Friday, June 10, 2011

Bead Giveaway: Exotic Sampler

Exotic Acrylic Bead Mix

Over the last few months, I have been slowly parting with my huge collection of acrylic and lucite beads. Some of these beads are beautiful and precious, but because I don’t use plastic for environmental reasons anymore, I’ve been finding new homes for them, in the spirit of freecycling.

Every time I give away another set of beads, it gets a bit easier to say goodbye to these little treasures. But there is one very special tray that I wasn’t sure I would ever crack open. When I was collecting all these rare and unique beads, I mostly sorted them by color and style, but I set aside everything that I considered to be tribal or earthy. I have an entire box of beads that I had once planned to use for Egyptian inspired crafts in my other beading life.

Last month, when I picked up the Egyptian vibe again, I thought perhaps it was time to work up some courage, and say goodbye to my tribal plastic bead stash. I considered giving them away, or perhaps destashing them in my tutorial shop. I even started putting them into baggies, sorted by color. Then I lost all of my gumption and put them back in their little compartments. Call me crazy, but I’m just not ready yet.

Tribal Inspired Bead Giveaway

Instead, I put together a little sample pack, with some picks from each of the sets. There are lots of natural looking imitation stones, earthy colors and shapes, animal prints, plus turquoise, red and black with gold or silver detail. I may not be able to part with my entire collection, but I really do want to share some of these beauties. They deserve to be part of a beautiful design.

I’m also including a huge bag of galvanized metallic gold 11/o seed beads, with a little sprinkling of African Christmas beads. Though there are lots of fun possibilities for these beads, I think the whole lot would make a wonderful multistrand necklace.


How to Enter

To win all of the beads shown here, leave a comment on this post, and answer the following question:

What country, culture or time period do you draw the most inspiration from in your beadwork?

Metallic Gold Seed Beads

To be entered in the draw, you must include a contact method. If you don’t have a Blogger profile with email enabled, you can leave a link to your website, shop or Facebook page, or an email address (beadlover AT yourmail.com) in your comment.

One lucky winner will be drawn at random on Monday, June 27th.

Good luck, and happy beading!

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
Subscribe to Inspirational Beading


46 comments:

  1. To answer your question, I get much inspiration from the bright colors of the 60's and so am enjoying the "retro-craze". I also love lavendars and blues of the Impressionist period. Thanks for this lovely giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's a tough one to answer outright - I have a number of favorites! I love Mexican embroidery, molas and dios des los muertos items. I also love the bright colors of this culture. But sometimes I like to work in a more subdued range, using a lot of matte golds and bronzes. For this color palette, I really like looking at the paintings of Gustav Klimt. Anyway, I love your blog and think this is a great giveaway! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. My home country, India. In fact, craft in my country varies widely from region to region. I love the beaded jewellery of Nagaland (it lies in East India).
    I am not affiliated to this online shop, but wanted to provide you a glimpse of Nagaland jewellery
    http://www.himalayan-mercantile.com/nagaland/index.html
    Thanks for hosting this give away
    lukathewriter(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have never stopped to think about this, But I think that the carribbean inspires me. The beautiful and bright color, the beach, the sun... Thanks for asking and thanks for the chance to win some beautiful beads!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Asian/Japanese. I have a collection of Japanese prints and I love the contrast of watercolor combined with intricate and bold pen illustrations. The colors are blended beautifully and can be muted or bold or both in the same print. I also love the asian-inspired silk fabrics and architecture. So exotic and alluring!!!

    nolfan1@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'd say the art deco period (think bakelite) to modern are my most frequent inspirations. Love watching your creative process and progress!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have lots of favourites so this was a tough question to answer. Right now I am in a period of earth colour and colours as Picassos paintings.

    Love this giveaway. Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I had to think long and hard about this, but came to the conclusion it was Japan, in particular the charcoal, black and a touch of red. jdstrong AT gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. The costume jewelry from 1920 - 1970.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love this giveaway, Mortira! You say, "christmas beads." I say, "yes please." My inspiration isn't from a time or place particularly. It's usually from color. I so color-obsessed, it's not even funny! I love the way you are into the Egyptian thing and see how it's so much more than color. Design, texture, form, line. I've got to make myself go there, too. Thanks for sparking the thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  11. HELLO,Mortira:-)
    Very interesting *GIVE AWAY*.I like all those individually made beads.They are full of saturated colours.I am going to take part in Your *Give Away* with pleasure.
    Concerning my inspiration:
    I am Polish,living in Denmark.Life can be strange sometimes,but inspiring as well:-)I started my beading adventure not so long ago and I'm trying to make my own patterns.They are inspired mostly by those both countries I've mentioned-Poland and Denmark.Those pieces of my beadwork,which are in lively colours,sometimes even overembellished,if we - of course can say,that this kind of jewellery can ever be overembellished-well,those are inspired by Poland,its culture and nature,I've grown up with.Those ones,which are more ascetic,made in so called'Earth Colours' are inspired by Denmark and the Scandinavian culture-You know-raw climate,people not so warm,saving words,but with really warm hearts:-)Once You know them-You love them forever.
    That's it:-)
    Hugs and a Nice Weekend to You-Halinka

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have really come to love making vintage jewelry. What inspires me is probably the Victorian era and the early part of the 20th century. In making vintage jewelry you're don't have to use a "certain type" or color of bead or even findings. I love antique brass and antique copper the most since they can be paired with most any color. I like to make what I feel inside. Color in everything inspires me.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I guess I would have to say anything Mexican or Southwestern , the colors of turquoise, rust , purple , bright yellow, the golds. Just to know that they were used for money , trade and in religious jewelry ..........would love to go back and imagine the people wearing them over the centuries .................

    ReplyDelete
  14. I've never really thought about it but I tend to lean towards Victorian vintage. dollartistcarla at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I get the most inspiration from the Native American cultures. There are many, each unique in their own customs and history but sharing a similar culture. Some wonderful art has sprung from these nations.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm influenced by the preColombian cultures of America, mainly the Olmec and Maya. Their art was both beautiful and had strong stories to convey. The color palette, influenced by nature, works very well for modern designs - turquoise, jade, obsidian, etc. Some of the designs they used, as depicted on carved stelae and other monuments, can be incorporated today.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Interesting question!

    I would say I draw my inspiration from the seasons. So right now, am in the bright, flowery mode! Anything bright and cheerful!

    The other thing that i draw inspiration (this is probably not relevant to the question, but still :)..is who I am making the jewelry for, i try to bring forth their personality while adding a bit of my own in what I make. Keeps things interesting :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks so much for having a neat contest. I make prayer bead strands and rosaries. I draw from LOTS of cultures, countries, and time periods for my inspiration, but most of all, I am inspired by the world's many religions and various spiritual paths inspire me most: Hindu, Buddhism, Judaism, Catholicism, Protestant, Spiritualism, Wicca, Druids, you-name-it!
    spinningjenny57 AT hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. i have to agree with the comment above about japan. i also like the Victorian era, native American and my own backyard. I find the best inspiration in nature.

    anna_beads AT hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm inspired by many ethnicities, but my primary inspiration is the US Southwest--turquoise, lapis, coral, silver, copper--love them all.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am inspired by me having Lupus and my daughter. She wanted jewelry and I could not afford it so I started to make her jewelry. Then my nieces wanted some and when I made alot of it I decided to sell it. It keeps me busy and helps me deal with my illness.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I remember being very small and going through my great-grandmother's jewelry box with her. She was first generation American...He parents migrated from Czechoslovakia.

    I have noticed in my beadwork that I draw a lot of inspiration from the Czech/Bohemian/Moravian styles and the beautiful glasswork beads that come out of their rich culture and country!

    amberhaze@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  23. My inspiration comes from vintage things. I especially get inspired when looking at the colors of old jewelry in antique shops.

    Wanda
    The Shape of Beads to Come
    http://theshapeofbeadstocome.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  24. OH how do I love the 80's in the USA? Let me count the ways... stylish, unique, bodacious, retro, loud and colorful, dark, silver, funky, happy, emo, modern, goth, my homeboys, VALLEY GIRLLLL, lots of bangle bracelets, tubular!, big hair, eurotrash, square sunglasses, bottom folded jeans, weird fitting jackets, pin on buttons, slam dancing to punk music!, TOTALLY wicked to the MAX!!! Think Madonna in Suddenly Seeking Susan!!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thank you for hosting this give-way.
    Hm... I haven't really thought about what I get my inspiration from. Sometimes I like to mix really strong colors together, sometimes I even go towards mixing the compliment colors together, and sometimes I like to be neutral.
    But to answer your question; I think I get my inspiration from nature.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi I love the Native American Indian jewellery, especially Navajo and Zunni. I visited USA and spent a lot of time looking around the Trading Posts and Pawn Shops. I love the colours, Turquoise, Coral and silver. I don't like the items with bear's claws but it is their culture. Thanks you for this beautiful giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I think this may be the most diverse giveaway topic yet! I am loving everyone's answers so far - so many fun and intriguing inspirations.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I don't know that I can pick a time period or style, I like really rustic stuff. When I make pmc pieces they often have cracks and ar erough around the edges and I like that!! When I use silver I always like to give it lots of patina and these days I'm using more copper and I take the torch to it, it makes it so rugged and beautiful! Kristi
    http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/DreamSome.Etsy
    KristiBowmanDesign @ Yahoo.com

    THANKS!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I use beads mainly directed towards the handmade look of african beads, to the detailed lok of roman styles.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I use beads mainly directed towards the handmade look of african beads, to the detailed lok of roman styles.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I get a LOT of ideas from the tropics - earthy but bright and colorful. I wouldn't say that any particular time period inspires me, though, although I've been thinking about some retro/mod designs lately! - Patty

    pattysprettythings@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  32. I can't answer that because I jump all over the place and am often just inspired by the beads themselves. Great giveaway.
    formysweetdaughter@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks for the giveaway!

    I have lots of inspiration, but my longest standing is costumes of Eastern Europe and the Middle East. I've been a folkdancer since 1973 and have studied the enthnic costumes of the Balkans pretty extensively. I love their embroidery and get lots of inspiration from their colors and designs.

    I also get inspiration from science, in particular crystal structures.

    Joann

    ReplyDelete
  34. I recently started bead work and find it very fascinating. Inspiration for me would be colors- trying to put different colors together & seeing how it turns out.

    ReplyDelete
  35. At the beginning of this year I started making Dog Collar Charms. So I have only been beading for a short while. Hmm...when I pick out the beads I am going to be working with I sort of let them tell me how want to go together. But I suppose I do draw a bit on traditional styles that like such as: Asian, Egyptian, native American, & African.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I tend to mix the Native American beadwork traditional style with the style of old European and Victorian.

    Awesome giveaway! (Great blog too!)

    Contact: http://megansbeadeddesigns.etsy.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I am inspired by the work of my ancestors. I do hope my work honors those who have gone before. While my work is inspired by my Native American heritage, I often give it a contemporary flair.
    It would be fun to "play" with these beads!

    ReplyDelete
  38. What a great mix of beads. I think my greatest inspiration/influence comes not from any particular country or continent or culture, but from the ocean.

    ReplyDelete
  39. cool giveaway! i get most inspired from boho stuff (not really a time period, but still :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. I love to learn about my ancestors from the Aztec civilization. I took anthropoglogy, and discovered the beauty in the colors and symbols of their jewelry. The lovely pieces remind me of the royal jewelry the Aztec Kings and Queens wore. :)

    ReplyDelete
  41. I just found your blog, and I love it! I'm inspired by the 50's and early 60's--my usual style is simple and classic. I love vintage beads, and I've fallen hard for peyote, but I was starting to see a rut up ahead. Lately, I've been moving out of my comfort zone, usually when a sale hits my eye. Adding metals, crystals, and colors I wouldn't consider until I read a customer's review--these beauties show up and I fall in love. Then I need new colors to match the new colors... . You know how it is.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I don't think that I can really narrow my style down to one era as I tend to jump all over the place. A lot of it I am sure is because I am still trying to develop my own style so I tend to borrow a lot from different times and places

    ReplyDelete
  43. I am inspired by ocean colors, and by the bright colors and flower designs of the 1960's USA.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I find the best place is the here and now. Whats more inspiring than the people around you? The new technology, yet in truth I always found the B.C. time periods when reading the bible, a very inspiring place to be (in my mind and soul) Things come to me just like that when reading so I guess my real time perios would be random what ever the time period of the book is...Lol

    ReplyDelete
  45. It's hard for me to pin down one precise culture or historic period, although I'm attracted to and have been inspired by funeral portraits of women from the Roman Empire. My creative mind tends to be drawn to meaning, to memories, to mythology and history, and to emotional and spiritual connection. I'm used to expressing these things in writing and other art forms - I'm only beginning to learn how that might be done through jewelry making. :)

    ReplyDelete
  46. Congratulations to our winner, Jenny, and thank you so much to everyone who entered!

    Happy beading!

    ReplyDelete

Blog Widget by LinkWithin
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Inspiration Topics

accessories amulet Ancient Worlds Modern Beads animals April's Army art ArtFire astrology astronomy autumn awards awareness bangle beach Bead Inspired Bead Shops bead soup bead spotlight bead stash Bead Trays beaded beads beading theory beads belt bezel birthstones black blog spotlight blue boho bone book spotlight bracelet Bracelet A Week branch fringe brick stitch brown bugles buttons cabochon ceramic chain maille challenge charity chevron chain christmas collar Collections color Color Ideas color triads conservation craft shows crafts crochet crystals cuff Culled Beads current events Current Faves daggers Daily Sets daisy chain Delicas Destash drops Dutch spiral earrings Egypt Egyptian Gods embellishing embroidery environment etsy exotic fair trade fantasy fashion Favorite Beads Favorite Techniques feminine fibers film findings fire polish fixtures Flashback Test flickr inspiration flowers food found object free form fringe Geek Jewels geekery gemstones geography giveaway glass gold gray Greece green herringbone hex cuts history holiday home decor insects inspiration tip inspired beader Inspired by... Inspiring Links ivory Jewelry Stash knitting ladder stitch lampwork lariat leaf fringe leather lights literature loomwork macrame magatamas Master Class Medallions metal free metalwork Mini Collar a Week mixed media mixture Mood Board MOP multi-color multi-strand music natural beads nature necklace Necklace a Day Nepal chain netting New Beads ocean ombre orange paint paper patterns pearls pendant peyote photography Picasso finish pink Pinspiration PMC polymer clay poster sketch purple quick inspiration rainbow RAW red resin ring Ring a Day rivoli Rome Russian spiral scarf science seed beads shell silver soutache spiral rope spring square stitch St. Petersburg steampunk stringing stripes summer tagua TBT The Elements thread Tilas Time Capsule tools trade beads triangle weave tribal tropical turquoise tutorial two-hole beads Ugly vintage Wear it Twice weather white winter WIP wire wishlist wood World Beaders yellow
Blog Home * About * Beading Tutorials * Advertise

Learn About Sponsoring Inspirational Beading with Project Wonderful
Affiliated With ShareASale.com and Amazon.com