Bargain Bead Box Subscription Review – December 2016

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 a month

The Products: Designer quality beads in materials ranging from crystal to glass to semi-precious 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!

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There was a letter in the box with some more information on the theme (“vintage charm”). The back contained a list of the month’s beads.

The beads were wrapped in this festive tissue paper this month, as well as being 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!

3 Pieces 23 mm Marquis Resin Drops

I think this is my favorite stone shape (even though these are not technically “stones” but rather resin). And black is a good, basic color.

36 Pieces 8 mm Chinese Crystal Round Beads, Jet

Another good basic bead color and style. I used some of them in one of the necklaces I made but I have plenty left over for future use.

2 Pieces 14 mm Beaded Crystal Round Beads, Jet

These are pretty lightweight and would make good earring dangles.

2 Pieces 14 mm Resin w/Flower Charms

I used these in a necklace. But they also would’ve been good on a delicate charm bracelet.

2 Pieces 12 mm Crystal Rhinestone Charms

I haven’t used these yet, but am thinking of putting them on a bracelet with some other gold-toned and sparkly charms and dangles.

100 Pieces 4 mm Round Steel Spacer Beads

Another good, basic piece. I used some of these but have plenty left over. (You’ll pretty much always get only one metal tone for the month with this subscription, so it is easy to mix and match components.)

20 Pieces 5 mm Brass Rhinestone Rondelle Spacer Beads

I used a lot of these in a necklace. I think they look nice between some of the larger black beads.

10 Pieces 12 mm Pewter Alloy Lobster Claw Clasps

You’ll nearly always get clasps with this subscription and I used a few of these right away.

2 Sets Filigree Oval Brass Box Clasps

I love these clasps! I used one in the beaded (non-chain) necklace below.

4 Grams 30 mm Steel Eyepins

Eyepins are always good to have on hand. I didn’t use them this time, but I’ve stashed them away for future projects.

5 Feet of 4.1 x 6 mm Steel Twist Jewelry Chain

This was a bit bulky for what I had planned this month, but it has also been stashed away for the future and I’ve already got a few ideas for it.

23 mm Rhinestone and Black Resin Pendant

2 Pieces 30 mm Cameo and Crystal Charms

28 mm Butterfly Rhinestone Pendant

Lots of dainty, delicate pendants for the month (nothing too much bigger than a quarter – I need to start including one in the photos for a size reference…). These are just my style!

10 mm Floral Porcelain Round Beads

The information sheet said there were 6 of these but I clearly got 8. Guess it was just a typo. I have a lot of porcelain beads already, but none with this color scheme.

2 Pieces 20 mm Lampwork Glass Beads with Gold Foil

I’m saving all my lampwork beads with foil from bead subscriptions (they always come in pairs) to make a necklace in the future. I just need a few more! (Luckily everything has been in a good color scheme so far…)

96 Pieces 6 x 4 mm Chinese Crystal Rondelle Beads, Jet

16” Strand Glass Pearl Rice Beads

145 Pieces 4 x 3 mm Chinese Crystal Rondelle Beads, Crystal Clear

I think there is a typo on the information sheet with the rice beads as they are NOT 64 mm long. But, they are super handy basics to have on hand, as are the other two strands in this photo. I used a lot of these in a necklace (see below).

These items were listed as a “bonus” on the information sheet.  I am not sure if everyone received these identical items or not.

Filigree Bead Caps

I have found myself using bead caps a lot since starting this subscription since they always send some along. I really hadn’t bought too many in the past, but I am finding I really like the look they create.

Rhinestone Key Pendant

This is small enough to use as a charm, or it could be a very delicate pendant.

Vintage-Style Resin Pendant

This is a bit bigger and bolder. It does have a stringing hole but I am actually thinking of using it as a cabochon instead.  I like the opal-like look it has.

I decided to make some simple necklaces that could potentially be layered with other pieces this month. I do like the delicate/dainty charms we received this month – totally my taste, and I have some other gold-toned pieces in my collection that would look good with these.

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 $50, which is more than three times the cost of the subscription. I just really feel like there was a TON of stuff this month (as there is every month) and I love that you get findings and metal pieces in addition to just beads.

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