Fair Ivy Duet: February 2014

Now it’s that time of the month where we get to check out those fabulous Etsy finds and explore the creativity of some American artisans.  With Fair Ivy’s new Duet subscription, I get two cool packages a month – one with jewelry and the other with a mysterious surprise.   You know how I love mysterious surprises, so enough chatter and let’s see what’s inside!

As usual, one of Fair Ivy’s specialties is wonderful packaging.

Package #1 (Jewelry) –Sterling Silver Hammered Disc Necklace from Grey Goose Gifts
(Retail: $28.00)
Grey Goose Gifts from Ohio make beautiful handmade jewelry.  They are chock full of charming layering pieces with classic delicate designs.  This piece is just a simple short silver chain with a hammered silver circle.  I think it would work best layered beneath other longer chains.

Verdict: On the Fence
Oh, how I really hate giving that verdict because this is a lovely little piece and I do like the style of it.  My issue is not with the piece itself, but this piece in the context of my Fair Ivy subscription.   As a Fair Ivy subscriber I have already received many necklaces that I feel are too similar to this one.  The only jewelry pieces I’ve received since joining have been  earrings and necklaces (3 sets of earrings; 5 necklaces).  Every necklace has been on a short silver chain and two others (besides this one) featured small circle pendants.  It is the same silhouette each month and while I really like the look I don’t feel as though I need so many similar jewelry pieces in my collection.  I’d really love to get some other types of jewelry (bring on the bracelets, rings, brooches, and watches) or at least some necklaces with a different style and shape.  Last month’s chain featured pearls and I found that to be a nice variation.

Package #2…a box mysteriously labeled “Fragile”…

This little box is too damn cute for words.

Package #2 –Tillandsia planter from White Peach Pottery
(Retail: $18.00)
Artist Marianne Tolosa of White Peach Pottery creates hand-crafted pottery at her studio in Virgina. Housed inside that enigmatic Fragile box was an adorable Tillandsia planter. I’m guessing my version was made specifically for Fair Ivy since I can’t find it in the White Peach store (although there are lots of other styles).

Verdict: Love!
I love this cute little pot and its cute little magic plant that doesn’t need dirt.  It has been a cold barren winter folks, and seeing this cheerful guy show up was perfectly timed.  White Peach has some gorgeous (and reasonably priced) things in her store and I could envision a bunch of these little planters in those pastel colors being an amazing Easter table centerpiece.  This is the kind of item that makes me love this subscription.  It’s unique, supports independent artists and isn’t something I’d find anywhere else (or think to pick up for myself.)

OVERALL
Verdict: Mixed

Estimated Retail: $46.00. 
With shipping, I paid $43 including the shipping so I got more value that what I paid. Judging this box solely on its own merit it is a wonderful box.  The problem comes from the fact that I feel like as though I keep receiving the same necklace every other month.  I do adore the planter and it’s exactly the kind of thing I want from this type of subscription.

I’m going to see what pops up in next month’s box, and if the jewelry is still too similar I may take a brief hiatus from this box to build up some room for more silver necklaces.

Fair Ivy offers a jewelry only subscription in addition to the Duet.   I’d love it if they offered one for just the other handmade items.  I’d be happy to pay $20 a month just a handmade surprise each month.

What is your jewelry collection like?
Are you eclectic or do you stick to the same type of design?

THE BACKSTORY

Fair Ivy is a subscription box of beautifully wrapped, handmade items made by individual artisans.

There are two subscription options:

A jewelry only subscription at $25.00 a month (plus shipping) for 1 jewelry item per month.  (This option will ship in the US & Canada).

Or

The Duet subscription at $35.00 a month (plus shipping) of 2 handmade items (1 item will be jewelry).  (This option only ships in the US).

Because the items ship directly from the artisans, if you choose an original subscription you will receive the packages individually throughout the month.

DISCOUNT CODE:  FAIRIVYFRIEND for $5 off the first month of any subscription.

Author: Writer Preziosi

Once upon a time, long, long ago, Lisa attended Syracuse University where she studied singing in a giant castle surrounded by ice and snow. After she earned her music degree, she headed to the island of Manhattan, down to the West Village, to a place called the New School. There, she earned another degree in the great art of writing stories for children. She currently works on that same island trying to help real people, while making up stories about imaginary ones. Her first book, “The Ice Maiden’s Tale,” a fairy tale adventure, was released on May 30, 2017 and is up for sale on Amazon. View all posts by Writer Preziosi