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 Cost: $15.95
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.
Ships to: US (free), Canada for $7.50
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There was a letter in the box with some more information on the theme. The back contained a list of the month’s beads.
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!
49 mm Silvertone Filigree Pendant (1 piece)
This thing is huge. It is calling out to be beaded, I just have to figure out how I want to do it. I think it may be a trial-and-error thing to get it just the way I want.
57 mm Starfish Pendant with Crystal Accents (1 piece)
This is a little bigger than I usually wear for pendants, but I have a couple of people in mind for whom it would make part of a great gift.
9 mm Textured Bead Caps (24 pieces)
These were too big for any of this month’s beads but I do like them a lot and will save them for when I have some 9 mm rounds!
26 x 21 Chandelier Findings (2 pieces)
I might make these into earrings or use them as strand increase/reduction elements in a necklace.
21 mm Tropical Flower Toggle Clasps (4 sets)
I am happy to get plain, functional clasps. But I am even happier to get decorative ones! I used one of these in the front of the necklace I made so it could be shown off!
25 mm Shell Charms (4 pieces)
These are cute. And I recently went on a binge buying other sea-themed charms, so I have a lot I can use these with, but nothing exactly like them already.
Mixed Fish Beads (20 grams)
I found a hank of mixed color seed beads the other day that I think would work really well with these in a simple necklace. (I went way overboard buying beads in my early 20s but I saved them all and now in my late 30s I am discovering them all over again…)
23 mm Turtle Charms (6 pieces)
I love these, too. I think I have the beginnings of a very cute charm bracelet here.
26 mm Polymer Clay Turtle Links (2 pieces)
I am thinking about making matching turtle necklaces for my nieces with these!
12 mm Round w/Starfish Lampwork Beads (5 pieces)
These kept rolling so I couldn’t get a great picture of them. I think they would be fun with some shell or mother-of-pearl in a bracelet.
8 mm Czech Fire Polished Round Glass Beads (16 pieces)
These are pretty and shiny, but I haven’t decided how to use them yet. They’re the kind of basic item I like having around, though!
Strand Capri Blue 6 x 4 mm Chinese Crystal Rondelle Beads (95 pieces)
I used these in my final piece. I like everything near this shade on the color wheel, and I love the shape as well.
Strand of 8 x 5 mm Dyed Bamboo Coral Beads (15.5 inches)
I am thinking of using these with turquoise, since I always put turquoise and coral together in my head. I’ll have to go through my stash and see what I have that will work.
Strand of 8 mm Imitation Turquoise Round Beads (15.7 inches)
These are another good basic sort of bead to have around. I have a lot of other 8 mm rounds in other materials so I might try to do something where every bead has the same size and shape, but colors vary.
Strand Teal 8 x 6 mm Chinese Crystal Rondelle Beads (70 pieces)
These went well with the smaller ones having the same shape (see previous photo).
Strand of Tangerine 4 mm Chinese Crystal Bicone Beads (100 pieces)
I used these for a bit of contrast in my final project. I think the orange provided some nice contrast with the teal.
Here is a necklace I made with some of this month’s beads. I wanted the clasp in the front so you could actually see it.
Here’s a little closer view of the clasp.
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 $54. That’s about $1 per item based on the cost of the subscription, and some of the beads certainly would cost more than that on their own, so I feel like I got a good deal. There are a lot of bead subscriptions now and they’re all a little different. If you want to avoid getting seed beads, though, and you want to get some clasps and things like bead caps, charms, and such, this is a good choice.
Please note that no directions are given and you have to supply your own needles, stringing materials, tools, etc.
What did you think of the July 2016 Bargain Bead Box? Do you subscribe to any beading or craft boxes?
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