I absolutely LOVE everything about this book. The illustrations and photos are beautiful. Usually, when I buy a book like this, I am disappointed with either the clarity of instructions, lack of inspirational projects, or the projects don't include jewelry that I would actually wear. As soon as I opened the first page of this book, I knew it was a winner. I've been beading/making beaded jewelry for a few years now, and consider myself more advanced than beginner level, and I easily understood how to make each piece based on the written instructions and the diagram that follows each step. There is no guesswork involved. Everything is very clear. If you are brand new to beading, and have never followed a written tutorial or video, this is probably not the the first book I would buy. If you know how to do some basics such as right angle weave, peyote stitch, CRAW, brick stitch and have some experience under your belt, then you will love this book.
As far as projects......she teaches you how to make a variety of pieces including earrings, chokers, necklaces, bracelets, and pendants. She also includes alternate colorways for each piece, which is very helpful, because color can change the whole look of the design. The first chapter discusses supplies and techniques used throughout the book. Chapter 2: Embellished Bases (using simple stitches and jazzing them up with smaller beads). Very cool chapter with lots of inspiration., Chapter 3:Bezeled Stones (mainly rivolis) Chapter 4: A Question of Architecture Chapter 5:Pearl Centers Chapter 6: Sabination Nation (or how one beaded approaches design).
I would highly recommend this to those who enjoy working with seed beads and rivolis. Her designs are amazing. And her story is pretty interesting as well. She is actually a physician, with a mad love of beads. 5 stars for sure.
I pre-ordered this book months ago and have been anxiously awaiting its release -- and it does not disappoint! Out of the thirty projects included, I want to make every single piece -- they are that beautiful!
The book is divided up into several chapters:
--Chapter 1: Supplies and Techniques
--Chapter 2: Embellished Bases -- includes one necklace, one earring, and five bracelet designs
--Chapter 3: Bezeled Stones -- includes one necklace, two chokers, two bracelets, two earrings, and three pendant designs
--Chapter 4: A Question of Architecture -- includes three earrings, one necklace, two pendant, and one bangle design
--Chapter 5: Pearl Centers -- includes three necklaces, one brooch, one earrings, and one bracelet design
--Chapter 6: Sabination Nation -- a chapter on how Sabine designs her projects
--Gallery -- beautiful photos of designs by other beaders
--Author Gallery -- photos of designs by Lippert
As you can tell from the above breakdown, there is a really nice mix of projects included. Some are more complex than others, and the header for each project gives a rough idea of how simple or hard each one might be. Lippert mostly uses variations of RAW with an overlay of netting, but she also includes an overview of peyote and a few other stitches in the Techniques chapter.
As with previous books in the Lark Master Class series, the instructions are also excellent, as are the diagrams. I've done one of Lippert's projects before and found her instructions to be clear and easy to follow, and this book follows suit. Each project also includes a clearly labeled supply list, and the finished size of the piece. While the actual color number of the seed beads isn't given, it should be easy to figure out a similar bead color to use to match the suggested colorways. With the Swarvoski crystals and firepolished beads used, the color is given in a general way. (For instance, the supply list will state something like "30 golden-orange crystal bicones, 4 mm.")
I also love the hardback format of these Lark books; they are so much easier to bead from than softback books, which always seem to flop around on me.
Overall, this is a lovely book to add to your beading library! The only problem for me is that I love all of the projects so much, I don't know which one I want to start with! ;-)
Beautiful pieces but an important warning. It appears that the contents were not proofread. For example, on page 49 we're told to purchase 56 bicones but nowhere in the Supplies section nor instructions are we told what size. (Googled problem and discovered it's 3mm).
Each piece I've made is a show stopper. Elegant and sophisticated. This books instructions are only appropriate for advanced beaders. If you are one, don't miss this book. You will cherish it.
This is probably my favorite beading book that I own. Reason being: I can easily see me making not one or two, not even five or six, but EVERY single project that Sabine presents in here. No crazy hard to find beads required. Some of the projects will take a few days; there are plenty that will take you one or two nights to complete. Every project is easily explained, with great pictures and great illustrations. I have had this book for about two weeks, and I have made four things, and every one came out wonderful. There are things for both people without a ton of experience right up to projects for very experienced beaders. LOVE this book - it actually reminds me of the movie "Julie/Julia" where the main character decided to cook her way thru Julia Child's cookbook: I am seriously considering starting a blog and beading my way thru Sabine Lippert's Beaded Fantasies. That's how good it is.
As a decade-plus jewelry-maker, this is the first since Laura McCabe's "Creating Crystal Jewelry With Swarovski" that has really grabbed my attention...and it is by far an easier introduction than the former into the growing industry of high-fashion costume jewelry weaving.
Lippert does a wonderful job of balancing frank, funny discussion of her own creative process of design development with fully understandable diagrammes of how to achieve the unusual and interesting patterns she creates. She also goes a step further and demonstrates in a concise and accessible manner how to use multiple kinds of components (the instructions for each is included with step-by-step details and a materials list) to create a virtually infinite array of your own pieces. The photography is extremely well-done (I have yet to see better) and the information included--whether it be how to design your own work using her ideas as a springboard, the designs themselves, or the sheer innovation of bezelling techniques for different sized/shaped crystals--is brilliant. If you are even somewhat curious about crystal designs or an expert in your own right, this is a must-read book that will truly broaden your horizon of the subject in a fresh, interesting way.
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Much has been said about this wonderful, wonderful book! I cannot add anything to
what's already been said...so, I am just adding another 5 stars to Sabine's excellent
work, and another notch in Lark's library of publishing great books! GET THIS book!
You will love it!!! p.s. page 49, the bicone size is not listed...per Sabine, it is 3mm.
Oh, I just can't wait to get started! Everything is there...from the beginning of what you
need through great illustrations and pictures...with additional colorways for inspiration.
LOVE this book!!! LOVE IT!!!! :0)
I am an intermediate beader and this book is perfect! The illustrations and written directions are incredibly clear and usually easy to follow--it's unusual to find both clearly written words AND pictures! The projects themselves are gorgeous. The two I've done have turned out well. Only once was I confused (pg 80, #11, second half of the instructions), but I winged it and it turned out nicely. Absolutely gorgeous designs and one of the best, clearest books I've bought (the other is Jamie Eakin's cabochon bead embroidery book). That she is a physician and such a beading expert/designer/author to boot blows my mind.
Some of the supplies are a little hard to find, especially larger rivolis in the pretty colors, but most are readily available on the main beading websites. I've used my own color pathways, which are fairly sedate compared to hers, and the results are still wonderful.
Thank you to the above reviewer that supplied the bicone size for p49 (3mm).
I hope Sabine comes out with more books in the future, because I will buy them!
This is more of an art book for dedicated, experienced beaders. Definitely not for the novice to learn, it is taken for granted that you know what you are doing with minimal instructions given for the 30 beautiful, but not for everyday wear, designs. It would make a stunning coffee-table book. Of course, if you are an experienced beader you could make the designs for yourself. All beaders can use it as a source for inspiration. The author talks about her design process to help the reader understand her method and inspiration and to encourage the readers to explore their own ideas.
I had preordered this book back in February and was informed it would arrive in May. I was waiting very impatiently when...SURPRISE!!!!...it showed up approximately in Mid-April. I was thoroughly impressed with this beautiful, from cover to cover book, by Sabine. I have "known" Sabine for quite some time on Facebook and like her work very much. Her work is absolutely beautiful will not disappoint. Everything is clear and precise. Pictures are beautiful. Can't wait to start a project. Great job, Sabine and Lark Books for another job well done!
I pre-ordered this book back in Oct, 2011. After waiting for it's release, I am excited to say that it fully lived up to my expectations!! I recieved it yesterday, and spent a wonderful evening pouring over the beautiful illustrations and inspiring projects. I especially enjoyed the chapter on design. As a self taught beader, I am a HUGE fan of the Lark Master Class series, having spent many hours learning from instructors whose classes I don't have access to without a lot of travel. I am glad to say that this latest installment totally lives up to the excellence that I expect from Lark publishing. I have already started making my shopping list for the projects in this book, and will be at my local bead store within the week!!
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