Busy Bee Stationery is a monthly subscription box that offers stationery items that are normally themed.
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 Busy Bee Stationery
The Subscription Box: Busy Bee Stationery
The Cost: $39.90 a month + free US shipping. Save with longer subscriptions.
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 20% off your first box!
CODE: MSA20
The Products: The contents of the box vary each month, but always include 5-10 items that help with journaling, letter writing, and planning.
Ships to: US for free, Canada for $7.50 and Worldwide for $12.50
Good to Know: There is no style profile, all boxes are the same and tie into each month’s unique theme.
Busy Bee Stationery March 2019 Review
Each month we are presented with a card that introduces the month's theme. March’s Busy Bee theme is Teal Colouring!
Aztec Color Design Journal – Retail Value $3.59
This hardcover journal is not that big or small but a perfect size at 7 inches high and 5 inches long. It has 80 lined pages, perfect for notes, journaling or doodling. It also has a ribbon bookmark and an elastic band closure. I really like that I can take the time to color it in. It will be a fun little project.
Studio 112 Notepad
This was just a simple notepad. It has a green and blue color block design on the left border, a green jewel design on the top and the words “Bling It On” on the bottom. Each of the 40 pages measurer at and is lined. This notepad does seem out of place since it has no teal, and I am not really a fan of “Bling it On” but one can never have too many notepads.
Heidi Swapp Stamp and Stencil Set
This was neat, and I really like to see things from Heidi Swapp since we started to receive them a few months back. It came with a single stencil and a single stamp.
The stencil itself measures about 7 inches high by 5 inches long and has a bunch of triangles and other shapes. I do not stencil often, and honestly, the way that these are all crooked and misshapen has me wondering what I could do with them to make a decent masterpiece.
This is what I came out with when just testing it out. Honestly, it has been so long since I have stenciled anything and it was fun, I should do it more often! But I am not sure if I will be using this stencil.
The second part of this set was a silicone stamp. Now, I have seen and received a stamp like this in a previous box; one without the handle piece to get a good stamp. I was not sure how it would turn out and went for it using the golden stamp pad I received in my October box.
And this is what I got. It seemed to pick up the ink okay, but it didn’t really stamp the way a stamp with a handle does leaving me confused and a wee bit let down. I know there is something I can invest in to help get a good stamp transfer, so I will be making a Hobby Lobby run soon.
EK Tools Decorative Scissors – Buy a 4-pack here of different styles for $10.95
Ah, man, these bring back some serious memories. I loved using decorative scissors as a kid for crafting and note writing, so when I saw these, I was pretty stoked. The cut is like a perfect squiggly line. I did find it tough to cut longer than the scissors; opening them up tore my paper. It may be because they are new and need to be used more. Either way, it’s a way cool crafting item in this months box.
American Crafts Metallic Markers – Estimate Retail Value $8.84 based on a pastel set found here)
Oooh! One of my most favorite parts about Busy Bee is the writing utensils I have been introduced to, especially the Galaxy Markers and Metallic Markers. This set is beautiful in silver, gold, and black. The silver and gold markers came in two sizes and the black came in the smaller size. The only major disappointment was that the black is nearly dried up, as you can see above. I was unable to find this exact set, Busy Bee is known to send discontinued items in their boxes, but I did find them for individual purchase online in case I really want that black marker (which I think I do)!
Galaxy Marker in Green – Retail Value $3.16
Score! Another Galaxy Marker. This one is such a beautiful green, so bright and perfect. I know the theme this month is teal, and I am sure the teal galaxy marker is just as pretty, but I am loving this green!
Jen Hadfield Glitter Scallop Tape – Retail Value $9.79
As soon as I opened my box and laid my eyes on this, my mind ran wild and free of what I can do with it. It is so pretty, the scallop design and the rich gold glitter. It is 3 yards long and is 1.5 inch wide. I have not set my mind on what I am doing with it yet, but am sure I am saving it for my daughters first birthday party somewhere.
Heidi Swapp Butterfly Planner Clips
I love planner clips and receive a lot from multiple subscriptions. I use them for planners, notebooks and some books at work for the important information I have to flip back to often. These really give off an antique look and are so pretty. I love how there are two layers to the butterfly and the little jewels on each one.
Verdict: I like Busy Bee, and I really like the boxes I have been getting recently. I do not favor that the items are discontinued because they are harder to find, and so much more expensive, if I need more. But my favorite part about Busy Bee is that I am introduced to new items and brands and I appreciate that.
The Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you will get the April box.
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 20% off your first box!
CODE: MSA20
Value Breakdown: I received 8 items this month and could not find the value of all the items online since Busy Bee sends a lot of discontinued items. The items that I did find totaled $39.82 – not counting the butterfly planner clops. Since this box costs $39.90, each item is worth approximately $4.99 each.
Check out all of our Busy Bee Stationery reviews and more stationery subscription boxes in the Paper Subscription Box List!
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