January Bead Stash Favorites

Over the past several months I’ve accumulated a lot of new beads. Many pieces are left over from my secret project, while others simply tagged along with my stock up orders and were forgotten in the mix. My mission for 2015 is to make my way through all of the amazing accent beads in my stash and see what they can do. This month I’ve got my eye on some really fun pieces.

I’m a huge fan of carved bone beads in almost any style, but these dyed tubes are definitely among my favorite. A while back I added a strand in crimson to my supplies, but haven’t had much of a chance to play with them. I’m thinking of a few different projects for this, including fringe and multi-strand. The color is just right for Egyptian designs, and looks amazing against turquoise.

I might be able to combine my new bone tubes with these gorgeous turquoise Picasso teardrops. In 6x9mm, the size is very full – one could almost say plump. The Picasso finish is very enticing, of course, and the color is ideal for just about anything. I’m thinking these might make a great collar fringe, although there are only enough for one project. This ignites the hoarder in me that wants to hold onto them until the time is just right. I'm going to challenge myself to just jump in and use them up.

Picasso has been on my mind a lot lately, and my final favorite this month keeps with the theme. I just recently picked up a strand of these delicate caramel daggers and I can’t wait to see them in action. There are definitely enough for a collar, plus at least one more project. I’m not going to worry about waiting for just the right inspiration to strike. All I need is a great palette of seed beads to back them up.

What materials are you working with right now?

Copyright 2015 Inspirational Beading
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Work in Progress: Lapis and Picasso

This week I’m working on a project that is very exciting, mostly because of the beads that are going into it. The techniques are simple, but the colors are fantastic - I can’t wait to see the finished piece!

I’m combining matching Rullas and SuperUnos in a gorgeous coral red Picasso, with my own custom mixture made for the look of lapis lazuli. I mixed together some matte black AB – which has a dark blue look and hints of green, red, and purple – with a small dash of transparent light topaz AB for the flecks of gold. It turned out so nice that I want to make more and use it again in other projects as well.

What are you making this week?


Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
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Bead Color Ideas: Aqua Picasso

Subtle bead colors can often be the most difficult to find palettes for, as they can look washed out and forgotten next to more exciting colors. The trick is to find contrasts and complements that enhance the existing colors to make them stand out, blend in, or shine in just the right way.

I recently added some pretty Czech glass coins to my stash of accent beads. The translucent, pale sea foam shade is delicate and airy, requiring just the right colors to make the coins ideal focals in beadwork. The Picasso finish helps a little allowing for a little more play with a two-tone finish.

First I started with seed beads in the same colors as the coins, but with very different shades. Transparent dark amethyst plays up the Picasso finish, making it much more obvious and adding to its beauty. Meanwhile, cobalt complements the pale blue, and washes out some of the green tinge. Although the blue is so much stronger than in the coins, the colors work well together with the rich brown backing them up. Surf would look great in a multi-strand piece, or a design where the coins stand out dramatically from the beadwork.

Next I wanted to experiment with more organic colors, to highlight the greens in the finish. I started with dark pearl cream, bringing to mind harvest vegetables or fields of grain. Next I tried out some opaque apple green, but it looked much too busy next to the sophisticated Picasso finish and the shimmer of the pearl seed beads. Instead I found that transparent rainbow lime adds a lot of personality, without being too bold. Sprout would be really fun with light stitches such as daisy chain, or designs with lots of fringe.

Finally, I wanted to include a neutral. Starting with some turquoise iris, I considered both black and white seed beads to complete the palette, and found white to be a better match for the delicate nature of the coins. Rather than go with a stark opaque, I used a custom mixture that includes opalescent cream and white AB. Not only does the mixture look great with the shimmer of the turquoise beads, but it has a playful look that provides a nice backdrop for the pale Picasso. Splash could work in both cool summer designs, and frosty winter ones.

Do you like to use soft bead colors in your work? What’s your favorite?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
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Bead Color Ideas: Picasso Dragonflies

Although every season has its good and bad sides, spring is one time of year where the division is greatest. There are beautiful, fragrant flowers, and allergy triggering pollen. There are wonderful bees and butterflies flitting about, as well as a steady march of spiders, hungry caterpillars, and the year’s first mosquitoes. Its interesting how much we can love some bugs, but not others. Naturally, some of the insects we like most are also the most beautiful - like dragonflies.

Recently I splurged on a strand of gorgeous Czech dragonfly coins, and it was definitely money well spent. The simple design and Picasso finish brings to mind all of the things we love about nature. Although I have some secret designs planned for them already, I still wanted to experiment a bit with color and see how well these beads can play with others.

I started slow with a simple palette of brown and green, going for a near match of the colors in the coins. Transparent lime green and dark topaz look gorgeous together, and provide a simple backdrop for the subtle changes in the Picasso finish. This Pond Water palette would look great in a flat stitch with a random pattern, perhaps as a cuff with a coin focal.

Next I wanted to incorporate some clear water, so I started with transparent aqua blue. This color is incredibly intense, and could overpower the super soft green of the coins, so I added some soothing medium topaz to complement the dragonflies. Reflecting Pool would work well as a rope and pendant, especially with a repeating pattern to represent waves of cool water.

For the final palette, I started with another complement, but in a whole new direction. Instead of a light-filled green, I grabbed some transparent dark emerald. The deep green really brings out all of the colors in the coins, and the addition of dark blue iris adds a shimmer just the a dragonfly’s wings. Evening Thunder definitely calls out for something bold and fringe-covered.

Do you have a favorite spring insect? How does it inspire your designs?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
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Bead Color Ideas: Ceramic Picasso

Here on the West Coast we’ve been lucky enough to have a few days of mild weather and sunshine, providing the first few opportunities for spring explorations. Last year our family’s nature expeditions focused a lot on bugs, but this year mosses and fungi have grabbed our attention. Perhaps it’s due partly to the very abundant mushroom season we had this past fall, when the entire view from our patio window was filled with enormous orange milk caps. Now we’re on the lookout for strange and unusual plants everywhere. When you take the time to really look closely, these hardy little life forms are abundant and sometimes beautiful.

Studying plant patinas can certainly be inspiring, with their organic patterns and quirky color combinations. With lichens and fungus in mind, I wanted to try out some new spring color palettes starting with an organic looking focal. The perfect choice were some speckled, Picasso finish ceramic drops. The unusual pear shape certainly looks like it could be found out in the woods, and the colors bring to mind the mottled bark of an old tree.

Starting with a little inspiration from the eggy-beads themselves, I added seed beads in robin’s egg blue. This color picks up and enhances the light undertones of turquoise in the drops so well, that the only possible option to complete this Bird’s Nest palette would be terracotta brown. It complements the speckles really well, while also adding a bit of warmth.

With this first success, I decided to try another blue on for size. Transparent aqua adds a watery, raindrop feel, while also giving the impression of a Cloudless Sky. Rather than splash more color, I added some jet black for a neutral background, although some dark gray or mossy green may have been even better.

Finally, I couldn’t resist going back to one of my all time favorite spring palettes. Wisteria-lined crystal has the perfect purple hue of new flowers, while transparent lemon lime AB provides a sour Splash of Life. This pair always works when a cheerful look is needed, and they both bring out the gorgeous greens of the ceramic beads.

Have you been inspired by nature recently? How did it take shape?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
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Bead Giveaway: Picasso Mixes

Is there any finish more beautiful or inspiring than Picasso? The earthy, rustic quality of Picasso finish glass is perfect for fall jewelry, vintage inspired pieces, and organic designs. There’s really nothing like it.

If you love Picasso finish beads, or just have a taste for Czech glass, this giveaway is for you! Inspirational Beading sponsor Dream Jewelry Supplies is offering up some delicious bead mixes. The prize includes a 25 gram SuperDuo mix featuring turquoise and topaz, and 25 gemstone donut 11 mm rondeles in a gorgeous Picasso palette.

How to Enter:

For a chance to win the beads shown, head over to Dream Jewelry Supplies and check out the inspiring selection of beads and findings. Then leave a comment here on Inspirational Beading, and let us know which beads are your favorite. Anything goes!

Important: Comments must be made here on the blog to qualify. Please make sure to include a contact method in your comment, or through your profile, so that I can get in touch with you if you win! Incomplete entries will not be entered into the final draw.

One lucky winner will be drawn on Wednesday, September 18th. This giveaway is open to all international readers.

Inspirational Beading readers are also invited to save 10% on orders of $100 or more with coupon code DREAM10.

Good luck!

Copyright 2013 Inspirational Beading
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Bead Color Ideas: Picasso Daggers

Although neutral colors like black, white, and beige are meant to go with everything, they can sometimes be tricky to work with in bead form. The subtle changes that a bead’s finish can add to a base color demand more careful consideration when choosing a great palette. I recently treated myself to a lovely strange of Picasso finish daggers, and although the color is essentially brown, the hints of green and orangey topaz make it difficult to match. Before I can get to work on a new collar with these uniquely shaped beads, I need to find just the right mix of colors.

One of my favorite ways to use brown is as a replacement for orange in contrasting palettes. Rather than substitute, I thought I’d first try to combine these daggers with a more obvious shade of orange. This bright and peachy orange is a lot more cheerful than the muted daggers. The addition of Capri blue, which is bright but not busy, helps blend things together in Desert Sunset.

I was pretty happy with how the first palette turned out, so I thought I’d try the same method again. This time, I added pretty wisteria purple for the contrast, and dark topaz for the other ‘orange’. It's not as bright as the first palette, but the wisteria makes it somehow sweeter. I particularly like the way the purple highlights the hints of pea-soup green in the daggers. I’m calling this palette Spring Fog.

The complementary colors seemed to be working just as well as the contrasting ones thus far, so in the final trio, both seed bead colors are variations of those in the accent beads. For Driftwood, I chose light topaz for a softer brown, and shamrock green to give things a little kick of freshness. Although the seed bead finishes are completely different, both work well together when balanced with the Picasso.

Have you ever found a bead’s finish difficult to match? Which finish is your favorite for versatility?

Copyright 2013 Inspirational Beading
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Bead Wish List: Picasso

Every beader has their favorite supplies, techniques, and colors. Often, the beads that we like the most are those that help to define our style, and what beading means to us. Although a girl who loves bicone crystals is in many ways a totally different beader than the one who loves Lucite flowers, we are all connected by our craft, and can appreciate these little quirks that separate us. Our tastes and palettes are as unique as we are.

One of my all time favorite bead finishes is Picasso, especially on faceted or cut beads. I love the earthy quality they have, the subtle elegance, and the way the colors seem more vibrant under the Picasso blush. They’re awfully rugged and rustic for something so pretty. Today I felt like doing a little window shopping, with nothing but Picasso on the list.

Hyacinth Picasso Table Cut Rectangles
From MK Supplies





Picasso Jasper Faceted Rounds
From AuntiesBeads.com





TOHO Hybrid Seed Beads in Jet Picasso
From Artbeads.com





Turquoise Picasso Fluted Firepolish
From FusionBeads.com





Aqua Picasso Chunky Ovals
From Mountain Shadow Design





Siam Ruby Firepolish Rondelles
From LimaBeads.com





Yellow Picasso Table Cut Squares
From Happy Mango Beads





Cobalt Blue Teardrop Window Beads
From Beadaholique





Old World Picasso Mix Seed Beads
From Beads-and-Babble





Dew Drop Blue Faceted Rondelles
From Bobbi’s This n That

Do you like Picasso finish beads? What’s your favorite shape and color?

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading and Friends
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