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).
Facet Jewelry Box provided this box at no cost for review purposes. (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 Version) November 2018 Review
This is still a pretty new subscription and they are still working out a few kinks 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 a while now). There are also links to online resources if you need a little help with a technique.
Woven Rhombus Bracelet Project
I like shaped beads so I was happy to see the silky beads (that’s the name of the squares with diagonal holes). This one was straightforward and although it took a little time, it turned out well. I had a fair number of silky beads left over although I have small wrists so I made a shorter bracelet. I feel there were enough silky beads to get something a few inches longer if need be.
Statement Necklace Project
You had to make 18 of these. I finished it all in one day but it did take some time. I used up all the Fireline (thread) provided with this box but I had a stash of half-used spools from previous boxes so I finished off a few of those, too.
Overall, I like this project. I am good with bright colors and actually have a few items of clothing this will match with. I learned the superduo motif quickly (after the first try) so I could stop referring to the instructions, which I think sped things up. I have so many superduos in my stash, I can see myself doing this again with various colors. I will note that at least 3-4 of my superduos had at least one blocked hole (this happens, especially with some coatings like halo and polychrome) and I think I ended up with only one left over. I also like using the magatamas in between the superduos and, since I have a lot of each in my stash, I am going to be doing some of that on my own in the future, as well.
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. These projects usually take longer than with the stringing version of the box, but I can see how they appeal to a different crowd. This month, the time commitment was a bit more intense. Although it was a pain to have to wait for replacement materials, I do like the way Facet Jewelry handled the mix-up. I had contacted them, but they also sent out an email to subscribers when they found about the error, and their solution (i.e., shipping free of charge and ASAP) was about as good as can be expected.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? 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.
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!
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What did you think of the November 2018 Bead Stitching Facet Jewelry Box? Do you subscribe to any beading or craft boxes?
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