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 April 2020 Review
I’ve been receiving Darn Good Beads of the Month for a few months. 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:
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The project came in a small box and included a detailed information booklet with project instructions.
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Color Burst Stone Bracelet
I was encouraged when I saw this. This is a type of bracelet I often make. And the rectangular beads are great for keeping the sides precisely spaced, which was appreciated. The directions called for a clipboard, and clipboards are definitely useful for making these. However, my craft supply collection is scattered through at least four different rooms of my house and, while I am pretty sure I know the general vicinity of my clipboard, I could not find it. I did find this macrame board and a quilt pin, though, and that worked well enough. The key is to find something to hold the work in place as you go so you can maintain a certain degree of tension and free up your hand.
We need to talk about the thread that was provided, though. I tried a size 11 beading needle and it frayed like you see in the picture. So I tried a size 10 beading needle and it basically fit, but it still frayed. Well, I don't have anything else. (A "small sewing needle" was recommended, but there is no guarantee that a subscriber will have such a thing. I won't say there's not a sewing needle in my house somewhere but finding a needle in a 4 bedroom single family home is more difficult than finding a needle in a haystack.) So. I made the executive decision to use this old brown Nymo beading thread that I had around. It is thinner than I would like for this type of work, but it was the right color, and so that's what I went with. I doubled it up a lot, especially at the ends, and I think that helped.
Also, a word about the "leather" cord. I know it is some kind of plastic because the instructions suggested using a thread burner on it. Readers, don't use a thread burner on this stuff. Yes, it is plastic and will melt. But it smokes SO MUCH and smells and also gets stuck all over the wire loop of your thread burner. I would suggest some really sharp scissors and cutting at an angle if you can't get the cord through the buttonhole, and some superglue for securing the knots at the other end.
Anyway, overall I like how this turned out. If anyone had an actual sewing needle and was able to complete it that way, let us know in the comments. For what it's worth, I have small wrists (5.25 inches around) and I used all but four of the beads, but you can extend the length a bit by adding a couple of extra knots with loops (you put the button through a loop to secure the bracelet) as there is a fair amount of extra cord provided.
Verdict: I did not calculate a value for Darn Good Beads of the Month because the materials were unbranded/not labeled. Although the thread didn't end up working out for me, it's possible if you had the right kind of needle, you could've completed the project with the materials provided. At any rate, I had a substitute. The rectangular beads were fun, festive colors, and worked very well since they were basically regular in size and shape. This is a popular bracelet style and if you can do this project, you have the tools at your disposal to make other bracelets, including ones that wrap around a few times, so it's a good introduction to a new technique, which should be particularly useful for beginners.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you’ll most likely receive the June 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 April 2020 Darn Good Beads of the Month? Do you subscribe to any beading or craft boxes?
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