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There are so many art-based subscription boxes out there, with new ones popping up every few weeks. It can be overwhelming to find the type of subscription box that fits with what you want to do and when you want to do it.
There are boxes for kids, for grown-ups, for artists, for people who don't think they can do art, for people who want to learn watercolor painting, for people who want to learn a new craft every month, for people who love getting art supplies sent to them... the options are almost endless.
Usually the main choice is between three things; do you want art materials to play around with and explore, do you want to learn a specific skill like watercolor painting, or do you want to follow along with instructions to complete a different project each month?
The Creative Challenge Box by And Make Things takes a different approach, it's neither materials-centric nor skills-based nor project-focused, it is a theme-based artist subscription box which promotes open-ended results. Basically, in a nut shell, it's an art and creativity box for people who want to be challenged and make things, but hate following directions or making someone else's version of a project.
If you're thinking about ordering an art-based subscription box, you're probably looking to be more creative in your life. Strange as it may sound, how you view creativity makes a big impact on what you're looking for.
If you think of yourself as self-sufficient when it comes to creativity; you're working on your own things and don't need any inspiration, but you love getting art materials on a regular basis, then a materials-based subscription might be perfect for you.
If you're looking for a very specific skill, such as hand lettering, then it makes sense to look for a subscription box which will help you pursue your goal.
If you think of yourself as not very creative but you would like to be, then you might find yourself gravitating towards a project-of-the-month type kit.
All of those options are fine and great choices if that's what you're looking for. If however, you're looking for something which is more challenging, if you see creativity as a process, a giant life-long exploration into things and concepts and spaces and places, then you might find project or skills-based subscription boxes a little restrictive. If you're not inspired by what you're supposed to be doing, you will probably find some projects a bit boring, and you might find other projects to be more than a little meh or not to your taste.
If you think of creativity as taking the time to really use your imagination, brainstorming and exploring to have original ideas, then you need a more challenging subscription box. A theme-based box with no right or wrong ideas, but instead prompts and source materials and inspiration, might be exactly what you're looking for.
Our subscription box is designed around a specific monthly theme (such as maps + mapping or text-based art or multiples) and everything inside the box is put together so that you have what you need to investigate and explore that theme, and make your own investigative projects and artwork.
Each person will be able to make something totally different with their box because the end result of what you make is driven by your own ideas as you experiment with the theme.
Materials inside the box vary with each project, but you can expect to find a selection of source materials to work with, occasional art materials, and a starting points card which includes education, inspiration, open-ended activities and prompts if you're not sure where to start.
You will make so many different things! One month you might make a series of hanging paper sculptures, another you might make a collection of oddities in tiny labelled mason jars. Some months you will make a few different things, other months you will make one main project / artwork - it's really up to you. Your end result is dictated by what interests you within the project and where you put your attention.
Honestly? You won't know until you try. If you went to art college and enjoyed open-ended projects then it's probably a safe bet that you'll like this too. If you've never tried working this way, you really should give it a go - we think you'll love it. Working on a theme and exploring what interests you is a very different approach than following directions to make a specific end result. It's much more freeing and definitely more satisfying, but it can also be frustrating - sometimes it's much easier to be told what to do. If you can continue through any struggles you might encounter (you should totally enter the monthly challenge for motivation!) you will be amazed by what your brain and hands can do when they work together to be truly creative.
When you set a theme-based art project, you really have no idea what people will make with it, and it is so amazing to see the huge variety of creative solutions that people come up with. When we were first thinking about making an art subscription box, we got really excited by the idea of having a monthly challenge, so we built it in to the whole concept.
The challenge is so important to us because
If this all sounds like something you want to be a part of, huge congratulations, subscribe to the box and join the party! If it's not for you, but you know someone who would love this, you can send a gift subscription and be pretty much the coolest gift-giver on the planet.
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