Bargain Bead Box is a monthly subscription promising over $40 worth of quality jewelry-making supplies every month.
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Bargain Bead Box
The Products: Designer quality beads in materials ranging from crystal to glass to semiprecious gemstones, plus metal beads and findings. Bargain Bead Box does not send any plastic beads or seed beads.
The Cost: $15.95 a month + free shipping. 3-, 6- and 12-month gift memberships also available
Ships to: US (free), Canada for $7.50
Check out the Craft Subscription Box Directory for more great beading, craft supply, and DIY project boxes and make sure to add Bargain Bead Box to your subscription list or wishlist!
There was a letter in the box with some more information on the theme. The back contained a list of the month’s beads. I accidentally cut this with scissors when I was opening the envelope but that’s my fault for not being careful…
The beads were sorted into groups in these little paper envelopes.
A note on prices: Items like this can come from a variety of different suppliers at many price points depending on how many you buy, etc. I couldn’t find a lot of these exact beads from common sources (e.g., Fire Mountain Gems) and it’s of questionable value to pick something similar because a slight difference in grading or size or material and you are looking at half or double the price (or an even greater difference). Even different colors of the same size and shape of glass beads are priced differently due to materials needed to make the colors!
4mm Chinese Crystal AB Bicone Beads (100+ pieces)
Basic glass and crystal shapes are always appreciated. These are a good color that will go with pretty much anything.
21 x 8 mm Gunmetal Black Rhinestone 2-Hole Spacer Bars (5 pieces)
I plan to use these in a bracelet. The picture really doesn’t do them justice; I actually think they’re pretty cool.
12 mm Lobster Claw Clasps (12 pieces)
I can never have enough clasps. I’ve already used one of these.
6 x 4 mm Chinese Crystal Rondelle Beads in Metallic Black (48 pieces)
These are pretty neat. They have the weight of stone but the facets are a little flashier than natural stone would be.
12-30 mm Hematite Fan (13 pieces)
These are actually graduated in size; the picture isn’t the best because I didn’t realize until well after I’d photographed them that they were meant to be a fan.
4-5 mm Dyed Freshwater Pearls, Rice Shape (14 inch strand)
8-9 mm Dyed Freshwater Pearls, Rice Shape (14 inch strand)
I’ve always wanted pearls in this deep blue color but never bought any. So these were fun to play with. I used the smaller ones in a necklace and am hanging on to the larger ones for a bit.
8 mm Frosted Antiqued Hematite Rounds (10 inch strand)
I got something very similar in Blueberry Cove Beads last month and had no idea what they were made from. Now I know! I’m not sure how I will use these yet. I think they might look good in combination with a really bright color, I just have to choose the color.
6 mm Hematite Round Beads (15 inch strand)
These are good basic round beads. I’ve always liked the shininess of hematite. And they were a good size to use with the bead caps (see below).
55 mm Filigree Flower Pendant
This is made from a lead-free pewter alloy. It is a bit large in terms of centerpieces for me, so it will probably become part of a gift one of these days.
14 mm Oval Beads with Leaf Pattern (6 pieces)
I have an idea for some earrings I can make with these. I may use the ones leftover for a bracelet, or make extra earrings and give some as gifts. I haven’t decided yet.
4 mm Daisy Spacer Beads (100 pieces)
You can never have too many spacers. These will get used.
6.5 mm Bead Caps (60 pieces)
The only reason my necklace for the month is as short as it is, is because I ran out of these. Used every last one. Silver-tone findings were a good choice for this month, I think.
4 mm Round Spacer Beads (200 pieces)
Another nice, basic bead. I used a lot of these already (see below).
Here is a necklace I made. This can either be worn really long or at choker length (for me, at least – I have a narrow neck). I would’ve made it a bit longer but I ran out of the flower-shaped bead caps.
Verdict: I did not calculate a value for Bargain Bead Box, as explained above. The letter that came with the package says the retail value is $59. I can believe that – there were semiprecious stones and pearls in here, as well as a lot of other stuff, in general. If you look at the cost of the box versus the number of items, that works out to a little over $1 per item, which really seems like a great deal to me.
Please note that no directions are given and you have to supply your own needles, stringing materials, tools, and findings.
What did you think of the June 2016 Bargain Bead Box? Do you subscribe to any beading or craft boxes?
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