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. September’s products are from Uttar Pradesh.
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)
This box was stuffed pretty full when I got it! But everything was packaged well inside and it all survived the trip intact.
I think they do a great job with the packaging. It’s like opening a gift. FYI, this is the September box. With this subscription, shipping is late in the month and you will get it the next month.
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: Item prices are taken from the information page for this box. (This month, there was not a printed information card, but the link in this paragraph will take you to their store page for this box, where you can read about the items.) Although Luxurion World has a shop, this month’s items did not appear to be in it just yet. However, you can still buy this box or the August box if you are interested. (Here is my review of the August box.)
Ships to: Worldwide; $15 cost to the US
Check out the Artisan Subscription Box Directory for similar boxes!
Brass Bowl with Handcrafted Minakari Work – Value $15
This is so pretty. The detail inside is beautiful and the side is smooth and shiny. (The color on the inside is consistent; the whitish stuff in the middle is reflection from my light source.)
Minakari is a technique of ornamenting the surface of metals and was spread by the Moghuls throughout Persia, India, and other countries nearby. This particular style, on brass, originated in the city of Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh.
Here’s a view of the side.
Natural Lavender Aroma Oil – Value $15
First, my apologies for the blurriness of the photo. This vial was difficult to photograph. This is an attar, which is a fragrance oil extracted by a complicated distillation process, and comes from Kannauj, known as the “Perfume City of India.”
This has a little different scent than lavender essential oils made in the West. I am looking forward to using it in my cool mist diffuser!
Here’s the bag the oil vial came in. Once again, I have to say I really like the packaging for this subscription!
“Shazar” Stone Pendant – Value $35
I think this is neat. I like the way it looks, but it’s also interesting to read about how this stone is formed. (It’s natural, but can take thousands of years to complete the process!) This is oversimplifying it a bit, but a fungus becomes trapped in the stone and the presence of iron and manganese makes the fungus secrete acid, which also alters the appearance of the stone and also acts as a glue.
It takes someone with a lot of knowledge and experience to cut the stone, though, so that the patterns show. Not all occurrences of Shazar stone have patterns like this!
Silk Brocade Cushion Cover – Value $7
Brocade is shuttle-woven on a draw loom. (Rather than me trying to describe what a draw loom is, here is a link with more information. These looms were developed specifically for silk weaving.) This is about 12.5 by 12.5 inches so it is easy to find a cushion to fill it. (I have one on order.) It will actually go with the color scheme in my living room fairly well.
Zardozi Embroidered Jewelry Box – Value $8
Zardozi is another craft originating in Persia that has found a home in Uttar Pradesh. In this craft, metallic threads are used to sew embellishment onto various fabrics. Red is my favorite color and I love the design, so of course I am happy with this. Based on photos I’ve seen elsewhere, colors may vary.
Verdict: I calculated a value of $80 for the September Artisan Box from Luxurion World. They promise a monthly value of at least $70 and they exceeded that this month. I actually think some of the items are probably worth more than the cost listed on the Luxurion World site – or at least, they would sell for more, individually, in the US. So the actual value may be even higher! Once again, I’m happy with the contents. I love the craftsmanship and that this subscription supports the artisans, plus the items are beautiful and I find the stories of their creation quite interesting.
What do you think of the September 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.