BigOtters 65-Pack Wood Beads: Enough for a Full DIY Garland?
This is a pack of 65 natural, unfinished wood beads from BigOtters, each one 25 mm, or about 1 inch, in diameter with a drilled hole roughly 0.25 inches across, sold loose and unthreaded rather than pre-strung on any cord or wire. They’re sanded and polished smooth on the surface but left unfinished in terms of color or coating, so the listing specifically positions them as ready to be painted, stained, or embellished yourself rather than arriving as a finished decorative piece.
Who I’d recommend this to
I’d recommend this to anyone making their own wood bead garlands, necklaces, bracelets, or curtain beads who wants a blank canvas to paint or stain rather than pre-colored beads. It’s also a good fit for classroom craft projects, Easter or spring decorating, or costume accessory making, since the listing specifically lists those uses. If you want beads that arrive already colored or finished, or pre-strung onto a cord ready to hang, this specific unfinished, loose bead pack would mean extra assembly and finishing work on your end.
What you’re getting
- 65 pieces, each a natural unfinished wood bead sold loose and unthreaded
- 25 mm (1 inch) diameter with a drilled hole about 0.25 inches across
- Surface is sanded smooth and polished, left unfinished so it can be painted, stained, or embellished
- Hole size is described as large enough for a shoelace to thread through
Setup & sizing
At 25 mm, or about 1 inch, each bead is a solid mid-size for jewelry and garland projects, big enough to make a visual statement strung together but not so large that it feels bulky on a bracelet or necklace. With 65 pieces in the pack, that’s enough to string a reasonably long garland, several bracelets, or a single long necklace, though I’d count out how many beads your specific project needs before starting, since a long garland especially can use up beads faster than expected. The 0.25 inch hole is described as wide enough for a shoelace, which also means standard jewelry cord, leather lacing, or thinner rope should thread through without issue.
What it’s made of
Because these are left unfinished rather than sealed or coated, I’d avoid letting them sit in water or somewhere consistently damp, since raw wood can swell, warp, or develop mildew if it stays wet for any length of time. If you plan to paint or stain them, I’d expect them to take color reasonably well given the sanded, polished surface described in the listing, though a light sanding or primer coat is generally a good idea with any raw wood before painting for better color adhesion. For beads you don’t finish with paint or sealant, I’d still keep them somewhere dry just to preserve the natural wood surface over time.
Against the usual alternatives
Against pre-colored or pre-finished wood beads, these give you full creative control over the final color and finish, at the cost of needing to actually paint, stain, or seal them yourself before they’re done. Against beads without a stated hole size, knowing upfront that the 0.25 inch hole fits something as substantial as a shoelace gives a clear, practical reference point for what cord or string will work. Against a smaller pack, 65 pieces here gives enough volume to actually complete a full garland or multiple smaller projects rather than running short partway through.
Value for money
At $8.99 for 65 pieces, that works out to roughly 14 cents per bead, which I think is a reasonable price for a bulk, unfinished wood craft supply, especially since you’re not paying extra for a pre-applied color or finish you might not even want.
What to look at instead
If you want beads that arrive already colored or finished, I’d look for a pre-painted or pre-stained wood bead listing instead. If you need a different bead size, either smaller for finer jewelry work or larger for a bolder garland look, BigOtters or another brand’s different-size pack would be a better match.
What I like
- 65 pieces gives enough volume for a full garland, multiple bracelets, or a long necklace
- Unfinished surface is a blank canvas for painting, staining, or other embellishing
- 0.25 inch hole is wide enough for a shoelace, cord, or lacing to thread through easily
- Sanded, polished surface should take paint or stain reasonably well
What to know before you buy
- Beads arrive unfinished, so painting or staining is extra work rather than a finished product out of the box
- Loose and unthreaded, meaning you’ll need your own cord, string, or wire to assemble a project
- Raw wood needs to be kept dry and away from moisture before any sealant is applied
- No rating or review count is available yet to confirm consistency of bead sizing across the pack
Frequently asked questions
How many beads are in this pack?
65.
What size are the beads?
25 mm, about 1 inch in diameter.
How big is the hole in each bead?
About 0.25 inches across.
Are the beads pre-strung?
No, they’re sold loose and unthreaded.
Are the beads colored or finished?
No, they’re natural and unfinished.
Can I paint these beads?
Yes, they’re specifically described as ready to be painted, stained, or embellished.
What cord size will fit through the hole?
Something up to the width of a shoelace, per the listing.
Can these be used for a garland?
Yes, wood bead garlands are specifically listed as a use.
Can these be used for jewelry?
Yes, necklaces and bracelets are specifically listed.
Are these good for a classroom craft project?
Yes, children’s craft projects are specifically listed.
Can these be used for Easter decorating?
Yes, specifically listed as a suitable occasion.
Will these beads swell if they get wet?
Unfinished raw wood can swell or warp if left wet, so I’d keep them dry.
Do I need to sand these before painting?
The surface is already sanded and polished, though a light prep sanding or primer coat can still help paint adhere.
Can these be used for curtain beads?
Yes, specifically listed as a use.
Are all 65 beads the same size?
The listing describes a consistent 25 mm size, though minor natural variation in wood beads is common.
Can these be used to make a rosary?
Yes, the listing specifically notes wood beads are often used for rosaries.
How much does this pack cost?
$8.99.
Is this a good value for bulk crafting?
Yes, at roughly 14 cents per bead, it’s a reasonable bulk price for an unfinished wood craft supply.
Can these beads be stained instead of painted?
Yes, the listing specifically describes them as ready to be painted, stained, or embellished, so a wood stain should work just as well as paint.
Are these beads suitable for a child’s first craft project?
Yes, with light adult supervision for stringing and any paint or stain step, these are a reasonably simple material for a children’s craft project.
Will these beads splinter during use?
The listing describes the surface as sanded smooth and polished, which should minimize splintering risk compared to raw, unsanded wood.
Can multiple colors of paint be used on the same batch of beads?
Yes, nothing about the unfinished surface limits you to one color, so mixing multiple painted colors across the 65 beads is a common way to use a pack like this.
Should you buy it
For anyone making their own wood bead garland, jewelry, or craft project, I think this 65-piece BigOtters pack delivers solid bulk value at $8.99. Just budget extra time for painting or staining, since these arrive completely unfinished.
Amazon product listing – I have not personally used this item, and I say so plainly rather than imply otherwise.
Dana Whitfield
Dana spent eight years buying and merchandising for a regional kitchenware retailer before moving into editorial work. She has handled thousands of SKUs across cookware, small appliances and kitchen organization, and focuses on the practical differences that matter once a product is actually in daily use.
