Darn Good Beads of the Month is a monthly subscription for jewelry makers from Darn Good Yarn. (You don’t have to be able to knit or crochet for this subscription!) Every month you’ll receive materials to complete a quick beading project. You will need some basic tools of your own (pliers, crimping pliers, glue) but they provide all the findings, beads, and stringing materials!
In addition to their Bead of the Month Club, Darn Good Yarn also offers a Yarn of the Month Club, Fabric of the Month Club, and Sock of the Month Club.
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 Darn Good Beads of the Month
The Subscription Box: Darn Good Beads of the Month
The Cost: $20/month plus shipping
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 15% off your first order when you sign up for the newsletter. No coupon needed - just use this link.
The Products: Materials and instructions to complete one beading/jewelry making project.
Ships to: The continental US for $4; Hawaii, Alaska, US territories, and international for $13
Darn Good Beads of the Month Fire and Ice Beaded Necklace Kit Review
I’ve been receiving Darn Good Beads of the Month for quite awhile now. I expect to get a simple project with instructions that will be easy to complete in under an hour or two, but the projects have been pretty varied.
Note: This was the July box. Because of COVID-related shipping restrictions, Darn Good Beads had a bit of trouble getting all the materials needed to ship out boxes and they are now working on making up for missed shipments. They have been transparent about the delays and seem committed to catching up, which is not something I can say for every subscription box out there!
Fire and Ice Beaded Necklace Kit
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The package always comes with detailed instructions. These seem like they were written in a hurry as there were a lot of typos (the worst being when bead "A" was referred to repeatedly as bead "D" and then on the same page, bead "D" was also referred to as bead "D," although in this case the picture helped clear everything up).
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Here are some pictures of the process of making the necklace. First you cut some lengths of chain, for which you will need a ruler (precise lengths are given) and some wire cutters. Then you make a little dangle for the back. Then you cut some strands of beading wire and put beads on them according to a prescribed pattern. A little extra beading wire is present and that's a good thing because I messed up and had to redo one strand.
The spacers on two of the strands are jump rings and I actually think that's pretty clever since the size was chosen well -- they look just like metal spacers but cost a lot less. For what it's worth, the blue faceted beads are referred to as "turquoise" but they appear to be some kind of resin. I do really wish there was more attention to accuracy in materials descriptions in bead and jewelry subscription boxes, as that is a primary determinant of value.
Anyway, I also like hiding the stringing material and crimps in the knot covers, I find that gives a more professional-looking finish.
Other materials you will need: pliers for opening and closing jump rings (two pairs, your choice, I usually use roundnose and bent chain nose) and pliers to flatten the crimp beads. I suggest flat-nose pliers, don't use crimping pliers here. Because you want the crimp to be flattened to a large enough size to not fall through the hole on the knot cover (remember how I said I messed up once?).
Here is the finished necklace:
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Verdict: I did not calculate a value for Darn Good Beads of the Month because the materials were unbranded/not labeled. Other than the typos in the instruction booklet, I feel like this project was pretty straightforward and easy to complete and there were several things I really liked about it, as mentioned above. This is a good box if you are just starting out as the projects (usually) can be completed with a minimum number of tools, and it's a good chance to practice some techniques before moving on to your own designs. The projects are varied; the end results are typically casual.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you’ll most likely receive the September box. More from Darn Good Beads:
If you place your order by the 1st, then your box will ship on the 20th (or the next business day during weekends). If you place your order after the 1st, then your box will ship the next month.
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 15% off your first order when you sign up for the newsletter. No coupon needed - just use this link.
Check out my past reviews of Darn Good Beads of the Month and see 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 Fire and Ice Beaded Necklace Kit from Darn Good Beads of the Month? Do you subscribe to any beading or craft boxes?
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