Reviews

I have always been on a quest for the perfect pillow. My husband teases me that I am a pillow addict with my collection that I have now. I ordered this pillow because it was way out of my norm. And it was a good risk. My neck problems went away and I am sleeping through the night. But there are a few things you will need to get used to. You can't flop down on the pillow like a fiber filled one. It doesn't give like that. The filling is made up of those little beads you find in a bean bag. It has a soft and stretching covering. Sometimes during the night the beads have shifted to the top of the pillow and I need to push them back into place but I have gotten used to it now so I am not aware that I even had to do it. This pillow is a good purchase but understand that it takes some getting used to.

This is by far the worst pillow I have ever had the displeasure of owning. I read some of the reviews and was really looking forward to finally having a good nights sleep. This pillow is like sleeping on packed down sand. It is so hard and uncomfortable my neck and shoulder actually hurt more the next day. I will be sending it back immediately. P.S. the first pillow that arrived had a broken zipper on the cover, I should have taken that as a sign. If you want a good nights sleep - DO NOT BUY THIS PILLOW!!!

I bought the pillow for my husband and he loves it. Gives him great support. Highly recommend!

started out alot harder than i thought. after a month now much more comfortable and better support. It's not what i thought it would be, but better than a standard pillow. still trying to decide if i liked my foam contour pillow better or this one. If it breaks down much more ill go back to the foam.

After 1 year of daily use, I can claim that this is the best pillow I have used ever! Very comfortable, and durable. Pillow cover that comes along with it is useless though.

Reviews

I have a Chamilia necklace and this is perfect for it. It was very inexpensive and looked great for the purpose I purchased it for. I ordered several at a time and had a problem with one but it was easily fixed.

Reviews

Most of my life I've always deeply admired Laura Nyro's work. Before Joni and Paul (Simon) Laura was out there doing her own thing with the jazz and R&B music she loved and combining them into these little pop masterpieces. With albums like Eli & The 13th Confession (Exp) she was doing it pretty much to death. On this album things get a little different. She knew her earlier stuff was making a killing for the Fifth Dimension and,by this time for Babs. Here Laura is just creating her art and reveling in what was inside her. Miles had done it,and so had many other people who valued their art. Because she was also one of several handfuls of pop artists in her era who knew an awful lot about music and on "Brown Earth","Upstairs By A Chinese Lamp","Map To The Treasure" and both "Beads Of Sweat" and "Christmas In My Soul" with their impressive piano work that is just what comes out;the chordal voicings and quality of the reverb create this stripped down soulful kind of ambience that,while they seek a certain type of lyrical expansiveness are beautifully non sentimental. She's doing longer songs here and with the extended runs,sometimes into 8 minutes she's able to expand her dynamics and harmonic range. "Been On A Train" is a really tragic story.I am not sure whether it's from first hand experience or not but it's riveting non the less-kind of a tone poem. "Brown Earth" links that ethereal quality with her pop smarts together with this great bass layoring at the end. On "When I Was A Freeport And You Were The Main Drag" and "Blackpatch" she's more in her uptempo,horn fueled jazzy pop/R&B vein with a somewhat more happier tale where her less then known sense of humor comes out. Miles Davis described Laura is rather shy and,even unlike my folks who saw her in concert I don't know for sure but it's apparent she keeps her emotions largely in check-saving them largely for musical expression. There's an R&B cover here that anticipates her next work Gonna Take a Miracle (Exp) to a degree with "Up On The Roof" where she takes the R&B classic and Laura-fies it with her pleading,slow drag she's so great at. This is of course her least remembered album of her early career and isn't everyone's favorite. At the same time,in terms of her coming not only of age musically this album takes yet another couple steps for sure and is perfect for anyone interested in the art of great pop music.

The service was great!! I got the item i oprdered in less than a week!

This is my favorite Laura Nyro album, a favorite among favorites. Many cite New York Tendaberry as her best work but for me that album is less accessible, whereas the songs on Christmas blend together better. That's just my two cents, of course, but I would say that this is not only my favorite Laura Nyro album, it's my favorite album, period. That's not the main reason for this review, however. I bought the CD thinking that it was a remastered version since Amazon lists it as being released in 2008. In case anyone is interested, this is exactly the same recording as the original CD issued several years ago so if you have that one, don't bother buying the 2008 release. And as for Ms. Nyro - if you like her works and don't have this particular album, by all means get it. You will not be disappointed.

This is another overlooked gem by Laura Nyro. I think I prefer her version of Carole King's "Up on the Roof" more than I do King's or James Taylor's. The subtitle to the title written on the CD is ("Laura Nyro Accompanying Herself on the Piano") and thus is similar in style to the "New York Tendeberry" album in that the performances are intimate - just Laura on piano, her voice, from tender to raging, yet the album isn't quite as dramatic as "New York Tendeberry." Every song is a standout - especially "Brown Earth," "When I Was a Freeport and You Were the Main Drag," "Blackpatch" and "Been on a Train" reminiscent of the intensity of the Eli and Tendeberry albums, and "Upstairs by a Chinese Lamp," "Beads of Sweat" and "Christmas in My Soul." I have to say this about all Laura Nyro and her albums, especially the early ones with which I am most familiar. Laura is one of the most overlooked and greatest of the female "confessional, "poetic" and hit making songwriter/singers of that generation. She belongs up there among the best, with Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Judy Collins, Phoebe Snow, Janis Ian, Roberta Flack and Rickie Lee Jones. I was shocked that Sheila Weller's book "Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon--and the Journey of a Generation" included Carly Simon and not Laura Nyro. No offense to Carly Simon, but Simon didn't come anywhere close to the talent of Laura Nyro in songwriting ability, or in Laura's searing, idiocratic, distinct, unique and heartbraking, haunting and unforgettable singing voice. As Nick Drake rightfully has been, Laura should be rediscovered and listened to intently for anyone who likes these other singers. She'll have you listening intently with your eyes closed, or about to get up sing, shout and dance along with her.

I first heard Laura Nyro when I was in my second year of high school. I was listening to an AM station and they were playing Laura's single "Up On The Roof." I thought it was wonderful. I knew of her for a couple of years as a songwriter for selections of the 5th Dimension and other artists but this was the first time that I had heard her sing. Someone that I knew told me that she had this album so I borrowed it. I loved it from the first time I listened to it. It also became the first of Laura's albums that I would buy. My favorite selections are "Upstairs by a Chinese Lamp" and "Map to the Treasure." The lyric to "Upstairs" give you such detail of what is going on and it makes you feel as if you are right in the scene. The vocals are perfect for the song and the instrumentation flows beautifully throughout the song. The wondrous moment comes when Alice Coltrane comes in with the harp and you are now transformed into the song "Map to the Treasure." It is not something you can stop. You have to stay for "Map" and hear it out. It starts slowly with two short verses and then Laura's piano work begins to take you on a journey as it starts slowly and begins to pick up the tempo as it goes until the crescendo where she starts singing again and you are totally hooked to it. The tempo has become very fast as you feel as though she is singing to you saying "Take my hand now." You can't let go and then the tempo slows and she repeats the first verse and close with the fading piano. You think you hear the last note and then there a few addtional short notes that close the song. "Up on The Roof" is a fresh version from the faster paced versions of the early Sixties. Carole King did a slower version on her album "Writer" and maybe Laura heard this version and used it as a basis for the slower tempo. This was the only Laura Nyro song that I ever heard on AM radio at the time and I never have heard it on FM stations. The song "Christmas in My Soul" is a beautiful tribute to some of the troubles of the time. Unfortunately it also dates the album but it is a strong testament of the times. "Brown Earth" is a great opener and then "Freeport" and "Blackpatch" come in followed by the haunting "Been on a Train." "Train" was also a testament of the times as deaths from heroin use were becoming epidemic. "Beads of Sweat" is a rocket paced tune not unlike "Eli's Comin'" from her earlier album. Like "Eli" it starts off slowly and then picks up a very fast pace with a great electric guitar along with Laura's piano playing. I highly recommend this recording to any fan of Laura Nyro. Laura has stood the test of time and never received the recognition that she deserved but maybe her songs by other artists that were played on the radio then and now gave her enough satsisfaction since recording a song written by someone else is a great reward in itself. Thank you Laura, you were a great writer and you are missed.

Reviews

I heard a review of The Glass Bead Game on National Public Radio and was very interested. It is an excellent counterpoint to my traditional classical collection in the care. The Piers Moktan review above nails it.

James Blackshaw is just so good that every time he releases something new I know I have to get it. And every time I introduce him to a friend I make a new convert. And so the word spreads, slowly but surely. So now Michael Gira has signed him upto his Young God label, and here Blackshaw builds on the move he made towards greater instrumentation on the excellent Litany of Echoes. It's still about 12 string virtuosity, and he's still innovating - surpassing all the great masters in my opinion. But this time the guitar playing is complemented by beautifully captivating choral arrangements, piano and cello. The tracks on The Glass Bead Game fulfill that greatest of musical accomplishments - they transport you to another place - they transform your state of being. I have no doubt I'll still be listening to this in 20 years time just as I have with John McLaughlin's Shakti. This is utterly brilliant music that deserves to find a diverse audience amongst lovers of disparate musical forms. Acquire a copy and enrich your life!

Reviews

if you grew watching the Ed Sullivan show, Garry Moore, Perry Como or other variety shows, this is the kind of music that you heard. This foursome does a nice job of blending there harmonies with big band music and backup singers. Its pre-Beatles music at its finest.

I grew up listening to this Album with my parents. After many years I still remember all the words and putting this CD in my changer brought back a flood of memories. Quality is better than the album, and the sound is great....I recommend it :)

The Kirby Stone Four,four messengers sent before Pop music and Rock music was even born to give notice to everyone of the approach of Pop music and Rock music to others.These 4 guys and gals never knew it at the time but they were one of the first Pop/Rock bands of the 1950's.They took the song,"Baubles,Bangles and Beads" to number 30 on the hits chart in 1958.However due to radio station politics at the time,this song was probably shunned from the airwaves on many radio stations because of its "different" sound and should have climbed higher on the charts.I honestly believe if this song was re-released by the KS4 today it would climb to number 1 on the Pop charts...the song is that good and sounds even better today than it did back in 1958.The lyrics,"Ring jing a ling,ring jing a ling will be in your head all day after you listen to this song in stereo.The women who sang on this album received no credit but they too are members of The Kirby Stone Four,along with the Four members of KS4 and sound super!The rest of the songs on this CD are also in stereo and sound fantastic."Zing!Went the strings on my heart" and "Whispering" also stand out as great tunes.Little is known about the The Kirby Stone Four and the gals who sang with them.Most Pop and Rock music fans have never heard of The Kirby Stone Four.Don't know if they are in the Rock Hall of Fame and Playboy Music Hall of Fame but if they are not, shame on those who never voted them in.They richly deserve to be in the Music Hall of Fame.Buy their CD's and you will hear what the first Rock and Pop music band sounded like :-)

I have listened to a little bit of every song on this disc and I must say, it is truly incredible. Every song has a cheery vibe, even the not as good songs. I truly recommend you buy this wonderful CD. I could only tell he has this amazing voice and I'm glad he mad this disc. Now, be appreciative and show how glad you are, too. 5 stars cause of music.

Was this used in the last episode of The Sopranos 11?

Reviews

This is a pretty simple tool, but every beader MUST have one. I have this particular model and it has never failed me. Basically one opening on the tool bends the crimp bead in to a kind of a "u" shape and the other opening closes the "u" to form a smooth, compact "o".

I bought this because my boyfriends mom had one! I loved it after the first use and had to get my own! Great tool and long lasting good grips!

Reviews

I'm here today looking for a new laptop desk to replace this one. I have owned this particular laptop desk for about a year. It has split down the middle almost all the way through and the pillow backing has thinned out to the point of being uncomfortable and hard on the knees. It also has a very small lip that runs all the way around the perimeter of the desk that can become irritating to the wrist if you use an external mouse. It doesn't have any cooling ability, that I can detect, for either my lap, or more importantly, my computer. I suppose it would be good for occasional use, or to clip papers to, but it's not made for daily or extended periods of notebook use. Like I said, I'm here looking for a lap desk that is basically everything this one isn't. Durable, comfortable, protective (from heat), and stylish. Hope such a thing exists.

I have to say that I am impressed by this product. When the UPS guy arrived at my house I have to say that I was afraid. The box he handed to me had a sticker that said "FRAGILE" on it, but the box was completely destroyed. I can only imagine what happened to it on its way to me, but because it was well constructed it stayed awesome!

I've been using a laptop desk every day for years. My old one has been puffing beads out the seams for some time. You can buy something plain and simple like I already have at Walmart for about the same cost and save shipping charges but, since I'm a serious and longterm user, a few more dollars is well worth the investment. The larger size of this unit is perfect. It's not too big to be an inconvenience. I personally don't need the clip on the side, but I know it will be useful to some. The recessed spots at top are great for pens and pencils. Durability? It appears more rugged than the simple thing I've been using for years. So why do I say it isn't perfect? Well, I gave it 5 stars for being better than the rest, but I'm not keen on black. I don't like staring at a black surface while reading and studying. White is far better. Some of you may be "into black" but I don't think it is a comforting color. I'm even thinking of spray painting it white! Otherwise, this laptop desk ought to provide years of satisfaction.

It is perfect for my husband to use to do puzzles or write memos while watching TV. He also used it to hold a plate of food. The only issue is that one of the plastic grips keeps falling off, but it isn't vital.

Before you order this on amazon, check out your local Barnes and Noble or Target first. I found this exact item in pink (also available in purple, blue, and black) at Barnes and Noble for $14.95 and it's a much better deal because you get your item immediately with no shipping cost. Target also had a much bigger lap desk with a wood top and a black bean bag cushion also for 15 bucks (wood is better quality than plastic because it doesn't warp plus one end of that lap desk was kind of curved so it fit to your stomach). Anyways, this one is a good product for the price. It's a good deal for someone on a budget (like a college student) and all you need is a no frills hard surface. The surface of the plastic top isn't perfectly smooth (it's like writing on a slightly bumpy wall) so if you plan on writing on it without bumps you'll simply need to layer a paper or two underneath the one you're writing on. I use it to view my laptop in bed and it works great. I have a rather large laptop (Dell Studio 17 inch) but there's plenty of extra room, about two inches on each side, when I place my laptop on it. Since my laptop comes with a mini stand on the underside of the battery I have no problems with ventilation and I just needed a hard surface. The plastic top is kind of flimsy (you can easily flex it with your hands) so I could understand that it may warp if you put a super-hot laptop on it over time. If this is a concern try looking for a more durable wood/metal top lap desk but if you want an inexpensive flat surface then this is a good buy. The huge clip on the side comes in handy when I'm studying with a bunch of notes (my air conditioner and fan sometimes blows them away) and the grooves for pens is a nice touch. It's fairly comfortable but I wish that the fabric of the bottom cushion was 100% cotton (cotton is more breathable and cooler) than this fleece-like fabric because it gets a little hot on my lap but, eh, it's alright.

Reviews

I found this DVD to be very informative to the point that I made my first piece of wire jewerly with confidence. I most certainly would recommend these videos to anyone that is interested in learning this beautiful art form. Juley

I really like this video. Lots of technique and instruction. Sharilyn is one talented lady. The only thing I didn't like was the mentioning of her other videos more than once. I still want the other videos but felt like it was just a little pushy. I would recommend it to anyone wanting wireworking instruction. You will watch it over and over and take notes.

This is one of the best best best jewelry DVD's out there for a different style of wire work!! I love big, bold, chunky pieces and Sharilyn will not disappoint. She works with only 16 and 14 gauge wire, but you can always scale down if needed to your desire for your own projects. She teaches everything very thoroughly and clearly in a step by step manner. The projects are to die for and have so many applications. You can easily use a technique to accommodate it to your own style and ideas. The components have some many uses in jewelry making. You will most likely refer to this one again and again as I have with her book.

Sharilyn Miller is truly the Queen of Wire Jewelry making. Everything she does is first rate! Her previous DVD's are all outstanding. Her newest video: "Ethnic Style" may well be the best of the series. Miller manages to provide valuable information for both novices and accomplished artisans. Her designs are stylish, tasteful, and just plain cool. She is also able to take a timeless piece such as her "Back to Egypt" bracelet and make it much better with a simple reorientation of the link design. This is a wonderful workshop and no practicing wire or metal jewelry artist should be without it.

This video is just as wonderful as her others. Every time I watch it I make something new and wonderful. She's a great teacher!

Reviews

This video was awesome and inspiring! I probably made 20 rings after I watched it and they're all awesome. I didn't even know I had it in me :-) Thanks Sharilyn!

This is another fabulous DVD by Sharilyn. She gives you everything you need to make gorgeous rings that everyone will envy.

About six months ago I bought a copy of Sharilyn Miller's Rings of Beauty. If you're a jewelry artisan or you hope to be one, do yourself a favor and buy this video. It is unbelievably good! I have been able to produce well over 300 rings. My family, friends and customers think I'm some kind of jewelry wizard. Trust me, I'm not. But you'll be amazed at the rings you're able to make after watching this DVD. Miller is a great jewelry talent and she's also a superb instructor. I sincerely hope that she produces a sequel to this video because I'll be her first customer.

Like all of Sharilyn's DVD's this one has a very useful introduction covering the tools you will need and how to go about using them. The DVD is broken down into chapters in which she demonstrates the steps and techniques very clearly. Since there is a description of what each chapter covers, you are able to go back easily to review something if you feel you need to. Another plus is that the camera is behind her so you view her hands as she works and can look down at your own and make sure that you are doing what she is. This makes it very easy to follow her. If there is something that might be a little tricky, she makes sure that there is a close up. I was particularly impressed with her demonstration of how to make sure the rings fit correctly. Thanks, Sharilyn, for another great DVD.

With this DVD I was able to make all the rings you see on the title page and it was so much fun! The excellent teaching style of Sharilyn Miller is simple to follow and if you are a visual learner like I am, you won't have any problems creating all the designs she teaches here. The most challenging was the nautilus ring, which is made with one continuous piece of wire. These rings are quick and simple to make as gifts for friends, family and yourself. Your friends will all want you to make them one (or more).

Reviews

This is a great video. It offers many component-making techniques and then offers many suggestions on incorporating them into your work. I recommend these for anyone interested in increasing their wireworking skills. They are good for the beginner and the more advanced jeweler as well.

This is my 2nd video from Sharilyn, and I also have one of her books. This video is wonderful. Easy to understand and follow. I'll buy anything this lady makes.

This is one of the very best instructional DVD on wire wrapping jewelry you can find in the market. Besides finishing this beautiful bracelet with confidence and pride without any problem, it also provides execellent information and proper technique on this amazing craft.

This is a great DVD for anyone wanting to get started in making wire jewelry. Sharilyn is a wonderful teacher and she shows you everything you need to know to get going making beautiful jewelry. This was my 1st Sharilyn Miller DVD and I eagerly await her next one.

About a year and a half ago I decided to pursue an interest in making jewelry. Specifically, I wanted to learn to work wire. Fortunately, I purchased Sharilyn Miller's Tribal Treasurers DVD. I've seen dozens of "How To" videotapes and DVDs but Miller's is easily the best. Everything in this DVD is solid, useful information. I've since purchased two more of her videos but Tribal Treasures is still the best. You get the benefits of both a terrific designer as well as a great instructor. Trust me! You won't be sorry that you purchased this DVD. It's a resource that you'll treasure.

Reviews

I was a bit skeptical about buying these considering the price they were, but i was wrong. They are amazing to feel inside of you! I would rather have something other than plastic, but still amazing. Definitely worth the 99 cents.

Anal beads are not for everyone but they are one toy that really should be given a try as they are a great enhancer. My partner and I use a variety of these and thought we would give this particular set a try...motivated by price, we figured what did we have to lose...well of course, there is always a bead or two, but who counts? Anyway, these were great and I like the way the beads are fastened together in one continuous casting rather than on a string. I am a bit of a fanatic when it comes to cleaning this type of toy, and cleaning these beads is a snap and you can be pretty confident that the job is done and done right. My friend and I each have our own set and normally use them on each other at the same time. I will say though that when used without a companion, they do increase the pleasure of self gratification tremendously. If you have never used an item such as this, do be aware that you need to use plenty, and I mean plenty, of good water soluble lubrication. Also, it you are a beginner... for goodness sakes go slow the first few times. I do have several friends who prefer much larger beads on their sets but for my own taste, these are quite large enough and get the job done. On occasion my friend likes to use larger sets, but that is her choice...she respects my needs, I respect hers. I have no idea how men would respond to these, but we find they add a bit of spice to things when we use them now and then. I do recommend this set. They are just as good as many more expensive sets, and better than some.

I was contemplating the idea of sharing a review on a sex toy but I must admit that this one was loads of fun! I haven't had any issues with mine, just make sure you use lots of lube. Oh and for a real thrill get a mini vibe and lightly touch it to the beads! Amazing!

Anal beads have long been a part of anal play for both men and women, homosexual and heterosexual. These anal beads are of the rigid plastic sort - which is to say that the beads and their connections are cast in one piece, rather than the beads being threaded onto a string. That is good, as it is really impossible to completely sterilize string, at least to my satisfaction. My only complaint against this set of beads is that it is made of plastic, rather than silicone, which to my mind is the superior material for both feel and ability to be thoroughly sterilized. But, nonetheless, this is a very good set of anal beads that really does the trick. Its small size makes it a good starter set for those interest in anal beads. (Review of Trinity Anal Beads)

Me and my freind are open minded and like to try new think in the bed room. so after talk we wonted to try anal sex for the first time and this toy was the best think we found and it done the job she said that it was the hotest toy we have tryed out for along time. she thoght it world hurt and be umcomfortable but now it is the first think to come out of the draw and will even use it when i am not aroundand when i am too. we think it is a most have in the draw at all time now.

Reviews

LELO Luna Balls Pleasure Bead System is a beautifully designed product, it is meant to help tighten your PC muscles by forcing your body to do Kegel exercises to keep the balls in place. The only reason I did not rate this product a five is due to the size of the Luna Balls, they are quite large (35mm). They come with two weights (lighter for beginners, heavier for advanced users) but even as a beginner because of the size I have no problem keeping the heavier ones in place. I noticed even during the first use a burning in my PC muscles, it was not unpleasant, it let me know that they were being worked. The weight comes from little rubber balls in each Luna Ball, when walking you will notice them bouncing around slightly. I am very sensitive to Kegel exercises and often stimulated from doing them, with the Luna Balls I receive no stimulation from the movement. The Luna Balls have a girdle that keeps the balls in place (the white rubber around the balls in the picture). You can take this off and just use one ball if two is too much. The guide string is attached to the head ball and makes removal simple. Lelo Luna Balls comes with a 10 year warranty so you can expect years of use from them. This is a fabulous product for any woman worried about incontinence, PC strengthening for increased sexual satisfaction, or use after child birth to get back in shape!

This is the same thing that Lelo advertises on their site for quite a bit more. The shipping was fast and I got exactly what I ordered. I highly recommend both the product and the seller.

Reviews

I love my cooling bandanas. I bought all three of mine as the blue ones. You need to soak them longer than the 30 minutes they say. I soak mine for an hour or two. I also put them in the fridge to make them even cooler. They do not drip. They stay wet and cool for many hours, at least five hours. If I could give more than five stars I would. And if mine ever wear out, I will buy more of these!

Great product for the price. Worked well after soaking in water for a loooooong time to saturate all beads. They are not long enough for an average adult's neck but perfect for a child (with supervision, of course).

These neckscarfs work! and last for years. I ordered more because I love the one a friend gave me 8-10 yrs ago. I wish there were more fabric selections.

I purchased these items because I thought it would be easy to stay cool when I get hot flashes. They are portable, stay cool for a long time and saves on electricity. They work wonderfully and I would recommend this to others in the same menopausal state. I received the item extrememly quickly and had no problems with the ordering process. It was very easy. Thanks.

This is a good product, but it helps to chill them once soaked and to switch them out occasionally with another chilled one.

Reviews

Not much to say... A ton of beads for well under a dime a piece. If you're throwing Mardi Gras party, and giving them out, this is the way to go. If you're just buying for yourself, this is WAY more than you need, trust me ha =D ...but it'll probably still be cheaper than a lot of other bead sets.

Reviews

Both my two year old and four year old play with this. Just a great classic.

Got 2 of these sets for little kids in my extended family. BEAUTIFUL! Simple, sturdy, not complicated, colorful, overall great! Remind me of toys I had growing up in the 50's-60's. Only complaint (and not a big enough deal to me to lose a star) is the fact that once opened you can't really store them in the box as it has no lid. BUT...a big old ziploc freezer bag does the trick! : ). NOTE: These would also be excellent for occupational therapy activities for kids with autism, etc. Great purchase. Will last for more than 1 kid for sure.

I like this toy a lot! It has a great educational value and i am sure that my child will play with it for a long time. BUT, the insides of the beads are not polished! It is difficult enough for my 18 mos old daughter to get the string through the hole, so you'd think that the pulling will be easy. But the string gets stuck and my daughter gets frustrated. Very disappointing! My husband is going to polish it himself. I hope M&D can improve this little problem. UPDATE: I contacted Melissa and Doug about the roughness of the inside of the beads. They appologized and mailed a new toy free of charge. So i'm changing the number of stars to five!

I got my son these as an after thought but after opening them on Christmas he wanted to play with them instead of finishing opening his presents. He's only two but he really seems to like them. He has already lost one though, I'm sure I'll step on it in the middle of the night.

The lacing beads can be used to improve sequencing skills, to promote recognition of colors and shapes and to increase fine motor coordination skills. Is an excellent investment for everyone!

Reviews

I purchased this as a gift for a 7-year old and must say it was well made and well received. Wonderful craft for a young girl (or an old one, like me)!

Come on - I saw this after buying an almost identical Melissa & Doug wooden bead set at a well known store for $12.99. This sort of con shouldn't be on Amazon.

I ordered this bead set for my 3 year old granddaughter and she loved it. The beads were the right size for her to handle and the holes in the beads were not too small for her to get the cord through. She had a great time with this product.

Melissa and Doug flower bead set are a great toy for children to play with and be creative. I bought this for my 6 year old granddaughter but my 3 year old grandson had just as much fun with the set. There were enough beads for both of them to make a bracelet and a necklace and the beads were big enough that I wasn't worried about the 3 year old putting them into his mouth. We spent about 3 hours one afternoon with this and the kids had a lot of fun.

Gave this gift to a family members daughter. She loved it. She opened it and began creating jewelry immediately. Safe and fun.

Reviews

Shapes, colors, and designs are great! Colorful toys like this are so inviting. This toy leaves room for creativity as the child is ready. If you are looking for a toy that inspires creativity, this may be a good choice, especially for quiet times when the weather prohibits going outside or when you just want the children to play quietly together. The children learn hand/eye coordination without being `judged' on how they do. Will they last forever? Probably not. I'm not sure how optimistic I can be about keeping all the parts in the little storage box, but I believe this toy is a valuable teaching toy nevertheless. Check the age recommendation, as always.

This is a great toy for small motor skills and eye-hand coordination, it's also fun to play with! The colors are really bright and the different shapes are interesting. My daughter is 23 months and she is able to lace all the beads on and "count" them. The only thing I could smack on is the hard plastic end of the laces. The plastic is shorter than the length of the holes in the blocks. So my daughter was having a bit of a difficulty getting the lace into the block and then grabbing the end to pull the lace through the hole. I extended the lace ends with tape, and that took care of that little issue. You get two laces and the 27 beads along with the wooden box. I actually store the beads and laces in a clean coffee tub, it's much easier to throw everything in there. All in all I am super happy with this toy, I had high expectations for it and was not disappointed.

I bought this toy because it is supposed to help develop children's motor skills. My niece loved it, but she used the beads as building blocks instead of trying to put the strings through them.

Both of my grandchildren loved this toy and played with it the whole time they were visiting.

I wanted a constructive toy for my 2.5 year old and this was a good buy - we were able to use it for more than a year for different activities. My son was able to learn lacing, counting (both using numbers and through counting the dots on the blocks), alternating patterns (by using different shapes). There are a number of possible games with this kit. I'm very happy with the quality and durability of the blocks. The lace is sturdy enough to hold the weight of the wooden blocks and not fray. Its ready for my second one now.

Reviews

Product works great and is safe to cure my olives. Thinking about making German style pretzels too!

I was very disappointed by Essential Depot. We placed an order for Lye and Oils on the 4th February, the credit card was charged but we never received Fedex tracking information. Having called/emailed many times with no response we were finally told the credit card security had failed despite having been charged! When we tried to contact them again they just cancelled the order 2 weeks after placement. I would NEVER order from this company again.

Very clean pure product. Can't get pure product in the grocery store as Drano or Red Devil Lye anymore, they contaminate it with metal flecks, making your soap come out all wrong, and wasting your time.

It came on time, was in a sealed plastic bottle, wrapped in a plastic bag, and shipped in a box. I've used it several times to make soap and it hasn't let me down yet. I like the beads because they pour out easy. I would imagine powder or liquid lye would be much messier.