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 Seascape Elephant and Lotus Bracelets Kit Review
I’ve been receiving Darn Good Beads of the Month for quite a while now. 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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Seascape Elephant and Lotus Bracelets
You really don't need any additional materials this month except for scissors (maybe pliers to do the charms/jump rings but a jump ring tool would also work). The instructions were fine as well, no noticeable typos like we saw in months past. Here are a few shots of me making the bracelets.
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This was a really simple project so there's not a lot to say about the process. You just string the beads on the elastic, add the charm, and tie it off. A couple of things that may be of interest: (1) you have to pull the elastic really tight when you tie the knots in order for it to stay tied, but then it does seem secure and kind of slides into the hole in a bead so you can't see the knot and (2) don't bother with the "threader tool" which, as far as I can tell, is just a bent length of bead stringing wire. It is not useful and I really wish a twisted wire needle had been provided (or even a dental floss threader) but, in the absence of that, I was actually able to string the beads without using any tools at all, since the holes were large enough.
I am not sure what the white elastic is but I am interested in seeing how it holds up over time because clear Stretch Magic does not last forever (a bunch of bracelets I made with it in college fell apart 10-12 years later) so if this is better I will be quite happy.
Here are the finished bracelets:
Verdict: I did not calculate a value for Darn Good Beads of the Month because the materials were unbranded/not labeled. The lotus charm looks a little bit like TierraCast but it's hard to tell, and I don't recognize the elephant from anywhere. The gemstone is most likely matte flower amazonite. This was an easy project that's low on the frustration scale (other than the "threader tool") and didn't take long at all to complete, maybe 15 minutes total. This is the type of project I would expect from this box but if you are thinking of subscribing, you should know that projects will vary and you will not be making the same type of jewelry every month.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you’ll most likely receive the October 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 Seascape Elephant and Lotus Bracelets Kit from Darn Good Beads of the Month? Do you subscribe to any beading or craft boxes?
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