BeadCrate Subscription Box Review – August 2017

BeadCrate is a monthly subscription box for beading enthusiasts. Choose from “The Enthusiast” for $15.99 a month or “The Collector” for $35 a month. You can also buy a single box to see if this subscription is for you.

My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

This review is of The Enthusiast, $15.99 a month, box. 

The Subscription Box: BeadCrate

The Cost: “The Enthusiast” for $15.99 a month or "The Collector" for $35 a month. Save with longer subscriptions.

The Products: A selection of beads curated around a monthly theme (or beads that are just cool and random)

Ships to: U.S. (free for “The Collector” and $5 for “The Enthusiast”)

Check out all my BeadCrate reviews and 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!

This letter/information sheet accompanied the shipment. The theme this month was “Tiny Rainbows.”

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!

Toho Size 3/0 Opaque Jet Seed Beads (Japanese glass, 16 g)

I don’t have too many patterns that call for size 3/0 seed beads but now that I have some (in a versatile color, too), I will have to keep my eye out. I haven’t thought of how to use these yet but I’m sure something will come to me soon.

4 mm Gemstone Mix Druks (Czech glass, 100 count)

BeadCrate has been sending out a lot of these druk mixes lately, which makes me happy.  I like the mixes, plus I have found myself shopping for 4 mm beads a lot lately – they are used in so many patterns.

Toho Size 11/0 Transparent Rainbow Crystal Seed Beads (Japanese glass, 16 g)

This month, the booklet said there would be a lot of seed beads. Now, I got my start in beading with seed beads and they’re still some of my favorites, so this is fine by me.  These clear ones are very useful and they have a lovely finish.

Toho #1 Bugle Bead in Transparent Siam Ruby (Japanese glass, 16 g)

When I saw bugle beads along with seed beads, I knew exactly what I was going to make. These ended up having more orange in them than I expected, in bright light, but they were still pretty fun to use.

Size 11/0 Seed Beads in Sapphire (Czech glass, 6-String Hank)

Czech seed beads are a little less regular in size and shape than Japanese, but they come in more interesting colors and finishes. Anyway, I used some of these in a bracelet (see below) and I don’t have many true blues in my stash (I have more turquoise and such), so these are useful.

5 x 7 mm Green Pips (Czech glass, 20)

Pips! I love pips. This is maybe the 2^nd or 3^rd time I’ve gotten them in BeadCrate, too. I have quite a collection. These are a lovely transparent green color that will work well in botanical-inspired designs.

3 mm Firepolished Rainbow Mix (Czech glass, 100)

I am thinking about using these in a wrap bracelet.  They seem like they would be great for that.  I might need to add a few more beads to get it to go around my wrist more than once (!) but these will be a good start.

Silamide Thread, Size A, Pale Gray (40 yards)

BeadCrate will usually send one supply-type item per month. I have gotten beeswax, thread, and several other items since I’ve been subscribing. I don’t use Silamide often (I’ve been converted to Fireline), but this will be good for certain occasions when I want a lot of flexibility in my work and I’m not working with sharp beads.

Toho Size 8/0 Transparent Light Hyacinth Seed Beads (Japanese glass, 16 g)

Toho Size 8/0 Transparent Light Amethyst Seed Beads (Japanese glass, 16 g)

I used to be a size 11/0 purist, but I have since expanded my seed bead repertoire, and size 8/0 can be pretty handy too. I’m glad to have two more colors. You can see the amethyst ones in the bracelet below.

6 mm Firepolished Beads in Jonquil (Czech glass, 25)

I don’t have much in my collection in this particular color, but I do have some peridot and olivine beads that will look good with it. For what it’s worth, this month was light on the larger glass beads and heavier on the seed beads, but most months are the reverse situation.

Toho Size 6/0 Transparent Citrus Spritz Seed Beads (Japanese glass, 16 g)

These go really well with the firepolished beads. Next time I am following a pattern that calls for both of these types of beads, I know these will coordinate well. It’s a bright, cheery sort of color, too, and work either in a spring-themed piece or with warmer reds and oranges.

When I saw all the different sizes of seed beads (and bugles) this month, “Dutch spiral” was my first thought. So I made a simple Dutch spiral bracelet (lots of free instructions are available online in video and written format).  I make much more elaborate ones for necklaces, but I have small wrists so I don’t want anything too bulky there. It’s hard to see, but I end with some clear glass beads from my stash before adding the clasp.

Verdict: I did not calculate a value for BeadCrate, as explained above in my note about prices. If you divide the cost of the box plus shipping by the number of items, you get about $1.75 per item. This month was heavy on the seed beads, but the quantities were generous (often when you shop for seed beads, you get 7.5 grams or 10 grams, but here, there were mostly 16-gram quantities). I love seed beads and had an idea for a project pretty much immediately, so I was happy with the curation, too.

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 August 2017 BeadCrate? Do you subscribe to any beading or craft boxes?