Using my undergrad degree in Marketing…the new box is set up graphically for ‘in store display’ including the picture on the bottom (again, could display one box via front with stack laying on side on the bottom…box size may have changed to fit with standard store shelves product size wants/needs). There is significantly more packaging on the inside which most people will throw away, creating more landfill waste…that paper is coated and hard to recycle. People like me who love little boxes will have quite a few uses for them. The inner packaging also will reduce the box being damaged, and they did (instead of styrofoam) use packaging that DIYers can re-purpose, so that’s a positive. The tray is very nice! And the sturdiness makes it easier to repurpose once you’ve gotten 30 of them 😉 Wow! They spent some $$$ on the pen, very nicely designed. I wonder how it feels in the hand? You can also pull the putty out if you don’t like it and put in the sticky of your choice. Not going to miss the cover minders, and the washi tape was pretty low quality, so I only used it for removable tape, not decoration. The canvas has gotten thinner and more “plastic” feeling, imo, and is less flexible, imo…I liked the old canvas more. I think the slogan “unleash your inner artist” is great for in store marketing on the shelf. A lot of people may want to make beautiful art, but have no skills in painting, etc (such as myself!,) and that would draw someone in to look at it and see what it is. I can tell you from a marketing perspective, that this is a much more expensive box to manufacture. It’s full-color print with shiny coating (vs. a 4 color print with a sticker that they had previously.) The inside box components must be precisely made, also more expensive. The pamphlet, folded and with the stickers printed, cut and folded, also costs a lot more to make. The whole set up gives it a more premium feeling for the premium price…but is the premium price going to increase along with it? Or the discounts/points become smaller/harder to earn? I wish one of the choices they had made was to put the drill bags in number order vs size order, but not really a big deal. For regular non-marketing Molly, love the new tray, have never had good luck with putty, so it’s just more plastic getting thrown away unless I can think of some way to use it, love the inner cardboard containers because I use stuff like that to make storage containers and organizers, and all sorts of stuff. Wish the components were more eco-friendly for recycling and shipping, and that they used less plastic and heavily coated paper. The folded up sticker sheet does look like it will not come out mangled and destroyed (had quite a few of those!) and thank goodness for the picture on the end of the box to reduce time hunting through them. So, some likes and some dislikes…concern for pricing related to all of this, too.

Thanks for the unboxing. I haven’t received a new upgrade yet. I never used their cover minders or washi tape. I like my SIMPLY GILDED Washi tape. Good quality! 👍 OH my… the black! Eecckkkk. Can’t wait to see it in your line up to start working on it. ❤

The changes are ok .like you not really going to miss the cover minders or Washi tape. The tray is nice. Waiting to see how the pen works. Thanks for sharing

I don't mind the changes. My only concern is price increases. But to be fair, I have not even looked at the new kits yet. This dp is absolutely adorable and reminds me of the new puppy my sister adopted. 💓

Thanks for sharing, Mindy! I agree, love all of the changes!! I think the new pen will be like a Quick Stick -often sold for scrapbooking and paper picking up. Can’t wait to get my next kit! ❤️ from 🇨🇦

Wow I like the new boxing not sure about the pen I like my beautiful pens with glue dots

I'm not a fan of the perforated sections either, I do like the look of the tray especially with the lid. Not sure about the pen would have to try it out first. Least the way they have it packaged now the tool kit won't quash the canvas. Love this image even though it big! 😊

I'm not a fan of the perforated sections either. To me, it is just another variable that can make or break your diamond painting experience. There was nothing wrong with a solid clear cover, and let the customer choose how to section their kit.

I got my first new kit today. I love the new packaging ❤

So that's why their prices went up. Ah ha

Dont like new pen

Wow I like the new boxing not sure about the pen I like my beautiful pens with glue dots