August Unboxings - Dollar Bead Box and Bargain Bead Box

It's that time again! I've got two bead subscription services to unbox and review for you. Let's take a look at what's new this month in the Dollar Bead Box and the Bargain Bead Box - two very different types of subscription services with lots of goodies for everyone!

Dollar Bead Box

Bargain Bead Box
Save $$ by using my referral link HERE

Multi Layer Hemp Bracelet with Czech Glass Rounds

Hemp jewelry and knotting are like jewelry comfort food to me. Knotting hemp is where my love for jewelry making began. The techniques I learned in my early years are ones that I go back to time and time again. Hemp jewelry is easy to wear, lightweight and never seems to go out of style, especially during the hot summer months.

This project is a fun rendition of the classic square knot style hemp bracelet. The multi layers give this bracelet an updated and fresh look without being overly complicated. Knowledge of the basic square knot is all you need to work up this fun, beachy bracelet.

Materials: Clickable Shopping Links
4 () inch pieces of 10lb Hemp Cord
1 Shank Style Button

Tying Station
Scissors

25 8mm Pink Czech Glass Rounds 

July Unboxings and Reviews

We are in full summer mode at my house, taking trips to the pool, staying up late and sleeping in. This also means that I rarely have a second alone in my workspace. There's either a teenager using the TV or a nine year old sharing the corner of my desk for her own craft projects. I'm not complaining, though. In just a few short weeks they will be back in school again and my office will be too quiet to think with two dozing dogs and the hum of the ceiling fan. I will enjoy every last scrap of random paper, the ever-clicking noise of the Xbox controllers and the nonstop chatter.

One of my favorite parts of summer is the delivery of bead subscription boxes. I have them staggered so that once a week for three weeks I get at least one subscription box in the mail. With the summer months, it means collections of blues and greens, nautical charms, oceanic themes and colors of the beach - that I much more appreciate in bead form than in real life. I'm not much a beach person. I don't like being hot.. or sandy.. or swimming anywhere where there are things big enough to eat me, but I love sea themed jewelry and accessories. Every bead subscription service has there own take on this nautical style and I'm here for it!

Bargain Bead Box does not disappoint this month! July's theme is Starfish Beach and it's summer vibes are serious. There is a carved shell centerpiece, handmade lampwork glass lentils, blue quartz, mother-of-pearl shell rounds and electroplated lava stone beads (an ethical alternative to golden coral) just to name a few. Want to see more? Check out my unboxing video and see this oceanic set for yourself!

Every month they offer an exclusive coupon code to use at their sister store, Bead Box Bargains. They also offer the chance to win a $25 gift card by submitting your design photos on their Facebook page, Instagram or email. I have my own affiliate link that you can use to get started.

https://www.bargainbeadbox.com/refer/Sara-OTOGLTFX

Bargain Bead Box was also kind enough to offer me an exclusive coupon code to share with all of you to get $2 off of your first shipment.

Just enter the code BEADLOVE to get your $2 off during checkout.

Dollar Bead Box had a great box this month as well! If you aren't familiar with Dollar Bead Box, they are part of the Dollar Bead Club, which offers three different ways to enjoy their services. You can become a member of Dollar Bead Club. Annual membership lets you shop from their members-only wholesale site. You can subscribe to their monthly Dollar Bead Box for less than $20 and receive a monthly box full of goodies with the total value of $60! This also gives you full access to the Dollar Bead Club wholesale site. Even better - you can reorder anything in your box for $1 for the entire month. That's a pretty good deal! Don't want an entire box? They also offer a Dollar Bead Bag for $8 a month. Each bag contains 4 3mm strands of Czech Glass Beads and 4 4mm strands of Czech glass beads. This is a great way to build up your bead stash at a wholesale price point. Just like the Dollar Bead Box, you can reorder any of the strands for $1 for the entire month.

Dollar Bead Box isn't a themed box. This is more of a shopping based subscription service. You get a small taste of what's available on their site and exclusive access to all of their products. All of their items are affordably priced and shipping is quick. They also send notices to members about exclusive items that are in limited quantities. I really enjoy this service and I think you will too. Check out my unboxing video for July and see all the fun stuff that was included in this month's shipment. If you decide to subscribe to any of the services that they offer, be sure to add my name as your referral.
Check out Dollar Bead Box HERE

Last but certainly not least is the Om Tara project box from Laura Gasparrini. Now, it's only fair that I tell you that Laura is a personal friend of mine and also one of the Outreach Coordinators of my Knoxville Bead Society. I am a bit biased because Laura is an amazing person and designer but I promise you, her project boxes are worth every penny! She offers a couple of different ways to subscribe. You can sign up for her monthly project kits or you can sign up for a monthly project sheet. The difference is, with the project sheet you are only getting the instructions for a super cool project. You have to use your own beads, findings and stringing materials. With the full project kit, she includes everything you need to create a beautiful piece of jewelry - including gemstone beads, beautiful findings and stringing materials. Also worth mentioning, if you sign up for her newsletter - which is completely free!!! she sends you a wealth of jewelry making information. She not only challenges your creativity but she makes you feel like part of her family - her "tribe". Her newsletters are amazing. Do not miss out on this freebie! You'll be glad you signed up.

I filmed the unboxing of one of her monthly project boxes but the files were corrupted. Unfortunately, I had already created the necklace using all of the items before I realized the video was a no-go. I'll add the photo below of the beautiful necklace I made from her kit. I really enjoyed it. She sent everything I needed to make this awesome piece. I dyed the silk ribbon myself with black tea and then put together the necklace. I think it turned out beautifully.

If you are interested in checking out Laura's awesome subscription service follow this LINK. Spend some time browsing her site. She sells tools, books, and offers tons of inspiration! I will definitely being getting another box from her soon.

Let me know what subscription services you subscribe to. Are there others you would like to see in unboxing videos? Leave a comment here or send me a message on Facebook!

Herringbone Wire Wrapped Dangle Earrings

Herringbone wire projects are some of my favorites. The technique is reasonably easy once you practice it a few times but the results look intricate and difficult to anyone who doesn't make jewelry. I can't tell you how many times I've had someone stop me while I was wearing a herringbone piece and said, "WOW! Those are awesome! Did you make those?? That looks hard to do!" I always smile and thank them.. just like a magician, you never reveal your secrets.

This earrings project works up rather quickly with beautiful results and use a minimum amount of supplies - my kind of project!! Check out the video tutorial and clickable shopping links below.

Materials:

• 20 inch piece of 24 gauge Gold Color German Style Wire 
• 4 inch piece of 22 gauge Gold Color German Style Wire
• Gold Color Ear Wire

Beads: 

• 22mm Diamond Shape Faceted Bead
• 16mm Oval Shape Faceted Bead 

*Both beads are available in the Goddess Oshun Inspiration Bead Mix from Jesse James Beads

Tools:

• Round Nose Pliers
• Chain Nose Pliers
• Bent Chain Nose Pliers
• Nylon Jaw Pliers
• Cutter Tool 

Loop Earrings using Stepped Bail-Making Pliers and Swarovski Bicones

This fun earrings project can be achieved using a couple of different tools. I show how you can create the loop component using the Stepped Bail-Making Pliers as well as using a combination of the Large Bail-Making Pliers and the Small Bail-Making Pliers. Making handmade components can be fun but it doesn't mean you have to purchase new tools. Look around at what you already have in your tool box or even just laying around the house, you will be surprised at what you can come up with using simple things that you already own. This same look can be created by using different sized pens or markers, crayons or even screw driver handles or skewers. Don't let the lack of a certain tool deter your creativity! 

Loop Earrings Materials: (double totals for two earrings) *clickable shopping links below* 

10 inch section of 18 gauge Tarnish Resistant Silver Artistic Wire

1/4 inch section of small curb chain

1 inch section of small curb chain

3 silver color head pins

5 4mm silver color jump rings

silver color lever back ear wires

2 8mm Swarovski bicones

5 4mm Swarovski bicones

*available in the Jesse James Beads Pride Parade Mega Mix*

Tools:

Stepped Bail-Making Pliers 

OR

Large Bail-Making Pliers

Small Bail-Making Pliers

Round Nose Pliers

Chain Nose Pliers

Cutter Tool 

Suede Fringe Necklace Tutorial

It's Memorial Day weekend and the non-official beginning of summer! Temperatures have been in the 80's and 90's all week so I would definitely have to agree. When the weather gets balmy and hot here in the south, my jewelry designs usually take a beachy direction. This easy stringing project has beach vibes without being over the top. Faux suede lace fringe is accented by shell tube beads and interesting shell-like triangle beads. This necklace makes a statement without being heavy or cumbersome. The length of the necklace is lightweight elongated cable chain that is less likely to get caught in your hair like some of the smaller chains have a tendency to do. All in all, I think this is a fun little project that definitely has me thinking of more inspiring beach pieces that you can get away with wearing without actually being at the beach.

Suede Fringe Necklace

Materials:
18 6mm Silver Color Jump Rings
7 Silver Color Cord Ends
Silver Color Lobster Clasp
2 5 1/2 inch sections of Elongated Cable Chain
14 3 1/4 inch sections of Brown Faux Suede Lace
7 Silver Color Eye Pins
7 Silver Color Head Pins
2 #1 Crimp Beads
2 Silver Color Wire Guardians
10 section of 49 Strand Silver Color Bead Stringing Wire

Beads:
16 3mm Silver Beads
15 13mm Tube Beads
7 17mm Triangle Beads

Tools:
Round Nose Pliers
Chain Nose Pliers
Flat Nose Pliers
Designer Flush Cutter
Crimper Tool
GS Hypo Cement 

Stringing is good for the soul

I've said it time and time again, simple stringing is good for the soul. There's just something very satisfying about putting beautiful beads all in a row. You can't go wrong with the right beads. This project is all about COLOR! The brighter the better.

For this easy necklace I've combined some beads from another Jesse James Beads Goddess Collection and some beautiful bright blue faceted rondelles from my own stash. Pops of lime green, magenta and electric blue make this project one that will take you through spring and all the way through the warm days of fall.

The magenta beads came from the Saraswati Collection Mini Bead Mix from Jesse James Beads. The lime green beads and the awesome Hamsa pendant came from the Saraswati Inspiration Bead Mix. The entire Saraswati Goddess Collection is all about creativity and color and I can't get enough of it. The bold colors definitely get my creative juices flowing.

Bold Colors Hamsa Necklace featuring Jesse James Beads

Materials: (Clickable Shopping Links)

24 inches of Brown Faux Suede Lace
3 4 inch sections of 22 Gauge Silver Color German Style Wire
Toggle Clasp
6mm Jump Ring
2 Wire Guardians
2 #1 Crimp Beads
18 inches of 49 Strand Silver Bead Stringing Wire 

Tools:

Chain Nose Pliers
Round Nose Pliers
Bent Chain Nose Pliers
Cutter Tool
Crimper Tool

Beads:

Saraswati Goddess Collection (links above)
40 6mm Faceted Rondelles