Customer Reviews

Bead Fantasies II: More Beautiful, Easy-to-Make Jewelry

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If your penchant is for sweet, sparkly beaded jewelry, you'll enjoy this newly translated text from Takako Samejima. Her patterns for beaded rings, pendants, bracelets, and necklaces resemble complex snowflakes, but they are surprisingly easy to replicate.
Excellent line-art diagrams and concise instructions make each project accessible to most bead artists; some experience with beadwork basics is assumed. Using wire, thread, and your favorite beads and pearls, you can make a cloverleaf jewelry ensemble, a "retro flower" pendant, beaded wreath earrings and necklace, diamond flower rings, a beaded crown pendant, and much, much more.
Some projects are stepped out in photography, helping to demystify the process of making these complex designs. Fun of fun, color and whimsy, Bead Fantasies II will provide hours of enjoyment.

I'm an experienced beader and these instructions are difficult to follow, the pictures with the faded parts help some, to follow the thread paths, but I certainly wouldn't reccommend this book to someone that has problems following directions without someone to show them how it's done or the inexperienced.

This book contains many designs that are all eye catching and special. I also own the first Bead Fantasies book, which is just as wonderful. The designs are so creative and unique, yet simple and classic in appearance. This is well worth the money to have so many patterns of jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, key chains, rings, earrings, and more).

I have bought many (around 75) beading books over the past two years. I must say, for me, the Bead Fantasies series (also II and III) is, by far, the very best beading project book. Beautiful, not difficult, projects throughout. Generally, one will find one or two nice projects in a book. This series is definately a winner in my books. The price is very reasonable too.
Thanks, JC, Texas

I bought Bead Fantasies and Bead Fantasies II at the same time after reading the positive reviews; I wish I had looked at them before buying. There are pretty motifs that I will incorporate into my beading projects but I find the small typed directions overly simplistic and the diagrams are too small. I'm glad this isn't my first beading book or I would feel totally discouraged from trying any of these projects. I won't be buying Bead Fantasies III. The Art and Elegance of Beadweaving and Coraling Technique remain my favorite beading books.

This 2nd book contains more excellent beading instruction and continues to give the beader wonderful color palettes to all the beading designs. Another beadbook Classic.

This book, number 2 in the series, is a key component of my beading library. Similar to the other books in the Bead Fantasy series, the photographs are inspiring and beautiful. The line drawings are simple to follow, just be aware that sometimes two needles are needed. Some of the projects have photos of each step, which is very helpful. Some projects have variations for different jewelry pieces using the same motif, which I found very helpful in learning to adapt designs and create new looks.

The author's use of color has been inspiring in my own artistic journey in beading. This book is not for the absolute beginner. However, having said that, I feel the book is a very worthwhile addition to the beader's library because as your skills increase, the projects in the book will continue to inspire.

The projects in this book vary from simple to challenging. I made the romantic flower, which appears to be very complicated, into a brooch for a teacher gift. The instructions made it very easy to make. I found the snowflake very challenging.. I think that this was due to not having the right kind of thread. I found that some designs work better with nylon monofilament thread, as shown in the book. I had used a braided bead thread that didn't work so well with getting the beads to pull firmly together when finishing off.

Purchased to book to give me more ideas on making beautiful jewelry. Wonderful instructions and projects!

I bought this book, and was so disappointed with the almost non existing instructions. I would not encourage anyone who is a beginner to use this book.

I gave this book a 50/50 review because the instructions are excellent but the designs leave a lot to be desired.