calligraphy (I'm always pinning beautiful lettering designs and examples of calligraphy...), but I'm eager to try! I like the versatility of these pens. There's so much I can do just by playing with which pen I use and which part of the brush hits the page. The ink is smooth and beautifully opaque, too.
Tombow Twin Tip Fudenosuke Calligraphy Marker - Retail Value $5.49 (found here for $5.24)
Now, THIS I am all about. This calligraphy pen includes both a black and a gray end so that I can easily play with shadows in my black and white drawings. The pointed tips on each end make it easy for me to get super detailed, or draw with a heavier line with just a quick adjustment of how I'm holding the pen. Again, the ink was rich and pigmented. And it comes with a small stencil, too!
Tombow Mono Sand and Rubber Eraser - Retail Value $2.99
Wait, SAND in an eraser?! I didn't know that was a thing! Apparently, the fine grains of sand give the regular rubber eraser some extra oomph, which can help it take care of colored pencil or even, according to the info card, INK! It worked pretty well for me, though I did feel like the sand end was maybe taking up a bit more paper than the regular rubber end. It's a great, professional-feeling eraser, though!
The Verdict: I'm so happy with my first VIP box! As an amateur artist, I love exploring art stores, but because I don't have a regular routine of specific products I'm on the hunt for, I can get a little overwhelmed by the options. This box eliminated the oh-wow-would-I-really-ever-use-this feeling that I get in those situations, and instead, let my creativity take over and start imagining all the projects I could do with what I got. The quality of the products seems great for my purposes, and I love that they included a suggested project!
To Wrap Up:
Can I still get this box if I sign up today? No. Sign up now to get the next upcoming box!
Value Breakdown: This box cost $30 plus free USPS ground shipping, but I estimate that I received $41.44 in value (less with Amazon prices). Here’s what you are paying approximately per item:
- Mini Colored Pencils Set and Pencil Sharpener: $6.51
- Dual Brush Pens, Primary Palette: $12.30
- Calligraphy Brush Pen Set: $5.05
- Twin Tip Fudenosuke Calligraphy Marker: $3.97
- Mono Sand and Rubber Eraser: $2.16
If you've got a creative kiddo you know, I bet this would be a great treat month after month. Or if like me, you just like the idea of treating yourself to some fun craft supplies now and then, I think this box will give you at least your money's worth.
What do you think of Tombow VIP Club?
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