Disclosure: This box was purchased by me at a discounted price. There is a referral code so we both get discounts!
Subscription: Art Crate
Cost: small $22/month, medium $32/month, and large $49/month [see below] with free shipping.
Promo Code: For $15 off your first, and my next, order, use the promo code Onderria15
What to Expect: “Our Curators understand home decor, from classic styles to contemporary looks. They’ve gone through extensive training and have hands-on experience to know which art, sizes, and colors will look best for your home.”
I was surfing Cratejoy, looking for new and interesting boxes, and came across Art Crate. I am always envious of the cool prints people get in boxes, and I’ve yet to get any of my own, so I decided to sign up for an art subscription!
Before getting started, here’s the pricing and size guidelines so you know what sort of print to expect. I chose Medium for $32/month with a $20% off coupon, bringing it down to $25.60 for my first box.
You do a survey to find out what your art tastes are upon signing up, then on the 15th of the month your art curator contacts you to let you pick between three options. These were my first three options:
I actually sort of liked all three, and really like this floral watercolor craze I’ve been seeing on my Pinterest and blogs. However, I live with two dudes and have to keep that in mind. My boyfriend and I do have similar taste in art, but he didn’t particularly care for any of these.
So, I emailed my personal curator back [that sounds like I’m some sort of a millionaire!!] and asked for something biology/earth related. She replied quickly with these three prints:
I liked all three, but particularly B and C! It was really hard to choose between the two, actually, but I went with C because the colors match our living room and would look nice in our bedroom [which has no art].
The art comes in a nice flat, stiff cardboard envelope.
There was a nice handwritten note from the creators, an artist bio, info about the size of my art, and a welcome card.
Green & Gold Cicada by Cat Coquillette: $25 on Society 6 for 13×13.
I tried to go to Michael’s to get this framed during their 70% off custom framing event. But it was still $100!!! I don’t have drug dealer money, so McBoyfriend [in his bright green Seahawks hoodie under his Seahawks jersey] helped me pick out some frames off the shelf.
After framing my piece I taped the artist’s bio onto the back! Turns out, Cat Coquillette painted all of my second round choices! She also did the Treat Yo Self print that I saw somewhere–perhaps another sub box??
While I was getting a frame for my Art Crate print, I grabbed one for my Dottie Box September box print [thanks, Sub Bella for the box envy! heh].
The best part about Art Crate is their referral program! If you use my code, we both get $15 off! I purchased this first box at a discount, but this is much lower than what I paid. Plus, they were able to send me a fancy updated picture that didn’t use my real name in the code =) Secrets, guys.
PS: Cat pic time… Bella really liked the GlobeIn seahorse that Heat traded me =) I had to yell Pnut’s phrase, “NOT A NOM” and then grab it [after taking some pictures].
Verdict: I love this piece, and so does McBoyfriend. We’re putting it in the bedroom near our windows, because we have some IKEA insect curtains that it would look nice next to.
After looking up the price of the piece, I noticed it was about the same price if not cheaper [sans discount] to buy art straight from the artist’s Etsy page or on Society 6. So, this box really does include curation in the cost. Still, I like my print and total with the frame I spent $42. The referral program is awesome, and I will be continuing my sub for a bit!
What do you think? Which piece would you have chosen?
That Cicada picture is very cool! I love the colors in the first 3 but think I might go with the tree rings. It reminds me of my San Fran / Sonoma trip last fall when we spent a morning at Armstrong Woods looking at the giant Redwoods. Amazing!
Bella is so cute! Glad she likes the seahorse… too bad it’s not for her. 😉
I really like the tree rings as well! I think I might actually get it from Society 6 or Etsy in gold or black, can’t decide!
Love the review! Lol on Cratejoy I forgot who it was that was mentionioning a box so I looked it up and found Cratejoy. I got overwhelmed and fussy and did not go back. I should but I burned too much in the past week with the sales and moving :/
I don’t really like how Cratejoy is organized. Or rather, isn’t. Once you narrow down by category, you cannot further refine by price, other categories, reviews, etc.
Ooooh! Great review! I really like that the artist’s info is included. The cicada print is beautiful, I might have to check out the artist’s Etsy shop. Art Crate looks like a good sub, but we have yet to hang anything up that we already have. The boyfriend and I bought a fixer upper house a few years ago and are SLOWLY redoing each room (a complete gut in some rooms). I can’t decide where I want to hang anything (especially since I might find a better place for it in a room that has yet to be finished) and he doesn’t want to put holes in the walls we fixed up (I really don’t blame him).
Lauren, I am glad my boyfriend powered through his fixer-upper house before moving in. Haha, I hate painting. I did help clean and caulk EVERYTHING, but that was about it. I understand about having a hard time putting holes in freshly painted walls, but honestly you gotta do it to really love your house. I love our dining/hall area because it’s got a lot of art, decor, and color. It really pulls the house together! Hang some art up now, and if you find a better place for it then move it =) Good luck! [oh and there are always Command strips!]
I suppose you are right. I think this will be our 5th Christmas in our house. Now I just have to find where I put all of the wall art that I have. It’s in various “safe places” I’m sure. Lol
Bella is having a great time! The Dottie Box September print looks great!
Great review and what a fun box! I love Cratejoy. Plus they have so many coupons!
OMG you know ur atlas in the pic?!? I have a purse made from the SAME book!!!
Really??? I got that at the disgusting giant Goodwill from the Macklemore Thrift Shop video. Hah it was like $.50. I love it! I love old maps and old books… obviously =)
I will send you a pic at some point. I am also sending you something soon so when you get a little package in the mail with cat hair all over it… you’re welcome!
Ooer, I like furry surprises! I wonder if when cats go to fancy dances, do they call them a Fur Ball?
LOL I legit snorted! Fur Ball LOLOL I kinda want to host one… it would be amazing. We could do a bar hop where we all wear formal wear but put fur all over it… At the end we end up at a place we can dance! Fur will fly and the Fur Ball!
Haha, right I don’t have to put fur on anything! I looked down at my skirt this morning and discovered it was covered in cat hair and my hair =/