Disclosure: This box was paid for by me. There are no referral links, though I accept flattery and edible bribes.
Subscription: Blueberry Cove Beads
Cost: $22/month with $5 shipping, for a total of $27/month.
What to Expect: Themed monthly boxes with jewelry making items. In the past they’ve sent threads, wires, chains, hooks, pins, as well as beads, charms, filigrees, and more. I like the boxes with variety, but I’m not wild about charms because they just get in my way and make noise. Because I’m a cat ninja, I like to keep my jewelry quiet.
This month I really liked the Victorian Gothic theme, however, so I am glad I rejoined for October! The theme matched well with Halloween, without being overtly Halloweenish [though I don’t know how Halloweeny Canada gets, and that’s where the sub box comes from]. Plus, I loved the card insert, as always. The wooden tags and the art cards are my favorite. I feel bad throwing them away! Most of the art cards are taped above my desk, or they’ve fallen somewhere behind it.
I was excited about this box, because one of my other favorite boxes was the Vintage Tea Party box. I still don’t know what to do with the tiny polymer clay cakes, but they are cute! The challenge this month is to use the black faceted crystals… except, I don’t know which ones those are because there were three different black faceted beads and the box contents are not released until the beginning of the next month.
Victorian Gothic Box Contents [I will try to remember to update once Isobel posts the actual list]:
- Strand of faceted black tiny beads
- Strand of faceted AB dark purple beads
- Strand of faceted black beads
- 6 black faceted beads [perhaps these are the crystals in question??]
- 6 red faceted beads
- Black lace
- Silver heart pendant
- Silver cross pendant
- Silver necklace hangy thingy
- 2 faceted emerald beads
- 2 smooth green rectangle beads
- 3 black resin flowers
- 10 tiny silver wing charms
- 8 tiny silver heart key charms
- Silver pendant tray with resin face piece
First off: black lace… ohhh la laa! After the Panty Post review, I am thinking perhaps I should make my own naughty bedazzled panty line? I actually quite like the lace, and am thinking I should make a bib necklace. I really like the little tiny keys, despite not being into charms. The resin flowers are also pretty, and I’ll have to find something fun to do with them! I’m not usually into the included bead strands, because they often feel and look cheap. But, I liked the strands this month and put them to use right away because I had a birthday party to attend on Saturday!
The birthday girl loved her wrap bracelet, and I was quite happy with the results! I used some of the charms and bead strands from this box, as well as some antiqued bronze celestial beads and burgundy cord from the Boho box, some purple rondelle crystals from the Crystal Cave box, and other little bits from my stash. Really, I think the only thing I didn’t like were was the cross pendant and the wing charms.
Verdict: I liked this box for the most part, though I go back and forth on it. The items from BCB aren’t usually high quality, and I would say the contents are more for beginner/intermediate jewelry hobbyists. But I do like the variety and thought put into these boxes. That’s right, it’s a curation box. I love that they’re themed, and that each month there is a contest based off of using items from the box–it’s good crafting encouragement.
Plus, $27 for 15 different bead related items is pretty good. I can hang out for 30 minutes in Michael’s bead section and walk away with half that much stuff for the same price, or go to a real fancy bead shop for an hour and walk away crying because I spent the same amount on two tubes of seed beads and fancy thread.
What do you think? Does anyone else make jewelry or subscribe to Blueberry Cove Beads?
PS: How is autumn in your area? I think we just got some wind and rain. Either that, or someone was trying to open the front door while Bella and I sat, slightly jarred, with no weapons other than a 1970s French princess phone [whoa, that is exactly the same one I have!] and a papier-mâché skull.
I am not sure what that red plant is, but I saw it when I went out for a walk. The combination of the orangey pink leaves and maroon fuzzy pods made me very curious! Does anyone know what it is? Well, I hope it’s not poisonous, because I pet it.
M’lady, you are talented! I loved the review and seeing what you came up with!
Thanks, Artemis! It was nice actually doing something fun for a night instead of stare at ye olde comp.
Awesome!!!! I love love love what you made!!!! I seriously think you have a crafting talent I lack. Ugh wait until you see the bracelet I made…. Yikes
Subista what was your bracelet for? Ooooh is it the resin bangle? I was thinking about doing that this week!
Yes LOL lets say it did not go as uhhhh planned
Haha, I keep staring at the box and considering it. I’ve wanted to try resin for a long time, but I just feel like it’s going to be a mess and I’ll just ruin it. Did yours end up full of hair? Usually when I’m around sticky things, they end up full of cat hair and my hair. I feel bad for swappers who are like wtf why is there an eyelash and 42 cathairs on this package tape?
I have the same Darby Smart box. I haven’t done the bracelet yet. Doesn’t it need to sit undisturbed for a couple of days?
We should have a mini Darby Smart gallery… with pictures of lumpy half-finished cat hair bracelets. hahaha you catless people may think I’m joking, but I was Mod Podging some coasters last night and noticed I sealed a cat hair into one.
I made my resin bracelet WITH cat hair on purpose. Uhhhh … not as cool as I had thought…
First you fill like part of it, wait a day, then put in more resin, then wait a day. It really took like 2 days after that to harden enough
Love the bracelet you made!
Thank you, Rachel!
Subista what was your bracelet for? Ooooh is it the resin bangle? I was thinking about doing that this week!
I enjoy reading your review and love the bracelet. It looks like a lot of fun!
it’s sumac!
Thanks, danatrain!! I just looked it up and that’s definitely sumac. Wow, I pet it and it’s related to poison ivy and oak… good thing this one isn’t poisonous =)