Work in Progress: Beadwork Potpourri

My tentative steps back into my normal beading routine have begun, and I have actually had some time to sit down with beads over the past couple of days. I decided it was time to just pick a project and go with it, then took some time to decide what I really, really wanted to do. For a while, I plan to just make things that I want to, and avoid anything that feels obligatory (though that doesn’t rule out a tutorial or two!).

I finally decided to do something with stripes, and to just go ahead and use some of my favorite colors without worrying about quantities. This new project is all about fun. So far I’ve got the beginnings of a nice herringbone rope. I haven’t yet decided if I’m going to add additional colors or just stick with the olive green.

To help keep things interesting, I’m also chipping away at unfinished projects, rather than dedicating all of my time to a single piece. Changing things up a bit may take away from the progression of each project, but I still feel a sense of accomplishment with each new stitch. Although I can’t say that I’m dead excited to sit down, it does feel familiar to be beading again, and there is comfort to be had in that.

Part of my newfound motivation is thanks to finally getting another creative project out of my system. My bead helper and I did some paintings this week that turned out pretty great. We’re planning to do more as soon as we get the chance, and to experiment with techniques and themes. The joy of making something is definitely helping to bring back my need to bead.

What are you working on right now?

Mortira

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Copyright 2016 Inspirational Beading

Medallion Pendant Collaboration

It’s time to reveal the secret behind my new line of bead embroidered pendants! So far this ongoing project has been one of my absolute favorites, and I hope to continue it for as long as I can. It all depends on my new beading partner.

Several weeks ago, I was reading an article about a mother-daughter art team that creates the most unusual and exciting sketches. First Mica Angela Hendricks takes some portrait inspiration from vintage photos. Then she lets her daughter fill in the rest of the picture with her limitless imagination. Mom adds a bit of color and an amazing work of art is born.

I loved the prints, but it was the collaboration that really caught my attention. I immediately wanted a piece of that creativity for myself. I turned the idea over and over, hoping to come up with an teamwork method that I could use with my own designs. Then I had it! Embroidered medallions are quick to make, and offer a design process that would allow me to involve my favorite munchkin without expecting him to work a needle.

He was really excited at first, and it only took a few seconds for him to make his first selections. We start with the focal bead, which he chooses from 3 or 4 options that I provide, rotating through my collection of coins and cabochons. Then he picks a felt color and the first round of seed beads. One by one he selects all of the following rows, and I keep on adding color until he tells me it’s done.

Not only has the project been a great way for us to do something together, but we’re both learning a lot. At his age, the names of colors are particularly interesting, and it’s fun to watch him catalogue them for future reference, then bring them out again when it’s time to choose the next round. Robin’s egg is a favorite right now.

For me, it’s been another experience in letting go, just like with the Ugly Necklace series. There have been a few times when I thought his color choices crazy, until they absolutely worked. I've learned to be a lot more trusting, and it’s awesome to be able to say to him “You made this, and it’s perfect!”.

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
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World Beaders: Australia

Grab your guide books, beaders! Today we’re going on a trip to Australia. Home of the Bead Society of Victoria, and the world’s number one source for opals, Australia is filled with unique inspirations of all kinds. From the diverse and exclusive wildlife, to gorgeous traditional artwork, it is a feast for the eyes!

The continent of Australia was settled by European colonists in the late 18th century, before which indigenous peoples flourished, with as many as 300 separate nations with their own unique languages. Aboriginal art is among the most long-lived forms of art in the world, with Papunya Tula dot painting being one of the most recognizable styles.

Happy beading, Australia!

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading and Friends
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World Beaders: Mexico

Since it’s too hot to type, today I want to pay a visual tribute to recent visitors to Inspirational Beading from sunny Mexico! With it’s rich history and culture, and numerous mineral resources, Mexico is another of the world’s great jewelry havens. Not just a fabulous source of silver and opals, Mexico is also home to sugar skulls and pyramids, artists like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes.

Happy beading, Mexico!

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Bead Inspirations and Art Collages

Do you ever find yourself getting hooked on things? Perhaps you get tickled by a new bead color or beading technique, and want to use them all the time. Or you find a special treat that you want to have every day. Recently, my favorite indulgence is collages. I’ve always been a fan of clipping and collecting on Polyvore, but adding lampwork beads to the mix has taken it to a whole new level. I hope you like it too, because I think I’ll be sharing them often in the future - at least until I find a new creative fixation.

Yesterday I found an absolutely stunning lampwork focal with daisy-colored flowers on a jet black background, by Sandy Pandy Beads. It was so beautiful, I just had to clip it. I love the way the flower pops against the background, and the absolute black adds a sophisticated, daring feel to the design. It’s the kind of bead that wants to go out on the town for a wild night.

Lunar Eclipse by mortira featuring butterfly stud earrings

You might remember some fun collages that I shared made by another Polyvore fan, which paint pictures using the unique shapes of clothing and catalogue shots. I was even more thrilled to find some amazing ‘paintings’ that use a variety of images in complex layers, by artist kiki. I love the unique shapes and colors of the more abstract pieces, and the clever combinations of images in others. Here are a few of my favorites:

Untitled #261 by kiki925 on polyvore.com

Untitled #258 by kiki925 on polyvore.com

Untitled #245 by kiki925 on polyvore.com

Untitled #248 by kiki925 on polyvore.com

What’s your favorite inspiration of late?

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading
Sandy Pandy Beads and kiki925
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Art Via Jewelry and Fashion

One of my favorite places to look for inspiration - and creative outlets - is Polyvore. There are a million and one ways to use the collage tools, such as brainstorming outfit ideas, showing off your work, and playing with color. Some of the most creative things I’ve ever seen are much more reminiscent of the paper collages that we make as kids, cutting up old magazines for bits of color. These sets by DUE fashion are incredibly unique and irresistibly fun!

José by due-fashion featuring rock jewelry

meanwhile, deep down in the ocean by due-fashion featuring juicy couture jewelry

We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle. by due-fashion featuring a stila lip gloss

Did you know that you can now clip images from Etsy to use on Polyvore? If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend it!

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading
Polyvore.com and DUE fashion
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Inspired by Crayons

Colorful crayons aren’t just a tool for art, but a symbol of youth, and a reminder of how quickly time can pass. So it’s now wonder that even though we grow up and move on from classroom crafts, crayons and colored pencils still make their way into our art, and the color palettes that we choose.

Box of Crayons



Colorful Crayon Creations

Did you know that the 64 pack of Crayola crayons has been around since 1958? The first Crayola crayons were created in 1903, and sold in packs of eight. Since then, the company has been creating new innovations in art for children and adults, as well as evolving with the times. In 1962, Crayola renamed it’s “Flesh” crayon “Peach”, in recognition of different skin colors in a multicultural world - a concept that the fashion industry is still catching up with.

The wax crayon is a popular symbol in all types of mediums. They have appeared as Halloween costumes, novelty balloons, hair accessories, and even night lights. The basic crayon box palette of red, yellow, blue and green, with occasional highlights (orange, purple, black or white) is also popular in art of every kind.

Do you have a favorite crayon color?

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