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Bargain Bead Box Subscription Box Review – August 2016

Ragan Buckley
ByRagan BuckleyAug 26, 2016 | 3 comments

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Bargain Bead Box
5 overall rating
10 Ratings | 2 Reviews

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.)

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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

Check out all of our Bargain Bead Box reviews the Craft Subscription Box Directory for more great beading, craft supply, and DIY project boxes!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

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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.

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The beads were sorted into groups in these little paper envelopes. Of course I immediately mixed everything together for one of the photos above. But, I am pretty good at identifying items like these so no worries!

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!

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17.5” Strand Chinese Crystal 4 mm Bicone Beads, Tangerine

17.5” Strand Chinese Crystal 4 mm Bicone Beads, Ruby Red

17.5” Strand Chinese Crystal 4 mm Bicone Beads, Citrine

These are all really good, basic accent beads. But, I want to collect a few more beads in this size and then do something more elaborate, perhaps from a pattern. I just have to find the right inspiration.

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8 mm Light Topaz Chinese Crystal Cube Beads (8 pieces)

8 mm Red Chinese Crystal Cube Beads (8 pieces)

8 mm Dark Topaz Chinese Crystal Cube Beads (8 pieces)

8 mm Capri Blue Chinese Crystal Cube Beads (8 pieces)

8 mm Dark Amethyst Chinese Crystal Cube Beads (8 pieces)

I really have this thing for flat squares, flat rounds, and cubes. I was very happy to see these and I used every last one of them (see below).

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9 x 11 mm Half-Metallic Chinese Crystal Barrel Beads (5 pieces)

I think these are pretty. They could work either in a simple necklace or a bracelet.

8 x 10 mm Resin Rhinestone Bumpy Beads (10 pieces)

These are fun. I’m not sure what to do with them yet. I think I would like to see if I can find more of these in different colors and use them all together.

Indonesia Style Fancy Clay Beads with Goldtone Pewter Accents (2 pieces)

These definitely appeal to me, but they are too large for me to want to use as earrings. I’m thinking something fancy with cord and/or knotwork (I have a book about this and I am itching to try something, I just don’t have the actual cord yet).

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Goldtone Filigree Beads (?)

These are a mystery to me. They go great with the rest of beads in the box, but I seem to be unable to find them on the information card.

64 mm Lead Free Pewter Alloy Dragonfly Pendant with Crystals and Enamel

This is a little bigger than I usually wear, but the color scheme appeals to me and I am going to figure out a way to make it work.

4.3 mm Steel Jewelry Chain (5 feet)

I just went out and bought a ton of chain so of course this arrived right after. I seem to be going through a lot of chain lately, so this will get used.

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17 mm Gold Plated Lead Free Pewter Ring Links (2 pieces)

I love these. And I found a way to use them right away. I would like to get more of these.

3 Strand Gold Finished Brass Filigree Box Clasp (2 pieces)

I used one of these to make a necklace (see below) although I only made it two strands. These would be best for daintier pieces, I think.

5 mm Lead Free Pewter Alloy Bead Caps (8 grams)

I like that these have a little different shape from the usual bead caps you see in subscription boxes. I recently bought a bunch of gold-tone accent beads along with all the chain I mentioned earlier, so I think I can make something pretty sparkly if I put my mind to it.

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15” Strand of 6 mm Carnelian Rounds

I intend to use these in a bracelet with the unidentified gold beads above, because they are similar in size and I think the gold would accent these nicely. I am always happy to get semiprecious stones in a box.

8 mm Two Tone Crackle Glass Beads (50+ pieces)

These guys are pictured on a velour cloth because they wanted to roll everywhere. I am a fan of crackle glass and I got a lot of pink toned beads in another box this month that will go well with these, so I’ll see what I can come up with.

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Here are some earrings I made with the cube beads, chain, and the metal rings.

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This is a pretty standard necklace for me to make but I did want to be sure to use the chain included in the box in some way.

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And here is an anklet I made, just for something different.  (Thanks to Nich for the idea!) Plus a bonus picture of Monkey and like half my neighbors’ house…

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 $58, which is more than three times the cost of the box. You end up paying less than $1 per item this month, which I think is a great deal. I love all the warm colors, reds, and golds, so this was a good box for me!

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 August 2016 Bargain Bead Box? Do you subscribe to any beading or craft boxes?

Starting at $19.49
Subscribe Now

Bargain Bead Box is a monthly subscription box for bead lovers and jewelry designers. Each shipment includes over $40 worth of glass, gemstone, crystal, and/or metal beads & findings for $17.95 per month, curated around a surprise theme.

Ragan Buckley
Ragan Buckley
Ragan stumbled across My Subscription Addiction in late 2013 and immediately subscribed to way too many beauty boxes. She's now focused on boxes for her cats and dog, vegan/vegetarian food boxes, and craft subscriptions (and she didn't give up beauty boxes entirely).

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3 comments

Zo

I am the least crafty person I know but I love reading your reviews of this box. You have such talent and always make such lovely pieces. My favorite is the necklace. I’ve been wanting one like that with just red square beads. Who knows, perhaps I’ll get inspired one month.

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wendy

This is such a creative sub, the value is certainly there since jewelry craft supplies are not cheap. Love all the beautiful and unique items you created!

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Randi

Your bead reviews are so exciting! I love scrolling down and seeing all the different beads and trying to imagine how you might use them and then what you made with them!

So yes… I probably need some more excitement in my real life 😉

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