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!
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (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: $10/month + shipping
The Products: Materials and instructions to complete one beading/jewelry making project.
Ships to: US ($4/continental US) and international ($13/Alaska, Hawaii, US territories, and other countries)
Darn Good Beads of the Month June 2019 Review
I’ve been receiving Darn Good Beads of the Month for a few months. I know I will 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:
The package came with this paper, which contained instructions for this month’s project.
Boho Earrings
This month actually had two projects, though both were quite simple – string beads on an eyepin, clip the end, form a rounded loop, and attach charms and earwires. Although the instruction booklet encouraged experimentation, switching out charms, etc., I like earrings to match and I wanted you to see what the projects looked like, the way they were actually designed, so I just made the ones pictured on the instructions.
You will need wire cutters and a pair of roundnose pliers and another pair of pliers (I used bent chain nose); the roundnose pliers are used to form loops in the cut ends of the eyepins and also I used them to help open and close jump rings to attach the earring hooks, though I know it is some people’s preference not to open jump rings with roundnose pliers (but it’s easier if you already have them in front of you!).
Anyway, I liked the semiprecious stones. I had a moment of confusion until I realized the tiger eye chips were provided for the color “yellow” (they are really brown with some yellow inclusions), so be on the lookout for that. The rhodonite (pinkish rectangles) has a lot of black matrix but I think the asymmetry works for the Boho aesthetic the designer of these projects was going for.
These projects worked up quickly and weren’t very difficult, and for some reason, I also ended up with an extra pair of earring hooks.
Verdict: I did not calculate a value for Darn Good Beads of the Month because the materials were unbranded/not labeled. I do feel that the physical materials provided were of decent quality (nothing was perfectly cut and nothing was a top quality gem, but some asymmetry and some irregularities are better for a more natural style. The earrings are lightweight and comfortable to wear, too. (I don’t know what the earrings are, but if you are metal sensitive you can coat them with clear nail polish before wearing).
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? This was June’s box and may no longer be available. In general, you’ll get your first box at sign-up and then you’ll move to the regular shipping schedule after that.
Value Breakdown: This box costs $14 (including shipping to the continental US) and you get all the materials to make one (usually jewelry) project.
Check out my past reviews of Darn Good Beads of the Month the best arts & crafts subscription boxes 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 June 2019 Darn Good Beads of the Month? Do you subscribe to any beading or craft boxes?
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