Indie Box Spotlight is a new series that features a more in-depth perspective about boxes delivered by small businesses, where you can meet its founders, and learn more about the story and inspiration behind the box.
Everyone knows about boxes like FabFitFun, Ipsy and Boxycharm; but what excites me is learning about the multitude of indie boxes that exist. More in depth than a typical review, this column will introduce you to an indie subscription box and its owner. In this article, I get to know Your Bijoux Box; join me as I chat with the box’s owner, Shana Tarver. We’ll learn of its inception, what it stands for today, and what the future holds for Your Bijoux Box. Plus, Shana and I delve into March's “Queen Bee” box together!
Let’s jump into Your Bijoux Box! To begin, I asked Shana a series of questions.
Kate: Describe your box in one sentence.
Shana: The monthly jewelry and self care box featuring sparkling one of a kind jewelry collections and handcrafted beauty items.
Kate: What makes your box unique?
Shana: My hope and my view is the connection I have with my subscribers. Each collection is a journey we take together. I strive to make our interactions relational as opposed to simply transactional. How does this work? Example: I create small batch sparkles that are unique and designed by myself in collaboration with subscribers input and tastes. It is like having a personal jewelry stylist for my subscribers. They really drive the contents of the box.
This connection has also led to creating items for accessibility. I have customers who have disabilities and making products for them like slider closures. I’m all about inclusiveness. Every piece is adjustable for ease of use and placement. Joining Your Bijoux Box is all about the surprise every month. You maybe have a guess, but you don’t know how it all comes together until you get the box. And that’s the magic of sparkles.
Kate: What inspired you to create your box?
Shana: This is going to make me tear up a bit. Surprise gifts from my grandmother that I would receive in the mail as a child, the loving care packages. the joy it would bring me. I wanted to share that emotion. The boxes would contain hand picked things just for me. It was a personal connection, they knew my tastes and expanded them with the items included, that just always made me happy. I’m a creator and nurturer so the “maker” aspect really gave me a way in to share my sparkles. I didn’t realize it at the time but I’ve been making what would become the subscription box model for years such as holiday and birthday baskets of handmade gifts for friends and family.
Kate: How long have you had your box?
Shana: Celebrating 9 years in July! Not long after MSA got started. We’ve been collaborating ever since.
Kate: Who does your box appeal to?
Shana: Everyone who likes pretty surprises. So, It’s a broad range. Women who may not have time to shop and want to have on trend jewelry choices that they won’t find in stores. Those that love to sparkle and treat themselves.
Kate: What item(s) that you’ve put in your box is your favorite?
Shana: Every month is my new favorite. However, if I had to pick just one that would be the Lily of the Valley collection inspired by my grandmothers. It is based on a French Holiday where you gift sprigs of Lily of the Valley to loved ones for good luck in the coming year. It makes me smile every time I wear the pieces.
Kate: What’s next for your box?
Shana: Pre-orders start in April for my limited edition Mother’s Day Box (available as a one time purchase). It will be full of hand made self-care items and something VERY unique. I can’t spoil it. I am really excited about it. There will be an exclusive MSA coupon too. It’s great opportunity to give us a try.
Kate: Any future plans/items that you’d like to share?
Shana: I’d like to do a deep dive into self care because I think it is so important, especially for women. The past few years have really underscored that for me. I’m cooking up lots of new products that I can’t wait to share. Surprises are my thing, right?
Kate: Where do you see your box in 5 years?
Shana: I am always looking for new ways to enhance the subscription experience, to push Your Bijoux Box forward and keep it growing as a lifestyle brand. I want to surprise and delight.
Kate: What social media platforms are you on?
Shana:
Facebook: yourbijouxbox
Instagram: @yourbijouxbox
YouTube: YouTube/yourbijouxbox
Kate: Anything you’d like to share that I haven’t asked?
Shana: I want to thank my subscribers, many have been receiving the box from the beginning and have been with me through the evolution of the box. The subscription is all about them.
Your Bijoux Box + Queen Bee - March 2022 Review
Your Bijoux Box is a monthly jewelry subscription for $49.99.
Each box contains 3 pieces of custom designed jewelry, exclusive to the box, plus a bonus item, with a total retail value of $200.
This box was sent to the author free of charge. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
It was wonderful getting to know Shana, so now let’s meet her box! This is the “Queen Bee” March box. The subscription is available in gold only, silver only, or gold/silver (depending on the month’s design). Shana sent me both the 18k gold-plated and the sterling silver-dipped boxes to explore. They each contain three pieces of jewelry (with a $200 value) and a bonus item. Let’s take a look at the “Queen Bee Necklace” first.
Bring On The Bling!
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According to the card that comes with the box, “This whimsical necklace combines citrine, peridot and clear colored cubic zirconias with a honeycomb shaped crystal charm to add a little fun to the chain.”
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Shana adds, “Bees are a much needed reminder to us to slow down, smell the roses and taste the super sweet nectar of life.” Both the gold and silver necklaces have the same colored stones and are both finished with a slider clasp for easy on and off.
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The “Queen Bee Bracelet” is very similar to the necklace in design. It even comes with a slider clasp that makes putting it on and taking it off easy.
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In a follow up interview, Shana gushed: “I love nature! I felt like the bee was a perfect spring piece, it’s so cheerful and sweet.” It’s hard to disagree with her; the cute little bees buzzing around the necklace and bracelet are adorable. Plus, the petite honeycomb on each piece beautifully match the darling dangly honeycombs hanging from the “Queen Bee Earrings.”
Shana also added that, “The honeycomb is something that I wanted to incorporate somehow into the collection, as well. The geometric shape is really fun. It is perfect as a chain for swingy earrings. I’m all about easy-to-wear light earrings with a little pop. They came out so cute, I’m thinking about making a tennis bracelet out of the honeycomb piece.”
I certainly hope she does, because I can attest to how lovely these earrings are! They’re really light and the CZs glisten; they give off tremendous sparkle as you move your head.
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The set is beautiful together, but it’s not the only thing you’ll find in your Tiffany blue box. Shana always includes a bonus item and this month, like last month, it’s a homemade bath and body item. The “Queen Bee Body Butter” was made, in small batches, by Shana herself. It smells divine: Oatmeal, Milk & Honey.
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The scent is warm, inviting and completely addictive. On the card, Shana advises: “Massage into your cuticles before bed for the softest hands in the morning!” More than just a pretty scent, it has the ingredients you want in a hand crème: shea butter, jojoba oil and cocoa butter to name a few. In the photo you can see how thick and lovely it is. Yes, it feels as good as you’d expect! I have it on my nightstand and follow Shana’s advice. True to her word, I wake up with super soft hands. I’ll be watching her shop, hoping to get my hands on more!
The Verdict
I hope you enjoyed getting to know Shana Tarver and exploring March’s Your Bijoux Box with me. I want to thank Shana for letting me interview her. Shana, it was a blast chatting with you! I also want to thank my sister Cindy for putting down her stethoscope long enough to model this jewelry!
What do you think of Your Bijoux Box? What indie box would you like to see featured here next?
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Note: Your Bijoux Box has two exclusive offers just for MSA readers! Use code MSAFREE to receive a free piece of jewelry with a new subscription.
To Wrap Up
Can you still get this box if you sign up today?
Yes, if you hurry! As soon as it sells out, you’ll get the April box as your first box. Once the April box is released, if there are any Queen Bee boxes left, they will be available in Your Bijoux Box’s shop for $70. So, if you really want it, grab it now while it’s $49.99.
Value Breakdown: This box cost $49.99, which means each of the 7 items cost an average of $7.14. That’s a great value for higher end jewelry that you won’t find anywhere else.
What do you think of Your Bijoux Box?
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