Facet Jewelry Box Bead Stitching Review – July 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).

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: 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) July 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 and 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.

Chevron Chain Bracelet

I like how all the colors come together here.  This one allegedly had a size 12 needle to go with 6-lb Fireline, but I didn’t actually have any trouble threading it this time. Size 12 probably wasn’t necessary as you only use the size 15/0 seed beads to attach the clasp and you have to make a maximum of two passes through the 15/0 beads, but everything ended up working this time so I have no complaints. (Size 12 is actually my preferred needle size but I usually use it with 4-lb Fireline as it minimizes the number of spools of Fireline I have to keep around.)

Moving on, this was a bit of a challenge for me in that I didn’t learn the pattern right away so I had to keep referring to the instructions, but it didn’t take too long to complete, nonetheless (maybe an hour).  I did not use all the beads (made my bracelet slightly less than 6 inches) and had enough left over that I could’ve made some matching earrings if I wanted. But I think there were probably enough beads to also just make the bracelet a few inches longer without running out, which was nice. (Alternatively, if you work in a recliner and drop a lot of beads, like I do, well, you still probably wouldn’t run out!)

If you wanted, this would be an easy one to redo in a bunch of different colors and it doesn’t take too many beads so it would be a good way to use up leftovers from other projects.

Wispy Beaded Bead Necklace

This one involves making five beaded beads using only seed beads. That was a bit time-consuming; this one probably took me somewhere between 2 and 3 hours to finish up and the overwhelming majority of that time was making the beaded beads. The stringing part didn’t take long at all. I think this one made me realize why I like shaped beads so much – they are a lot bigger than seed beads and you can make complex patterns a lot faster! But I did get my start with seed beads and it’s nice to go back to that sometimes.

For this one, you needed something to cut Fireline (would not recommend regular scissors as the Fireline will mar them, but these shears work). You’ll also need some crimping pliers and wire cutters (regular wire cutters from a jewelry-making set are fine).

I like the green oval beads best here, though I am also a fan of the finish on the firepolished beads. And I like that all the seed beads used in the beaded beads have different textures and finishes.

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 as well as the colors. I feel like the quality of the materials was also good but it’s hard to go wrong with Czech and Japanese beads. Completing both projects took me slightly less than one weekend afternoon and there wasn’t any frustration in either project. Materials needed were minimal and are the sorts of things that anyone getting into beading should already have (or can easily purchase on Amazon for not much money).

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.

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 July 2019 Facet Jewelry Box? Do you subscribe to any beading or craft boxes?