Box of Happies is a monthly subscription box for handmade goods. It’s a great way to discover new Etsy artisans.
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 Box of Happies
The Box: Box of Happies
The Cost: $29.99/month for a single upcoming month of your choice (when I played with the shopping cart I was also charged tax but I think that’s because they’re in the same state I am) or $29.49 for a random box from a past month. Save with longer subscriptions
ACTIVE DEAL: Get a bonus handmade necklace in your first box!
CODE: HAPPIES
The Products: 3-5 handmade items such as jewelry, stationery, bath/body items, accessories, and more.
Ships to: US for free
Good to Know: You can add additional "handmade happies" to your order for $5/each as a grab bag.
Box of Happies May 2019 Review
If you like jewelry that’s generally delicate and handmade items from Etsy and similar artisans, Box of Happies delivers those things every month. The items are also usually packaged nicely for gifting if something isn’t to your taste.
Box of Happies Bracelet – Listed Value $8
This is an adjustable bracelet with some very flexible leather or faux-leather cords. I like the overall casual look, but this thing is quite large. I could fit it over my hand without extending it at all. So, although I like it, I will pass it along to someone with a larger wrist because I’m afraid it will just fall off of me.
Hair Pins – Listed Value $7
I had to glue one of these back together because the acetate (?) bit came off the barrette part, but no big deal. These won’t hold a lot of hair but they are OK for times when, for example, I want to keep short, wispy hairs out of my face, or as accessories to go with casual wear.
CCN Designs Clothespin Magnets – Listed Value $4.95
This item is not in the listed Etsy shop, so I’ve had to take the value from the information card. I am getting quite the collection of clothespin magnets now, thanks to Box of Happies, but my husband’s and my dental appointment and my hair appointment reminders, and all of our veterinarian/plumber/electrician phone number cards are stylishly presented on the refrigerator now. I like the roses pattern on these and they do seem to work well.
Photo Cube – Listed Value $5
I haven’t had a physical photograph for more than 10 years, but I could be convinced to print one on the machine at Walgreens for my desk (I am switching jobs in mid-June and will need some office décor at the new place) and display it with this. This is pretty lightweight, though, so I wouldn’t want something too big or top-heavy.
Heavenly Scents Moisturizing Soap Bar – Listed Value $3 (buy 36 bars for $72)
I only found a wholesale listing for this item but the difference between the wholesale price ($2, if you do the math) and the retail price ($3 from the information card) seems reasonable. When I first opened my box, it smelled really good, and as many of you know, that can be a good thing (there’s something that smells nice in there) or a bad thing (there’s something that leaked in there) and it turned out to be the former in this instance. This particular scent wasn’t listed on the wholesale listing and is much more lemony (in a kind of baked dessert way) than lemongrass-y, and that’s absolutely fine by me. Goat’s milk products (caramels, soap, lotion, etc.) are becoming more common these days but so far I’ve been a fan of all the goat’s milk products I’ve received in subscription boxes (including this one).
Box of Happies Earrings – Listed Value $15
I guess these are laser cut. The metal is super thin and the pattern is too regular to have been done by hand. These are lightweight and a color and style that will match a lot of my wardrobe. I don’t know what the hooks are, but I can either coat them with clear nail polish or just switch out the hooks for titanium or niobium before wearing – it kind of depends on how often I reach for them.
Verdict: There were six items in the May 2019 Box of Happies. I didn’t calculate a total value because I had to rely on the information card for most of the values. The average cost per item is about $5, which seems reasonable. I would say the types of items received this month are representative of what you would receive in a typical month (i.e., a lot of jewelry, occasional bath/body items, etc.). Although the bracelet was somewhat big on me, the other items all work for me and the bracelet will make a good gift.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you subscribe today? No, your first box would probably be July’s. Sometimes past boxes or past box items go on sale in their shop, though.
Value Breakdown: At $29.99 for this box, you are paying approximately $5 per item.
Check out our past Box of Happies reviews or find other artisan/handmade items in the artisan subscription box directory!
Keep track of your subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
What did you think of the May Box of Happies? Do you get any artisan or handmade subscriptions?
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