Facebook PixelThe Stationery Selection Review - June 2018 | MSA
My Subscription Addiction
My Subscription Addiction
Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.

The Stationery Selection Review – June 2018

Marne Orenich
ByMarne OrenichJul 9, 2018 | 4 comments

The Stationery Selection box

The Stationery Selection
0 overall rating
0 Ratings | 0 Reviews

The Stationery Selection is a stationery subscription that carefully curates with famous stationery brands and zakka (misc. goods) shipped directly from Japan.

The Stationery Selection box, opened

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out our review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

contents of The Stationery Selection

About The Stationery Selection

The Subscription Box: The Stationery Selection

The Cost: $34.95/mo + shipping 

The Products: Stationery and miscellaneous office/study items like pens, washi tape, and stickers. 

Ships to: Worldwide ($10-$13 to the U.S., depending on where you live)

Good to know: One-time boxes are also usually available for $36.95 + shipping.

The Stationery Selection June 2018 Review

front of The Stationery Selection info sheet list of items on the back of the The Stationery Selection info sheet

They've started putting the list of items on the back of the title sheet instead of a separate one. Great idea!

Boku-undo Japanese Watercolor Set Boku-undo Japanese Watercolor Set with lid off closer look at colors of Boku-undo Japanese Watercolor Set

Boku-undo Japanese Watercolor Set

The box was a little heavy this month and I couldn't wait to open it up and find out why. This was the main reason: a six-color watercolor set! The colors here really take my breath away. Each color ends in "-ish Black" which is music to my ears. The deep colors conjure up more Autumn vibes than Summer, but I'm not going to complain because I just think they're lovely.

Pentel Aquash Watercolor Brush Pen in package Pentel Aquash Watercolor Brush Pen with cap off tip of Pentel Aquash Watercolor Brush Pen Pentel Aquash Watercolor Brush Pen filled with water

Pentel Aquash Watercolor Brush Pen, large - Retail Value $8.25

The perfection companion to the watercolor set is this watercolor brush pen! They had sent one of these a while back and I still have yet to use it because I never bought any paints but NOW... now I can! This brush is a bit larger for bolder strokes. Its so easy to use- all you do is fill up the body with water and gently squeeze to allow water to bleed into the brush. Just brush it against the color you desire and you're ready to go. So simple.

Maruman Vif Art Watercolor Notebook inside of Maruman Vif Art Watercolor Notebook closer look at page from Maruman Vif Art Watercolor Notebook back of Maruman Vif Art Watercolor Notebook

Maruman Vif Art Watercolor Notebook

And what's this? They even sent a watercolor paper notebook so I can practice! Yay! Blue is my favorite color so I'm really pleased to see it as the cover color to this ring-bound notepad. I can't wait to get crackin' in this. The best part is that its petite enough to toss in a bag so I can go paint in the park this summer.

Maruman Vif Art Watercolor Notebook with ribbon tied

It even has a ribbon on each side so you can tie it shut to keep your creations safe.

Watercolor samples

Here is a very crude sample of some of the colors, using the brush pen on the paper.

Uni Color Erasable Mechanical Pencil in Blue Uni Color Erasable Mechanical Pencil in Blue with eraser cap off writing sample of Uni Color Erasable Mechanical Pencil in Blue

Uni Color Erasable Mechanical Pencil in Blue, 0.5mm - Retail Value $1.75

I adore mechanical pencils, and colored lead even more! This one is particularly petite and has a very narrow body so my small hands grip it easily. It has an eraser at the top with a cap to keep it clean while in your pencil pouch. You can refill the lead and even replace the eraser when you need. So slim, and of course the color is perfect!

Uni Color Mechanical Pencil Leads in package Uni Color Mechanical Pencil Leads Uni Color Mechanical Pencil Leads spilling out of container

Uni Color Mechanical Pencil Leads - Retail Value $3.45

Eeeek! They've included a whole set of lead replacements for the pencil in all sorts of colors! What a dream come true! I have a love of lead containers like this one for some strange reason too. Such a sleek and smart design to keep them safe. Just slide the top over and tip to dispense the new lead. Ok, now I'm embarrassed on how geeked I am on pencil lead.

Emily Pencil Illustrated Postcard back of Emily Pencil Illustrated Postcard

Emily Pencil Illustrated Postcard

The info sheet tells me that Emily Pencil is a British artist who currently lives in Japan. This postcard is an illustration she did of a "dagashiya" which are stands that sell cheap candy and snacks that are very common in Japanese neighborhoods. So cute! I have some friends who would love to receive this in the mail. And I can use my new PENCIL to write it!

Classiky x Zwillinge Washi Tape in wrapping 3/4 view of Classiky x Zwillinge Washi Tape Classiky x Zwillinge Washi Tape rolled out

Classiky x Zwillinge Washi Tape

This washi tape is wider than the average roll and is quite abundant! The dark navy background is detailed with white writing that doesn't seem distinguishable to me. I don't think it's any mistake that it matches the darker tones of the watercolor set and follows the blue theme this box has going on. This will be great for tackling jobs that need a more girthy tape!

Mindwave Owl Sticker Sheet close up of Mindwave Owl Sticker Sheet

Mind Wave Owl Sticker Sheet

The last item is a sheet of really cute illustrated owls that also harmoniously match the other colors included in this month's box. The deep blues and greens will go wonderfully with the notebook and watercolors. I love the style they're drawn in too!

Verdict: The Stationery Selection was so awesome this month! I'm never really disappointed with this sub, but every few months they really knock it out of the park. I love when they include several items that go together like the watercolor set, brush pen, and notebook or the mechanical pencils with color leads. Everything else also seemed really cohesive to create a really well-curated box of Japanese stationery goods. 

To Wrap Up: 

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? It looks like this one, along with July's box are sold out and registration is currently closed. They will be reopening registration in August.

Value Breakdown: At $47.95 for this box, you're paying about $5.99 for each of the 8 items.

Check out all of our The Stationery Selection reviews and more stationery reviews in the Paper and Stationery Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

How do you feel about the June Stationery Selection?

Starting at $34.95
Subscribe Now
Subscribe every month for wonderful stationery items from Japan.
Marne Orenich
Marne Orenich
Marne is a lipstick connoisseur, record collector, and twice over cat mom. She loves discovering new clean beauty brands and has quite the collection of beautifully packaged serums and moisturizers.

Join the Conversation

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.

4 comments

Kris

This box looks amazing! I have been reading the monthly reviews and will definitely be subscribing when I can! Also, I can relate to your stationary/ office supplies addiction, as I have an unfettered love of them myself!!

Reply ButtonReply

Jody

I love those owl stickers! I had no idea that colored lead was a thing! I must find it now! Thanks for the review.

Reply ButtonReply

Beth

I’m an owl and a lead geek. Augh. I can’t believe I can’t get this box!!

I tried to sign up for future months. it’s not possible. the current month is sold out and so registration is closed.

Also, the company posted that they will not issue a box in August.

Reply ButtonReply

Marne Orenich

Ah dangit! Thanks, Beth! I’ll update!

Reply ButtonReply