Customer Reviews

Beading Bead-a-Day: 2010 Day-to-Day Calendar

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I had one of these calendars a couple years ago and I really liked it. The current one, however, isn't that great. I looked ahead through the whole thing, so I can give a comprehensive review of this calendar. Some the projects are repeats from the previous one I had, which seems a little like cheating. In addition, there are a bunch of "bead society" pages which just describe different groups of people who get together to bead (e.g., the Upper Midwest Bead Society, etc). Why would I care about this? Why waste a whole day on this kind of thing? There also seem to be a lot more "inspiration" pages, which don't actually have patterns than I remember in the last one. And some of the "inspirations" are hideous. Then there are a bunch of "information" pages, which tell you about things like pliers and how to use crimp beads. If you're a true beginner they might be helpful, but for most of us they're not. All of these filler pages leave little room for actual projects, most of which I wouldn't want to do. In the last calendar I had, there were numerous projects each month that I wanted to do. I saved the majority of pages from that calendar. With this one, I'll probably throw most of it away. I'm very disappointed.

I've been buying these for myself and as gifts for fellow beaders ever since they first came out. I agree with several of the other reviewers' comments that the content/quality of these calendars have been declining. I'm really unhappy with the 2010 calendar - there have been way too many pages dedicated to basic techniques(how to crimp, how to make a wrapped loop, how to do different beadweaving stitches etc - info that is found in just about every beading magazine and beading book I've ever read) and a lot of pages about bead societies and the like.

There are also quite a few projects that span 4-5 days - not something you really want in a day-to-day calendar. The quality of the projects is also declining. Some of the pieces shown are very nice, but I'm finding that the few I'm interested in are photos only - no directions. I've always saved at least 20-30 projects out of each year's calendar and have always looked forward to turning over a new page every morning. So far (June) I've only found one project to save from the 2010 calendar, and find myself going several days - or even a week or two - without turning the pages this year. Overall, I'm just very disappointed.

I am on a lot of beading groups and everyone was always raving about the previous years' calendars so I thought I'd get this one. I was so disappointed. I haven't hardly seen anything I would actually want to make and the bead society pages are nowhere near me so I don't see why I need to know about them. For a "Bead-a-day" calendar, there's not as many beading days as the name would suggest. I was even disappointed by how badly some of the projects were photographed. I don't think I'll be getting next year's calendar if this is the trend they are continuing on.

Can't wait to see what the next day will bring. Many great patterns and interesting bead history.

Nice daily calendar with lots of bead work and patterns, nice pictures, giving color suggestions.

Having been an avid beader and jewelry maker for years, I am always looking for fresh ideas. This calendar is wonderful, I can place the special ideas in my 'idea book' and keep the others in place for quick projects. I would recommend this calendar to beginners and experts, it was a wonderful purchase!!

I first purchased the Bead-a-Day calendar in 2007 - I loved it. I of course purchased '08, unfortunately I missed "09. I was lucky to find this years calendar on Amazon. It has beading projects ranging from beginner to intermediate, and great ideas for advanced levels. There are how-to pages that are easy to follow, even for absolute "dummies". I love the addition of the "society" pages. Great for first time beaders and long time addicts.

This is a great daily calendar for beaders - lots of good projects and information. Obviously not everything appeals to everyone, but there's lots for everybody.

Amazon's shipping was poor - both calendar backing was broken - I taped them up rather than go through the return process.

This year the calendar is chock full of filler material -- pages on beading societies, on types of threads, etc. Like they were trying to minimize patterns. And some of the patterns are repeats of previous years I beleive. In 2011 I will definately NOT buy one.

This will be the last year that I buy this calendar or ask for it. Many of the patterns and designs are repeats from last year. The only reason I requested this calendar is because I know there are pieces about the different bead societys/groups from around the world.
I really hope the content changes or I will not be getting this calendar again.