Autumn Color Inspiration

Another bead giveaway has come to a close. Thank you so much to everyone who entered to win the fall treasures bead mix!

This month I asked about your favorite fall colors. Our winner, Estra, chose the combination of brown, orange and yellow. These colors definitely bring to mind the beautiful colors of autumn foliage, fall harvests, and cozy sweaters.

What do these colors say to you?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading and Friends
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Summer Moon Inspirations

Last week’s bead giveaway for summery silver and green vintage beads has come to a close. Congratulations to our winner, and thank you very much to everyone who entered! This month I asked about your favorite colors for evening wear jewelry designs. As always, the answers were varied and inspiring!

The winning comment, from Here Bead Dragons, nominated silver and turquoise for elegant jewelry designs. This combination makes a great palette for all kinds of themes to grow from: Western, aquatic, fantasy and many more. With the addition of a little black and some summer fantasy elements, it’s perfect for a dreamy evening.

What’s your favorite way to use silver and turquoise?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading and Friends
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Sweet Spring Inspirations

Last week’s bead giveaway had a wonderful turn out, and as always your answers to our inspiration question were wonderful. Reading about all of your favorite spring sights, smells, and sounds definitely makes one long for an end to snow.

The winner of the Spring Jewels giveaway is Emily. She says: “Spring is endlessly inspiring, but my favorite Springtime activity is a hike in the forest to stimulate my creativity. The new fern fronds curling out of the leaf littered soil and the first wildflowers opening get me thinking of dangling earrings and coiling bracelets in yellow-greens, creamy white and shades of pink and lavender. Brown is always a favorite with me. I have to stop myself from using it in every thing I make.”

I love this vision of soft colors and budding growth - just imagine a beautiful palette of creamy pearls, purple silk, and green glass!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the giveaway. May you have amazing color inspirations this spring!

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
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Treasury: Winter in the Woods

The winner of last week’s winter bead giveaway is Linda - congratulations, and thank you so much to everyone who entered! This month, I asked about your favorite holiday color palettes, and as always the results were varied and full of inspiration.

Linda’s picks were sparkly white with sky blues and the greens of a winter forest. With these color inspirations in mind, I set out in search of some pretty winter inspirations. The bead and jewelry picks especially put me in the mood for snow!

Frosted glass and soft mossy greens do make a gorgeous combination - and one that is easily achieved with beads. May all of your holiday projects be full of cheer!

Copyright 2013 Inspirational Beading
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The Bead Garden

Thank you so much to everyone who took part in this month's bead giveaway. We had a great turn out! With spring in mind, I asked what types of flowers you would use to fill a beaded garden; as always, your answers were very inspiring! Congratulations to Rosalie, whose comment was drawn at random for the spring mix giveaway. Rosalie's fantasy garden would be filled with flowers that bloom with beads.

Copyright 2013 Inspirational Beading
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Collections: Totally Turquoise

Isn't it interesting how the same beads can be used to create different looks and even moods? The colors, textures, and patterns of natural beads are ideal for recreating our favorite themes. Turquoise, for example, with its pretty blue hue, is perfect for anything from Western themes to cool tropical designs.

Before we take a look at some summery turquoise blues, I want to congratulate Deb from Beetique, who's comment was drawn at random for the turquoise and horn bead giveaway. Thank you so much to everyone who joined in!

As always, it was great to get everyone's feedback, this time on the best natural beads. Deb's choice is turquoise - a definite favorite for many beaders. Whether natural or imitated, cool turquoise blues and greens are easy to contrast and complement, and always add a sophisticated splash of color.

Happy beading!

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading
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Collections: Antique Romance

The results are in, and the winner of our gold and turquoise bead soup giveaway is Kashmira of Sandafulee…always in bloom! Congratulations to Kashmira, and thank you so much to everyone who joined in the giveaway.

This month I asked what your favorite metals or metallic bead colors are. Your answers were varied and unique as always. Some readers like traditional metals such as silver and copper, which are both excellent for all types of jewelry design. Others prefer metallic colors like blue and red, and gunmetal is always a favorite.

Kashmira’s favorite metals are those with an antique finish, especially gold. The addition of a patina to metals adds a little bit of mystery and romance to any design, so I was inspired to collect some pretty metallic jewelry and a few feminine finds.

Do you have a favorite fairy tale romance? What bead colors or materials would you use to capture it in jewelry?

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading and Friends
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Collections: Spring Violets

I'm taking a little blog break this week to catch up on a few things around the house, including plans an upcoming birthday party, but I didn't forget about choosing a winner for our latest bead giveaway. Congratulations to greeniezona, and thank you so much to everyone who took part!

This month, I asked about your favorite spring colors and palettes for beadwork, and the answers were really inspiring! Everyone has different favorites when it comes to the changing of seasons, and these have a great influence on our color choices and inspirations. Greenie's choice was the colors of violets - purple, yellow, white and mauve.

This palette is fresh, but soft and feminine - perfect for spring.

Happy beading!

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading
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Natural Spring Greens

There was a fantastic turn out for last week's faux amber bead giveaway, and a wonderful variety of input from readers on the best natural beads. I have consulted Random.org, and we have a winner! Congratulations to Kindred Images, and thank you so much to everyone who entered!

For this giveaway, I asked for your favorite natural beads. The winning comment was a toss up between peridot and Job's Tears - beautiful natural seed beads that look very much at home with subtle greens. The combination is perfect for spring!

Next week I have a very special, totally new giveaway for you, with multiple winners and some fun treasure hunting! To help make the contest a bit more fun, I'll be getting a little help from one of my new favorite places - Pinterest. If you're not using this fun tool yet, you can request an invite and get started.*

Today is the last day of greens for the week, although I can't make any promises as we get closer to spring. Meanwhile, have a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day weekend!

*Warning - Pinterest may cause hours of fun.

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading
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Poster Sketch: Zebra Stripes

Last week’s giveaway had a great turnout, and some fantastic comments! With a little help from Random.org, we have a winner for a fun set of leopard print and lapis blue beads. Congratulations to Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs, and thank you so much to everyone who entered.

For this giveaway, I asked what your favorite animals prints are. There were some very fun and a few unique responses. Although big cats like leopard and tiger were the most popular, there were also a few mentions of Dalmatian spots, peacock feathers, giraffes and even the humble cow! Catherine picked zebra stripes - always a favorite.

The organic shapes and patterns of simple zebra stripes look gorgeous on their own, but also pair up well with other colors - especially neons. Here are a few fun zebra picks, including always lovely zebra shell beads.

Happy beading!

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading
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Poster Sketch: African Metal

I have consulted my crystal ball* and we have a winner! Congratulations to Pixiloo of A Work in Progress, who has won a fun selection of tribal beads. Thank you so much to everyone who entered!

This month, I asked what your favorite cultural influences are. With so many beading techniques from all around the world, it's not surprising that your answers were so varied and unique. Pixiloo says that one of her favorite inspirations is African metal beads.

Not only are these beauties the ultimate in upcycling, but they have a gorgeous rustic quality to them, with an underlying nobility. I had a look around for some examples of African metal beads, and found a these delightful designs:

Happy beading!

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading
* Random.org
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Daily Treasury: Perfect Pastels

As the holidays approach, many of us are on the look out for some of our favorite seasonal treats. One thing I always look forward to every winter is a little box of butter mints - smooth, tasty and delightfully colorful.

This pretty pastel treasury by Sharky's Waters captures that same smoothness with a hint of holiday elegance.

What's your favorite holiday treat for inspiration?

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
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Red and Turquoise, Softly

How interesting that just after exploring the color possibilities of red and turquoise, I should stumble across this very pretty treasury in soft shades of red and minty blue. The abundance of white backgrounds in these picks by WiseApple gives the entire set a very festive, wintry look.

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
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Daylight Savings

The days may be getting shorter and colder, but at least today we get an extra hour of sleep. Did you remember to set your clocks back? Today's Treasury was inspired by bleary mornings and sunny winter days, with picks from the April's Army team.

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
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Daily Treasury: Fall Colors

I had honestly hoped that this new inspiration segment might truly be a daily feature, but things don't always go as planned. The good news is that I am loving the new job! But, since things are a little hectic around here, we'll have to pretend that "daily" means a few times a week.

Today's treasury is a lovely selection of fall colors and leafy shapes by Jane Priser Arts.

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Daily Treasury: Show Offs

Today's selection was inspired by the never ending task of finding ways to organize one's hobbies and life. Just when you think you've got your beads, books and jewelry stored in just the right way, something always comes along that makes you want to rework it all over again.

What's your favorite thing to reorganize?

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Daily Treasury: Sanguine Delights

Today's deliciously red treasury was inspired by The Nightingale and the Rose by Oscar Wilde. Thanks to Wrens Nest Creations for this lovely set!

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Daily Treasury: Comfort Zone

As a little extra inspiration, and just for the fun of it, I want to try something new! A daily snapshot of a great treasury or collection. Today's treasury includes lots of warm fall neutrals and woodland themes, all from member's of the April's Army team.

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
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Poster Sketch: Pink Padparadscha

Congratulations to Amy of Amybeads, who has won the Faux Crystals bead giveaway! For this draw, I asked what your all time favorite Swarovski color was, and your answers were so varied! Montana sapphire was a popular choice - my personal favorite. I somehow knew that someone would choose padparadscha - it’s a great color with a cool name.

Padparadscha crystals get their name from the orangey-pink variation of sapphires. Both the natural and manmade colors are citrusy and warm - a perfect sunset color.

Thanks so much to everyone who entered the draw, and happy beading!

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading and Etsy.com
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Poster Sketch Roundup

Beaders, I have a secret to confess.

When I decided to leave Etsy and try out a more mature venue, I had lots of reasons and justifications for doing so. And the longer I stayed away, the more I felt that it was the right choice, if not for me, than at least for the integrity of my beadwork. Unfortunately, integrity doesn’t always pay the bills, so I’m spreading out to different baskets again.

My confession? I am having so much fun on Etsy! I had forgotten just how easy it is to make beautiful treasuries with millions of products to choose from. It’s a lot more work, making sure that the gorgeous items with perfect photographs aren’t made by tiny children in huge sweatshops, but it’s worth it!

This is instant-gratification creativity at it’s finest. There’s absolutely nothing to clean up when you’re done, and no waiting for glue to dry. Here’s what I’ve been making lately…

Twist of Lime


Mist-ical


Granny's Farm


Feeling Stripey

And now you know my secret. Do you have any guilty craft pleasures?

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
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