Facet Jewelry Box Bead Stitching Review + Coupon – March 2018

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.)

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.

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 March 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, but I did show one page to give you a feel for the level of detail.

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 is for use with both projects, and you get a free nail file as well.

Project 1: Crystal Drop Earrings

In keeping with last month, one of the projects was much simpler than the other. This time, you use herringbone stitch to make bead caps for crystal drops. I think this is actually the first time I’ve done herringbone stitch, but it was pretty easy and now I want to try more of it!

You will see in one of the progress photos that my needle snapped in half. I don’t think I’ve ever snapped a needle in half before. Bent them, sure. Anyway, still not sold on the quality of the needles provided.  I just used the needle from the other project to complete this, and it survived both of them. Also, I did use the included Fireline for both projects this time and have decided I’m not a fan of the “smoke” color of Fireline, because the way it is dyed, turns your fingers gray. I just ordered another spool of the clear kind (as it is my favorite stringing material to work with).

Sorry the bead design board is covered with cat hair. That’s just how things are, in my house…You don’t have to use a bead design board, I just happened to have this on hand and it had nice little compartments for all my materials, plus it could be easily moved around.

Project 2: Woven Collar Necklace

This is the more involved project this month. But, right angle weave is one of the main stitches I use these days, so this worked up in a few hours. I think I miscounted the number of stitches but no big deal, there were enough extra beads that I didn’t run out. (You could make some coordinating earrings or something if you’d like.)

You may notice a slight buckling in the middle. That is my fault. I was nearly at the end of the top row of 11/0 seed beads and almost out of thread and I pushed on through to finish instead of starting a new thread (which is what I should have done). It’s not super noticeable under most circumstances.

Anyway, I usually shy away from making larger pieces with seed beads because of the time factor, but this was a fun way to incorporate some larger ones (i.e., the greenish size 8/0 beads) into what is still a delicate piece of jewelry.

Tip: if your RAW is too loose, go around each unit a second time and pull your thread tight. There is enough extra Fireline with this kit to do that, and you shouldn’t have any trouble getting it through the size 11/0 and size 8/0 bead holes.

You’ll need a basic pliers kit and a wire cutter (often included in a pliers kit), which you can get on Amazon or at any beading/jewelry making supply store. I actually reach for an inexpensive kit from Amazon more often than not – you don’t need to spend $50 on a single pair of roundnose pliers although I have seen some for that price! (You may want to have a few backup beading needles on hand, as well, just in case.)

Here's the finished necklace:

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 feel like this box would be best for people who have been doing bead stringing for awhile and want to get a little more advanced. It is a good way to learn and practice with some techniques that you will see in a lot of other stitching projects (for example, a lot of the projects in Bead and Button magazine assume you understand RAW or herringbone). You do not get a choice of colorways (though if you really like something and want it in a different color, you can remake the projects with your own materials in your choice of colors using the same instruction sets).

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? You will receive the April 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 - 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 March 2018 Bead Stitching Facet Jewelry Box?  Do you subscribe to any beading or craft boxes?