When reading the reviews, I thought to myself, we have done this enough that we can figure it out, but I have to say, they really are the most horrible instructions I have EVER seen.  There is no indication as to how to connect the shade (I am still assuming I was supposed to use three of the four nuts and bolts).  It easily took me 1.5 hours to string the crystals, not the 15 mins advertised, and I make beaded jewelry...  The lamp is still hanging crooked off the ceiling, so it looks as though we will have to take it apart and try again, but the item itself is gorgeous.  *if* we can get the current one to hang correctly, we may purchase another one.  Really sheds a lot of sparkly light, just give yourself close to 2.5 hours from opening the box to finish.