Inspired Beader: Lisa Crone

If there were an award for the all time biggest bead lover, Lisa would be a serious contender. Her daily showcase of gorgeous, interesting and loveable beads on her blog, A Bead a Day, is truly inspiring.

Lisa has been designing for nearly 20 years, and spent many years selling her work at craft shows. Nowadays, she’s using her talents in a more casual way, making jewelry for fun, family, and friends. She’s also a beading instructor, teaching techniques ranging from beginner to advanced.

Although she’s a veteran of beading, Lisa still enjoys learning new techniques, and brainstorming ideas with other beaders. She encourages other artists to participate in beading cruises, which have been a source of knowledge and inspiration for her.

Inspirational Beading asked Lisa about her bead inspirations. Here’s what she had to say:

Inspirational Beading: When did you first know that you were in love with beads?

Lisa: I sort of fell in and out of love with them for a few years after I started beading in 1990, but once I started working with memory wire around 1994, I seem to love them more and more every day and don't think I'll ever tire of them!

IB: Do you have a favorite type of bead?

Lisa: I don't really have a favorite type of bead. I have a tendency to gravitate toward what I think of as "happy" beads - blues and yellows like the sky and ocean, and yes, smiley faces! However, I can find something special in just about every bead to love.

IB: Where do you find the most inspiration?

Lisa: When I feel a connection with nature or the universe I have a tendency to be more creative, but I can find inspiration in beads, fabrics, graphic art, flowers, etc. Brainstorming with other crafters and/or beaders also provides me with great inspiration.

IB: What is your favorite bead color combination?

Lisa: Variations of blues are the first that come to mind. Again, I think blue represents happy, peaceful, and content to me.

IB: Who do you hope to inspire with your work?

Lisa: I would like to inspire all other beaders to see the individual beauty in each bead and also in the wide variety of findings that are available. It's easy to get focused on the beads that are standouts such as crystals, but beads are works of art on their own in many cases.

I love coming across other beaders’ work that gives me goose bumps. Just when you think you have seen it all, there's someone with a new technique and you get excited all over again! When that happens, I want to share what I have found with everyone I know and often write about it on my blog. It was a wonderful surprise to find such a great community of crafters online. Always encouraging and sharing ideas, it's wonderful!

Lisa is currently working on her first beading book, which will be published by North Light Books later this year. You can find daily inspiration on her blog, A Bead a Day, or catch up with her on Twitter and Facebook.