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.

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.

First the great news. The designs are gorgeous and I've heard first hand that if you get the opportunity to take a class from Sabine, jump on it! She's an awesome teacher and a lovely person. The not so great news about this book is that there are lots of errors. So it requires lots of patience on the part of the beader to complete a project. I found errors in the drawings, the quantities of product required to complete a project, and even the type of item required, for example, a 4mm bicone versus a 3mm, etc. In one case, it didn't even indicate the size of bicone required and I had to figure it out once I got to that part of the project.

So I don't recommend this book unless you are an advanced beader or a very patient intermediate beader. However, again, the projects are gorgeous. I also had difficulties getting the tension just right for many of the bezels in order for them to work correctly. When I made the Queenie bracelet, all of my bezels worked except for one. When I wear it, I often lose one of my rivolis. :-( I knew it was going to be a problem while making it so I reinforced it many times, now there's no room for more thread so I'd have to completely re-make it.

I learned a lot though from doing a few of her projects, she is very inventive and creative. Just prepare yourself for some frustration!

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.

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.