Artisan Box by Luxurion World is a monthly subscription box bringing you handcrafted lifestyle items from India. Each month, the products will come from a different Indian state. August’s products are from Gujarat.
This box was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Artisan Box by Luxurion World
The Cost: $49 a month (save with longer subscriptions)
The Products: 3-5 lifestyle items handcrafted by artisans in India. The items come from local craftsmen and small businesses and produced in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly manner. A large percentage of the proceeds of Artisan Box are distributed to the artisans who make the products. Cost savings for the consumer are achieved through volume purchases and direct payment to the artisans without any middle agencies. This structure allows for improvement of the artisans’ socioeconomic conditions.
Note: You can buy the items from this box and other Indian-made items in the Luxurion World Store. Item prices are taken from the information card, which match store prices, unless otherwise noted.
Ships to: Worldwide (free shipping for subscriptions to US addresses purchased through September 2015)
Check out the Artisan Subscription Box Directory for similar boxes!
I have not heard much about Artisan Box from Luxurion World before, so I think it is a fairly new subscription box. If so, they must have studied the market quite a lot before putting it together. The packaging is just lovely and really well done.
Artisan Box came with a card detailing the items in the box, including a little bit about how each was made. This is a really nice two-sided, full-color card. I often kind of ignore information cards, but I found myself coming back to this one again and again because I found the details pretty interesting. The back panel, which is cut off in the photo, is the same as the front panel.
Rudraksha Mala – Value $10
Note: I couldn’t find these in the Luxurion World store, so the link is to a similar item on Amazon (selling for a similar price).
Rudraksha is a seed produced by the Elaeocarpus tree and is said to act as a shield against “negative energies,” according to tradition.
I am amassing quite the collection of malas thanks to the Yogi Surprise Lifestyle and Jewelry boxes. I have a tie rack in my basement yoga/exercise room where I display them. I think this is a great item for a box from India and I will definitely get some use out of it.
Ancient Rogan Art – Value $30
Rogan is a 400-year-old traditional art form that is (sadly) on the verge of extinction – it is currently practiced by only one family! It is made by heating castor oil over fire, casting it into cold water, and mixing the residue with natural colors. This is then painted onto cloth with a wooden stick or pen and the patterns are symmetrical because the fabric is folded over to get the impression of the first half onto the second.
I am going to find a good frame for this and hang it in my yoga/exercise room, where it will go nicely with my small but growing collection of Indian art.
Handcrafted Lacquered Wood Honey Dipper – Value $10
Kesar Goti Herbal Facial Soap – Value $1
This honey dipper is designed for spreading honey evenly on food. I am going to have to start buying honey in jars instead of squeeze bottles just so I can use this!
I couldn’t find this exact soap packaging online but if you are interested, just search the name and you will find a lot of similar products. It contains saffron, coconut oil, almond oil, and a soap base and is supposed to be effective against dark spots and acne. It’s too soon to tell if it’s working for me, but I do like the way it smells a lot.
Here is a close-up view of the honey dipper handle. Once the wood is carved, lacquer is applied to the handle and it is turned on a lathe to create the colored pattern you see. This is another craft practiced by only a few families.
Suf Embroidered Woolen Stole – Value $25
This stole is embroidered by hand based on a triangle called a Suf. According to the information card, the motifs are never drawn but are instead imagined by the artisan and counted out in reverse. I think the colors in this are perfect for fall. The fabric itself is lightweight.
And I had to get a picture of the back, which looks as good as the front! When I do embroidery, the back is always a mess, so I am impressed here.
Multipurpose Bag from Recycled Plastic – Value $8
This bag is the product of an initiative to make goods from waste plastic. Once cleaned, plastic is cut into long strips that are woven into textiles. This project has provided income for disadvantaged people, the disabled, senior citizens, and home-based workers. Up close, this appears to be good quality and durable, and I like the warm-colored accents on the silver.
Verdict: I calculated a value of $84 for the August Artisan Box from Luxurion World. They promise a monthly value of at least $70 and they exceeded that this month. I love Indian arts and crafts and so pretty much every item in this box was perfect for me. I also like that the items are sustainably-produced and provide income for the artisans, and I’m really interested in the stories behind the items. I think the curation is nicely balanced, as well, covering a broad number of categories.
What do you think of the August 2015 Artisan Box from Luxurion World?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.