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 U.S. for $4; Hawaii, Alaska, U.S. territories, and international for $13
Darn Good Beads of the Month Citrus Sky Beaded Bracelet 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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Citrus Sky Beaded Bracelet
Every project comes with an instruction booklet. This one had a few errors (like the last sentence of the instructions was cut off so I had to guess how to finish this!), and was recycled from a past package because I recognized some previous sentences that were not applicable to this project. You needed pliers and wire cutters for this project. I'd recommend at least two pairs of pliers, round-nose and chain-nose (or my favorite: bent chain-nose).
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This box introduced me to the idea of using knot covers over crimps on beading wire to terminate strands, and I really like that technique. You were supposed to use it here. But. The knot covers were so tiny (like smaller than the seed beads supplied with the project) that I had trouble manipulating them. I have small hands for an adult but for some of the knot covers, I just couldn't get the holes in the ends lined up properly to get the jump rings through. So, although I made six strands of seed beads, only four are on the final bracelet. Even though several extra knot covers were provided, I dropped at least four, and couldn't find them on my rug, they were THAT TINY. If you haven't started this project yet, I'd suggest getting some of this style of knot cover instead as they are much easier to use (you just have to remember to put them on before you smash the crimp beads).
For what it's worth, the crimp beads provided for under the knot covers are tiny and you can just smash them with some chain nose pliers instead of using crimping pliers.
Anyway, you put the knot covers over some crimps, string on beads according to a pattern in the booklet, and then attach everything together with jump rings. After that you make some dangles with provided ball-tipped headpins and that is where the instructions cut off, and the picture on the front of the project box didn't really show how it should look, so I just made an extender chain with jump rings and added the dangles to it. I have no idea if this is right but it *could* be.
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Here is what my final bracelet looked like.
Verdict: I did not calculate a value for Darn Good Beads of the Month because the materials were unbranded/not labeled. I was a little frustrated with the particular knot covers provided as I just did not have small enough hands or small enough tools to accurately manipulate them, so I couldn't finish the exact project derived from the instructions (I came close, though!). Also of course there was the issue with cut-off text in the booklet. That being said, I think this could be a fun technique to try again, especially with some lower-quality seed beads for a more rustic look (you can see in the bracelet pictures how these were a little uneven, but I like that effect here). I would probably use a slide lock clasp because those are easy to put on by yourself, and I'd probably skip the extender chain.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you’ll most likely receive the December 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 Citrus Sky Beaded Bracelet Kit from Darn Good Beads of the Month? Do you subscribe to any beading or craft boxes?
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