Facet Jewelry Box Bead Stitching Review – September 2019

Facet Jewelry Box is a jewelry-making subscription box from the editors at Facet Jewelry and Bead & Button magazine. They offer two versions, the “Quick and Easy Stringing” version and the “Bead Stitching Version,” 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 “Bead Stitching” version for $24.95/month (both versions cost the same).

FYI: This subscription box is ending. 

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.)

About Facet Jewelry Box

The Subscription Box: Facet Jewelry Box (bead stitching version)

The Cost: $24.95 per month on a month-to-month basis, save with longer subscriptions

The Products: Materials and instructions to complete two beading/jewelry making projects using bead stitching techniques.

Ships to: The 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 Version) September 2019 Review

I am never sure whether I’ll be working on a project for days or just a few hours with this subscription:

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. (Lately I’ve been noticing some of the projects are from older issues of Bead & Button magazine, so if you’d like to do some similar projects, check out this series of books, especially numbers 10 and 11.)

This is a really nice-looking 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.

Promenade Bracelet

This one uses St. Petersburg chain, which I have done before but only in another Facet Jewelry Box. Once I got the hang of it, it went pretty quickly. It helps that I have small wrists (didn't take me as long to finish), and I actually had plenty of beads left over. I do like these seed bead mixes quite a bit. I'm not sure I would've gone with blues for the firepolished round shade, but I can always try something else since I have a large bead stash and I still have the pattern in the instruction booklet. This one uses beaded clasps formed from an 8mm round and some 11/0 seed beads, and that works pretty well -- the bracelet stays on.

Sunset Necklace

This one didn't take super long either. In the instruction booklet, you make the neck straps by stringing an alternating pattern of seed beads on thread, which is one of my least favorite beading activities ever (closely tied with making wrapped loops). I just decided I didn't have it in me to do long strands of seed beads (can't even use a spinner because of the alternating pattern) so I found some chain in a matching color to the clasp and used some jump rings to attach it to size 8/0 seed beads in the pattern, and I think that worked well. If I want to find a seed bead pattern for earrings, I could always use the leftover seed beads to make coordinating earrings or something. For what it's worth, you get exactly the number of beads to complete the beaded part that you need, with no room for error. The pearls are very similar in color so I suggest good lighting.

One minor gripe, but a size 12 needle was provided here. Along with 6 lb Fireline. But 6 lb Fireline does not fit through a size 12 beading needle, at least without a Herculean amount of effort that is somewhat likely to end up with something broken. So, I used the size 11 needle from the previous project instead.  (As an aside, I do love size 12 needles but I use them with 4 lb Fireline.) For what it's worth, a size 12 needle was not needed here. There weren't any size 15/0 seed beads and you didn't have to make that many passes through the 11/0 beads.

I do like how the necklace turned out though, and I think my chain substitution worked just fine, although if you don't mind stringing seed beads, you could use those instructions instead.

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. I was happy with the instructions this month. Both patterns were very easy to learn (I don't like always referring back to the instructions but instead prefer to memorize the steps so I can keep working without interruption) and there were lots of fall colors. I thought the connection of right angle weave motifs (the purple beads in the necklace) with other types of stitching was fun and probably something I'll be trying on my own now.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Facet Jewelry Box is no longer accepting subscribers as they recently made the decision to end their subscription program.

Value Breakdown: At $24.95 per box, you are paying about $12.48 per project.

See my past reviews of Facet Jewelry Box here or check out the Craft Subscription Box list for more great beading, craft supply, and DIY project boxes.

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What did you think of the September 2019 Facet Jewelry Box? Do you subscribe to any beading or craft boxes?