Maker Crate

Maker Crate delivers sophisticated art and design projects for teens and adults ages 12+. Each monthly crate includes premium materials and expert instruction to create beautiful, functional pieces - from terrazzo coasters to hand-bound journals. Projects teach real maker skills like resin casting, leather working, and textile arts.

Maker Crate is for creative teens and adults who want to learn real maker skills. Each project results in something beautiful and functional - pieces that look like they came from a boutique, not a craft kit.

Pricing Plans

Plan	Price	Savings
Monthly	$32.95/month	-
3-Month	$31.95/month	Save 3%
6-Month	$29.95/month	Save 9%
12-Month	$25.95/month	Save 21%

Note: Maker Crate is priced higher than standard KiwiCo lines due to premium materials.

What’s Included

• Maker Project: Create something beautiful and functional
• Premium Materials: Quality supplies that make professional results possible
• Expert Instructions: Clear guides with technique tips
• Design Variations: Ideas for customizing your project
• Maker Zine: Artist features and additional inspiration

Sample Projects

Past Maker Crates have included:

• Terrazzo Coasters: Cast jesmonite with embedded chips
• Hand-Bound Journal: Learn traditional bookbinding
• Resin Art: Create a decorative tray or jewelry
• Leather Accessories: Craft a wallet or passport holder
• Punch Needle Art: Create textured wall hangings
• Natural Dyeing: Dye fabric with botanical materials

How It Works

Maker Crate’s monthly subscription cycle delivers sophisticated art and design projects designed for teens and adults ages 12+:

1. Subscribe and Set Expectations: Choose your subscription plan (monthly, 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month) through KiwiCo’s website. Maker Crate is designed for ages 12+ which explicitly includes both teens and adults. Many grown-ups subscribe for themselves as a creative hobby. No topic customization - KiwiCo rotates through various maker techniques (resin casting, leather working, bookbinding, textile arts, etc.) to provide diverse exposure over time.

2. Monthly Crate Arrival: Around the same date each month, your Maker Crate ships and typically arrives within 5-10 business days. Free shipping is included. Each crate is larger than younger KiwiCo lines (approximately 14” x 10” x 4”) due to premium materials like leather, jesmonite, quality resin, and specialized tools. Packaging protects delicate supplies during shipping.

3. Unbox Premium Materials and Instructions: Open your crate to discover that month’s maker project:

• All materials needed for the project (premium quality that enables professional results)
• Specialized tools when required (specific to that technique)
• Comprehensive instruction booklet (20-30 pages with detailed photos)
• Expert technique guide explaining the craft’s background
• Design variation ideas for personalizing your project
• Maker Zine with artist features and additional inspiration

Before starting, inventory components against the checklist and read through the entire instruction booklet to understand the full project scope.

4. Learn About the Maker Technique: Before creating, review the technique guide explaining:

• History and cultural origins of this craft
• Traditional applications and modern adaptations
• Professional makers who work in this medium
• How this technique is used in design, fashion, or art industries

This context elevates the project from “craft kit” to genuine maker education, showing how techniques connect to real-world creative careers.

5. Set Up Proper Workspace: Maker projects require more setup than basic crafts:

• Large, flat, well-lit surface (kitchen table or dedicated craft area)
• Protective covering for projects involving resins, dyes, or paints
• Organization system for small components and materials
• Adequate ventilation for resin projects or processes with fumes
• 1-3 hour uninterrupted time block

These aren’t quick activities - they’re genuine maker projects requiring sustained focus and proper workspace.

6. Create Following Expert Instructions: Work through the project methodically:

• Instructions include full-color photos showing exact results for each step
• Techniques use proper terminology without dumbing down
• Steps build sequentially - rushing or skipping causes problems
• Precision matters - careful work produces professional results
• Some steps require patience (resin curing, glue drying, leather conditioning)

Most Maker projects are designed for independent completion by motivated teens or adults, though complex techniques benefit from collaboration or reading instructions thoroughly before starting.

7. Complete Professional-Quality Piece: Maker projects are designed to produce boutique-quality results:

• Terrazzo coasters look like they came from a high-end home goods store
• Hand-bound journals rival artisan bookshop offerings
• Resin trays display beautifully and serve functional purposes
• Leather wallets and holders are genuinely usable daily accessories
• Punch needle art creates textured wall hangings suitable for gallery display
• Naturally-dyed fabrics produce wearable scarves or home textiles

Finished pieces don’t look “homemade” in a negative sense - they look handcrafted by skilled makers, which builds genuine pride and confidence.

8. Explore the Maker Zine: Each crate includes a Maker Zine magazine featuring:

• Maker spotlight profiles showcasing professional artists and designers using similar techniques
• Additional design challenges encouraging creative experimentation
• Tips for troubleshooting common issues with the technique
• Inspiration gallery showing variations and applications
• Resources for continuing the craft (where to buy materials, online communities)

The zine extends engagement beyond the main project and connects makers to broader creative communities.

9. Apply Technique to Future Projects (Extension): After completing the Maker project, the technique becomes part of your skill set:

• Jesmonite casting extends to creating custom planters, decorative objects, or jewelry
• Bookbinding skills apply to journals, sketchbooks, photo albums, or handmade books
• Resin techniques work for creating jewelry, decorative items, or art pieces
• Leather working transfers to bags, belts, or other accessories
• Punch needle methods create custom pillows, rugs, or fiber art
• Natural dyeing applies to clothing, scarves, or home textiles

Maker provides professional instruction and materials for the first project; you can continue practicing with supplies from art stores.

10. Build Maker Identity and Portfolio: Over multiple months, Maker Crate helps you develop genuine maker skills and identity:

• Teens exploring creative careers build a portfolio of handmade work
• Adults discover screen-free hobbies that compete with passive entertainment
• Completed projects become gifts that friends and family genuinely treasure
• Techniques may spark small business ideas (Etsy shops, craft fair participation)
• Skills transfer to interior design, fashion, product design, or art careers

Many Maker alumni cite their subscription as the catalyst for discovering creative passions and even career paths.

Frequency: Monthly crates ship consistently on your subscription date. You can pause, skip months, or cancel anytime through your account dashboard. Some subscribers work at slower pace and prefer 3-month or 6-month plans to avoid accumulation.

Who It’s For

Best For:

• Creative Teens Ages 14+: High schoolers interested in art, design, or maker careers wanting hands-on experience with professional techniques
• Adult Makers: Grown-ups seeking screen-free creative hobbies that produce beautiful, functional results
• Teens Who’ve Outgrown Kids’ Crafts: Those finding Doodle Crate too basic and wanting projects with premium materials and sophisticated outcomes
• Parent-Teen Bonding Seekers: Families wanting collaborative creative time where both generations enjoy the same quality project
• Gift Makers: Those who enjoy creating handmade presents that rival boutique purchases
• Screen-Free Activity Seekers: Teens and adults wanting engaging offline activities competing with digital entertainment
• Design and Art Students: Those studying creative fields who benefit from practical technique exposure beyond classroom instruction
• Boutique-Quality Seekers: Buyers who appreciate that finished pieces look professional enough to display proudly or give confidently
• Patient Crafters: Those who find satisfaction in 1-3 hour focused projects rather than quick activities
• Technique Collectors: People wanting to learn diverse maker skills across multiple disciplines
• Small Business Dreamers: Aspiring Etsy sellers or craft fair vendors testing techniques before investing in full supplies

Not Ideal For:

• Young Children Under 12: Fine motor requirements, patience needs, and technical concepts exceed most younger kids’ abilities - Doodle Crate (ages 6-12) is more appropriate
• Impatient Creators: If you need instant results or can’t sustain 1-3 hour focus, shorter craft projects suit better
• Budget-Conscious Buyers: At $32.95/month ($25.95 with annual plan), Maker is KiwiCo’s most expensive line at $311-395/year; if budget is tight, cheaper craft supplies or tutorials offer alternatives
• Those Avoiding Challenges: Some techniques have learning curves and require precision; if frustration tolerance is low, this creates stress rather than enjoyment
• STEM-Only Interested: Maker focuses on art, design, and craft rather than science or engineering; if you want technical building, Eureka Crate provides engineering focus
• Minimalists: Monthly deliveries create accumulating finished objects requiring display or storage space; if you’re decluttering, subscriptions add inventory
• Those Wanting Specific Techniques Only: You don’t choose which maker projects arrive when; if you only want leather working but receive resin casting, disappointment may result
• Quick Craft Enthusiasts: If you prefer 15-30 minute activities you can complete in one sitting, Maker’s 1-3 hour commitment feels overwhelming
• Those Uncomfortable with Messy Materials: Some projects involve resins with fumes, dyes requiring ventilation, or materials needing protective covering - if you want only clean crafts, this may frustrate

Maker Crate works exceptionally well for creative teens and adults ages 14+ who genuinely enjoy learning sophisticated maker techniques with premium materials. The professional-quality results set this apart from typical craft kits, making finished pieces display-worthy and gift-appropriate. However, the higher price point ($32.95/month), longer time commitment (1-3 hours per project), and increased difficulty mean this works best for motivated makers rather than casual crafters. If you or your teen loves the idea of learning bookbinding, resin casting, or leather working with expert instruction and quality supplies, Maker delivers. If making things feels like work rather than recreation, pass on this one.