Notebook and journal lovers around the world eagerly await the annual Halloween releases from Archer and Olive. And 2023 was no exception. In fact, the most coveted items of the 2023 collection sold out mere minutes after the launch. I was one of the lucky ones who scored everything they wanted! Keep reading to check out my haul!
Table of contents
What’s So Special About Archer and Olive?
First, let me introduce you to Archer and Olive. They are a stationery company with a focus on quality and creativity. But they also promote journaling and art as tools for mental wellbeing.
Because of the high quality of their journals, they are pretty expensive. And they are also exclusive. Every year, there are seasonal releases with limited quantities. Usually, once they are gone, they are gone. The scarcity and beauty of the products drives the prices, and customers are often quite willing to pay a little more for these rare, beautiful journals.
During this past fall, the most wanted item, a lovely teal journal with a rose gold emblem of coffee and books, sold out almost immediately. In every size! Likewise, shoppers scooped up the limited edition Vintage Library subscription box as soon as it went on sale.
The Archer and Olive Halloween 2023 release smashed both records to smithereens.
The Archer and Olive Halloween 2023 Release
This collection strikes the perfect balance between mystical and elegant. The enchanting designs paired with high quality of the journals make them the absolute perfect addition to any journal collection. But especially to those with a witchy, whimsey goth or dark academia aesthetic.
Each year, the releases get bigger. The 2022 release featured a box filled with exclusive items, including washi that glows in the dark! So the hype around the 2023 release was intense.
The sneak peeks for the release came out in September, causing a lot of excitement in the planner and bullet journal communities.. It was in my Instagram feed and my Facebook groups. My YouTube channels and even my podcasts. Everywhere! That was because the promos share glimpses of a brand new, never seen before item: the spell book!
The Spell Book Journal
This journal sold out almost immediately, in every size and variation. You can see why. The gold foil debossed cover creates an intricate and mystical design that calls to the witch within. Fans of the dark academia and fantasy aesthetic also clamored for this limited edition notebook. The detailed design carries over to the spine, making it the perfect addition to any moody set of bookshelves.
The Spell Book is the first Archer and Olive release to feature deckled edges, a detail that adds even more charm to an already enchanting release.
They released it in A5 and B6 sizes and in both standard white and blackout pages. All versions feature Archer and Olive’s standard, high-quality dot grid, 160gsm paper. There is no bleeding, no ghosting. The paper is so thick, you could paint on it without sacrificing the texture. I scored the A5 with white pages.
The Emblem Journals
Of course, it wouldn’t be an Archer and Olive Halloween release without some new emblem notebooks! This year, the choices are Skull and Books or Thorn Bottle. Both are dot grid notebooks with white paper available in B6 or A5 sizes. The page gilding and emblems are holographic silver stamped on black vegan leather.
I told myself I could only get one. I chose Skull and Books. It was a tough decision and I still think of the Thorn Bottle journal from time to time!
Want to ideas to fill your journals? Check out these journal prompts!
The Archer and Olive Halloween Box 2023
The 2023 box features a Haunted Mansion theme. Here is a list of what’s included in each box:
- An A5 dot grid notebook named Unlocked
- A set of four glow-in-the-dark washi tapes
- Two sheets of glow-in-the-dark stickers
- A glow-in-the-dark calligraphy set
- A set of collage paper sheets
Every item in the box is fantastic. I will use every single thing. Where they lost me is the theme. They say the theme is Haunted Mansion, but the sticker sheets and washi tapes lean heavily into moths. And moths don’t say “haunted mansion” to me.
But this is an amazing assortment of items, and I am thrilled with this purchase. The standout favorites are the calligraphy set and the Unlocked Journal.
The Unlocked Journal, like the Spell Book, features a textured cover and a foil design. But where the Spell Book uses gold foil, this journal has silver. Instead of a whimsical design, the Unlocked Journal has a sturdy lock representing its hidden secrets. They gilded the edges with the same silver. Yet another, perfect addition to this year’s lineup of spooky journals! This notebook and the Spell Book are the standouts of the Archer and Olive Halloween 2023 collection!
The calligraphy set is made of glass! It is the filaments within that glow-in-the-dark, but even in full light, this pen is gorgeous! The set includes a shimmery gold and black ink. It writes beautifully. I have little experience with calligraphy, but I’m inspired to learn more!
If the moth stickers aren’t exactly true to the theme, the collage papers make up for it! They come in two sheets each of four unique designs for eight total pages. Two of the designs mimic Victorian era wallpaper and demonology notebook pages. The other two are foiled with silver picture frames and glinting metal keys.
What I Didn’t Buy
I left behind so many goodies! The limited edition glow-in-the-dark washi was so cute! I especially liked the potion bottles.
There are also sheets of matching stickers. They come in both white and black backgrounds. And these and the two emblem journals are the only items left from the Archer and Olive Halloween 2023 release! You can find them here. I’m not an affiliate; just a fan! So I don’t have a discount code to offer.
The Future of the Archer and Olive Halloween Releases
The quick sell-out of this release disappointed many, which was clear in the comments section on Archer and Olive’s social media. The sale went live at 10AM Eastern Time. According to some reports, items like the Spell Book and the Halloween Box sold up within minutes. This means that many people didn’t get the chance to purchase during the initial sale.
As a result, Archer and Olive did a temporary pre-order for a re-release of the Halloween Box, the washi tape set, and the Spell Book. They will ship these items before December 31, 2023.
It is unknown whether this incident will inspire a change in how Archer and Olive manage their limited releases. Their popularity as a brand is growing and, right now, the supply isn’t keeping up with demand.
Were you able to snag any Archer and Olive Halloween goodies this year?
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