Adornable Elements Beads of the Month Clubs are the original beading subscription boxes (they’ve been around since 2000). Choose from “Hot and Trendy” beads, “2-Hole Beads,” “Superduos,” “11/0 Delicas,” “11/0 Seed Beads,” “Swarovski crystals,” or a rotating club where you get a different selection each month. The cost varies depending on the club selected and whether you choose the single or double club.
This is a review of the Hot and Trendy Beads of the Month, which is $22.95/month.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Adornable Elements Beads of the Month Club
The Subscription Box: Adornable Elements Beads of the Month Club
The Cost: $22.95/month + shipping. Save a bit more with the double clubs.
The Products: 8 different types of color-coordinated shaped beads that may have one, three, or four holes
Good to know: I actually subscribe to several of these clubs and they all come in the same package (that’s why the box is so big). I’m going to do a rotation with these reviews so you’ll see something a little different each month. Also, please note that you can cancel or add clubs by calling, emailing, or using the contact form on their website.
Ships to: US, cost varies depending on the number of clubs subscribed to (shipping is $4.50 for one club; refer to their FAQ for shipping costs for additional clubs)
Adornable Elements Beads of the Month June 2018 Review
With this subscription, you receive a selection of shaped beads (with 1, 3, or 4 holes; there’s a separate subscription for 2-hole beads) in coordinating colors each month:
The package came with a list of the beads included as well as retail values. Note: I am using the retail values from this list. They seem reasonable to me, plus it is pretty much impossible to find each color from the same online shop, let alone the same exact package size, so things like quantity discounts are not going to apply here. This month’s theme is “Baby Soft.” (For what it’s worth, I really think the colors fit the themes and go together nicely with these subscriptions.)
This month, there was a notice about a few things: one of the clubs (size 11/0 seed beads) is undergoing a price increase, there’s a new club (firepolished beads of the month), and they’ve changed the labels on the containers for some clubs because people were not sure which beads were which (I did not know people had that problem, but I think my bead collection is excessively large compared to most people’s…).
Every few months, you’ll get one of these clear cases. You can use them to hold the containers the beads come in, or you can use them to store other items (I have one for tassels, one for large metal crescent pendants, etc.).
Light Gold Matte Arcos par Puca (6.25 g) – Listed Value $4
Arcos par Puca are 3-hole beads. Be sure to check every hole before using them as sometimes one will be blocked, although I used most of these in a bracelet this month and all were fine. I have a lot in this color in my collection, although after making a bracelet, I only have about five of these left, maybe they can be used in a pendant or something like that.
Jet Full Labrador Dragon Scales (7.5g) – Listed Value $5
I finally figured out that the color names for beads like this indicate that the base beads are black (jet) with a Labrador (silver) coating over them. It took me far too long to understand that… Anyway, dragon scales are quite small and thin with one hole at a corner (they’re diamond shaped) and they can be used to mimic scales, or as fringe, or as petals in floral patterns.
Crystal Full Labrador Farfalle (7.5g) – Listed Value $2.25
In this case, the Labrador coating is applied over clear (crystal) beads. Sometimes the under-color makes a difference, although I find that to be less true with this Labrador coating. Anyway, these are larger farfalle than the others in my collection but it is possible they have a different manufacturer or that these beads come in two sizes. This color will work with a lot of other colors so it is handy to have around.
Light Gold Matte Minos par Puca (6.25g) – Listed Value $3.50
Minos par Puca are little cylindrical beads, as you can see here, with the hole in the short axis. (Par Puca beads are made in the Czech Republic but are designed by a French designer. There are also Arcos, which you saw above, Kheops, Super Kheops, Ios, Tinos, and Amos par Puca beads. And yes, I have all of those kinds in several colors and they work well together, so these will be used in a pattern as soon as I find one I really like.)
Jet Full Labrador O Beads (6.25g) – Listed Value $4
O beads are used in a lot of patterns so I have collected quite a few, though I didn’t have this color already. This would look nice with some blues or purples, I think, with silvertone findings.
Crystal Full Labrador Pellets (45) – Listed Value $3
These are also cylindrical, but bigger than the Minos par Puca, and with a slightly narrower center compared to the ends. Their shape helps them to nest nicely with other beads and I took advantage of this property in a bracelet I made this month.
Crystal Amber Spikes, 5 x 8mm (24) – Listed Value $3.75
Spikes come in at least two sizes. I didn’t have many of these smaller ones so of course, I had to order some more. These are conical beads with one hole at the base. I figured out a way to make a spiky bracelet this month, in which I used many of these.
Crystal Full Amber Trinity Beads (6.25g) – Listed Value $3.75
I looked at these and thought they looked small. Come to find out, these are made in two sizes, and I actually had a lot of this smaller size in my collection already. Sheesh. (Of course, I had to order more large ones, as I didn’t have many of those.) I guess you know you are a bead nerd when you can look at a bead with no size reference and tell that it is smaller than another bead you remember (I can also tell whether something is a 6mm or a 7mm 2-hole cabochon by sight).
Here is a bracelet I made this month. It is my first attempt at designing something with shaped beads on my own so I am extra proud of it. I used the spikes, the Arcos par Puca, and the pellets, as well as some size 8/0 seed beads from my stash.
Here is a closer look.
And here, you can actually kind of see the spikes sticking up.
Verdict: I calculated a value for the June 2018 Hot and Trendy Beads of the Month Club of $29.25. This is actually above the cost of the box plus shipping, which is not always the case for this subscription. I save on shipping because I get three clubs (I just review one per month) and you can also save a little more by going for the double clubs.
More importantly, I really, really love some of the popular shaped beads, and they can be expensive. There are so many great patterns coming out with these beads lately and it’s nice to receive enough to just work up a bracelet or some earrings in a day or two. The color coordination means all I usually need to add are some seed beads and I’m good to go with lots of different patterns.
To Wrap Up:
Can I still get this box if I sign up today? Yes, in my experience you’ll get your first shipment shortly after you sign up, and then this ships early in the month after that.
Value Breakdown: At $27.45 (including shipping) for this box, you are paying about $3.43 per item.
Check out all of our Adornable Element Beads of the Month Reviews and more great beading, craft supply, and DIY project boxes in the Craft Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
What did you think of the June 2018 Hot and Trendy Beads of the Month Club? Do you subscribe to any beading or craft boxes?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.