Facet Jewelry Box is a new subscription box from the editors at Facet Jewelry and Bead & Button magazine. They offer two versions: the “Quick and Easy Stringing” box and the “Bead Stitching” box, so you can choose a subscription based on your skill level and interests, as well as the amount of time you want to invest in the projects.
This is a review of the $24.95 a month “Bead Stitching” box (both versions cost the same).
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
Psst. It is “Czechmates,” not “Checkmates” for the brick beads. I’m sure that is a spellcheck error:
About Facet Jewelry Box
The Subscription Box: Facet Jewelry Box Bead Stitching
The Cost: $24.95 a month + free US shipping. Save with longer subscriptions.
LIMITED TIME DEAL: Use code SAVE50 for 50% off your first box!
The Products: Materials and instructions to complete two beading/jewelry making projects using stringing techniques.
Ships to: US (free) and international (shipping fee will be assessed during checkout and you will be responsible for customs charges, VAT, receiving charges, etc., as appropriate for your location)
Facet Jewelry Box Bead Stitching May 2018 Review
This is still a pretty new subscription so I really didn’t know what was in store:
The first thing you see when you open the box is this full-color booklet. I haven’t shown you all of the pages inside, because part of the subscription fee is for the projects that are included.
This is a really nice booklet, honestly, but I’d expect nothing less from the folks at Bead & Button (I’ve been a subscriber for awhile now). There are also links to online resources if you need a little help with a technique.
The spool of Fireline included is for use with both projects. It is pretty much always 6 lb test weight in “smoke” (I am more of a 4 lb test in “crystal” kind of person, but I did use this in this month’s projects).
Project 1: Two-Hole Bead Earrings
I was excited for this project. I love two-hole and shaped beads, and this one had brick beads, silky beads, and O beads (in addition to some seed beads). Also, the color combination really worked for me.
The instructions were pretty easy to follow. I do have one complaint: exactly 12 silky beads were provided (these are the turquoise, diamond-shaped beads). If you have ever worked with 2-hole beads, you know that sometimes they have issues, like one will be broken or have a blocked hole.
Well. One of my silky beads had a missing second hole, so during the step where you add seed beads around the outside, I kind of just looped them around the outside, where they are not very secure, but I didn’t know what else to do (I am not equipped to drill beads and I didn’t have any silky beads in this color in my collection). Providing a few extra silky beads would ensure that this project could be completed correctly even if one or two of the beads have problems.
That being said, this turned out pretty well (including my fix) and I would totally make these again in one or more different color schemes as I have quite a lot of all of these bead types in my stash.
Project 2: Mandala Pendant Necklace
I also was happy to see this project, as it is right up my alley. I often get a few firepolished rounds in this or that beading subscription, but not enough for a whole bracelet or necklace, so a pendant is an easy way to use them up. This one manages to look quite complex despite only having a few firepolished beads, a central crystal, and several different colors of size 11/0 and size 15/0 seed beads.
I ended up making the necklace part short as I am really not a fan of stringing seed beads onto beading wire. (I much prefer chains or ribbons for hanging pendants. It’s not that I don’t like the look of seed beads on wire, it’s that I don’t actually like the act of putting them there.)
I made a few mistakes but didn’t bother to undo them and you can’t even see them in the finished product. Knowing and having practice with right-angle weave helped a lot with this one.
Verdict: I did not calculate a value for Facet Jewelry Box, but you get the materials and instructions for making two complete pieces of jewelry. Despite the hiccup with the defective silky bead, overall, this is my favorite month for this box yet. These projects are quite in line with the sorts of projects you see in beading magazines these days (I assume that means they are trendy or popular).
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? You will receive the June box. Boxes go out after the 20th and people who sign up before the 15th will get that month’s box. If you sign up after the 15th, you may still be able to get that month’s box but this is not guaranteed.
Coupon -LIMITED TIME DEAL: Use code SAVE50 for 50% off your first box! Use code FACET to save 10% off your first box!
Value Breakdown: At $24.95 per box, you are paying about $12.48 per project.
Check out all of our Facet Jewelry Box reviews and more beading boxes in the Craft + DIY Subscription Box List!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
What did you think of the May 2018 Bead Stitching Facet Jewelry Box? Do you subscribe to any beading or craft boxes?
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