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Smart Art Subscription Box Review + Coupon – November 2015

Anna Rodriguez
ByAnna RodriguezJun 21, 2016 | 11 comments

Smart Art Subscription Box Review November 2015 - box

Smart Art
5 overall rating
2 Ratings | 2 Reviews

Smart Art is a fine arts subscription service that sends a new project every month and all the supplies needed to complete it. My husband and I are both artists, so we were very happy to have the opportunity to try this box out!

My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

Smart Art Subscription Box Review November 2015 - inside

The Subscription Box: Smart Art

The Cost: $49.99 per month with free shipping

COUPON: Use code MSA20 to save 20% off your first box

The Products: A fine arts project, complete with instructions and supplies

Ships to: US only

Good to know: It's a different project in a different media every month, using different techniques!

Smart Art Subscription Box Review November 2015 - booklet

This month's project was creating a handpainted Spanish Fan! Yes! It's totally time for me to bring back the hand fan to The South! This is the booklet that Smart Art sends every month. It includes art history related to the project, a list of the included supplies, project pointers, and instructions.

Subscribers can upload a picture of their finished project to Smart Art's Facebook page for a chance to win a free box! That's really cool! On the other hand, our projects usually take forever, so we always seem to miss the boat on this contest.

Smart Art Subscription Box Review November 2015 - booklet-inside

This is the inside of the booklet. On the left is the art history and project pointers, and on the right there's some info on different fabric paints and inks plus the supply list.

Smart Art Subscription Box Review November 2015 - instructions

The instructions are printed on the back of the booklet. They are easy enough to follow, but not so specific that they crush one's creativity.

Smart Art Subscription Box Review November 2015 - supplies

Here are the supplies that were included for this month's project.

Jacquard Tee Juice Fabric Markers (5 pack) - Value $10.73

Creative Mark Scrubber Watercolor Brush Size 8 - Value $6 (on sale at Jerry's for $3.19)

Ivory White Silk Hand Fan - Value $1.50

Foliage Angular Watercolor Brush - Value $11.79 (on sale at Jerry's for 8.29)

Jacquard Lumiere Acrylics 2.25 oz - Value $3

Smart Art Subscription Box Review November 2015 - fan

Ta-da! Here's my completed fan. I took some inspiration from the butterfly bush outside my window.

The Verdict: My husband and I are both huge fans of Smart Art! Having said that, I had a really hard time with this project. The fan is very flimsy, so it was even harder to draw on, and I didn't dare use the scrubber or I would have definitely torn or broken it. Also, the marker colors were supposed to blend if you layered them, but they didn't really. I also wasn't a big fan of the color they provided for the background (citrine). Also the value of the included supplies this month was lower than usual at about $33. The value of the supplies usually at least approaches the cost of the box ($50). The fan is cute, though, and I'm definitely keeping it. I'm currently scoping Etsy to see if I can find a case for it. I can't wait until I get the opportunity to flip it open next spring!

What do you think of Smart Art?

Starting at $50.00
Active Deal
$5 off your first subscription
Use Coupon Code ENJOYART5
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This is a box for aspiring artists. Each month subscribers receive a new box featuring a different artist that highlights their time period, 8-11 trial/full sized art supplies, a suggested project and a detailed pamphlet introducing a new art medium.
Anna Rodriguez
Anna Rodriguez
Anna has been a fan of subscription boxes since joining Birchbox in 2013, but didn't become a true addict until discovering subscriptions she could share with her children. Her favorites include Kiwi Crate and Fab Kids.

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11 comments

Donna

Your fan turned out really nice! I, also get this box. The value of this months box was low (I agree that it would have been nice if they’d given us a couple of practice fans), but I had fun with it. I hated the tea juice, but the background color was actually pretty after I’d put one or two extra coats on it. I had to shake it really well and it had a pearlescent look with multiple coats. I used some of my own supplies for the artwork and I held it open as much as possible with my left hand while painting with my right. The value is usually a little better, but it’s more about curation with this type of box. I’ve found the customer service to be great, too. I have already received this months box an the value is much better. Again, I thought your fan turned out beautiful.

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Starla

Gee, the fans were only a buck and half, you’d think they would’ve thrown in a couple more. Just sayin’…
I think your fan turned out lovely. You’re very creative.

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Anna

Thank you Starla! And I gotta agree…

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JanS

This is very cute and a terrific idea for a sub box.
That said this is seriously overpriced.
I can get a pack of 5 fans at the dollar store and the other supplies can be found for less. I wish I had disposable income though because I love the idea of the box!

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yourbilletdoux

Wow that’s so pretty!

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Anna

Thank you!

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Ragan

I think it looks nice.

I don’t think you need to wait until spring to use it, though. It is December 11, 9 AM, and it is over 60 degrees in the Atlanta area. It is going to be around 70 today in Marietta…sheesh.

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Anna

Thanks Ragan! And SRSLY.

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Kay

I love your reviews of this box, you are so talented!!

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Anna

Thank you Kay!

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CreativelySwank

Bwahahaha
a $50 fan?
Seriously?
Bwahahaha.

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