For the Makers is a DIY / crafts subscription service that sends four projects each month, primarily jewelry. This was my first month trying FTM, but I have noticed in previous reviews that most of their projects become beautiful completed pieces that I would actually wear. I was happy to give it a try myself!
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The Subscription Box: For The Makers
The Cost: $29 a month
The Products: The materials and instructions needed to make 4 projects every month.
Ships to: US
Check out all of our For The Makers reviews and the Craft Subscription Box Directory to see other similar boxes!
This month's collection is called "Bryce" and it's all about wanderlust - a perfect theme for the beginning of summer! The projects and the materials needed are listed on the back of the collection card.
These are all of the materials that were supplied to complete the collection, including the giant piece of fabric the other items are resting on.
(This picture is from the FTM website.)
Outerlands Tote Bag
This lovely tote bag is the first project listed, and this picture is an example of what the completed project might look like. Unfortunately, I just created and tie-dyed a tote bag recently, and I didn't have it in me to make another so soon! The other thing is that they didn't supply any dying supplies. The instructions simply say, "Before you start with the following steps head on over to the Source and learn how to dye your fabric." They then give instructions on how to hand-sew your tote bag.
They do provide a link to their instructions on dying fabric using natural ingredients like beets and turmeric, which seems really cool! But, it would have turned a one-hour projct into a many-hours project, and the end product wasn't something I wanted badly enough to complete it. I will have to wait for time and inspiration to guide me on how to use these materials!
Ritual Leather Rings
For the Makers included materials to make either two simple bands or one knotted ring, but I had to step outside the box on this one. I made a ring for my husband (hence the thumb) by wrapping the leather around twice and using both metal bands. I think it turned out great! (Although now that I see it blown up, I need to scrape the glue off the bottom band - oops!) I think my husband will actually wear it!
Indah Earrings
These earring turned out great, too! I actually wore them yesterday afternoon. The brass arrived a little scratched up, but you would have to be pretty close up to notice. They were very easy to make, but this project (and the necklace, below) both required chain pliers. I have a jewelry multi-tool that did the trick fine, but I don't like it when DIY kits don't supply everything except maybe very common tools like scissors. In the instructions, FTM has a link where you can buy the chain pliers. That feels a little up-sell-y to me.
Zion Necklace
This is my favorite piece of the month! Plus it was also really easy to make! I just had to glue the bail to the stone, put the clasp on the chain, and slide the chain through the bail. It's pretty long, which I like, so I really could have completed the chain without the clasp. The instructions also described how you could make it a shorter necklace if you prefer.
This is a close-up of the stone. It's beautiful! I am obsessed with earth bling! My only concern is that the glue might not hold forever. The stone is pretty big and weighty!
Verdict: I made three beautiful pieces of jewelry, jewelry that will actually be worn, in under and hour. That makes it well worth the $29 to me! Some day I will plant-dye that fabric and do something creative with it, so that's another bonus. The only thing I really didn't like was that there was no tool for working with the jump chains included. Maybe if you subscribe to For the Makers you already know you should have one? Or maybe they should send you one in your first box? In any case, I would definitely recommend this box to anyone who likes to make their own jewelry, or wants to learn how.
What do you think of For the Makers? Do you like the Bryce collection?
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